Postcard from Cortland
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- August
- 8
Couple of observations from the Green & White scrimmage and what I saw at Cortland. Soon, the Jets will be at Hofstra and more metro area fans will be able to see the team themselves, and we have a the first preseason game coming up next week on Friday.
Mark Sanchez is ahead in the quarterback competition. Probably not by much, and this week’s game against St. Louis will tell us more since the QBs will be in pads rather than the red jerseys. Sanchez may be throwing well, but he isn’t a huge sturdy guy and the defense won’t be holding back.
Wallace Wright should be getting Sanchez coffee every morning. And making sure the dorms are quiet enough for him to get a good night sleep. The receiver and the QB have a connection, and if Sanchez wins the starting job it means good things for Wright, who has been a terrific special teams player, but doesn’t want special teams to be the highlight of an NFL career.
Britt Davis froze under the lights. So that was the secret wide receiver Rex Ryan expected to break out at camp—he needs more marinating because he isn’t ready yet. All reports say he has been great in practice, but those two drops in Sanchez’ first series were momentum killers.
Mike DeVito will be key. The DE was praised by Ryan and will be a go-to guy when injuries affect the defensive line. I’ll have more on him later, but expect him to slot all along the line, including for NT Kris Jenkins. Ryan has big plans for the third year player out of Maine.
Shonn Greene was a good pick. The RB got reps with the first and second team in the scrimmage and picked up 12 yards after a handoff from Sanchez in the first series. He picked up another five on two plays with QB Kellen Clemens. And he did it all on a hurt ankle.
Dustin Keller continues to shine. At least there is one reliable TE for the Jets. Keller caught an 11-yard pass from Clemens. Above, he signed the hand of a little kid who was very specific about where he wanted the autograph, “No, there,” he told the second-year player.
Danny Woodhead is still in the mix. I know Woodhead has a lot of fans out there, and he deserves it after sweating out the 2008 draft on ESPN and then getting injured in last year’s training camp. The good news is he was getting quality reps—even on Sanchez’ first series before Jehuu Caulcrick went down. He picked up eight yards on his first carry and nothing on second.
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on Saturday, August 8th, 2009 at 9:36 am by Jane McManus.
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Jane McManus 
Jane, a truly outstanding post !!!
Sanchez, starting to edge into the lead, but you make an excellent point, that he may not be the most durable guy in the world, IMHO you give Sanchez a few games to view the game from the bench to give the best chance to succeed.
Wallace Wright, what a great story, I think he had 13 catches for his entire college career, quite a progression, if you like underdogs who will just out work everyone Wallace is your man. Wright may be Rex’s man, he is a tough football player, that can really block from the WR position, vital in a run oriented offense. Rumor has it , that Wright has improved his 40 time to a 4.3, can you think deep threat, watch…
Britt Davis, I know as much about Britt, as a horse knows about astronomy. Okay I know he is from Southern Illinois, has great measurables, but how did the Jets find this guy ? This could be a great coupe for the scouting department. Wallace Wright UDFA, and now Britt Davis, somebody knows how to scout WR.
Shonne Greene, it is tough to give up a 4th round pick and a 7th to move up in the Third round, especially when your team has so many depth issues. Greene was rated as a late second rounder, so it was a sound move, but it is now looking like a great move…..
Last year with all the WR’s still on the board, the Jets trade up to get a TE. Great move, someone in the Jet organization knows how to scout WR/TE..
Danny Woodhead, a hedge against Leon , or a player, looks like Danny is surpassing my boy Caulcrick, it is gonna get interesting
How could have I ever forgot Mike DeVito, one of my favorites. Maine is not considered much of a football factory, but DeVito played with distinction at various DL postions for the Black Bears . An UNDFA, the guy is the Squat champion of the New York Jets, if you believe that football is all about legs, Mike is your man. I believe that the Jets were so confident in DeVito’s development, that they could trade Kenyon Coleman to the Browns. DeVito brings intensity, strength and power to the DE position, but Jane correctly points out that Mike could be a force at NT, especially in passing situations..Go Mike