O dept. ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

Jets clarify remarks on Tebow's role

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- The Jets don't want a quarterback controversy. It's a sensitive subject. Consider what happened Wednesday.Rex Ryan, responding to a question on whether Tim Tebow would get first-team reps in training camp and the preseason, said he could see that happening."We'll see," the coach said. "I would think there may be a time when he does that, but right now he'll be with the twos."

That's not exactly a bombshell statement -- after all, every No. 2 QB takes some first-team reps in the preseason -- but the Jets made an immediate attempt to prevent it from mushrooming into a headline.Moments after Ryan's news conference, a team spokesman returned to the press room to clarify Ryan's remarks. What Ryan meant, the spokesman said, was that Tebow would take first-team reps when the Jets run their Wildcat package, not in the conventional offense.The Jets' level of paranoia is somewhat hysterical, but they're hellbent on keeping Mark Sanchez-Tebow from blowing out of control. You could say it's a matter of semantics. If Tebow is on the field, whether it's Wildcat or base offense, he'll be behind center, not Sanchez.

THIS AND THAT :
WR Santonio Holmes (hamstring), who sat out Tuesday, will be monitored and may try to practice ... WR Stephen Hill (hamstring) is out. Ditto, WR Patrick Turner (hamstring) ... Rookie DE Quinton Coples (lower back) will be evaluated ... Ryan raved about the defense, saying it has a chance to be a good as the 2009 unit that led the team. "We have no excuses whatsoever on defense," he said ... S LaRon Landry (Achilles' tendon) is ahead of schedule in his rehab, according to Ryan, even though he skipped the voluntary program. Landry isn't practicing.

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jet...on-tebows-role

[kelly]

> http://content.usatoday.com/communit...9#.T9nz9Xn2Sn4

[kelly]

Tim Tebow responds to Tedy Bruschi

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- Former New England Patriots linebacker and current ESPN analyst Tedy Bruschi had a message for Tim Tebow: Just shut up.But the New York Jets backup quarterback had a simple response to Bruschi Wednesday when meeting with the media: He follows instructions.

"To be honest, I just do what I'm told -- and this day to talk to (reporters), so I'm gonna talk to you," Tebow said to the New York media after Day 2 of minicamp. "And to be honest, I just go about it however the Jets set it up -- the rules that they want us to (follow), who they want us to talk to, who they don't want us to talk to."

We're siding with Tebow on this one.

Tebow is not asking for this media attention. It simply follows him because of who he is. The "Patriot Way" that Bruschi is accustomed to does not apply for every team. In fact, the Patriots are probably the most tight-lipped team in the NFL. They often say little when they lose and even less when they win.

Tebow plays for the Jets and follows their protocol. It's a much different culture then in New England. Ask Chad Ochocinco.So far, Tebow has said and done all the right things. If people want to hear Tebow speak and he’s not hurting the team, there's no harm in it.

It's easy to gang up on Tebow for a lot of things. But responding to interview requests should not be one of them.

> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post...o-tedy-bruschi

[kelly]

No Santonio Holmes. No Stephen Hill. No Patrick Turner. For the second straight day in minicamp, the Jets operated with a skeleton receiving corps.

"We have to get them on the field," QB Mark Sanchez said. "I mean, on paper it looks great. We just have to push each other to get healthy, stay healthy and take care of our bodies. We really need those guys out on the field."All three are dealing with hamstring issues. Holmes and Hill worked in positional drills, but no team drills. Sanchez ended up throwing to the likes of Jeremy Kerley, Chaz Schilens, Royce Pollard and DaMarcus Ganaway.Rex Ryan said he's not worried about Hill, whom they expect to play a significant role as a rookie, falling behind."Without question, Stephen Hill is further along than I thought he'd be," Ryan said.

REVIS QUESTION OF THE DAY :
Reiterating the company line, Ryan avoided any discussion of Darrelle Revis and his contract situation.

DEE-FENSE :
Once again, the Jets opened in a 4-3 as their base defense, with Muhammad Wilkerson, rookie Quinton Coples, Mike DeVito and Sione Pouha on the line. But they changed fronts throughout practice, using their customary 3-4 as well. ... Rookie LB Demario Davis saw time in the first-team sub package. ... Sure sounds like the Jets have no plans to re-sign Jim Leonhard, based on the way Ryan was talking up Eric Smith, Yeremiah Bell and LaRon Landry.

CONGRATS :
The Jets, in conjunction with the Public School Athletic League, announced two $5,000 "Play Like a Jet" scholarship winners -- C’Ara McCrea from Mount Vernon, N.Y., and Brutus Gorum, from the Bronx.McCrea graduates from Fredrick Douglas Academy this June and was a member of the track team. She will begin her studies at Syracuse in the fall. Gorum graduates from Harry S. Truman High School and was a member of the Football team. Gorum will begin his studies at Penn State."Syracuse and Penn State, huh ?" Ryan said during the presentation. "How 'bout Southwestern Oklahoma ?"

That, of course, is his alma mater.

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jet...-wrs-to-return

[kelly]

mark & tim -

> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post...chez-and-tebow

[kelly]

> http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/jet...qb-controversy

[kelly]

Jets looking for a blocking tight end

Jets offensive coordinator Tony Sparano has an effective pass-catching tight end in Dustin Keller, but there are some questions about the club's No. 2 tight end. Considering that the Jets reportedly placed a claim in on ex-Colts TE Brody Eldridge, who signed with the Rams last month, it’s certainly on their radar. The Jets apparently are still searching for that prototypical big, blocking tight end to help in Sparano’s offense, and Eldridge fits the mold at 6-5, 265 pounds.Last season, now-Rams TE Matthew Mulligan was the team’s blocking tight end. But the 6-4, 265-pounder was second on the team with nine penalties. In 2009, when he was Miami's head coach, Sparano had the 6-8, 270-pound Joey Haynos complementing Anthony Fasano.

The Jets do have some options at the position on their current roster to evaluate this summer. Last year, we heard Jeff Cumberland could be an X-factor at the position, but more from a pass-catching standpoint. His 2011 season was cut short due to an Achilles injury, and Cumberland needs to prove better as a blocker, though the 6-4, 260-pound tight end has the size. One option is FB/TE Josh Baker, who we hear the team likes out of the H-back position. GM Mike Tannenbaum said in January that Baker “has a chance to be a real good contributor for us.”Of the three rookies tight end on the roster heading into minicamp, another player to watch will be Hayden Smith, the 6-6, 255-pound former rugby player. It’s also a distinct possibility the team adds a veteran late in the summer to fill the role.

> http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...king-tight-end

[kelly]

> http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...s-qb-controver

[kelly]

Jaworski ranks Moore behind Fitz , Sanchez

ESPN NFL analyst Ron Jaworski is rating his top 30 quarterbacks in the NFL. Earlier this week, we examined his controversial selection of Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Blaine Gabbert over Tim Tebow of the New York Jets. I argued that it's questionable to rate a quarterback who didn't look NFL-ready (Gabbert) last year over a player who led his team to the playoffs and even won a postseason game (Tebow).

Next up on Jaws' list is Miami Dolphins quarterback Matt Moore at No. 26. The interesting part is not so much Moore's ranking, but the fact that Jaworski has yet to rate Buffalo Bills quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez. Jaworski obviously didn't keep track of last season's "Sanchez-Fitz-Moore Watch," in which Moore came out as the second-best quarterback in the AFC East. Moore (87.1) had a higher passer rating last season than Fitzpatrick (79.1) and Sanchez (78.2). Still, Jaworski spoke very highly of Moore. Here are some select quotes from Jaworski:

"One element I evaluate is how well quarterbacks execute versus the blitz. Moore had the fifth-highest rating in the league in 2011. And look at the names ahead of Moore: [Aaron] Rodgers, [Tom] Brady, [Cam] Newton, [Drew] Brees. You kidding me?"

"A couple of other things stood out as I studied Moore on tape. He threw an excellent deep ball with trajectory, hang time and accuracy. While Moore was generally very good, there were a number of deep balls that got away from him, that came out fluttering, that led to some missed opportunities, some touchdowns left on the field. Moore was most effective out of base-personnel packages. He was highly efficient out of two tight end sets, both attacking down the field and at the intermediate levels of the defense."

"Hey, I know the Dolphins selected Ryan Tannehill with the eighth pick in the draft, but right now, Matt Moore is a better NFL quarterback. There’s no question in my mind that Moore could be a rock-solid NFL starter."

Jaworski had his say. Now it's your turn. How good is Moore, and where does Moore rank among the four projected starting quarterbacks in the division ?

> http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post?id=43558

[Apache 51]

^^^^^^^what the hell is going on here?^^^^^^^^

[kelly]

> http://www.metro.us/newyork/sports/a...ourney-to-jets

[Ruby2]

This guy looked great in training camp and produced when he got on field.

I think he can be a productive player.

[sg3]

kenny is on a blazer this AM with new threads consisting only of inane links

[kelly]

Originally Posted by sg3

kenny is on a blazer this AM with new threads consisting only of inane links

[Jordy]

Originally Posted by sg3

kenny is on a blazer this AM with new threads consisting only of inane links

It was actually a good article about Baker.

I have high hopes for this kid.

And "Kelly's" picture of that chick with apes groping her (photoshopped or not) is pretty funny.

[Boynton Beach Jets]

Originally Posted by Jordy

It was actually a good article about Baker.

I have high hopes for this kid.

And "Kelly's" picture of that chick with apes groping her (photoshopped or not) is pretty funny.

That is a fictional character with the ape

[NY2FLDWC85]

I'm not really too high on Baker, because I haven't seen enough of the kid, but I am very high on Cumberland. Hopefully he can recover both physically and mentally from last years season ending injury, because during the preseason? He wasn't only a standout player for the Jets, he was one of the most impressive NFL players during last years preseason. Preseason or not, we all seen Cumberland's pass catching as well as run after the catch ability. We all know what Keller can do as a pass catching TE, it'll be nice to feature two pass catching TE's in Cumberland. Really hoping he's recovered.

[kelly]

Jets OL Ducasse benefiting from full offseason

This spring and summer offers young players a full, normal, no-lockout offseason. When discussing Jets players hurt by last year’s lockout, 2010 second-round OL Vladimir Ducasse’s name is the first to come to mind. We heard that moving Ducasse, a college tackle, to guard last offseason did not help his growth, and it appeared he would compete with Wayne Hunter to play right tackle in 2012. However, during spring practices, Ducasse was back at the guard position, filling in at times for Matt Slauson. Ducasse's position is not set in stone, but head coach Rex Ryan has been extremely pleased by his progress. “I like the way Vladimir Ducasse, to me looks like a different guy,” Ryan told reporters on June 12. “We moved him to guard and he really looks good there. … I think now, he’s getting better and you see the confidence growing and he’s able to showcase his ability and certainly he’s a talent. He’s also done a great job in the weight room.”

> http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...full-offseason

[Timmy®]

Originally Posted by kelly

Jets OL Ducasse benefiting from full offseason

This spring and summer offers young players a full, normal, no-lockout offseason. When discussing Jets players hurt by last year’s lockout, 2010 second-round OL Vladimir Ducasse’s name is the first to come to mind. We heard that moving Ducasse, a college tackle, to guard last offseason did not help his growth, and it appeared he would compete with Wayne Hunter to play right tackle in 2012. However, during spring practices, Ducasse was back at the guard position, filling in at times for Matt Slauson. Ducasse's position is not set in stone, but head coach Rex Ryan has been extremely pleased by his progress. “I like the way Vladimir Ducasse, to me looks like a different guy,” Ryan told reporters on June 12. “We moved him to guard and he really looks good there. … I think now, he’s getting better and you see the confidence growing and he’s able to showcase his ability and certainly he’s a talent. He’s also done a great job in the weight room.”

> http://www.profootballweekly.com/201...full-offseason

full-blown bust. will be out of the NFL after this season.

[Joe W. Namath]

Vlad Dusuck.