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A couple of things to get into today . . .
I must have been watching different practices this spring.
There is stuff all over the internet about how great Teddy Bridgewater looked this spring.
“Two years removed from a gruesome knee injury, (Bridgewater) was the talk of the spring at One Jets Drive,” wrote ESPN’s Rich Cimini.
One of the guys raving about Bridgewater is based on the Bay Area.
“I’m told that some people at the Jets are so impressed with Bridgewater thus far that they are quote ‘obsessed’” said Mike Silver on NFL Network. “They feel like they have three guys for once that they can go into battle with and succeed with.”
Look, he was okay, but I didn’t see anything that blew me away.
But what the Jets are doing is really, really smart.
Get it out there that Bridgewater is looking really good, so if another team loses a quarterback, they can make a trade and get something decent in return.
Don’t get me wrong. I like Bridgewater. And I think the Jets made a smart move signing him, and if they have an unfortunate injury at quarterback this summer, the move will look brilliant.
But I think the talk about his work from the spring is like that old game of “telephone.” His performance from the spring keeps getting more and more impressive the more people talk about it . . .
The Jets signed a terrific cornerback in free agency named Trumaine Johnson (pictured above).
He gives them a much needed #1 cornerback.
But while he’s now one of the elite cornerbacks in the NFL, it wasn’t smooth sailing early in his career.
After his rookie season, in May of 2013, he pleaded guilty to reckless driving in Montana and received a one-year suspended sentence. He also had an issue in 2011 while in college pleading “no contest” to disorderly conduct charges.
Since the 2011 issue he’s been a model citizen.
On Tuesday, Jets cornerback Rashard Robinson was suspended for four games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.
Johnson is proof positive that Robinson can bounce back from an early career issue off the field and turn into a good player who has his act together.
I asked Johnson what message he’s like to send Robinson.
“Stay positive for sure,” Robinson said. “If you need me, talk to me about it. I was in a similar situation. I didn’t get suspended no games. Just stay positive and move forward from it and we’re here for you.”
Like Johnson, Robinson’s a tall corner with long arms who can flip his hips and follow receivers down field. Robinson has tremendous speed.
I don’t think the Jets should get rid of Robinson. The guy has a lot of talent but needs some direction. He grew up in a very rough neighborhood and needs some guidance. Look, if he has another hiccup, I’d bounce him, but I think they should stick with him now and view the suspension as a roster exemption.
And maybe he’ll turn out like Johnson where he matures and gets his life together after some early issues.
July 26, 2018
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