Content available exclusively for subscribers
Florham Park – It’s time for Dan’s Friday Website Whispers. Remember, the content on this website is different than our monthly magazine. Don’t miss out. Sign-up now for the price of a Big Mac Combo Meal . . .
Nick Mangold was very limited in practice on Friday. During the early part of the team drills, he took a couple of snaps and then Rob Turner over for the rest of this segment.
Mangold says he’s going to play, but you have to wonder if this injury will knock him out at some point of the game, and remember the Jets are very thin on the OL.
If Mangold has a setback on Saturday, the team could always elevate Robby Felix, but they really don’t want to cut anybody right now. They had a hard time pulling the trigger on the Patrick Brown release, but with the hot weather in Miami, and the Braylon Edwards situation, they felt they needed another wideout active, and Patrick Turner has looked very good in practice . . .
Turner is going to play on Sunday. From what I hear there is no way he’s going to be inactive. And this is going to be great theatre. People in Miami – reporters and fans – to put it bluntly, think the guy is awful. And now he’s active for the Jets in Miami in his first start in Green.
“I find it hard to believe he’s gotten that good that quickly,” said one long-time Dolphin observer about Brown’s one month with the Jets. “Don’t expect a lot from him.”
Mark Sanchez really believes in the guy.
We will see who is right . . .
While they did improve through the air last week, the Jets passing offense is still only 29th in the league . . .
I don’t want to come across as a Jason Taylor stalker, but just watching him pack his bag at his locker today, a lot with his left hand, it didn’t look like his elbow is really bothering him that much. Also, in practice, he didn’t seem to favor the elbow. The brace doesn’t seem to encumber him that much . . .
After practice, I saw Patrick Turner having a long discussion with Antonio Cromartie, in what seemed to be a strategy skull session. Turner was likely giving “Cro” insights on the Dolphins offense and wide receivers . . .
Kyle Wilson looks like a steal at 28. He gets his hands on a lot of footballs. Today in practice, he had a terrific PD on a crossing route to Larry Taylor. He has great speed and instincts, a wonderful combination at cornerback . . .
Vlad Ducasse was getting work at offensive tackle on Friday. With Wayne Hunter (shin) out and the release of Brown, Vlad is the backup swing tackle. Remember, he only played tackle at UMass, so this role shouldn’t be very unnatural to him, even though he’s been at guard with the Jets. Remember it’s entirely possible, if Matt Slauson does a good job this year, Ducasse could be the right tackle of the future, not the left guard of the future . . .
While the Jets have been getting hammered for the Braylon Edwards DWI, not much attention has been paid to the significant police blotter of their opponent this Sunday over the last year, including a Ronnie Brown DWI last spring that resulted in no punishment or missed snaps. I’m not condoning Edwards actions, but the media coverage of this is typical Jets coverage, when they have an issue, it’s time for reporters to pile on, give them no benefit of the doubt.
When the Giants Kareem McKenzie had a DWI on a Thursday before a game two years ago, I can’t remember one column ripping the Giants (who played him that Sunday) or McKenzie.
There is a signficant double standard in this media market.
One other thing. The reporters who ripped Edwards for not being more remorseful during his press briefing on Wednesday – remember this is a pending legal matter. It really is, and I don’t know if remorse is a good legal strategy, unless you are looking for a plea bargain at sentencing. We aren’t anywhere near that point right now.