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A big focus at Jets practice this week is creating more turnovers.
Vocal linebacker coach Brian VanGorder was yelling to defenders today, “rake it, rake it,” when dealing with a player who had the ball in this hands . . .
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Jets added a 6-5 receiver (David Nelson) and a 6-7 tight end (Zach Sufeld) this week.
John Idzik’s quarterback, Geno Smith, has a tendency to throw high, so bigger targets will help him.
In a drill today, I saw Smith throw high to Clyde Gates head on an out-route, but then threw a similar pass to Nelson, and it was no problem for the former Buffalo Bill . . .
I don’t want to overstate this because he hasn’t played a game yet, but I think the Jets signing of David Nelson was an excellent move.
A lot of teams wanted him. I hear six or seven were interested.
He’s 6-5, has long arms, catches everything, is really, really smart and a very hard-worker.
His strength is over the middle and in the red zone, two areas the Jets could use help . . .
Jets publicist Jared Winley tried his best to get Antonio Cromartie to talk to the press today, but the corner refused.
He wouldn’t talk all week.
He told Winley he didn’t want to talk because he has a big challenge this week (Julio Jones) and he wants all his focus to be on that.
I understand where “Cro” is coming from. A lot of player would love to follow suit. The media can be a big distraction. But, unfortunately for the players, the NFL office requires they speak. It’s in their contracts.
So Cromartie could be subject to a fine. So is Calvin Pace, who refused to talk this week, but told somebody I know he is willing to pay the fine.
I hope neither gets fined.
To be blunt – I don’t give darn if guys talk. I try to just judge them by what they do on game days. Isn’t that all that really matters? . . .
Aside from giving up the touchdown to Justin Hunter, Darrin Walls graded out well in Tennessee.
The guy is a good football player, and the Atlanta Falcons made a big error letting him go last year.
Dennis Thurman loves his composure and the fact that little fazes him. Thurman called him “an old soul” today,” from a maturity standpoint. Thurman thinks Walls time at Notre Dame, where the spotlight is intense, made him pretty unflappable. . .
I watched Zach Sudfeld in a couple of games this summer for the Patriots, and I like what I saw. For 6-7, 260, he’s very athletic – catches most things thrown to him, and can make diving catches.
The Jets liked him coming out of Nevada-Reno, so when they saw him on waivers, they jumped on him.
Kellen Winslow has done a nice job for the Jets, but his knee is like a house of cards, and Jeff Cumberland seems to be dealing with an ankle issue.
I like Konrad Reuland, but Marty Mornhinweg doesn’t really play him much in this offense, and seems to view him as only a blocker.
Sudfeld has a big upside . . .
The Jets decision to have Matt Simms as the #2 on game day, and make Brady Quinn inactive, makes little sense.
And I discuss this with writers I respect in the press room, and none of them get it either.
Look I understand when Quinn first got to Florham Park, Simms knew the offense much better. But now, a month in, the Jets need to go with the veteran backup.
Quinn has played in 24 NFL games, and Simms – none.
I’m not putting Quinn in Canton, but just like the Titans had Ryan Fitzpatrick ready to plug in after Jake Locker got hurt, the Jets need a veteran behind Geno Smith on game day.
Why would you have a guy backing up Smith who is as inexperienced as he is?
I asked Morhinweg the reason for this, and he was gracious in his response, but I didn’t really understand it.
This decision must be coming from high up.
“If Simms has to go in, he’s probably going to look like Jeff Tuel,” said one source close to the Jets.
Tuel replaced an injured E.J. Manuel for Buffalo last night, and had a rough outing.
This Quinn-Simms deal is bizarre . . .
October 4, 2013
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