I'm really liking what we're hearing about WR Chris Owusu. I know it's only training camp and in the past we've seen standouts that failed to become anything (see David Clowney or Clyde Gates), but Owusu has actually shown some things on the field in real NFL games. He's got the speed. He ran a 4.36 40-yard dash (the 2nd highest in his draft class). His leaping ability is also incredible. The notch on him was that his stats weren't that impressive in college and he had a concussion history. From what I've seen on Chris Owusu, he has great catching ability that is rare to find in the NFL. Although the ability to get open and run routes precedes the ability to catch the ball, Owusu stands out as a playmaker compared to the other deep WRs on the roster such as Shaq Evans, T.J. Graham, and Walt Powell. His speed has also been showcased in games, as he has the ability to burn defenders on the edge. What I particularly like about him is the combination of speed and catching ability. Saalim Hakim is the fastest man on the roster, but Hakim has failed to show that he is a viable receiving option. The caveat is that the Jets are trying to find a man to do both who can also be used as a returner. I think Owusu is that guy.
Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't he the guy that had also a nice play that ended up being a TD against Miami @Metlife, the MNF? EDIT: I was wrong actually, it was Greg Salas who made the play that I was talking about.
I'm pulling for him. His route running seems crisp, he's got good awareness, good hands, good speed. No way he doesn't make the team.
He did have a big game in Miami in Week 17. He scored on a 23 yard end around and also had a big 26 yard reception in the game.
Yeah this kid has got to make the team. Goodbye Shaq Evans. Enunwa to the practice squad. Actually both can go to the PS.
If Shaq and Enunwa get cut there is no downside to stashing both on the PS. Both are only 2nd year and Shaq is really in his first year since he missed his entire rookie season (including OTAs). Once upon a time WRs were given until year 3 or so to make the leap. They both have upside so let's try to keep them.
Good post! I like on the 3rd video of the end-a-round how the Miami DB in the endzone (#21) couldn't get out of the way faster! Reminded me of 'Cro.
I don't think we are keeping 7 receivers on the roster. Now, if they decide to do so [which it appears is your belief], it would be between Shaq, Enunwa or Posey. I agree with your point about 3 years for a WR. PS maybe best for them, they aren't going to get any major reps IMO anyway.
Agreed, also don't think they'll keep 7. Especially since this is a strong group, the bottom end guys won't have many opportunities barring injuries.
Good concentration too. He should also be the kick returner imo. He only returned 2 last year and the second he broke for 87 yards. He powered right through a very small hole and broke away from everybody. Good combination of size and speed for a returner.
Please please please, I hope this guy makes it. Just because guys like Shaq Evans were drafted doesn't mean squat. I am still pissed the Jets passed on Woodhead because that schmuck Joe McKnight was "drafted". Those late round draft picks could have easily become UDFA and vice versa. Owusu also has much more upside than anyone on this roster after Marshall, Decker, and Devin Smith.
I've read that Chan likes spreading out with 4 or 5 WRs on the field and the early indications from TC are that the TEs have been very limited so I could see the justification for carrying 7. BTW as I saw it at the start of TC I had it as follows and felt like they were all pretty close to locks because of how good No. 5 and 6 are on specials. Marshall Decker Kerley Smith Owusu Graham It wouldn't surprise me if another athlete could work his way into the conversation as a 7th WR
Am I the only one who gets Owusu and Enunwa mixed up? Must be the names ending with vowels. http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-je...s-owusu-carving-name-for-himself-at-jets-camp FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- At New York Jets practice Tuesday, during 11-on-11 drills, Darrelle Revis spent the bulk of his time covering one wide receiver. No, it wasn't Brandon Marshall. And it wasn't Eric Decker, either. Revis was marking Chris Owusu, who's been a pleasant surprise early in training camp. "He’s smart, he’s steady, he’s more deceptive (than you think), he’s quicker than you think, he’s always in the right place and he’s young," Jets coach Todd Bowles said of Owusu on Saturday. "He just needs a chance to play." Owusu, 25, got a chance to play with the first string Tuesday, along with Marshall and Decker. Jeremy Kerley worked with the second unit. And Owusu continued to make plays -- beating cornerback Buster Skrine for a long gain early on, and a third-down catch over the middle late in the day. He wasn't perfect -- there were a couple completions he couldn't quite make. But then again, he had arguably the best cornerback in the NFL draped over him much of the time. "It’s a privilege to go out with the [first unit], to compete with the best out there," Owusu said. "I’m not taking it for granted." The Jets signed Owusu last September, after he was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After going undrafted in 2012 out of Stanford, and brief stints with the San Francisco 49ers and San Diego Chargers, Owusu signed with Bucs but played in just 17 games in three years, with 16 catches for 158 yards. He started off on the Jets' practice squad but ended up playing in five games last season, including the final four. And in the season finale in Miami, he made a splash with a 36-yard reception, a 23-yard touchdown run and an 87-yard kickoff return. He also made waves with a video he posted to his Instagram account this spring, showing off some serious hops during his offseason training. "We were just doing some explosive movements, they put some boxes up and wanted me to jump, and I Jumped," Owusu said. "I just wanted to go out there and post a little bit of what my training was like, and it kind of blew up." Now Owusu is kind of blowing up here in Florham Park. And with the injury to second-round pick Devin Smith -- Smith is expected to miss most of training camp with broken ribs and a partially punctured lung -- there is a big opportunity for someone like Owusu to take advantage of. "It’s been a dream of mine to play in the NFL," Owusu said. "To be here is such an honor, such a privilege. And to be with this team is such an honor and a privilege. I just wanna make the most of it." He may not be the most talented receiver on the roster, but he's probably the smartest. Owusu majored in human biology at Stanford. (Also, one of his younger brothers played defensive back at Harvard, another currently plays wide receiver at Stanford, and his sister played basketball at Columbia.) And he's smart enough to learn from going up against a guy like Revis. "You have to bring your 'A' game every time," Owusu said. "It brings a focus to you, and to the receiving corps and to the quarterbacks, knowing there’s someone out there like that." The matchup will resume Wednesday.
http://www.scout.com/nfl/jets/story/1569541-chris-owusu-is-becoming-the-jets-unsung-hero New York Jets receiver Chris Owusu is beginning to turn heads at training camp FLORHAM PARK: Every now and again, Chris Owusu will catch himself looking around the New York Jets receivers’ meeting room, simply to take note of who’s sitting to his left, and his right. He’ll notice a player like Brandon Marshall, one who’s made a living in the NFL with his physicality. Next, he’ll pick out Eric Decker, a wideout whose route running is second to none. Off in the corner will be Jeremy Kerley, someone who’s proven to be a weapon in the slot. In the past, Owusu would subliminally compare himself to them-- Is he a physical guy, or more of a route runner? Is he better in the slot? The internal battle would go on and on. That was, until Owusu figured it out. He’s not like any one of them. He’s a combination of all of them. “I’m a guy who goes out there and does what the team needs me to do,” he said. Since the Jets began their offseason workouts back in May, Owusu has been one of the surprise, unsung heroes in practice. The wideout is catching nearly everything thrown his way, running crisp routes and showing the ability to take the top off the defense. He’s looking, at least on the practice field, like a complete receiver. That’s something Owusu credits to additional time spent working on “football specific” drills. Before reporting back to the Jets, Owusu worked out with trainers at Cal Strength in Northern California, and with some former coaches at Stanford. The 25 year old says he put an increased focus on improving his explosion, ability to re-route in the air, core stabilization and leg movement. “I’m just trying to be more consistent. I want to be a more consistent playmaker out there,” Owusu said. “I know my God-given abilities and what I can do.” The time spent putting in work off the field is now paying immense dividends on it. Owusu is earning a reputation as one of the more sure-handed targets in Jets camp, developing a chemistry with quarterback Geno Smith and showing versatility in an offense he says he’s “most comfortable” in --- During his three-year career, Owusu has played in three different offenses, but says this one fits his talents the most. Meanwhile, off the field, he’s squeezing his 6-2 frame into the pockets of fellow receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall. The two have had no problem taking Owusu under their wings. During each film room session, Marshall and Decker will point out the little things they do on routes to create separation-- It could be something as small as a little shimmy, or slight hesitation. If Owusu sees something that Decker and Marshall do that he hasn’t seen before, he’ll ask them about it. Owusu then takes notes on it all, studies it all, and tries to mimic it all the next day in practice. “I definitely pick their brains,” Owusu said. “It would be unwise not to, right? They’re veterans who have had so much success and have done so many great things. Whatever I see, or whatever they tell me, I keep it in the back of my head. “I’ll say, ‘Ok, this guy got open this way. He used this much power, and did this technique.’ I really take it all to heart and it’s really helping me because those guys are so good.” The Jets coaches are starting to take notice to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers castoff as well. When rookie second-round pick Devin Smith missed time during the Jets offseason program for the birth of his child, Owusu was given the first-team reps in his place. With Smith now sidelined again with broken ribs and a semi-punctured lung, Owusu again finds himself running with the 1’s. “He’s been a steady player, someone who flies a bit under the radar,” Jets coach Todd Bowles said. “He’s smart, he’s deceptive, he’s quicker than you think and he’s always in the right place. Plus, he’s young. He just needs a chance to play, and he’s getting a chance to do that.” In practice on Saturday, Owusu caught a pair of touchdowns highlighted by a 50-yard bomb past Antonio Cromartie It seems the more reps he gets, the more he seems to shine. At this moment, he’s done nothing to warrant not being on the field. And that’s all he’s trying to do. Owusu isn’t looking much past whatever particular rep he’s on. Because the way he sees it, the best way to keep his success going is to keep living in the present. “I’m just trying to make the most of my opportunities,” Owusu said. “Once you focus on things outside of your realm, that’s when you start messing up”
Maybe once Marshall bounces he can take his place in a year or two. Sent from my VK700 using Tapatalk
the way he adjusts to the ball and makes tough catches reminds me a little of Cotchery. it's only been a small sample size thus far. but combined with the glowing camp reports, and his special teams abilities, there's a lot to like from this prospect. if he stays healthy i think he's a lock.
Playing against Revis in camp will be great for his development too. He'll learn ways to beat the best CBs
He's a better receiver than Hakim. If he's given a real chance to make this team and a chance to play he can contribute.
