Erik Boland: Inside the Jets Breaking news, commentary and insider information on the New York Jets Printer-friendly posts August 19, 2008 Near and Favre Before we begin, anyone else notice a half-empty stadium for the Giants/Browns game last night? An embarrassing lack of fan support for the boys in blue, the DEFENDING Super Bowl champs no less. No excuses, Giants fans, for missing out on a preseason game and all of its inherent passion and excitement. Shameful. And now to today?s practice report [yes, that was a joke, sarcasm, etc. in the above sentence]: * Brett Favre, though not particularly sharp overall, had a couple of nice throws today; an 18-yarder to Jerricho Cotchery and a 25-yarder, again to Cotchery, on a cross. During his first 11-on-11 Favre threw a 12-yard dart to Bubba Franks, who was immediately upended by Kerry Rhodes. The day ended with Favre running the two-minute offense ? he hasn?t done much of that so far ? and there were mixed results. The situation was the offense down 24-21 with two minutes left. The drive started with Favre delivering a nice ball to Chansi Stuckey on the left sideline for 18 yards. After Darrelle Revis knocked down a pass for Brad Smith, Favre connected with Stuckey on the right side ? beating Revis and Hank Poteat with a strong throw ? for 13 yards. On second-and-9 from midfield, Favre again hit Stuckey, this time near the left sideline (he had gotten away from Poteat) for 19 yards. After Favre spiked the ball, he threw behind Smith where Revis intercepted. BUT, a penalty negated the pick and Mike Nugent eventually kicked a 54-yard field goal to tie it at 24. * Kellen Clemens, in his two-minute opportunity, had an interception by Dwight Lowery wiped out by penalty. Clemens threw several good passes to Chris Baker in moving the offense to the 35 but Nugent was wide right on a 53-yarder that would have tied it. No, for those who have asked, there wasn?t another kicker in today. * Erik Ainge threw his best ball of camp, a 40-yarder into the seam to Dustin Keller ? who else ? with the ball dropping between linebacker Cody Spencer and David Barrett (dmb, I always think of you when I write about No. 36). Unfortunately, Ainge threw just a horrible looking interception to Dwight Lowery on the left sideline, a ball intended for Jason Pociask, A second pick came later in practice as Ainge threw to the right side, intending the pass for Brad Smith I believe, where Drew Coleman cut in to make the interception. I just can?t see how Ainge doesn?t end up on the practice squad. * Brett Ratliff hit Wallace Wright on a cross in an early 11-on-11 for a 20-yard gain. Marcus Henry, the most obvious beneficiary of David Clowney?s injury [at least today based on reps], caught a 31-yarder down the left sideline from Ratliff. The rookie made a nice adjustment on a poorly thrown ball that did everything but quack. * Rookie cornerback Dwight Lowery was in at right corner with the 1?s on the defense?s third series. Coach Eric Mangini said to get used to it. ?We worked him with the ones some of this past weekend and he did a pretty good job with that group,? Mangini said. ?So he?ll get some more work with the ones and twos to see how he keeps progressing.? * Both Laveranues Coles and Shaun Ellis were back. Coles, however, did not participate in any 11-on-11s so call him limited for the day. Coles did not speak with the media, which other than losing a good quote, I don?t particularly care about. This is one of those instances were the media makes itself the story when it?s inconsequential in the bigger picture. Now, if Coles was refusing to speak to Favre, then that would be a story. But that?s not the case. I?d like to hear from Coles because he?s intelligent and typically has something interesting to say and I do think he?s carrying on a big much here, but because he?s not talking to us doesn?t mean there some kind of internal dissent going on. * The Jets signed 6-4, 225-pound receiver Larry Brackins, who spent the previous two seasons with the Philadelphia Soul of the AFL. Brackins, out of Pearl River CC (Miss.), was selected in the fifth round by the Buccaneers in 2005
I like the opening joke, where he took a shot at the writer who took a shot at Jets fans for not being SRO at a PS game. I left just as this was happening, so i didnt see the 2-3 completions to Stuckey. So, I stand corrected as to Stuckey having a quiet day (which he did up to that point). :wink:
Actually... I'm pulling for this Lowery kid. Seems like Jets always find a diamond in the rough with their 4th rd picks. It's going to be awesome to see Lowery actually start at CB2 spot, and excel there this year. (I know it's not that likely, but hey. You never know; also, if this happens, Mangini somehow continues his tradition of finding rookie starter from his draft every year. Isn't that fantastic or what!?) Buh-bye Justin. It was nice to see you run all those kicks and punts back, but your time seems but done here.
he never ran back punts Zach-he only fumbled them...Lowery as I have said since seeing him, solidifies our CB position for the next half a decade with him and Revis-best combo we've had back there since Glenn/Coleman
Justin Miller needs to be cut...there was a play the other night where the receiver dropped a pass he was supposed to be defending-good thing he did because it would have been a big play-he may have even scored...he sucks and Dwight Lowery, Drew Coleman, Ahmad Carroll are ALL better defensive backs than him-AND Carroll also is a fast kickoff return guy-so in other words; see ya Justin...
Justin seems to usually make it to within the vacinity of the wide-out he's supposed to be covering, but I have yet to see him actually make a meaningful play in one of these one-on-one conflicts. Lowery, for example, on the other hand, is not interested in dancing with the receiver so much as he is intent on taking the damned ball away from him. Justin needs to focus on just exactly what he is doing here on the football field when the other team is throwing the pumpkin his way. I would like to see Justin successfully become the 2nd CB across from Darrelle, but he has to stop this sleep walking. Otherwise that "slow rook" with the raggedy-assed mustache is going to erase his ass from the roster.
and when is that supposed to magically happen njQB? Time is running short and Miller needs to be gone-I would hate to see Drew Coleman, Hank, or Carroll be unseated by this one-dimensional flash in the pan
I do think the NYJ CS is aware of those awake and those who run as they nod off. If you don't agree with me, just take a gander at Mr. Lowery's reps today and from now on. See what he does with them, and try and figure out how long it's been since we last saw Justin. The process is aprocessin'...
he's a work in progress BB-with Miller we already know what we got-a guy who can't cover anyone, who is prone to making stupid mistakes at the wrong time and who ONCE was a good KOR guy-that's about it...Carroll is fast and has gotten a new lease on his football life and is taking the most advantage of it that he can
True- Green Bay coaches had him practicing in boxing gloves at one point because he can't cover anyone without grabbing and holding. I don't like Miller very much either but Carroll is just horrible.
How is he ONCE a good KOR guy? He was a Pro Bowl returner two years ago, and was injured for the season in the 2nd game last year. You can't make that statement until there is a body of work this season when the games COUNT. Some of you guys just don't realize how important special teams are. It's 1/3 of the game, and starting field position is crucial. Carroll? Are you kidding me? He doesn't make it past the first cut downs.
I remember that play and said the same thing to myself, the guy had a step or two on Miller and would have scored. But I don't see Justin getting cut, if anything, perhaps he can move back to a nickleback role much like Ray Mickens years ago. Perhaps he is just not a starter, good athletic ability, but not a guy who you can put on an island and say here, cover this guy by yourself. I am hoping Lowery takes the spot and does well, he seems to be getting better each week according to these reports. That seems to be the case when Mangini was asked about Lowery with the 1s. He said get used to it. Starter?
