Content available exclusively for subscribers
East Rutherford – Here are some nuggets and Whispers from the Jets loss to the Giants in their third preseason game . . .
This is a story to keep an eye on – Mo Wilkerson left the locker room with a medical official, likely going to the X-Ray room. He didn’t come back by the time the media left the locker room, about a half-hour later. While most of the locker were cleaned out, because guys had left, all his stuff was still in his locker.
I’m not sure what it is, but when you best player leaves the locker room with a medical official, it is newsworthy . . .
Eric Decker beat CB Bennett Jackson for a touchdown from Mike Vick in the third quarter. Jackson is a rookie who will likely be on the practice squad. He is their sixth round pick.
I’m not being a Danny Downer here, but my point is simple.
Decker got a lot of coverage like this last year as Denver’s fourth option.
As the Jets #1 receiver, he’s going to get much stiffer coverage, like when he couldn’t hang on to a pass in the end zone in the first quarterback with Dominique Rogers-Cromartie covering him.
Decker scored this touchdown against the Giants backups and a practice squad cornerback . . .
This game was a coming out party for Chris Johnson as a Jets.
This is what we saw. We saw the 4.3 speed. It’s back. He’s back. It was clear tonight that his off-season knee injury didn’t take any of his rare speed away. He was flying out there tonight, as a runner and receiver, with 77 yards in total offense in about a half. He’s going to be quite a weapon for the Jets this year. This could be a free agent steal for Gang Green.
Another real positive for the Jets was how well Johnson picked up the blitz. He did a heck of a job “sticking his face in the fan,” blocking blitzers on a couple of play.
The only negative for Johnson tonight was a fumbled handoff between the runner and Vick. This was a problem in camp between these two. Perhaps because they don’t work together a lot. It could be a lefty-righty issue. This needs to be fixed . . .
Robert Ayers beat Oday Aboushi to stop runner for no gain in third quarter as a right tackle.
On the next series, Aboushi was back at right guard on a Jets early fourth quarter scoring drive, and did a nice job.
Jets need to move on from this tackle thing. Aboushi is much better as a guard . . .
Kyle Wilson had a pass interference on a quick slant by Victor Cruz early in the game.
Late in the first half, on a Giants scoring drive, Wilson was beat for gain of 17 and 18 by Cruz. Then in the third quarter, he had an illegal block in the back on a punt return.
Then on a third quarter scoring drive, Wilson was beat by WR Julian Talley for a key third-down conversion in red zone.
It bothers me to keep writing this stuff. He’s a fine young man, but Rex isn’t handling this nickel spot in a pragmatic fashion. He’s being loyal to the point of defiance . . .
It was strange that LeQuan Lewis was the first corner off the bench after Antonio Allen’s concussion, ahead of Ras-I Dowling, Johnny Patrick, Ellis Lankster and Jeremy Reeves. Lewis got here two weeks ago.
Lewis gave up a TD to WR Reuben Randle . . .
Dalton Freeman looks like a lock for the backup interior swing backup job. He looked very good tonight. Terrific technician . . .
Aside from one bad play, Darrin Walls played well starting tonight, including a near Pick Six.
He clearly should be the starter until Dee Milliner . . .
August 22, 2014
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Saturday.