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So far Mike Maccagnan is off to a good start with all of his draft picks making the team. That is a 100 percent success rate . . .
Let me take my tongue out of my cheek.
It’s a self-full-filling prophecy.
Look, I’m not ripping the new GM this early, but there is no way Deon Simon and Jarvis Harrison should have made the regular roster.
They both are practice squad players. They didn’t earn roster spots based on their work this summer.
The release of Walter Powell was a head-scratcher. He played well in the preseason, both as a returner and receiver.
As I mentioned yesterday, I think they were looking for an excuse to cut him, so they can use his two penalties against the Philadelphia Eagles. He wasn’t their guy.
It’s a mystery right now who the Jets kick returner is going to be with Powell, Chris Owusu and Saalim Hakim released.
There really wasn’t a lot of competition this summer.
The only competition that manifested itself was for a few backup spots.
There were three veterans battling for the two backup inside linebacker jobs. Erin Henderson and Jabari Lattimore beat out Joe Mays. Henderson was outstanding in training camp and then in the first half against Detroit before suffering an MCL sprain. He should be ready for the start of the season. He was playing so well, he looked like he could challenge DeMario Davis for the starting ILB job next to David Harris. Lattimore was the Jets’ best coverage linebacker all summer.
At outside linebacker, Jason Babin and Calvin Pace were battling for one spot. They weren’t going to keep two 35-year-old linebackers. Pace won. He’s a little more athletic and mobile. It’s possible Babin could return after Week One, so they don’t have to pay him for the entire season.
Another area of competition was on the backup offensive line.
As I mentioned yesterday, Wesley Johnson really hurt himself against Philly, and knocked himself out of the backup swing job competition.
Brett Qvale and Ben Ijalana both had terrific spots and earned their spots.
Dozier making the team was a little surprising. Had an inconsistent summer. This could change in the next 24-48 hours.
Harrison didn’t earn his spot. This is clear politics.
The only competition at receiver involved a cast of thousands going for the last receiver spot behind Brandon Marshall, Eric Decker, Devin Smith and Jeremy Kerley. Quincy Enunwa won the job.
Shaq Evans is a practice squad possibility. He’s so banged up right now, he needs a little time to get his body right.
Kellen Davis landed the #2 tight job, but that isn’t a surprise. He was ahead of Jace Amaro even before he got hurt. Davis is such a good blocker, at 6-7, 268, he’s almost like having an extra tight end. He comes off the ball with intent.
As for the backup QB job, the Jets are rolling the dice early on with Bryce Petty. They better keep their fingers crossed that Ryan Fitzpatrick stays healthy. Big upside, but not ready for that job yet.
September 5, 2015
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