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The Jets are the most banged-up they have been all season coming out of the Kansas City Chiefs game, but they can overcome these.
The following players didn’t practice – Lawrence Thomas, Jalin Marshall, Darrelle Revis and Eric Decker.
Thomas and Marshall have torn labrums and could end up on IR.
They are both terrific players, but if they go on IR, the Jets can deal with these losses. They are both undrafted rookie free agents. The Jets have a lot of talent and depth on the defensive line, and now that Sheldon Richardson is back, Thomas wasn’t playing much.
As for Marshall, the Jets can replace him at receiver with Robby Anderson, who actually had a better camp than Marshall. Anderson has more consistent hands.
As for Marshall as a returner, he is electrifying in the open field, but ball security has been an issue and he fumbled a return last week, and it was returned for a touchdown.
Jeremy Ross should never have been cut. He did everything in his power to make the team, and was the victim of politics, and the Jets keeping four quarterbacks, and a fifth-round pick who should be on the practice squad.
Ross might not be as explosive as Marshall, but he’s a more consistent kickoff and punt catcher. He’s also had a very good at receiver – very good, and can give them depth at receiver, where not only is Jalin Marshall hurt, but Eric Decker.
The Decker injury is a mystery. It’s a shoulder, and we will find out more later in the week. And keep in mind Decker is also the backup punt returner, so the Jets could save a roster spot and have him do it. But he’s a starting receiver dealing with a shoulder issue, so having him return punts full-time is probably not a good idea.
As for the Revis ankle injury. Not a big deal if he misses games. I’m sorry if that offends some people, but let’s stop sugarcoating the situation. If the Jets have to start Buster Skrine and Marcus Williams at corner, and mix in Juston Burris who had a spectacular diving PD on a deep ball in KC, is that a big deal? I’m not into hype and public relations, I’m into reality. Revis has lost a step and lacks the requisite short-area quickness to consistently keep up with fast and quick receiver when they cut away from him. Not a big deal if he misses a game.
So while no injuries are good, the only one from the group I mentioned that could hurt them a little is Decker. The other ones they can absorb . . .
I’ve said it before, and I will say it again – Brandon Marshall is a tremendous receiver, a transcendent talent, but he has too much going on outside of the Bill Belichick mantra for players – “Do your job.”
After the game in Kansas City he said the Jets play-calling in the red zone might be “too cute.” Man, perhaps you are right, but it’s not your job as a player to critique Chan Gailey’s play-calling in the media.
Of course, even with a two-game losing streak, and foot and knee ailments, he had to do his national television show.
And then there is his work as a mental health advocate (which is important). He praised the Jets claiming TE Austin Seferian-Jenkins, who has issues, because he’s become an advisor to the kid, whose had two DUI’s, was thrown out of spring practice, and threw a temper-tantrum on the sideline of a preseason game.
“I think we got a great player and a great person,” Marshall said. “And I think this fresh start is going to really help him out a lot. He’s not a bad kid. But I think that there’s a lot of growth that he can achieve now in the short term.
I’m sorry. I’m from the Belichick-Parcells school – it needs to be all about focusing on football during the season and your job – not TV shows, critiquing your offensive coordinators or being a mental health consultant.
A lot going on here.
September 29, 2016
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