FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – On the offensive side of the ball, the clear standouts from Thursday’s OTA sessions were quarterback Tim Tebow and wide receiver Stephen Hill.
Last week, Tebow was much maligned by the media for what was perceived as a poor showing, with little mention that the Jets proclaimed backup quarterback is still learning the playbook. Tebow showed good zip and accuracy on Thursday, even while his footwork in the pocket looked horrendous…Hill is a tremendous downfield blocker and uses his size well to overpower smaller corner backs to block on pitches and wide running plays. He also had a tremendous catch in the end zone on a fade pass thrown by G.J. Kinne. It was easily the best pass of the day by any quarterback and Kinne appears to have the leg-up on Matt Simms to make the team…Simms did not look at all comfortable and even drew a delay of game penalty during the two-minute drill.
Defensively, it should come as no surprise that Darrelle Revis stood out, with several nice knockdowns on passes and tight coverage throughout the OTA session…In addition, first round pick Quinton Coples looked speedy off the edge against the first team offensive line. Coples has a nose for the ball and creates problems even when he’s not getting to the quarterback…Speaking of speed, it was clear to see that nose tackle Sione Pouha has an extra burst in his step. The Jets nose tackle spent the offseason getting lighter. Tipping the scales at 356 pounds at the end of last year, Pouha has dropped down to 336 pounds. “I’ve lost 12 pounds the past three weeks,” Pouha told Jets Confidential. “Just looking to get faster. No one told me to lose the weight.”
It was an up and down day for Kyle Wilson. The former first round pick got burned over the top by Hill for a 50 yard pass from Tebow but then had a nice breakup on a Tebow pass to Eron Riley…During 7-on-7 drills, Riley made a nice recovery on an underthrown Mark Sanchez ball, to earn praise from offensive coordinator Tony Sparano…Sanchez did not look sharp and he continued to struggle in his progressions. The majority of his passes were to tight end Dustin Keller or dumps to his backfield. During three straight passing drills, he threw beyond the grasp of Keller, misfired to Dexter Jackson and then underthrew Joe McKnight.
Though he didn’t register much attention as a free agent signing, Chaz Schillens is an intriguing player and one who could develop into a good signing by the Jets. His route running has improved and he’s a very teachable player. Certainly an intriguing fourth wide receiver to have right now for the Jets…Speaking of potential fourth wide receivers, Patrick Turner was sidelined with a hamstring injury but he told Jets Confidential that he hopes to be back next week. He’s been getting massaged and working out on the foam roll. “It’s nothing chronic” Turner said…Also out with a hamstring injury is wide receiver Jeremy Kerley. Like Turner, Kerley hopes to be back next week though he said that he had occasional hamstring injuries in college but “nothing major.”
Have to like the way rookie safety Antonio Allen plays, who is confident with a veteran’s demeanor. Allen recognizes plays quickly and responds well to audibles, plus he shows good pursuit in tracking down running plays as he consistently got into the backfield on Thursday.
Fan favorite Aaron Maybin told Jets Confidential that he has packed on “15-16 pounds this offseason” and hopes to play around 245 pounds…One player going in the opposite direction as far as weight is guard Robert Griffin, who is down three pounds to weigh in at 339 pounds. He said that the coaching staff wants him to lose another four pounds and keep his playing weight at 335 pounds. “That’s what I weighed in college and that’s what they’d like me at here,” Griffin said…Third round pick Demario Davis is hearing good things from the coaching staff and he says that right now, “It’s about learning the playbook and fine-tuning, really the technical stuff here, like how you cover on a pass or something like that.” He praises Bart Scott and David Harris for their veteran leadership.
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