On the Job Training
Kyle Wilson is getting an eye opening experience this week as he’s not only learning the slot corner spot, he’s learning it while matched up against the Jets’ most disciplined receiver, Jerricho Cotchery according to Rich Cimini at ESPN New York.
Tough day for the rookie. No. 1 pick Kyle Wilson was schooled by WR Jerricho Cotchery, who was covered by the former Boise State star on most plays in the slot. That’s a tough cover for any rookie because Cotchery is such a crafty receiver. Wilson already has been anointed the starting nickel back, so he will be spending a lot of time in the slot. It’s a new position for him, as he played the boundary corner in college. The biggest difference, he said, is learning to play different leverages. No longer can he use the sideline as leverage; he’s toward the middle of the formation, meaning there’s 50-50 chance the receiver will break inside versus outside.
I like this. Ryan is throwing Wilson in at the deep end of the pool. Since Santonio is learning the offense, Cotchery is the best route runner he has and Cotch knows this offense inside-out. Add on that he’s a physical receiver who knows how to position his body extremely well and Wilson is getting a good lesson.
The great thing about this is that the more Wilson practices against Cotchery, the more he’ll be ready for most of the slot receivers that most teams have. .
7 Responses to On the Job Training
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Wolf says:
The fact that Cotchery is playing the slot this year, shows how good this receiving corps truly is.
The Jets are going to the Superbowl this year. I have no doubt about it. Not only did they go out and grab a few superstars like Holmes/Cromartie, but their in-house guys are finally coming around.
Devito, Pouha and Cummings will have big years for us. And I also believe Gholston will wreak some havoc.
Not to mention Basped is turning heads.
If Brodney Poole and Eric Smith prove to be liabilities, the Jets can just run a one safety set, plugging Leonhard at center field and allowing Kyle Wilson to cover the third corner in the slot.
This season, the Jets are going to do big, big, big things.
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SackDance99 says:
Having Cotch in the slot and LT in the backfield should translate into Sanchez improving his completion percentage big time.
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sexy rexy says:
wow good point in the article about no longer using the sideline as leverage. level up Kyle!
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Snakeman says:
I say this everytime Cotchery is mentioned in an article but… he is my favorite player, my favorite Jet, and let’s all show him more love.
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Nostra-Freakin-Damus says:
This speaks to my biggest source of hope for the coming season: How ridiclously good is this team going to be after playing against itself in practice?
I mean a receiving corps that lines upn against Revis, Crom, Bart Scott and (the still unproven, admittedly) Kyle Wilson every day?
Likewise an already gifted Secondary playing against Holmes, Braylon and J-Co?
We have an offensive line that is going to be practicing against and learning to read off of an aggressive and deceptive set of blitz packages.
Half the teams in the league are going to look like Pop Warner kids after training camp.
The only thing we could wish for is more of an INT specialist in the backfield to teach Sanchez about telegraphing. Our guys are good but they tend to play the receiver more than the QB.
I can not wait for opening day. I think the Ravens are going to have a crap year because Flacco’s psyche is going to be destroyed: fever dreams and night terrors about a world without open receivers with Jenx, Taylor and maybe even Gholston closing in around him.
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Harvlis says:
Bassett,
I agree with you — this is a great opportunity for Wilson. At this point, Cotchery has the edge. After the pre-season is over, Wilson will be ready to handle anything. I would move Wilson all over the field and let him cover everyone. Rex needs to get him ready to play all CB positions.
Cotch is the best #3 WR in all of football, hopefully going up against him can make Wilson the best #3 CB in the league.