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Backup guard/center Jake Hanson returned to practice today.
He was out with some undisclosed injury for most of camp.
One of the more difficult roster decisions for Joe Douglas, and there are many on perhaps his most talented roster, is who will be the backup interior swing man on the offensive line.
Now some would say that is a ridiculous thing to say because most people think it’s a slam dunk that veteran Wes Schweitzer will handle that job.
However, a few things to keep in mind:
First of all, when Aaron Rodgers was asked by reporters last week for some names of guys who have stood out in camp, one of the names he mentioned was Chris Glaser, a backup swing man.
Secondly, Hanson played with Rodgers for three seasons in Green Bay (2020-22), so the QB has a high comfort level with him. He was a sixth-round pick of Green Bay in 2020 out of Oregon.
Third, Schweitzer turns 31 in September, and is coming off an injury-plagued first year in green with a lingering calf issue. Glaser and Hanson probably have a little more mobility at this point than Schweitzer in terms of pulling to the second level.
In a perfect world, the Jets would probably like to keep all three, but that is probably not going to be possible.
Look, it will probably be Schweitzer, but they do like those other two a lot . . .
Speaking of tough decisions, former UFL wide receiver Brandon Smith is making himself very tough to cut.
The former Iowa receiver continues to flash in camp. Today, he had a connection with QB Jake Peasley on the left side for a nice gain. In the first preseason game, he had two long receptions from QB Adrian Martinez.
This guy is an NFL-quality receiver. The Jets will likely try to move him to the practice squad but with his play this summer, and before that in the UFL, that might be risky . . .
Another tough decision will be with TE Anthony Firkser. The Manalapan, New Jersey native, and Harvard graduate, has been bouncing around the league since 2017, entering as an undrafted free agent with the Jets, but he was cut in his first camp. His longest stint with one team was 2018-21 with the Tennessee Titans, where he was a favorite of Jets passing game coordinator Todd Downing. Jets O-Line coach Keith Carter was also on that staff, so he has two fans on the offensive coaching staff.
He is basically one of those guys who catches almost everything thrown to him, and the former Ivy Leager is very assignment-savvy.
The Jets have some tough decision to make at tight end, but don’t be shocked if they figure out of way to keep this guy around . . .
Speaking of players with Tennessee Titan connections, rookie linebacker Jackson Sirmon isn’t likely to make the regular roster, but watching practice all summer, this guy can play in the league. He’s always around the ball.
The Titans connection is that his father Peter played linebacker for the Titans, and that is why Jackson went to high school at Brentwood Academy in the Nashville suburb of Brentwood.
If this player isn’t claimed by another team, if the Jets waive him after camp, which is likely, he’s a strong Jets practice squad candidate.
He’s a ballhawk . . .
Aaron Rodgers was asked today about how excited he is to throw to Garrett Wilson this season, and responded, “I like to throw to the open guy.”
That wasn’t a shot of any kind at Wilson, but just a full-field reader saying that he’s not going to force the ball to anybody. They’ve got to be open.
August 20, 2024
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