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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The first day of the veteran mini-camp and the narrative was the same for the Jets, who saw a defense far ahead of the offense at this point of the offseason . . .
With Kellen Winslow invited to mini-camp, the tight end position just got a little deeper and perhaps more dynamic. Winslow looked good on Tuesday, albeit it a bit slow and sluggish, not a surprise since he’s lacked an NFL off-season conditioning program.
But his feet still look quick and his hands solid as he made several good catches in traffic and showed flashes of being a difference maker if he’s signed.
“If I make the team, I’m going to come back in top shape,” Winslow told Jets Confidential. “Running is not football shape.”
Of the current tight ends on the roster, it appears that Jeff Cumberland has the edge right now for the starting spot. Cumberland is intriguing, a college wide receiver with a solid tight end frame and good hands.
But injuries and slow development have hampered the fourth-year tight end. It appears that he is making progress as a tight end and that his blocking has improved.
“Jeff Cumberland is a big, fast guy who has improved over the years. I think his blocking has improved. I’m excited to see how he progresses,” Jets head coach Rex Ryan said.
Cumberland said that he currently wants to go into training camp at 255 lbs. and is growing in confidence as a tight end.
“Definitely feeling like I’m ready to come in right now,” Cumberland told Jets Confidential. “All around, blocking and catching and playbook and just everything. I feel like I’m ready to step-in now.”
Konrad Reuland also had a solid first day of mini-camp with several solid catches. Hayden Smith, still a project as he transitions from rugby to football, had a bad drop in drills.
Undrafted rookie free agent Chris Pantale struggled to get separation today . . .
Legal problems didn’t keep Mike Goodson off the field on Tuesday. The running back returned kickoffs. As a running back, he has a nice burst out of the backfield, hitting the holes well. If he can keep away from the off the field issues, Goodson could be a nice piece to a running game that struggled last year.
He did not speak with the media after the morning session.
Outside linebacker Ricky Sapp saw a mixture of snaps with the first and second team. He looks very fast off the edge and getting into the backfield . . .
The quarterbacks did not have a very good day in either 11 on 11 or 7 on 7 drills. Mark Sanchez remains slightly a step ahead with a better understanding of the playbook than rookie Geno Smith.
Sanchez’s footwork has improved, both in his drop back and also in terms of his pocket presence where he seems more settled than his “happy feet” of last year. His timing was not strong as he threw over and behind his receivers on several occasions, especially balls down the field.
Smith struggled with his deep ball again as his placement was erratic and often too long for his wide receivers. His short and intermediate passes were relatively solid but he has poor footwork in the pocket. His pocket presence is still underwhelming . . .
Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill, who both were limited during the OTA session open to the media last week, were a full-go in mini-camp.
Santonio Holmes (foot) worked with the trainers and Clyde Gates (hamstring) did not practice.
Hill looked good in the few passes that came his way. His route running, a real rough spot last year, has clearly improved and he’s getting off the line much better . . .
Greg McElroy had the best pass of the day, a 51-yard touchdown pass on a go-route to rookie free agent WR Marcus Davis. It was a tight pass along the sidelines that was thrown to Davis in-stride.
For Davis, it was a nice catch and his first big statement since rookie minicamp. He’s been enjoying the coaching from wide receiver coach Sanjay Lal.
“He’s great; he mixes in praise with things that can help me, like drifting in and out of my routes, playing consistently,” Davis told Jets Confidential . . .
Entering his second year in the league, Demario Davis had an active day. He came off the edge very well and he exposed the blindside protection several times.
June 11, 2013
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