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New Jersey – Time for some Website Whispers including notes on Dee Millner, a false narrative on Ryan Fitzpatrick and the canonization of the Jets’ corners . . .
A lot of punt protection work in today’s practice. The Jets had a punt blocked against the Redskins that resulted in a touchdown, so there was a big focus on that area today . . .
Watching Dee Milliner in practice, he seems unencumbered by his wrist, which was broken this summer. There was nothing special covering it in practice today, and I saw him jamming a gunner on the line in a punt return drill . . .
Brandon Marshall spent some time early in practice working one-handed catches with the jugs machine . . .
It’s unclear whether Matt Slater (son of Jackie Slater), the Patriots top special team’s player, is going to play in this game. He suffered a leg injury against the Colts.
But the Jets are preparing like he is going to play.
Kenbrell Thompkins was playing the role of Slater on the Jets’ scout team.
Obviously he knows Slater well from their time together on the Patriots . . .
“If the Patriots succeed in containing Jets RB Chris Ivory, it’ll be up to Ryan Fitzpatrick to carry the offense. With his bad track record against New England, that’ll be a tall task.”
I read this assessment on the front page of ESPN’s website, and I don’t agree.
Most of this was in Buffalo.
He hasn’t been in Buffalo since 2012.
His supporting cast is much better now than anytime in Buffalo. He’s never had an offensive line like this, or a receiver like Brandon Marshall (who he can throw open with regularity).
In Buffalo, he was forced to throw the ball way too often, dealing with many deficits and an average running games.
With the Jets he’s got the #1 defense and #1 running game.
He can just manage the game with the Jets, not have to put the team on his back and throw the ball over the lot, leading too many picks.
Yes, he’s 1-6 vs the Pats lifetime with 13 touchdowns and 17 interceptions. But I don’t think those stats mean a lot now.
The Jets offensive coaches feel Fitzpatrick is reading defense much better now than his time with the Bills.
Fitzpatrick is in a better place now. I think you can throw that 1-6 record out the window . . .
I watched Marcus Williams (hamstring) during the media portion of practice, and he was doing one of those drills where he was dancing around cones, working on footwork. He looked pretty good doing this.
Whether that means is hamstring is better, is hard to say, but man do they need this guy.
With Buster Skrine iffy, if they don’t have Williams, they are down two younger, quicker corners to deal with Julian Edelman, Danny Amendola and even Keshawn Martin.
Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie deal with bigger receivers better, they can have issues with smaller, quick guys – guys how excel at changing directions.
Jets are keeping their fingers crossed that Skrine passes the concussion protocol later in the week. We will keep you posted.
You are going to see a ton of Revis stories for tomorrow. This is the hot angle – Revis vs. the Pats.
Every you turn around, you hear all this talk about how great the Jets corners are.
We will find out how great they are against New England. Like I’ve said many times, I think Revis and Antonio Cromartie have been good so far, not great. That touchdown Revis gave up to Pierre Garcon was far from impressive.
October 21, 2015
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