Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – A few matters to cover today in our Saturday edition of Website Whispers. Let’s get this thing underway . . .
Kind of an under-the-radar move that looks like it could help the Jets is the signing of defensive back Javier Arenas.
He was added when the team released linebacker IK Enemkpali.
When the Jets signed Arenas, I was wondering why they were adding another corner. Aside from the injury to Dee Milliner (who I saw last night and he has a pretty small cast on his wrist, for what it’s worth), they still have pretty good cornerback depth.
But after a few days, it became pretty apparent, they are playing Arenas at safety, so with that being the case, the move makes more sense. After the Antonio Allen achilles injury, there is a need there. And now the move looks even better with promising rookie free agent Durrell Eskridge suffering a concussion.
And the safety position seems like a good fit for Arenas.
Arenas is only 5-9, but he’s close to 200 pounds (197), and he’s a big-time hitter. He’s a fearless tackler. New Jets safety Marcus Gilchrist is 5-10, 198 and also a former corner.
Bowles like these former corners at safety because it cuts down on speed mismatches with the proliferation of spread offenses. Some of the big, thumper safeties who will knock your block off, but don’t run that well, and can be exploited in coverage.
Guys like Gilchrist and Arenas can run with receivers and speedy running backs coming out of the backfield.
And also, Arenas came in comfortable with the Jets’ defensive system, having played for Bowles in Arizona in 2013.
He also seems like a good guy. I saw him going out of his way to find Atlanta executive Scott Pioli by the Kansas City locker room after the game. Pioli drafted him in Kansas City, and was instrumental in bringing him to Atlanta. It was nice of him to do that. He gets it . . .
Tommy Bohanon really helped himself last night. He had a tremendous lead block on a linebacker Chris Ivory’s 38-yard touchdown run.
He’s so much better with his block recognition, knowing who to block, than he was earlier in his career.
He also had a great stop in punt coverage. He was called for a penalty for some strange reason, but it was a great effort.
I didn’t think he was going to make it with Chan Gailey being lukewarm towards fullbacks, but now I think he sticks . . .
There is an assumption by many that slot receivers all need to look like Wes Welker or Julian Edelman – small quick guys who can change direction on a dime.
That isn’t always the case.
Case-in-point – Chip Kelly likes big slot receivers in Philadelphia, and is using 6-3 Jordan Matthews.
So the Jets using 6-2, 225 Quincy Enunwa in the slot shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Some teams like big slot receivers because of how they can box out defensive backs on routes over the middle like quick slants . . .
August 22, 2015
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Monday.