Link: McKnight Struggling?
While it’s too early to drag out the old Jump to Conclusions Matt, it’s looking like Joe McKnight is struggling in keeping up in practice, and struggling at catching the ball.
McKnight looked shaky catching the ball out of the backfield and appeared winded at times during the morning practice of the second day of Jets’ rookie mini-camp. At one point, he was on his hands and knees as team trainers applied wet towels on his neck.
“He’s fighting through it,” Rex Ryan said. “It’s funny. Every time I look around, he’s got a wet towel around his neck… then he’s making one mistake after another. Then you put the ball in his hands – and he’s pretty good.”
“I don’t know exactly what it is, but he’s fighting through it,” Ryan added. “Sometimes it takes a player a little longer to play like a Jet. Maybe the tempo’s different (from college). I don’t know.”
Ryan cautioned not to jump to any conclusions about the Jets’ fourth-round pick, citing Shonn Greene’s early training camp struggles last year.
We’ll see how this goes, but the big reason to get him was that he could come in and be the third down back if the Jets need him to be. Catching the ball is a key component of that.
51 Responses to Link: McKnight Struggling?
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Wilx says:
agree, nothing to worry about
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broward says:
I feel like I read this exact same story last year about shonn greene not catching passes but “looking good with the ball in his hands”
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RichKotite2.0 says:
I can understand the jitters and dropping passes, but why is this guy hurling all over the field? Is he out of shape, or are his off the field activities affecting his performance on the field?
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BigBadBob says:
Maybe he’s just a little sick, I’m sure its nothing
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iJets!!! says:
he will shine come the beginning of the season.
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Ben Nevis says:
RichKotite2.0—
“. . .why is this guy hurling all over the field?”
I read that McK was dehydrated. Apparently, he was so nervous, he forgot to hydrate himself while he was working out. And it got him sick.
Doesn’t appear to be anything serious, though. Just rook nerves.
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Reprocity says:
Pennington and Leon were the same way…
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War Machine says:
I thought after you throw up, you play better?
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miketaliaferro says:
Somebody whisper to this kid:
“Reggie Bush can catch the ball…”
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Le' Sean Roberts says:
I think it’s the strength and fitness program in place, known to literally have rookies crawling on their knees by to the locker room. I don’t expect McKnight to be a jim rat, etc.
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“back to the loker room” in meant.
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Harlan Lachman says:
FWIW, I disagree. I think the smart move would be to arrange for sessions with a sports psychologist.
This is obviously a very talented young man who has a hard time performing up to his talent.
The time to intervene is now so that by the time the season starts, he could find the source of fear, the visualization that propels him, the meditation that frees him or whatever it takes for him to get over whatever is stopping him.
IOW, I don’t think it is or was physical and I would like to give him every chance to play like a Jet (I could get used to the sound of that).
harlan
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Nikolas says:
If this guy is scared….then all the talent of the world can not save him.
He seems to have the desire but can he overcome his fear? Maybe Caroll knew something that Tanny did not. This pick did cost two great players of ours, Rhodes and Leo Washington and if it does not work out then Tanny the gambler may have some explaining to do!
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Rich F says:
You know who else struggled in mini-camp as a rookie? Shonne Greene…I’m not saying he’s gonna be Greene but you get my point….give him some time.
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oh, and i didn’t see the end of the quoted post where Ryan cited Greene’s struggles…my bad. But it’s a solid point.
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Harvlis says:
If McKnight has been eating too many McNuggets and is out of shape — how intelligent is he? He is coming to a team with two great backs in front of him and he is not ready? Doesn’t make sense. This isn’t a walk-on from a backwoods school. I am sure that the Jets are checking him inside and out. If it is not a physical ailment, he might want to take Harlan up on seeking psychiatric help.
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Dylan says:
Wow you guys are overreacting. Nothing is wrong with McKnight. He had a stomach bug and was feeling a little nervous. Lets not make a big deal out of nothing. The guy was under the weather, nervous, and a little out of shape so he struggled a little bit. Supposedly he asked to continue working with the coaches this weekend so he can prove himself. We don’t need to worry about him. He will be fine.
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michael says:
EVERYBODY FREAK OUT!!!!!!!
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He didn’t drink enough water, so he got dehydrated. Nothing is wrong with his head… Lol you guys are being ridiculous.
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Rizzo says:
http://www.newyorkjets.com/fan_zone/download/photos/17114
If that’s not the face of fear, I don’t know what is
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Nikolas,
I think it cost just cost us our 4th and 6th rounders to move up in the 4th and pick McKnight. Leon was traded along with our 7th for John Conner.
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sexy rexy says:
I’m happy this is coming out in May. As a matter of fact, makes me look forward to “Hard Knocks” that much more!
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ManishMehta1 Not official yet, but looks like 1st tryout player 2get invite 2 #Jets training cmp will b Ala. LB Cory Reamer, D-coord Pettine told me #nfl
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starz31 says:
Day 2 of ROOKIE practice…uhh, yeah, this is nothing to worry about it. No reason whatsoever to be reading too much into this by interpreting a lack of mental toughness. If this is happening in July, then its a story. Its May 1. I’ll be sure to lose no sleep over this.
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rasmusbach says:
maybe he’s a socialist
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Doug in Long Valley says:
If he’s dehydrated, OK have him drink more before practice, but didn’t he play in Southern California where the climate is like a desert?
If he’s out of shape send him to my house, 23 miles from Florham Park. I’m 56, I ran 7.5 miles this morning, walked 18 holes of golf at mid day then came home an walked my dog 2 miles. I’d have a problem if being out of shape is the issue.
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Andrew Ramos says:
nothing to worry about folks… greene did the samething last year. lol.
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BamBam says:
I agree with Harlan … this kid needs to work out his issues before we can expect him to get his game on … the Reggie Bush shadow, top high school recruit, passed over by his old coach and going in the late rounds, etc. … trainers heal bodies and a sport psychologist would heal his mind
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OtisMyMan says:
Doug, I’m sure the first few days of workouts in the NFL are slightly more grueling than a morning jog, a round of golf and walking your dog.
We’re all impressed though.
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Doug in Long Valley,
Damn you should be his personal trainer! 90 degrees is very hot, even for So Cal. This is what was posted on twitter:
nyjets RL: McKnight said he’s been struggling due to a stomach virus, nerves and several weeks of reduced workouts due to team visits, the draft.
I wouldn’t worry about it. Its only the 2nd rookie workout. He will be fine long before the season starts. If he is still struggling like this in training camp then I think we can start worrying a little bit.
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ramble914 says:
“While it’s too early to drag out the old Jump to Conclusions Matt”
Ya think?
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Rizzo’s picture have me worried! And Dylan common man quit with the semantics! We gave Leo away for nothing because we drafted this guy.
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juunit says:
While it isn’t a terrible sign, it also is not a good sign. He’s out of shape, it’s not a big deal. But WHY is he out of shape? That is where the problem in this story lies.
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NamVetJet says:
This is going to be a long off season—-non stories and Nikolas buying them.
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Shane Falco says:
dont worry whoa i threw up in the huddle once whoa
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juunit
wasnt mcknight suspended the las 2 games plus the emerald bowl???if that is the case he probably hasnt been training to his full potential longer than most draftees…see how he does tomorrow plus if this keeps up in august then we should all start worrying -
nikolas
why does that pic have you worried??its jus him wearing a helmet carrying a football -
I"remember"Kotite says:
Whoa, slow down everyone. Rookie Training camp Day 2. It’s not that serious.
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Woodhead fan says:
This didn’t happen to Woodhead! He WANTS to be here!
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dakar says:
OMG…he sucks and the seasons already over…lolol…
he’s behind green and LT…its early and there isnt any reason to panic…not like we need him now anyway… just sayin…with john ” the terminater ” conner we can go with 2 FBs and 2 RBs this year…and he can use all that time to get back into football shape…just my thoughts…
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so what im trying to say is i wouldn’t mind going into some games this year with 2 FBs and 2RBs…let the FBs beat the hell out of the LBs and get them nice and tired…by mid 2nd half our guys will be running ramped.
lol…just sayin…it wouldn’t hurt to give it a try… -
dakar
not a bad idea but knowing schotty hell start doing double reverses with the 2 fbs -
Nikolas,
Sorry that a player struggling a little bit on the second day of ROOKIE MINI-CAMP doesn’t bother me. Leon is injured and on the last year of his contract. Do you know why we gave him up for nothing? Because no team was willing to give anything up for him. Anybody can run behind this line. McKnight will be fine. I liked him a lot at USC. The team was really bad, but he still averaged 6.2 yards per carry. He is our 3rd running back. Its not like we need him to carry the ball 300 times this year.
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Doug in Long Valley,
Dude, slow down, you’re making us all look bad…
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Michael,
Thanks for reminding us…
AAAAAAAGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Shamik says:
Huh, you’d think that LT had never caught a pass in his life. McKnight will be just fine. He’s either sick, nervous or both. And even if he is out of shape, we know that he’s got the talent, Rex and co should have him rounded out into form soon enough.
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Hmmm, they must be just drooling in the HBO offices.
A barfing tailback????
A wide receiver who’s evil incarnate, who we’ll catch any day now?
A locker room that may flunk chemistry???
Man, they must be p-ing their pants, wanting to get started, up at “Hard Knocks”…
They’re probably praying, “Just keep it up guys! Just keep this up! This is PERFECT!!”
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Greene Machine says:
Should’ve kept Leon…
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Joe B. says:
Obviously not the end of the world.
But this kid has a history of underachieving, and this is not a good first impression. He was the #1 recruit in the country coming out of HS, had a middling career at USC and fell to a 4th round pick. Now he admits to being out of shape and says it’s because of the draft process? He has been the polar opposite of Leon in work ethic and achievement in his brief football life. I hope he has a great year/career for us and he seems to have the right attitude, but if he doesn’t fill Leon’s shoes, I unfortunately won’t be surprised.
He’ll be fine