Pre-Season Issues And Non Issues And Geno

  First off the Jets are back at practice today (Sunday).  On the injury update, LB Erin Henderson (stinger) and CB Dee Milliner (arm) are in pads at practice. There is no sign of WR Quincy Enunwa (concussion), a huge concern.

 Jet fans should not be spooked at the ease of which their first team defense has been sliced and diced in the first quarter of each pre-season game so far. Keep in mind Muhammad Wilkerson has not played yet. Mo is coming off a broken leg injury but he should be ready to go by the season opener. Smart teams will not show all their packages on both offense and defense in the pre-season. Rookie linebacker Jordan Jenkins (#48) has been getting extended playing time, a good sign that the Jets have high hopes for him. He has been lighting it up in practice and the Jets want him get up to “game speed” as soon as possible. Number one pick LB Darron Lee (#50) is being brought along moderately. Lee has shown great quickness going east to west on the field. Time will tell if he can take the pounding and initial contact from running backs. I have a real good feeling about thus guy. The Jets secondary has been getting burnt witness Colt McCoy looking better than he really is. They will also be fine once the season starts. The starters are quality players and the Jets added some depth drafting Juston Burris (#38). Undrafted free agent Doug Middleton (#39) has been a surprise at safety and Rontez Miles adds depth there.

  On offense one of my concerns is the offensive line. If you look at the Jets depth chart rookie Brandon Shell is listed as Ryan Clady’s back-up. Hopefully there is a plan “B” if Clady gets nicked up. The play of guard Brian Winters is also a concern. His pass protection breaks down a little too often for me and his penalties seem to come when the Jets have a good offensive play. His back-up is Craig Watts (#62) a third year undrafted player who the Jets signed after being bounced around by the San Diego Chargers on and off their practice squad. Hopefully he will add some much needed depth to our OL.

  The tight end situation always seems to be in a state of limbo. The Jets always seem to field that position with “band aids.” In this league of quality tight ends, it is a puzzle that the Jets can’t rely on one player to play this position. Quincy Enunwa is not a pure tight end but he fills the position well at times. He is better suited for the H back or slot position giving him the opportunity to run in space where he is almost always open. We are all still waiting for Jace Amaro to step up but I’m not sure that day will ever come. Unless someone else steps up, expect OC Chan Gaily to be creative using an extra offensive lineman and maybe multiple slot receivers.

  The back-up quarterback position seems to be the daily hot topic with the Jets. Respected former NFL GM Charley Casserly has stated more than once he thinks Geno Smith is the best back-up quarterback in the league. Geno’s INT and his intentional grounding penalty against the Redskins are really head scratchers. I know Casserly is well respected and in fact was on the team of consultants that recommended Mike Maccagnan for the Jets GM job but I’m not sure Charley is watching the same games as me. With that said I’m still trying to give Geno the benefit of the doubt (getting tougher and tougher) so let’s look at Geno’s first two+ years and those of three other quarterbacks (all in the HOF).

Geno Smith

Terry Bradshaw

John Elway 

Troy Aikman

I'm just focusing on the TDs vs INTs. 

Geno:         27 TDs and 35 INTs. (29 games started)

Bradshaw:  31 TDs and 58 INTs. (35 games started)

Elway:        47 TDs and 52 INTs. (40 games started)

Aikman:     31 TDs and 46 INTs. (38 games started)

  In no way would I ever compare Geno to three Hall of Famers but if you go as far back as me, we heard everything we now hear about Geno about Terry Bradshaw. Things like he has no football IQ etc. There even whispers about Aikman after his first two seasons. Maybe Charlie Casserly sees something we are all missing. The Jets play the Giants Saturday night (7:30pm CBS). It should be interesting who Bowles puts in after Fitz. Petty is deserving but maybe Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles are listening to Casserly. With that said remember the last game of 2014. Another Geno Smith head scratcher.

December 28, 2014

Jets 37

Dolphins 24

Geno Smith 20-25

358 Yards

3 Touchdown Passes

0 Interceptions

158 Quarterback rating

Green Tidbits:

….Incredible that 15 quarterbacks were drafted this year and Christian Hackenberg is the only one who has not taken a snap in a pre-season game….Don’t expect the Jets to cut Dee Milliner. He has 1 million dollars guaranteed and the Jets may not want to take the cap hit…..Jets WR coach, Karl Dorrell will have a tough job recommending to Todd Bowles who to cut or keep. Out of Robby Anderson, Jalen Marshall and Charon Peake, the Jets will most likely keep only two. Who would you keep?....Speaking of wide receivers, look for Devin Smith to start the season on the PUP list…..First roster cuts are August 30 at 4pm EST. Teams must reduce their rosters to 75 players…..Bills cut second year RB Karlos Williams for being overweight. If I’m Mike Maccagnan I swoop him up right away. Risk reward is minimal. 

This weeks newsletter is sponsored by Amazon Prime Instant video and Marty Schupak's sports instructional videos. Always free on Amazon Prime!