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Jets practice ended today with reserve quarterback Jake Peasley hitting backup receiver Isaiah Winstead for a touchdown on the left side of the end zone.
Expect to see a lot of these two on Saturday night in the Jets-Giants preseason game.
Winstead, who stood out in the UFL, is an NFL quality receiver, but he’s going to have a hard time making the Jets, a team with a crowded receiver room . . .
Mike Williams was working on the rehab field today.
You have to wonder if he will be ready for the opener, and even if he is, how comfortable will he be with the quarterback, who he has yet to practice with.
While Mike Williams is very talented, the other receivers perhaps have better chemistry with the QB right now, and could maybe help them more in Week 1 . . .
As you likely know by now, the Jets will not play their starters in the final preseason game against the Football Giants, which means the starters didn’t play in the preseason.
Some might find it surprising that a team that finished 7-10 last year doesn’t feel their starters need any preseason work. Some might view it as no big deal. We will certainly find out in Week 1.
Bill Parcells was a big believer in offensive linemen needing work in the preseason.
“The need to spar,” Parcells would say, making a boxing reference.
Obviously playing left tackle Tryon Smith would be foolish in the preseason, considering he’s 33 and his injury history in recent years, but perhaps a John Simpson, Joe Tippmann or Alijah Vera-Tucker could use some work.
We will see how the line looks in Week 1 against a very challenging 49ers front led by defensive end Nick Bosa . . .
The Jets aren’t just resting their starters on Saturday, but it looks like key reserves like linebacker Jamien Sherwood, cornerback Brandon Echols and safety Ashtyn Davis aren’t going to play.
Even Michael Clemens, who could probably use the work, likely isn’t going to play. No matter what anybody on the outside says, the Jets hold this player in very high regard . . .
Look for the Jets backup linebacker corps to play very well in this game.
Guys like Jackson Sirmon, Zaire Barnes and Sam Eguavoen are all ballhawks who can play in the league . . .
Saw Jets offensive line coach Keith Carter spending a lot of time today coaching Kohl Levao, working with the University of Hawaii product on his technique.
Levao is a powerhouse, a road-grading run blocker, but needs to refine his technique. Playing Arena Football and the UFL, he perhaps wasn’t getting the kind of coaching he’s getting now.
This guy is a perfect practice squad candidate.
With improved technique, this guy has starting potential. He’s a monster of a man with a great motor . . .
The Jets might be playing their third-string center against the Giants in the preseason. Obviously they are not playing starter Joe Tippmann, but they value veteran Wes Schweitzer a great deal as their backup swingman, so don’t expect to see him either.
So you will see a lot of Chris Glaser, an Aaron Rodgers favorite.
You also might see Jake Hanson, Xavier Newman and center convert Brady Latham, though Latham is still having some snapping issues as the guard learns his new position. Latham and Peasley had a botched center/QB exchange today.
Hanson is on the bubble guy, but if he gets cut, the former Green Bay Packers draft pick will likely get claimed. He’s a nicely built guard/center with NFL experience.
August 22, 2024
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