Link: Britt Getting a Bad Rap?
Is local product Kenny Britt miscast by national pundits as a “diva” and a “prima donna?” Some in Jersey seem to think so.
Here’s the only dirt on Britt from someone who covered him for three years at Rutgers and got to know him: He was suspended for last year’s Morgan State game for an unspecified violation of team rules the previous spring. But that suspension turned out to be the best thing that happened to Britt.
“That was when he started to get serious and focused. That was when he grew up,” said his father. “He learned from that mistake and was determined to show people it was a one-time thing.”
A personality scouting report on Kenny Britt the person would go something like this (and it’s from someone who spent three years around him, not three hours): Likeable, engaging, cooperative, accessible. He worked hard in practice, was a good teammate and turned out to be the best wide receiver in Rutgers history.
The “someone” in the first sentence is of course the writer, Tom Luicci, a Rutgers sports beatwriter. I have no reason to think Britt is what the pundits have made him out to be, but I’m not going to say that Britt’s father and his college coach are the bastions of objectivity that I’m looking for. I’ll trust the Jets determination on Britt’s character. They’ve done a pretty good job over the past three years in the draft of finding solid performing players who are also good people.
My problem with Britt is more about his game. Characterized as an Irvin or Boldin, is Britt the right fit if he is the large West Coast possession receiver that he’s projected to be?
Thanks to Andrew W. for sending this on.
Have a friend who actually knows one of Kenny Britt’s relatives (uncle if I remember correctly) and has met Britt before as well. Said that he isn’t a bad guy per se, but that he isn’t exactly the highest-of-character athletes out there. I would worry a little, but then again, all WRs seem to have issues nowadays. Still don’t think he’s a fit for us, I think we need a vertical threat WR rather than a possession guy (stop saying Clowney’s a vertical threat and that we don’t need another downfield WR, no one has any idea if he’s going to be good).
i dont see him as having the “possession receiver” label. yes, he is tall and can jump for balls the pure speedsters probably couldnt. but he can also run by people. in some ways he reminds me of TO (on the field performance only). he can get the ball over the middle or at the sideline and turn it up field for gains. you dont see him getting caught from behind by DBs.
Britt is more Braylon Edwards than either of those guys, and I agree with Brian he’s got a little TO in him as well. He’ll have some hands issues, not to the extent Braylon did last year ,but he’s no Wayne Chrebet. He can run a little after the catch but also has the sneaky speed to get deep and the size to go get the ball. He’s a much better prospect than he gets credit for, IMO, and can definitely be a #1 wideout that threatens teams deep and can make things happen after the catch.
And I’m not a Rutgers homer, just for the record.
Well, I’m a Rutgers homer, for the record, and if we drafted Kenny Britt I’d buy his jersey. I’d buy three. Home, away, third.
If the Jets stay put at 17, this is WR I want!!! I truly believe that Britt will end up being the best receiver in the bunch this year!!! But I still think we should give that pick to Arizona for Boldin, or to Cleveland for Braylon Edwards!!! Unlike most of you guys, I have complete trust that Tanny will make the rite moves!!! J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS!!!!
Well a freind of mine who played with Kenny Britt for years in high school and grade school knows that he is a great player and that all this talk about character issues is pure speculation and bs.
He is not a burner but he riminds me of a faster Cotcherry, with not as great hands. But he is young and can improve.
If Britt by some miracle lasts until the early 2nd round, trade down to get him. Use the 1st round pick on a Tyson Jackson, and get Britt early in the 2nd. To call Britt just a possession receiver is insulting. The majority of his touchdowns weren’t jump balls in the endzone, they were balls that Teel put some air under and Britt would fly by his defender. Not only does he have the speed, but he is a big strong target as well. He has good sized hands and hasn’t had consistent problems catching the football. I’m not sure what else you’d like in a receiver, MAKE HIM A JET!