Content available exclusively for subscribers
Dan checks in with a helping of Website Whispers from Jets Camp. Let’s get it on . . .
Reading the tea leaves today at Mike Westhoff’s presser, he didn’t want to pull the plug on Jeremy Kerley as a punt returner. He feels the muffed punt in Washington wasn’t Kerley’s fault.
But with a Jets team has such a little margin for error, and continually battling for wins in the fourth quarter, they can’t afford any more muffs.
Also, we are now in December, the weather in the Northeast is getting wintry, which makes punt returning even tougher. Kerley is a Texas kid.
And as Rex always says, “Jimmy Leonhard could catch a punt in a Hurricane.”
To a certain degree Kerley is being scapegoated here, and should be a good punt returner in time. But at this stage of the season, with so much at stake, and with bad weather in the offing, this is a move Rex has to make . . .
Mike Pettine put if perfectly when talking about Aaron Maybin, “He speeds up the quarterback’s clock.” . . .
Antonio Cromartie said a few times today about the Jets season – “It’s now how you start, it is how you finished.”
I asked him if it would be better to start strong and finish strong.
He didn’t really have an answer for that.
Of course it’s important for the Jets to finish strong, but it can never be a good thing when you basically have to win your last six games to make the playoffs.
The problem with having to win your last six games (or perhaps lose just once), and making the playoffs, is when you get to the playoffs, it can burn you out mentally – playing essentially six playoff games, and then having to deal with real playoff pressure . . .
Brian Schottenheimer made a very interesting point today about the preparation of the Jets offensive tackles during the week in practice.
“We get the best look that I have ever been around on the scout team from (Aaron) Maybin and Jamaal Westerman,” Schottenheimer said. “I mean, they are dynamic. They just keep coming and keep coming. Brick (D’Brickashaw Ferguson) and Wayne (Hunter). They get so much out of it. So I know that helps (their preparation), the look that we’re getting on the scout team.” . . .
While Kansas City sack total isn’t gaudy, don’t sleep on their pass rushing tandem of Tamba Hali and Justin Houston. It’s a dangerous pair.
Also, Dustin Keller will have a big challenge on Sunday against Derrick Johnson, a coverage linebacker who can actually run with him. He doesn’t face that scenario very often . . .
Usually I don’t get into cheering and booing. It’s not a topic that really interests me. Fans pay big money and can do anything they want.
But I will say this. If Jets fans want to help their team win on Sunday, they might want to avoid booing Mark Sanchez when he’s introduced. He’s very sensitive.
I’m not being a wise-guy. I’m dealing with reality. I hear at USC, Pete Carroll hugged him a lot. I personally don’t care if Sanchez is boo’d. I’m just saying that if Jets fans want to help their team win on Sunday, booing Sanchez when he’s introduced is probably counterproductive.