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Some notes and Whispers from the Senior Bowl where the Jets staff is coaching . . .
A lot of Jets fans on social media have fallen in love with Colorado State tight end Trey McBride, and would love for the Jets to pick him, since that is a team need.
He looked very good today running routes and catching the ball in the first practice today of the National Team, the squad being coached by the Jets.
He has very strong, confident hands.
The only thing that might cause a little concern is his size. He was listed at 6-4 at Colorado State, but measured a tad over 6-3 in Mobile, and he’s not the thickest tight end either in terms of his build, which could limit him as a blocker on the next level.
He looks more like an H-Back at this point, but honestly, that Jets could use a guy like that, a tight end with great hands who can threaten all parts of the field like the 49ers George Kittle. Remember, the Jets are playing the same offense as San Francisco, so they could use a cat like that to make the system even more effective . . .
One thing I’ve noticed covering the Senior Bowl over the years is so many of the offensive linemen who come in need of a ton of work. There is an offensive lineman from Minnesota named Daniel Faalele, who is 6-9, 380 pounds. In college, he could get away with just dominating player with his incredible size, but it was clear watching today, he needs a ton of technique work. There was a play in the one-on-one drill between offensive and defensive linemen, where an end wearing #52 (don’t have his name right now because the Senior Bowl roster on their website doesn’t have numbers right now), pushed him back, and the massive Australian lost his balance and fell backward to the ground. That should not happen. Faalele has tremendous potential, but needs to get with a team with a top-shelf offensive line coach who can help fix his mechanics . . .
Watching Pitt QB Kenny Pickett today, I would say his arm strength is good, not great. He doesn’t have a howitzer. But as we all know, arm strength can be overrated. Joe Montana didn’t have a great arm. Other important traits needed are the ability to read defenses, go through your progressions smoothly, be accurate and throw with anticipation. Obviously, not comparing Pickett to Montana, but he seems like one of those guys who will do the little things well to compensate for average arm strength . . .
If you really think about it, what Robert Saleh said today about Mekhi Becton is just a team dealing with reality, not a big story. He said Becton would have to compete with Geroge Fant for the left tackle job this year.
“George Fant stepped in at that left tackle spot, did a wonderful job and he’s earned the right to be part of that discussion at left tackle,” Saleh said. “I’ve told George he’s got a chance to maintain that position. It’s the same thing for Mekhi. He’s got to come in and he’s got to reassert himself into the starting lineup.”
Becton had a bad camp, and then got hurt in the opener, and Fant took over and had a very good season.
So why is saying they will compete for the job a big deal?
Becton should be moved to right tackle anyway, a position that fits his size and skillset better anyway, but that’s beside the point.
But like I wrote several times during the season, the people who were obsessed with when Becton was going to come back to the lineup last season from a knee injury, where was he going to play? Were you going to bench Fant?
Fant had an excellent season, so to make a big deal about what Saleh said today is a little immature, to be honest with you.
February 1, 2022
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