Pool has some competition

I keep hearing Mark Brunell is done? It’s ridiculous. This is just people assuming he’s done because he’s 39. He barely got on the field the last two years in New Orleans . . .

so when people say he’s done, what are they basing it on? It’s just an age assumption – he’s 39, so he can’t play. Brett Favre looked pretty good last year at 39 . . .
Aside from being a great mentor to Mark Sanchez, another reason the Jets like Mark Brunell is that he’s a very good holder. He held for the Saints the last two years. Let’s not forget, even though Jay Feely had an excellent year, there were some holding issues late last season . . .
Brian Schottenheimer is very, very close with New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees. B-Schotty got a major endorsement of Brunell from Brees, who feels the veteran quarterback was a huge help to him the last two seasons. If he can help a veteran like Brees, can you imagine what he can do for a second-year signal-caller like Sanchez . . .
With all the talk about Vernon Gholston’s move to defense end, not as much focus is on Ropati Pioitua, who could really emerge this year. The 6-8, 310 pounder is a much better fit for 3-4 end than Gholston, who looked really small for the spot in spring practices. He’s just not built like a 3-4 end. That isn’t a shot at him, just a dose of reality. Pitoitua has a lot of potential and rare size. He could turn into a weapon as a pass deflector or blocker. He has an huge wingpan . . .
What will the Jets do with wide receiver Aundrae Allison? Remember, he spent last year on injured reserve after blowing out his knee in a preseason game. He’s now 100 percent. He might be the fastest player on the Jets. Allison is a really good kick returner. But he will have to have a good camp to make the team because the Jets are loaded at receiver. The key for Allison, aside from playing well this summer, is to show he knows the system. The mental side of the game was an issue for him in Minnesota, and a big reason why he was waived. If he struggles mentally in Cortland, that could be his ticket out of town. We shall see . . .
Why did Aaron Glenn retire as a Houston Texan and not a Jet? He played in Houston for two years and with the Jets for eight. He made the Pro Bowl twice as a Jet. Perhaps he’s still pissed at the Jets for exposing him to the expansion draft. Maybe he’s ticked at them for not including him in their initial “Ring of Honor.”
We will eventually get to the bottom on of this bizarre decision . . .
Good job by Rich Cimini getting a one-on-one with Mark Sanchez the other day. That was a first for any Jets beatwriter. We are sure some of the other beatwriters were angered by this, but this wasn’t set up by the team, so there is really little Jets PR could do about it . . .
There were times during the spring that James Ihedigbo and Eric Smith both got starting reps at the safety spot next to Jim Leonhard. Remember both Ihedigbo and Smith know the defense better than Brodney Pool, so don’t rule out one of these guys starting in the opener, if the Pool isn’t up to speed just yet. Also don’t rule out Dwight Lowery getting some starts at safety. He looked really good in the spring at safety, a more natural position for him . . .
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