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New Jersey – The Jets got back to work today, holding their first practice of Bengals Week, and we have a few things to get into today . . .
The guy pictured above is Jets outside linebacker coach Mark Collins.
Collins said in the spring, “What we need to do a better job of at that position, is winning one-on-ones, and setting the edge in the run game and affecting the quarterback.”
I think they will be okay setting the edge against the run, but the “winning one-on-ones and affecting the quarterback” parts weren’t great in camp or the preseason.
Even against the Philadelphia Eagles backup tackles in Week 4 of the preseason, they didn’t get a lot of pressure off the edge.
And that is one reason I think Todd Bowles experimented with some 4-3 in camp and against the Giants in the preseason.
I do think the pressure off the edge could improve once you consistently see Mo Wilkerson. Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams on the field together on the defensive line. You didn’t see that a lot in the summer in practices or games. When these three are on the field, with all the attention they attract from opposing blocking schemes, it should free up the Jets edge rushers a little, especially on stunts.
But they still need to beat one-on-one’s more.
And this group needs to do a better job than they did in the summer.
I think Lorenzo Mauldin’s experiences against Ryan Clady this summer will help him during the season. He won’t be facing many left tackles better than this guy.
An x-factor in the outside linebacker room is Josh Martin. Of all the Jets offensive linemen, he’s got the best mobility . . .
Brandon Marshall got into a fight on twitter with Bears beat writer Brad Biggs, calling the scribe “lazy.”
Biggs writes for the Chicago Sun-Times. I’m not sure what set Marshall off, but I don’t find Biggs to be lazy at all. I have him on my radio show on SiriusXM all the time, and he’s very plugged in to what is going on there.
Marshall is still having a hard time getting over the Chicago chapter of his life. Perhaps since he reportedly still lives there.
Marshall is amazing. He’s involved in so many dust-ups with reporters and others, but I hesitate to criticize him for it. Why? Because when he takes the field, all the controversy that follows him around off the field doesn’t seem to impact his performances one iota.
The only time I feel inclined to criticize players for off-the-field distractions is when they become on-the-field distractions, and during his time with the Jets, I’ve seen zero evidence of that.
This guy could come out of burning building, and catch 15 passes for 150 yards. He’s got an amazing ability to compartmentalize.
The bigger concern is his healthy. Is his hip injury legit? We shall see. He was on the practice field today, but we didn’t get to see any offensive action. The media is only allowed to watch special teams during the season . . .
The NFL drug tester was in the building today . . .
Todd Bowles refuses to reveal who his right tackle will be against Cincinnati.
Good plan. Make the Bengals defensive ends prepare for both Ben Ijalana and Brent Qvale. Make them do extra film work. And I don’t think they either one will be a problem. They both looked good in camp. Will they be perfect? No. They will give up plays, but as mentioned above, the Jets edge-rushing was so-so this summer, and it wasn’t just the work of Clady that contributed to this, but also the right tackle platoon. They generally didn’t give up a lot o pressure on the right side.
September 5, 2016
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