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Let’s add some context to these injuries . . .
Josh Martin and Marcus Maye (pictured above after getting poked in the eye last year) both sat out of practice today.
The Jets say it’s a foot, but perhaps it’s related to the ankle surgery he had after last season. We found out during the summer with Terrelle Pryor, that sometimes foot and ankle injuries can be mixed together.
I mentioned the other day, that right after Maye returned to practice in the middle of camp, coming off the ankle surgery, I saw him come up lame after a play and limp off the field.
Let’s be honest, if you are coming off ankle surgery, and you come back on the field, make a play and have to limp off, that isn’t ideal.
But here is the deal – these are both solid players, but if they both have to sit, neither injury will make or break the Jets.
As I mentioned yesterday, the Jets have two very good players backing up Maye in Doug Middleton and Terrence Brooks. Both Middleton and Brooks had terrific training camps. And honestly both are probably better suited to start the opener than Maye. Why? Because Maye missed most of the summer, and these two guys took most of his reps, so who would be more ready for Week One – players who got a full complement of reps, or a player (who is still young and learning), who missed most of the summer?
So the Jets will be fine at safety if Maye doesn’t play.
As for Martin, who has a concussion, they can overcome his loss on defense. His backup, Brandon Copeland, had a good summer, and is an Ivy Leaguer like Martin, so he’s very cerebral and assignment-savvy. Also, on third down, they are going to use new addition Jerry Attaochu. While Attaochu doesn’t know the defense yet, he’s an experience edge-rusher, so they can just have him pin his ears back and go after the QB on third-down.
The area not having Martin might hurt is on special teams. He’s their best kick/punt cover guy.
One other thing on Martin. This is his third concussion in the last two years, so that has to be a cause for concern. How much further is a Columbia graduate, with fallback options off-the-field with that diploma, going to push messing with his brain? . . .
Steve McLendon is officially back practicing this week. As I mentioned here last week, during that time he missed, there was basically nothing wrong with him, but Todd Bowles was keeping his 32-year-old nose tackle in the garage for a while.
But Jets need this guy. Not just because he’s a good run-stuffer, but for his leadership. He’s a true alpha dog, and one of the best leaders on the Jets. Before practice today, he rallied the team and gave a speech.
Also, from a playing standpoint, I think they need him as their starting nose tackle. While Mike Pennel is a powerhouse, and has better size and strength than McLendon, Pennel needs to become more consistent. He too often makes a great play and then disappears for a bit. With McLendon, you get the same guy, down-in, down out. He’s not a star, but he’s very consistent . . .
September 6, 2018
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