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Florham Park – Time for some more training camp Whispers from Florham Park. Don’t miss out from the good stuff from One Jets Drive. Sign-up now . . .
Something happened in practice today that had to make the Jets’ brass ecstatic.
Jets rookie DE Leonard Williams (pictured above), ran over talented left tackle D’Brickashaw Ferguson, to sack Geno Smith. I mean it’s not an actual sack because you can’t tackle the quarterback, but it would have been a sack in a game.
And one of the most impressive aspects of the play was that Ferguson ended up on the ground. “Brick” is so athletic, he’s not on the ground very often. The explosion Williams displayed on this play was awfully impressive.
The Jets’ 2015 first round pick looks like the real deal . . .
The arrow continues to point up on Chris Owusu.
With Devin Smith (ribs) injured, Owusu was getting some work as the team’s #3 wide receiver, and he continues to flash.
With CB Curtis Brown in tight coverage, and getting a hand on the ball, Owusu snatched it away to make the reception. For a guy who isn’t the biggest receiver (6-0, 196), he is very good on 50-50 balls. There is a lot to like about this guy. Not only does he have world class speed, but he’s very physical . . .
Another guy who is obviously involved for the #3 receiver job is Jeremy Kerley. What I’ve noticed is with all the attention that Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker draw on the outside, it’s opening up quick slants for Kerley in the middle. I know Mike Maccagnan likes Kerley, and this could big year for the Jets slot receiver . . .
South Alabama tight end Wes Saxton had a rough practice with two easy drops. I think he’s a little overwhelmed right now . . .
While Brett Qvale has been a pleasant surprise for the Jets in the spring and summer, I would be shocked if he lands the starting right guard job.
I know he’s platooning at the spot, but reading the tea leaves, I just don’t see them going with him at the spot, at least early in the season.
First of all, he’s almost 6-7, which would make him a very, very tall guard. That isn’t to say he can’t do it, but it certainly hurts in the leverage game against shorter, quicker defensive tackles, players like Sheldon Richardson or Buffalo’s Kyle Williams, those kind of guys.
In practice today, in a one-on-one drill, he got knocked to the ground by Jason Babin. He lost his balance.
I think Qvale’s best position is right tackle. He can also be a very good backup swing tackle.
My guess is Willie Colon or Brian Winters wins the right guard job . . .
One thing is obvious so far – Ryan Fitzpatrick makes quicker decisions than Geno Smith, especially in the red zone. It certainly makes sense that Fitzpatrick is making quicker decisions. He has much more experience in Chan Gailey’s offense, and also has a lot more NFL experience than Smith.
Smith definitely has the better arm.
August 2, 2015
The Jets are off on Monday. Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Tuesday.
