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It’s time for a bunch of Jets Website Whispers. A number of different things to get into, so let’s get started . . .
The Jets will have their hands full with Rams tight end Lance Kendricks.
“He’s something else,” said Carolina coach Ron Rivera.
Very mobile and athletic. It would certainly be helpful to the Jets to get Darron Lee back . . .
The Jets better be prepared for a slug-fest. The Panthers-Rams game last week was a 15-round heavyweight championship fight.
“They are a very physical team,” said Rivera. “It was one of the most physical games we played.” . . .
Something very important happened for the Jets today. Mo Wilkerson came out publicly and admitted he’s got to be a little more professional vis-à-vis being on time.
“I learned from this and I’m not going to be a distraction and I feel like this is a distraction to the team,” Wilkerson said. “There won’t be a distraction no more, especially coming from me. Like I said, I’m one of the leaders on this team and I have to definitely have to do better and show better.”
This is really important for the clubhouse and the Jets culture. This guy now is the face of the franchise. It’s not Darrelle Revis who is on the downside. It’s nobody else. It’s Wilkerson. The most talented player on the team, a guy in his prime who just inked a deal for $17 million-a-year for five years.
For him to be late for meetings right after signing this deal is an awful optic, and hurt his image a little bit.
Coming out today and getting in front of this story and taking ownership was a good move, and send sends the right message to his teammates and the fans.
And the team’s football culture . . .
Ben Ijalana has a chance to make himself a lot of money. Ryan Clady was put on IR with a torn rotator cuff, so Ijalana will be the starting left tackle from this point on. If he performs well, he’s going to get a nice contract from the Jets or somewhere else. Guys who can truly handle the rigors of playing NFL left tackle are really hard to find. I think he can do it. He’s got long arms, quick feet, good technique and is very bright. Honestly, last week in Miami, with Ijalana starting at left tackle and Breno Giacomini on the right side, most of the problems were on the right side . . .
The Jets signed defensive tackle Anthony Johnson off the New England Patriots practice squad and released Jarvis Jenkins (who will get another job).
At first, I’m wondering why this move was needed. But the more I looked into Johnson, the more I think it’s a smart move.
While he needs some polish, this guy is a very unique defensive line talent. In high school in New Orleans, he had 67.5 sacks, a state record. He was a five-star recruit who all the biggies wanted. He was considered the #1 defensive tackle prospect in the nation. The LSU product moves really well for a 300-pounder. Definitely worth kicking the tires on.
November 9, 2016
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