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One Jets Drive, Florham Park, N.J. – Jets insider Dan Leberfeld checks in from the Atlantic Health Training Complex with all the good stuff on Gang Green . . .
Plaxico Burress caught a pass early in practice today, and got a big ovation from the players on the sideline.
It was like one of those sarcastic cheers you hear when a team finally gets a first down late in the second quarter . . .
You get the sense Josh Mauga could have a bigger role this week. He’s the Jets best coverage linebacker, and we all know how much the Chargers like to throw to backs and tight ends . . .
One issue I see with Sanchez is that he doesn’t trust his eyes enough.
There was a play in practice this week he was throwing a quick pass to Holmes (I won’t say the route because that is against the media rules), and he was about throw, but didn’t – he recocked, and then threw. You really can’t do this on quick passes. You have to trust your eyes and make the throw – like Aaron Rogers – three steps and the ball is out . . .
All the talk about Rex’s bombastic comment to the San Diego media about winning a couple of rings out there has led to lot of speculation who he was taking a shot at (if he was at all).
Some say it is Mike Tannenbaum because Rex said how loaded the Chargers roster is, so you could make the argument he was implying that Jets don’t have as much talent.
Some say it is Norv Turner for not winning a ring yet with that roster.
I have a different take – I think Rex is bitter at Chargers GM A.J. Smith for not hiring him as the head coach when he interviewed out there . . .
Nick Mangold (ankle) joined the team in running gut drills today (where you run ten yards – touch the line, and then run back), and looked fine . . .
You have to wonder if DE Ropati Pitiotua (knee) will play on Sunday. He has a PCL sprain suffered in New England, and he missed the Miami game.
He can run straight, but the big question is can he change direction.
You might say – why are we making a big deal about whether a backup defensive lineman is going to play?
Well first off all, he played very well in New England, including a sack on Brady.
Secondly, as Mike Pettine pointed out on Thursday, Phillip Rivers throws passes on a low trajectory, so the chance to blocks passes is there for the Jets this week. The 6-8 Ropati is a prime candidate to get his hands on a few passes. He’s the Jets tallest defensive lineman – by far.
“Rivers is 6-5, and the release point isn’t that of a guy who is 6-5,” Pettine said.
But you know what is interesting, the Jets best defensive lineman at tipping passes is nose tackle Sione Pouha (pictured above), and he is only 6-3. “Bo” has a knack for getting his hands up at just the right time . . .
Speaking of Pettine, he often serves the role of bad cop when it comes to public criticism, to light a fire under a defensive player.
Rex likes to stay in the good cop role – he stays away from player criticism with the media so he can keep his standing as “Uncle Rex” with the players.
But remember, Pettine was the one who really went after safety Kerry Rhodes in the press a couple of years ago.
On Thursday, Pettine went after Antonio Cromartie for his inconsistency.
The Jets are paying him $8 million a year, and are getting a little tired of his up-and-down play.
So Pettine lit a public fire under him in his weekly presser.
“I’m not sure (why he’s do inconsistent), that’s something that we’ve had many discussions about behind closed doors. It could be a horoscope thing. I’m at a loss. I think we’re all searching for that answer.
“It’s frustrating, but I think we also have to have the ability as a staff not to just rely on him so much that the plans are built around him, that if he’s not playing well then we’re not going to play well. We’ve learned that, you almost have to have some calls in mind where if things aren’t going well on his side of the field, that we need to protect him a little bit more.
“I’ll usually ask Dennis Thurman on the headset. Which (Cromartie) do we have today? The good (Cromartie) or the bad (Cromartie)?”
Pretty strong words.
Here is a big part of the problem. The Jets felt Cromartie’s technique wasn’t very good last year, and were looking forward to entire off-season to work with him on it. With the lockout, it didn’t happen, so some of the same technique issues that plagued him last year, are still rearing their ugly head this season.
