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Premium – Dan checks in with some Whispers from One Jets Drive including DG perhaps calling the Jets bluff, and the freakish Sheldon Richardson . . .
Sometimes in practice they run a drills where the defensive linemen go out for passes, like they are wide receivers.
And big guys love it, often hamming it up after making a catch.
When Sheldon Richardson ran a route and caught a pass, he displayed eye-popping athleticism.
He was running around like Antonio Gates.
For a 293-pound athlete, the guy is a freak . . .
What a different a week makes. Last week, Jeremy Kerley, was struggling making extension catches with his hyper-extended elbow.
Today, I saw him make an extension grab – on a somewhat high pass, with ease, and he looks ready to roll for Sunday. He looked so much more comfortable the last couple of days compared to a week or two ago.
Kerley should really help Geno Smith because he’s so quick, he cuts away from defenders fast and this will allow the quarterback to get rid of the ball quickly . . .
You really get the sense, being around the team, that Kellen Winslow is going to have a big role this week . . .
David Garrard is a really smart guy, and I think he was calling the Jets’ bluff today.
He told the New York Post today that he wants to play next year, but would like a chance to start somewhere, and this is “Geno’s team.”
That was a diplomatic way of saying, “It’s foolish for you guys to deactivate me every week and to view me strictly as a mentor. I can win games, and I’m not going to put up with this nonsense next year. It’s a slap in the face.”
It’s utterly ridiculous that he’s inactive every week.
The Jets’ quarterback plan makes little or no sense.
If your rookie quarterback is struggling in a game, why would you replace him with a guy who is just as inexperienced as he is (Matt Simms)?
Garrard is all smiles, and all diplomacy when you talk to him, but he has to boiling inside.
I asked Rex the following question on Monday – “What does David Garrard have to do to get to level of Matt Simms and Geno Smith as a quarterback?”
I know that sounds sarcastic, but I feel like the Jets brass is insulting our intelligence on this one.
You should see Garrard firing the football around the practice field. He can still spin it. What an arm!
He says his knee is fine, and the guys has seen it all, everything a defense could throw at you. He’s played in 84 NFL games.
So if were in the wildcard hunt, and your raw rookie quarterback is struggling, why wouldn’t you give Garrard a shot and try to make the playoffs, with a somewhat weak schedule down the stretch?
This isn’t NFL Europe or the NBADL. This is the NFL – not a developmental league.
I’m not putting Garrard in Canton, but he’s a competent, seasoned game-manager.
For him to be buried behind Smith and Simms is mind-boggling.
Garrard is from North Carolina. If Smith and/or Simms struggle this week, how about giving Garrard a home-coming start next week – see what he can do.
Maybe he could be an option for you next year – perhaps as somebody who can challenge Smith for the starting job.
December 6, 2013
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