Content available exclusively for subscribers
They need him . . .
Some might not think Kelvin Beachum is the best left tackle around, but for now, he’s the best they’ve got, and they need him against New England, Jacksonville and so forth.
He left the Jets-Dallas game with an ankle injury and did not return.
I saw him in the locker room today, and he was walking without a limp.
Hey, this could be misleading. I do think sometimes players know not to look like they are favoring something in front of reporters.
Interesting, that today Avery Williamson walked into the locker room with a clear limp, favoring his surgical knee, but us seeing that really doesn’t matter, since he’s already on IR.
Brandon Shell filled in for Beachum at left tackle against Dallas, and did okay, aside from giving up a sack to Robert Quinn, but that was more of a mental error than a physical error. Linebacker Sean Lee was blitzing, but left gaurd Alex Lewis took care of him, so there was no reason for Shell to help him out, especially since Quinn was coming off the edge. Shell went over to help Lewis, giving Quinn a free path to the QB and he sacked Sam Darnold.
Shell had a nice play at left tackle, leading the way on an 11-yard bubble screen left to wide receiver Damaryius Thomas.
But Shell is best served playing right tackle. He probably doesn’t have ideal feet for the left side, and Beachum is a much better left tackle than Shell.
So whatever you think of Beachum, he’s the best option the Jets have at left tackle right now, and they need to make sure Darnold can trust his blindside.
Looking at Beachum today in the locker room, you certainly got the sense he has a shot at playing on Monday night . . .
Neville Hewitt left the Jets-Dallas game with a neck stinger, but that didn’t seem to be his issue today. He had his left leg covered in a full black medical sleeve, so clearly something is up with his left leg . . .
I have been one of Leonard Williams biggest defenders in the media over his first four seasons, but I would say this year, to use a scouting term, watching him, he “leaves you wanting more.”
I am seeing him too often being handled by a single blocker. A few examples against Dallas:
Late third quarter, on 2nd-and-3, on a Zeke Elliot run for 10 yards, Williams was cleared out by guard Travis Frederick.
On the last play of the third quarter, Tony Pollard ran off left guard for a gain of 10. Frederick took care of Williams again.
On Zeke Elliot four-yard TD late, backup LT Cam Fleming manhandled Williams.
On the Dak Prescott TD run late, Leonard Williams was taken out by guard Connor Williams.
He’s not playing terrible. He some nice run stops like on Elliot’s very first run of the game, but as I said, he “leaves you wanting me.”
If they can get a quality pick or player in return, trading him should not be out of the questions.
Maybe all the losing has gotten to him.
October 16, 2019
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Thursday.