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Florham Park – Dan checks in from Jetsville in Florham Park with a truckload of practice and locker room Whispers. Let’s go . . .
“Just a guess, but I’m thinking if Rob Ryan told Rex Ryan that Champ Bailey was a good option for #Jets, he’d be here already,” one writer tweeted today.
I don’t agree.
Bailey is definitely a post Week One signing for some team. Under the NFL CBA, if a vested veteran is on a roster for the first game, their salary for the entire season is guaranteed.
With Bailey’s age (36) and injury issues of the last few years, there is no way you want to guarantee his entire salary. You want to pay him week-to-week.
No, I’m not saying the Jets are going to sign Bailey, but the lack of interest this week, doesn’t mean there won’t be interest in a week or two.
The Jets want to see what they have in Phillip Adams and Leon McFadden . . .
Watching waiver claim Walter Powell return kicks today, I can see why the Jets claimed him. The guy is smooth, with a loose hips that allow him to change directions effortlessly.
Obviously Saalim Hakim is the Jets kick returner for now, but Powell is a heck of an insurance policy. He’s a natural returner.
By the way, Powell and Sheldon Richardson are pals – both from St. Louis . . .
To give Nick Folk’s leg a rest today, the Jets had a ball machine handle kickoffs. Folk approached the ball, and then the button was pushed on the ball machine next to him.
Rex Ryan and John Idzik always talk about, “playing like a Jet.”
What exactly does that mean?
Four things be stressed in the “play like a Jet” mantra – “Be resilient and play smart, physical and fast” . . .
The coaches have emphasized to Calvin Pryor to look out for play-action, something Oakland likes to do a lot, with a lot of two backs sets.
Pryor is so aggressive, he is prone to biting on play fakes, so they want him to be careful . . .
For what it’s worth, guard Will Campbell’s locker is still intact with his name plate on it.
While he didn’t have a great summer, it’s unfair to expect him to master the guard position after one just one year, following a college career as a defensive tackle . . .
Zach Sudfeld had a terrific catch today in practice on a low pass. He’s a very flexible athlete for a 6-7, 260-pounder. He reached way down with his long arms to make this grab.
“That was a great catch,” yelled tight end coach Steve Hagen, “If you want to know how to catch, that is it.”
The Jets have big plans for all three of their tight ends.
Jace Amaro told the media today that Jeff Cumberland will start.
That makes sense. He’s the best blocker of the three, and the Jets intend on running the ball a lot.
Starting Cumberland in the base is a no-brainer, but all three will play . . .
During the Jets stretching early in practice, Rex Ryan took a knee, and had a long chat with Adams.
You get the sense he’s going to have a role this week.
First of all, he’s got a lot more experience than Leon McFadden, the other CB pick-up this week. Secondly, he played the Oakland Raiders last week, and played for them for two years, so he’s got a good feel for their receivers.
September 4, 2014
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