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Florham Park – It’s time for another heaping helping of Website Whispers from Dan, in the bunker, at One Jets Drive. Don’t miss out. Just the Filet Mignon. No fat.
James Ihedigbo has been practicing with a bulky knee brace on his bad knee. We know how bad he wants to play, but the Jets should be careful on this one. Last time he played on the knee (Chicago), he re-injured it in the game, and didn’t come back, and they were down a player . . .
I was suprised at something I saw in practice on Thursday. Drew Coleman is still the nickel back. This is one of the most bizarre situations I’ve seen over my years covering the team. No matter how many times he gets beat, they don’t replace him. What does Marquice Cole have to do to supplant him? Two picks against Buffalo wasn’t enough.
Look for Peyton Manning to target Coleman early and often. Last week, Brian Brohm’s first three completions were on Coleman.
Perhaps the strong relationship between Rex’s good friend – Jets assistant Jeff Weeks and Coleman is impacting the coach’s judgement. Weeks coached Coleman in junior college. I saw Coelman and Weeks having a long chat today during stretching . . .
I wasn’t going to write about how well Mark Sanchez is throwing the ball, until I saw it for myself. Well, on Friday, I saw it for myself. One of the most difficult throws in football is the deep out, and he fired a perfect one today.
The torn capsule in this right shoulder didn’t seem to be hindering his throws on Friday, at all . . .
Once again, WR Patrick Turner was getting reps with the first team offense. Why is this strange? He’s on the practice squad. He’s not eligible to play on Sunday.
They are probably doing this to safe the legs of Brad Smith, the #4 receiver, who does so much work as an option quarterback and special teamer, they don’t want him leaving his legs on the practice field . . .
Once the Jets season is over, whenever that might be, Mike Tannenbaum is going to have a lot of work to do. Did you know the Jets have 17 free agents? But then again, if there is a lockout, he might not be able to deal with this issue for a while . . .
At practice today, with the first team offense on the field, the DJ played, “Might as well jump” by Van Halen. Not a great song for the offensive line, playing in a very loud stadium, against two premier edge pass rushers . . .
Speaking of the offensive line, I’d be a little concerned with Damien Woody. To me, he seemed to be limping on his surgical knee. Also, his timing could be off after missing three game after getting a scope.
But you know what, the guy is so smart, and knows every trick in the book. Once he gets his sea legs back, after the first series, he should be fine, but don’t rule out a platoon with Wayne Hunter . . .
As usual, the Colts have a long injury list. The injury to keep a close eye on is CB Kelvin Hayden with a neck. He’s their best corner. If he can’t go, there is no excuse for the Jets passing game. If Hayden is out, the Jets should be able to light these guys up.
The starters will likely be Jacob Lacey and Justin Tryon. Lacey is the guy who Braylon Edwards beat for a long touchdown last year in the playoffs. Tryon is a former Washington Redskin, who the Colts traded for right before this season . . .
Shonn Greene is an awful matchup for the Colts linebackers. All three linebackers, Pat Angerer, Gary Brackett and Clint Sessions are 235 pounds. Green is a little under 230, and plays even bigger. He’s a tackle-breaking machine. He’s basically the same size as these linebackers, and remember last year, he was getting the best of them in the playoff game, before getting hurt.
It would be shocking if Greene doesn’t have a big game.
