Content available exclusively for subscribers
We have a few things to get into this evening, including a look at some movement on the undrafted free agent and tryout front, and something on the Geno Smith agent search . . .
One of the Jets’ undrafted free agent signings, Texas A&M defensive lineman Spencer Nealy, wasn’t at the rookie mini-camp.
I’m still looking into the reason for his absence.
I know he was thinking about law school as a senior.
He is the son former NBA forward Ed Nealy, who played 10 years in the NBA, from the early 80’s to the early 90’s, and got a ring with the Chicago Bulls.
Spencer was going to have a really hard time making it.
He’s your consummate tweener – he’s not big enough for 3-4 end at about 6-3, 277, but not fast enough, not athletic enough to play 3-4 OLB. Spencer has a great motor, but it’s going to really tough for him to hang around.
When I find out tomorrow why he wasn’t in the mini-camp, I will pass it along . . .
The Jets signed an interesting free agent today – defensive tackle Lanier Coleman.
He was at the rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis.
It’s interesting because he came out of Louisiana-Lafayette in 2009, and is currently listed as the assistant strength coach at the University of California.
He’s 6-4, 322 defensive tackle who moves well for his size.
Remember, two days ago, he had this to say to Jets Confidential writer Kristian “Duffy” Dyer.
“People are always surprised with my quickness and how I move,” Coleman told Dyer.
This guy could turn into an intriguing free agent find, a player who left the sport for four years, and decided to give it another try . . .
Another tryout player who got a contract was Northern Illinois defensive end Sean Progar-Jackson.
The Jets will play him at outside linebacker.
He had a terrific career for UNI with 24 career sacks, including 8.5 this past season. I think he went undrafted because he didn’t run that well at his Pro Day in the 4.85-4.9 area. Also, he had a DUI last year.
But this guy knows how to get to the quarterback. Not only did he have 24 sacks in college, but 40 in high school . . .
I keep hearing that if Geno Smith signs with Priority Sports to represent him, it could be a conflict of interest, because former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum works there.
I don’t get this story-line. Tannenbaum doesn’t work for the Jets anymore, so why would this be a conflict of interest?
Plus, if Smith signs with that agency, he likely won’t be repped by Tannenbaum, it would probably be Mark Bartelstein, Rick Smith or Mike McCartney, three major figures at the firm when it comes to NFL player representation.
Remember, Tannenbaum wasn’t hired to handle NFL players, he was added to the firm to head up a new branch they are developing that will represent coaches, executives and broadcasters.
So this story is much ado about nothing.
May 12, 2013
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Monday
