Monthly Archives: July 2007
Everyone’s talking about Pete Kendall’s summer of discontent, but no one’s talking about where he could end up. Here are some thoughts about teams that could use the big guy to help strengthen their offensive line. Please note, this is just guessing based on how awful a team’s line is or existing relationships that the Jets or Kendall might have with teams.
One more thing, does the comment about Pennington being an “egg back there” a few years back seem to belong to Pete Kendall? Remember it shortly after the time he took a paycut….
Bucs (5:2) - The Bucs are extremely thin along the line, and look to be installing a scrambler in Jeff Garcia as the QB. Pete Kendall could provide a nice transition for the Bucs as they work in rookie Arron Sears. The Jets and Bucs don’t meet, and Bruce Allen needs to show improvement on his team and Kendall could provide some help to a battered line as he looks towards retirement in the next few years. There would be a number of familiar faces in Tampa, where he would reunite with Anthony Becht, and BJ Askew, along with former O.C. Paul Hackett. I think this is the most likely place.
Lions (3:1) – The Lions have one of the worst lines in the league and QB who needs time to get the ball downfield to one of the most interesting crops of receivers, ever. Between the two peniciled in starters, the Lions only have 7 starts last year at Guard … ouch. The Jets don’t play the Lions, which makes the situation even better, but Matt Millen won’t pull the trigger on this though, because it makes too much sense.
Randy Lange writes that the Defense looked sharp today in practice, recording a number of takeaways and stops on the Jets offense which has been pushing the defense around somewhat. Sounds like Barrett and Harris both looked sharp.
I know, I know here we are talkin’ bout practice. Since there are more additions to the defense than the offense, it might have taken them a little while in practice to get their legs. Let’s hope their growth continues.
Once again, it’s time for me to precap the season, so you don’t have to. Disclaimer: thejetsblog.com accepts no liability in respect of gambling losses caused by the belief that any of this will actually happen…
Week 1 – Versus New England
It doesn’t take long for these two great rivals from last year to rekindle their feud as they meet for the fourth time in less than a year.
As with any prolonged feud that the powers that be wish to extend for ratings purposes, an indecisive finish is inevitable. Therefore, it is no surprise to anyone when, after a back-and-forth struggle, the game ends in a rare tie.
There is further intrigue over how the meeting of the two head coaches at midfield will play out after the game. Another wet-fish handshake of doom? Over-the-top man hug? Belli-to-Belly suplex? In the end, the two coaches, both extremely satisfied with the tie, charge towards each other for a unexpectedly playful chest bump. Unfortunately, given the size of the two chests involved, this causes a seismic shift and the resultant reverberations cause a big crater to open up on the 45 yard line.
Luckily, quick thinking Jets DE Kimo Von Oelhoeffen averts the risk of any of his teammates falling into the crater and injuring themselves by grabbing Lawrence Maroney and using him to plug the gap in the field. Mangini praises Kimo in the post-game press conference, saying that it was the first time he’d stuffed a runner in the hole since he arrived there.
Adrien Clarke, a 6-5 330lb mauling left guard, seems to be the replacement for 2006 starter Pete Kendall if his contract dispute is not resolved. If Clarke does assume the role of starting left guard, he will have big shoes to fill. While in college he played alongside a familiar face in center Nick Mangold at THE Ohio State University. When Clarke was a senior and Mangold a sophomore, the Buckeyes just missed out on a National Championship run. Clarke was a Philadelphia Eagles 7th round draft pick in 2004. In 2005, he appeared in 14 games for the Eagles that season. However after earning playing time in 2005, Clarke was set back in 2006 by sitting out the season due to back surgery.
On January 22, 2007, the New York Jets signed Adrien Clarke to a Reserve/Future contract. Going into mini camp, coaches were unsure of what Clarke could handle. Coming off major back surgery is no easy task for anyone. With Kendall causing problems with front office management, Clarke split the first team reps with him during mini-camp. As training camp was approaching, Kendall’s situation was getting worse, frequently bad mouthing the organization and team management. Clarke continues to this day to be getting most of the first-team reps in training camp taking full advantage of Kendall’s situation. From what I been hearing, Clarke is fitting in just fine. He is a hard-worker, and is spending extra hours in the classroom. Schottenheimers’ system is very complex and Clarke is trying to pick it up as quickly as possible.
- Brick is getting some guidance from Lomas Brown, and has his weight up to 305.
- We all know about Kendall … what about Adrien Clarke?
- The Record looks at the similar arcs of Mangini and Cotchery.
- Ian O’Connor chooses an odd way to honor Bill Walsh and is not impressed by Mangini, who he calls a “one-hit wonder.”
- Teddy Atlas now has an official title with the Jets.
- Tom Rock talks to Eric Hicks about his impressions of the team.
An interview with New Era Scouting’s Matt Miller about Bill Walsh, Thomas Jones and the Jets draft picks.
A few days back, reader Tony asked about Jets throwback merchandise — I mentioned that I saw some cool shirts and stuff with the old Titans of New York logo on it at the merchandise tent at training camp, but (stupidly) didn’t buy it at the time, figuring that I’d order it online later. To my surprise, I couldn’t find anything on the Jets site or even the NFL site. D’oh!!!
I called the Jets customer relations line today and they told me that Titans of New York merchandise should be available through the official Jets shop site “soon.” How soon is “soon”? My impression from my conversation was that “soon” within the next week or so, so just keep checking.
Hope that helps anyone who is interested.
After discussing Brad Smith’s use as QB this morning here on TJB, it seems that Tom Rock over at Newsday writes an excellent blog post about logistically how this all works, and answers a number of good questions like who goes in if Chad goes down, what happens to Kellen or Tui and would Smith have to have two helmets?
Here are some quick hits of some progressing storylines from the weekend on Jets and training camp:
- Pete Kendall is a Lame Duck – It’s only a matter of time before the two paths diverge. Although the situation isn’t optimal, I’m sure Tannenbaum is trying to find a home for the vet, but it will have to play out over camp and players on other teams get injured, retire, etc. Check out the Julie Donaldson and Adam Schein reporting from camp last Friday about just this.
- Thomas Jones, the Relaxer - With Thomas Jones taking carries, there just seems to be no worry about the running game. At the least, he changes defenses plans, much like Randy Moss in New England will cause safeties to step back from the line. I still want to see what Jones can do with this line when the bullets are flying before I can be certain of anything.
- Eric Smith Will Be Free Safety - He might not be taking all the first team snaps right now, but I think by the end of the season he will. Smith is one of Mangini’s guys and he has looked comfortable working with the first team. I don’t know if he’ll start the season, but I have a feeling he’ll end it
- We Haven’t Seen All Schott’s Tricks - Lauded last year with his innovative approach, it’s clear he still has some tricks up his sleeve. Converting Smith to QB, sending fullbacks out as flankers, the offense could be another fun ride this year. As noted earlier today, the WR corps could look a lot different behind Coles & Cotch than expected. Stuckey’s work out of the slot could be a nice addition to the Jets this season. But everyone can look good in practice …
- The Defensive Line is Still a Question Mark - Fans are clearly concerned about the defensive front seven. It’s good to know that players feel more comfortable, but the line is going to have to make more convincing plays.
Readers-
As great as it was to go to camp last Friday, I wanted to make sure you all knew there’s an “open door” policy in terms of contribution. In fact, it’s the comments and interaction you take with us that make this site run. If you are heading to camp over the next few days or weeks and want to share some thoughts on what you saw, please send them in to us, and I will file them as “Reader Reports”. The more eyes we have on what’s going on, the better. I might head to Pats’ camp tomorrow night and let you know what I see from behind enemy lines.
Just email me at thejetsblog@gmail.com with whatever you got.
- Are the Jets really interested in Simeon Rice? This doesn’t inspire faith in what they already have …
- Tom Rock writes about Adrien Clarke’s ascension to the starting unit.
- Newsday notes the relationship Jones & Barnes already have via Tampa Bay.
- At least the guys who were here last year know what to expect when it comes to camp.
- You’re KILLING me Ryan! Jets rank 11th on S.T.? Their biggest faults last year were in coverage, but jeez.
- Schein reported his thoughts over the weekend from his time in Hempstead Friday.
Well it looks like Drack and Mangini are thinking along the same lines about Brad Smith’s roster status. Mangini said over the weekend that Brad Smith is listed as a QB for the Jets (even though the official website doesn’t list him there … heck Wadsworth is still a DE).
“It always changes. It was something last year with him making the transition to a new position and learning all of that, we really wanted him to focus on (wide receiver). Now we feel very comfortable with his progress there, and I like him in the quarterback position and the things that he allows us to do at that position. He’s a threat with the ball in his hands both running and passing.”
On Friday, we saw Smith take a number of snaps during practice switching from white to red jerseys along the way. Also, he has been acting as a “camp arm” type QB for rookies after practice officially finishes, but while the rookies continue to work.
This is a very interesting move, and the WR “competition” looks vastly different than it did a week ago. Tim Dwight’s time on the PUP, coupled with Brad Smith being listed as a QB frees up at least one, but potentially two slots at receiver. Factor in that Stacey Tutt has been splitting out in motion and Chansi Stuckey has looked good at receiver and the roster could be a very free flowing thing from week to week come September.
It seems for now that McCareins spot on the roster is safe, but Marques Tuiasosopo might not be so lucky.
← Older posts
