The Thursday Top 10: OTAs Today
Organized Team Activities — the kids call ‘em OTAs — begin in earnest today (with real live press access of stretching!!) with veterans and rookies organizing themselves side-by-side. As Bassett noted on Monday, with them come some important questions about the upcoming season. And yes, front and center will be The Great Quarterback Battle of 2008, and to a lesser extent, The Kind of Sort of Interesting Punter Rumpus, not to mention a few other major positional competitions including the linebacker rotation and who plays corner opposite Darrelle Revis.
As you all may realize by now, I like looking beyond the obvious — so here are:
The Top 10 “Other” OTA Storylines
10. Erik Ainge vs. Brett Ratliff. With Marques Tuiasosasoppasoaoa. .. uh Tui, gone, it’s time for . . . The Altercation to Be Number Three in The Rotation . . . The Bout To Lead the Scout (Team) . . . The Conlict to Carry The Clipboard . . . The Battle to Be The Back Up’s, uh, Back Up . . . . IT’S ON!
In the green corner, at six-foot-five, weighing 221 pounds, it’s the 6th-round rookie draft pick, the Pride of Portland, the Valkyrie of the Volunteers, the Tennessee Walker . . . Erik “Too Tall” Ainge. AINGE!
And in the white corner, at six-foot-four, weighing in at 224 pounds, it’s the 2nd-year free agent, The Champion of Chico, The Ute from Butte, the Brouhaha of Utah . . . Brett “The Hitman” Ratliff. RATLIFF!
Let’s get ready not to FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMBBBLLLLLLEEEEEE!
9. The next Chrebet. No doubt that Cannizzaro of the Post will start cranking up “You’re The Best” for Daniel-san Woodhead as he makes his charge to the head of the running back pack. Hey, if he turns out to be half the pro Chrebet was, it’s a great story. Just watch out if Jonesy tries to sweep the leg!
8. Will the Jets special teams still eat white lightnin’ and crap green thunder? Since Mike Westhoff arrived from South Florida seven years ago, Jets fans have been spoiled by having the best special teams coach in the NFL, and with him, excellent coverage and kickoff teams, as well as a Pro Bowl returner (Leon should’ve been two). Kevin O’Dea comes over from ‘dea Bears where they’ve had a lot of special teams success, both with kicker Robbie Gould and a kick returner named Lemon Zester (or something like that). Hopefully, that success will continue here, although there are multiple special teams questions, as you will see below.
7. How long until Alan Faneca and Nick Mangold are swapping hair care product? If you remember, Mangold gave great credit to Pete Kendall for his development while a rookie, development that seemingly went backward a bit last year without a veteran presence to his left. Now Faneca — a proven winner and leader — has arrived to solidify that spot, but under the watch of a new line coach and with also a new right tackle, how long will it take until the unit gels? (And will they use astringent?) Obviously, a big part of equation is how quickly Faneca can establish himself and also mentor Mangold — and we know the quickest way to reach Mangold is through his golden locks.
6. The gun show. Come on, we all want to see it: Thomas Jones versus Vernon Gholston, the winner to take on team president Jay “Iron” Cross.
Come on, you can see Cross’ pythons just trying to burst through that polyester, brutha!
5. Punt returner derby. Okay, from my count, there’s at least 7 guys who can possibly be the team’s punt returner this season: Leon Washington, Justin Miller, Chansi Stuckey, Brad Smith, Darrelle Revis (remember that was one of the benefits for moving up to draft him?), Danny Woodhead and Dwight Lowery. Of course, I think there’s a better chance of seeing Mike Westhoff on “Dancing With The Stars” than Revis dropping back to field punts, but hey, you never know. Although, for the record, Westhoff would probably choreograph his own routines, which would be awesome! “Kick that leg higher, Edyta! Come on! Don’t let your time with Taylor ruin you! Throw that wedge block, dammit, finish it!!”
4. The end of the James Dearth Era? After 112 consecutive games, with nary a bad snap, is it the end of the line for Mr. Reliable? As has been reported in a few places (although nowhere officially by the Jets), Dearth may be injured, so the team has brought in Wake Forest’s Nick Jarvis. After eight years with the Jets, could the 32-year-old Dearth become the Wally Pipp of snappers? (Side note: Jarvis is a former quarterback — just like half the Jets current roster.)
3. Who will be the holder? What, you thought Ben Graham versus Jeremy Kapinos was just to see who would win the battle as punter? Sure, that’s somewhat important, I suppose. But if Graham is unseated, does that mean Kapinos automatically inherits the mantle of holder for kicks? Last season, in the one game that Kapinos was active, he was the holder — incidentally, an extra point was blocked — but does that mean he’s won the job? Or like everything else, will there be an open competition? And who will his competition be? Ratliff? Ainge? Woodhead? Bent?!
2. The new Flight Crew uniforms. Even as I type this, no doubt that top designer Marc Ecko is holed up in his trendy loft somewhere, cutting, fitting, sewing and showing to create the new look for our erstwhile Flag Girls. And although I personally like the current ones, I’m betting the new ones will be fierce! Hopefully, Tim Gunn is on speed dial — I’m concerned if he’s not — or it’ll be auf wiedersehen!
1. Who’s next? Last year, it was Kendall and Moore, this off-season it’s been Coles, Rhodes and Baker — all grumbling about their contracts, either outright publicly or quietly through back channels. Obviously, with the growing outrageous $$$ being thrown around in free agency, every single team now has had to deal with veterans complaining about being underpaid. I actually tried to go through the roster trying to think who could complain — a lot of players have either recently gotten new deals, are still working off their rookie deals or have been traded. Right now, it only seems like Baker’s got a gripe, but I don’t doubt that could change quickly — Barton is in his last year, Ellis is nearing the end of his deal, and Pennington is scheduled to make $9 million this season, which is a tremendous amount for a player who may not even be the starter come the regular season.
A new grumbler may not appear during this round of OTAs, but that does traditionally seem to be the time when players — more specifically, the agents — make their cases known. Be prepared for one of the young millionaires to cry poverty. Please, pass the Kleenex!
6 Responses to The Thursday Top 10: OTAs Today
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Bent says: Woodhead for PR.
Me for holder.
Brett Mangini-liff for 3rd QB.
Little change for the FC outfits.
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James in TN says:
Ainge was a 5th round pick, but should have been a 6th.
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Fonzie says:
Hey R_CT, Bassett and Bent:
Really funny and fun posts. Did anybody spike the water cooler over there today? You better test the water.
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dakar says:
the best thing about this post was her asss…
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Reprocity says:
Something about a woman in a Jets clothing. Mmmm!
You’re the best! (Ahhh) Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the best! (Ahhh) Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you down
You’re the best! (Ahhh) Around!
Nothing’s gonna ever keep you dow-ow-ow-ho-how-ho-own
(CUE INSPIRING GUITAR SOLO)
Channeling my inner Mr Miyagi, as a little guy Danielsan needs to run “sie to sie”