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It’s hard to call a suspension positive.
But in this case, there is a definite silver-lining.
ArDarius Stewart is facing a two-game suspension for violating the league’s performance-enhancing substances policy. The announcement was made by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
This isn’t a significant setback for the Jets.
In fact, I think there is a silver-lining to it.
The Jets have a crowded wide receiver room. I think their WR talent is, in fact, a little underrated.
Stewart is basically a lock to make the roster. It really doesn’t matter what he does this summer in training camp and the preseason.
He was a third-round pick of the Jets in the 2017 draft. He’s not going anywhere. I know how this works. This isn’t New England, a team that already cut their 2017 third-round pick (he’s on the Jets). You’ve heard me pontificate about this on many occasions, but there is no reason for me to bloviate about this today. I will give you a day off.
So since he’s a lock to make the team, but he’s going to miss the first two games, this basically gives the Jets a free roster exemption.
Look, I like Stewart. I love tough players and this guy as tough as boot leather. He’s like a running back playing wide receiver, looking for contact. He’s a “glass-eater” as scouts say.
He’s a good player, not a great player, but a good player.
I was just looking at the Jets list of wide receivers, and in my mind, 11 of the 12 guys current in that room have a “make-it” grade. The only guy who I don’t view with a “make-it” grade is rookie free agent Jonah Trinnaman. The BYU product is great athlete, with world class speed, but is raw has heck and probably a practice squad candidate. The other eleven guys have all actually made rosters already, so they have proved they’ve got what it takes – Charles Johnson (Minnesota), Andre Roberts (Atlanta), Terrelle Pryor (Washington), Tre McBride (Chicago), Quincy Enunwa (Jets), Charone Peake (Jets), Lucky Whitehead (Dallas), Jermaine Kearse (Jets), Stewart (Jets), Robby Anderson (Jets) and Chad Hansen (Jets).
Some of these guys have played for more teams that I listed next to their names, but I just highlighted one stop.
I think all of them have the talent to make the team. But actually, only six or seven will likely make it. And while Stewart is a good player, he’s not head-and-shoulders above anybody I listed. So Stewart being out the first two games, gives the Jets a free pass to keep somebody else, kick the tires on him for two weeks, and then make a decision on him after a couple of games. Or if a wide receiver gets hurt in the first two weeks, they have a guy ready to roll in Week Three.
So no matter how strange this sounds, I don’t think Stewart’s suspension as a negative story for the Jets.
I view it as a roster exemption.
July 20, 2018
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