It sounds like we will have an official end to the lockout tomorrow, starting a frenzied week of finalizing votes and preparing for the league year to kick off this Saturday. Football is on the way back, so that calls for a nice collection of video clips and links to bring your Sunday to an end -
Mark Sanchez 2011 Highlight Film
Locker Room After Beating New England
Game Winner
Still Gets Me Everytime
No Hard Knocks This Year? Watch TOJ’s Version Instead…
Follow Turn On The Jets on Facebook and Twitter (@TurnOnTheJets)
- I am very pumped to see exactly how healthy Darrelle Revis actually is when he battles against Calvin Johnson. This is a nice chance for him to show he is truly back in 2010 or to show that he still isn’t shape despite it being week 9.
- Despite not getting as much publicity, Brandon Moore and the rest of the Jets interior lineman going against Ndamukong Suh will also a great battle. Moore has an opportunity to demonstrate to the rest of the league that he really is a Pro-Bowl caliber player, which most Jets fans who watch him every week already know.
- Mark Sanchez could really use a strong performance this week or else the talk of him entering a slump and the questions about whether he is ready to lead the Jets to a Super Bowl will intensify to the point where we may be back to the color-code system.
- If I say it one more time, hopefully it come true…LaDainian Tomlinson 20+ carries…Shonn Greene 15+ carries.
- Antonio Cromartie, aren’t we due for an interception?
Follow Turn On The Jets on Facebook and Twitter (@TurnOnTheJets)
First a brief TOJ schedule update:
Saturday – Thoughts on final roster and depth chart
Monday – 100 Predictions about the Jets season
Tuesday – 2010 NFL Predictions
Wednesday – Initial thoughts on Jets/Ravens and week in 1 in NFL
Thursday – New TOJ TV/Something else
Friday – Jets vs. Ravens Game Breakdown
Saturday – Jets vs. Ravens prediction
Sunday – Final notes on Jets on Ravens
Monday – Thoughts on week one of NFL and final thoughts on Jets/Ravens
Thoughts on the Jets recent round of cuts –
- To be honest, there was absolutely no surprises. The only player I was disappointed to see leave is receiver Larry Taylor. Hopefully, he can stick on the Jets practice squad or get another chance next season. Danny Woodhead and David Clowney are widely being reported as having roster spots locked down. Unfortunately, Joe McKnight will make the 53 man roster because he was a fourth round pick. It will be a damn shame if Chauncey Washington gets bumped off because of the lackadaisical and soft McKnight. Washington is the kind of player who could actually contribute in some situations and fits well with the Jets ground and pound approach. He provides quality depth and showed he can play on special teams. Hopefully, he sticks on the final 53 even if it means the Jets keep six running backs.
Jets Weekend Video Clips
Welcome to the bench, Brandon Jacobs…it’s a hard knock life, right?
Now, Let’s Get Some Snacks
I Hear You, Random Sports Report Girl
Come Back, Leon
What Darrelle Revis Will Be Doing While The Jets Battle For An AFC East and Super Bowl Title
Could We Be Electric Gliding More Than Expected This Year?
Look at LT go…and Rex talking that smack on the field
1. The Jets had a walk through this morning closed to the public in preparation of tonight’s scrimmage, which will kick off at 6 PM. They have off tomorrow and then will be back to two a days on Monday. Hard Knocks kicks off on Wednesday at 10 PM and the Jets open up pre-season on Monday Night Football on August 16th.
2. Take your talents to the Turn On The Jets Facebook and Twitter (TurnOnThJets) account.
3. Patriots guard Nick Kaczur could miss the entire 2010 season with a serious back injury.
Green And White Scrimmage Preview
A short preview of the Jets scrimmage tonight…
Left Guard Battle – Matt Slauson has jumped out to an early lead in the battle to replace Alan Faneca at left guard. Vladimir Dcuasse has been slightly hesitant and is struggling to pick up the offense, while Slauson has impressed with his physicality. If Ducasse wants to get back into serious consideration for the starting job, a strong performance tonight would be a good place to start.
Backup Quarterbacks – It doesn’t sound like Kellen Clemens has much of a shot to unseat Mark Brunell at the #2 spot. However, he will have a chance tonight to demonstrate his knowledge of the offense and maybe put himself back in the conversation of being Mark Sanchez’s backup. However, if he struggles and Kevin O’Connell puts together a good performance, it could accelerate his release.
Sanchize & Company – Mark Sanchez hasn’t had a great start to his second NFL training camp. His completion percentage has been low and he is still throwing an interception or two each practice. It would be nice to see him protect the football tonight and hit a few throws down the field. Let’s see how Sanchez takes advantage of the Jets collection of weapons. Braylon Edwards sounds like he has been the team’s off-season MVP so far. Santonio Holmes has been making plays all over the field the last two days. Jerricho Cotchery is Jerricho Cotchery and Dustin Keller has been Sanchez’s favorite target so far this August.
This Island Is Gone – In the absence of Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie has been stealing the show on defense. Dwight Lowery has struggled opposite him (shocking, I know). It will be interesting to see if Kyle Wilson gets some work on the outside and not just in the slot with the first team.
Vernon Gholston – The perpetual disappointment has turned heads the past week. How about a sack or two in the scrimmage, VG? Then we can worry about the pre-season and the regular season.
In Need Of A Good Performance – David Clowney (fighting for a roster spot and reps at wide receiver). Joe McKnight (he has continued to struggle holding on to the ball). Vladimir Ducasse (falling behind Matt Slauson in the LG battle). Kellen Clemens (falling behind Mark Brunell in the #2 QB battle). Donovan Warren (battling for a roster spot in a crowded secondary). Kris Jenkins (let’s see him keep progressing back from surgery). Nick Folk (let’s keep the strong camp up).
1. The Jets officially signed Laveranues Coles today but he admitted in a statement there is a good chance he could be released after the first four games. It is surprising the Jets were so up front with him about it and this also means there is a good chance of a guy like David Clowney or Danny Woodhead sticking around on the roster.
2. The Jets have extended the contract of Rex Ryan and Mike Tannenbaum through the 2014 season.
3. Jason Taylor will wear #99 this season. Bryan Thomas will wear #58.
In honor of the report that the Jets and Darrelle Revis have opened the lines of communication again in hopes of settling his contract dispute before training camp, this week’s edition of Weekend Video Clips is devoted Revis Island.
1. Follow Turn On The Jets on Facebook, Twitter (TurnOnTheJets) and now also find our writing featured at www.profootballnyc.com. The site has just started up and we will have a radio program going by mid-August, beyond that I should be doing some appearances on the New York Sports Exchange, so you will have the opportunity to hear plenty of my voice during the 2010 season.
2. I am huge fan of Antonio Cromartie going by “Alcrotraz” opposite Revis Island. Check out this well-made “Shutter Island” parody poster created by Gary Grund on Twitter.
3. New Turn On The Jets TV is coming this Monday and I can already promise that it will be your favorite episode yet.
Weekend Video Clips And Skepticism About Brunell
Before I get into the weekend video clips, just a few words about the imminent signing of Mark Brunell and release of Kellen Clemens. How could you feel more comfortable with Brunell stepping in for an injured Mark Sanchez in 2010 instead of Clemens? Mark Brunell didn’t throw a single pass in 2007 or 2008 and only threw 30 passes for the Saints last year. He completed 15 of them and threw an interception with no touchdowns. The guy is 39 years old and has never played in Brian Schottenheimer’s offense. I know Kellen Clemens could barely get out of his own way against Tampa Bay last season but at least he started a bunch of games in 2007 and started a meaningful game in 2009. He is younger and more athletic than Brunell and above all knows Schottenheimer’s offense inside and out. Why not keep Clemens as the #2 and let Brunell be the #3, where he is basically a player/coach for Sanchez? After watching him last pre-season, I think I may even feel better about Erik Ainge stepping in for an injured Sanchez over Brunell. It could be a disaster of Rick Mirer proportions if Sanchez misses any extended time in 2010.
I recently saw Mike Reiss of ESPN rank the entire New England Patriots roster 1 – 82. Let’s try that on a smaller scale with the Jets starting with their offensive starters today.
1. Nick Mangold – The best player in the NFL at his respective position. Hopefully, the Jets will be locking him down to a long term deal in the coming weeks.
2. D’Brickashaw Ferguson – One of the best tackles in the NFL, who the Jets just gave a massive extension to.
3. Brandon Moore – Three offensive lineman in a row? Yes, Brandon Moore is in the top tier of guards in the NFL, despite flying under the radar.
4. Braylon Edwards – The most physically talented player on the Jets roster. However, he still lacks consistency.
5. Jerricho Cotchery – The most reliable receiver the Jets have. I believe he is a borderline #1 guy, but the Jets have the luxury of letting him be a #2/#3 when Santonio Holmes returns from suspension.
6. Dustin Keller – He had a promising rookie season and then finished his second season on fire in the playoffs. He has pro-bowl level talent but I don’t know if he can get enough looks in this offense to reach that level.
7. Damien Woody – He has been rock solid since the Jets signed him, starting every game at right tackle and playing at a consistently high level.
8. Tony Richardson – Still one of the better fullbacks in the game. Yet, I wonder if he will see a dip in reps this season after Holmes returns in week 5.
9. Mark Sanchez – He had a roller coaster rookie season but finished strong in the playoffs. There is no doubt he has the potential to be a franchise quarterback but he has to be more consistent.
10. Shonn Greene – Similar to Sanchez, came on strong in the playoffs. Greene has the tools to be a number one back but has to stay healthy and protect the football.
11. Vladimir Ducasse – The newcomer to the offensive line. He will have a major jump from I-AA to the NFL.
Argue, away…
Cheer Up Knicks Fans…At least we don’t live in Cleveland:
