Barnes & Collins Out, Ball In
The Jets have released FB Darian Barnes, and CB Manny Collins (again). Also the Jets have picked up another former I-AA player, former UNH standout receiver, David Ball. This still leaves a roster spot open, so look for the Jets to make another move before too long.
Analysis
Darian Barnes — I liked Barnes ability to hit, but beyond that his play seemed flat as he not really a pass catching option out of the backfield and the Jets run out of so many single back sets anyway … that doesn’t mean I think it’s always effective. Barnes was the roster’s only true fullback, but the team hardly used him of late, opting for JoeKo as an H-Back instead. They must like what they’ve seen from the former Syracuse alum, as the backup FB Stacy Tutt was placed on Injured Reservea few weeks ago, so the duties will continue to fall to Joe Kowalewski.
Manny Collins — Collins is one of those guys who the Jets just seem to keep yo-yoing on. I’d expect to see him re-signed in the offseason again.
David Ball — Check out his Rookiepedia profile for more. This is the real interesting move to me and was a guy I was very disappointed the Jets didn’t sign back in May. Ball is a guy who played very well in I-AA at New Hampshire but hasn’t translated in the Pros, as the Bears picked him up for preseason but he didn’t make the cut. All the WRs that the Jets have brought aboard over the past few months have made me think that they are trying really hard to find a diamond in the rough, but failing at it … gee maybe mothballing Chansi Stuckey for the season wasn’t such a good idea after all … ugh. Rather than anoter sub 6 foot possession receiver, what the Jets need is a Jaguars style receiver … big & fast with good hands (I’m looking at YOU Justin McCareins). David Ball is tall (6’2″) has good hands and runs routes well but his biggest problem is his speed. Ball only ran a 4.73 on his Pro Day, but has excellent quickness as displayed by his short shuttle (3.97) and three cone drill (6.59) at his Pro Day. I’d like to think that the Jets will try to hold onto him through the spring to see what kind of player he is with some development. He’s definitely the Mangini type, and it remains to be seen whether his game speed is better than his 40 yard dash speed.
4 Responses to Barnes & Collins Out, Ball In
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sjfalcon2001 says:
I live up here in New Hampshire and Ball was all over the sports coverage up here last season. Your assessment of him is pretty accurate. I don’t know how well he will translate in the NFL game due to his lack of straightline speed, but he will definitely help us in the red zone if they stick with him long enough. He does have the ability to get open and has good hands. He could turn out to be a very good pickup for us.
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allenk_007 says:
I am glad someone finally picked up David Ball. He made an insane one-handed leaping catch for Chicago in preseason which missed the hype as it was 2 feet out of bounds, but he has hands of glue, runs excellent routes, gets open and can leap (a former state high jump triple jump champ). Further, as for the slow times, although he is not ever going to be the fastest straight ahead runner on the field, he was recovering from a muscle pull at the combines which did hamper his time somewhat. Was Chrebet the fastest guy on the field?
I am a Pats fan and would love to have seen him catching Brady bullets, but I am glad to see him catch on somewhere and I hope that he has great success with the Jets.
Bent 
So much for the Comic Book Guy. Worst. Signing. Ever.
Note that they also picked up Kareem Brown from waivers. He was a 4th round pick for the Pats (and had previously been projected as high as a first round pick) but couldn’t get on the field. Ideally suited to 3-4 DE, and what interests me is that when he was at Miami, he was an impact guy off the bench.
I like the Ball pickup too – he’s better than the other Dave Ball we had a few years ago. Anyone with a sub-4.0 short shuttle who reportedly runs routes is going to be able to get open, which is a major weakness for the Jets when Coles is out. He might not be a home run threat, but one step at a time.
I really approve of some of these guys they are giving a look at and hopefully some of them will make an impact.