EA, the Jets’ TE and the Monday Morning QB
Posted by on August 14, 2010 – 8:08 amFriday’s Video Features on newyorkjets.com included exclusive interviews with TE Dustin Keller and CNNSI’s Peter King.
After last Saturday night’s Green & White Scrimmage, OLB Calvin Pace told me that the Jets’ offense was vastly improved and then he volunteered that the one guy really giving the defense problems was TE Dustin Keller.
Keller, a first round pick (No. 30) out of Purdue in 2008 who has totaled 93 receptions in his first two pro seasons, should only benefit from the offseason acquisitions of WR Santonio Holmes and RB LaDainian Tomlinson.
“If I get some 1-on-1 matchups inside, I feel like that’s to my advantage every single time,” Keller said. “Eventually people are going to have to start to recognize that if they haven’t already. Then you’ll have 1-on-1s outside with Braylon [Edwards], Jerricho [Cotchery], Santonio, [David] Clowney and all those guys, and those are favorable matchups for them every time.”
The 6’2”, 248-pound Keller stepped up his game last January, becoming the first player in franchise history with TDs in three consecutive playoff games and tying Wesley Walker for most postseason receiving TDs.
During a goal line drill Friday morning, Mark Sanchez was reminded of a memorable play in the divisional round when he rolled seemingly forever right and found No. 81 in the end zone. Those two provided a replay of that score for spectators at SUNY Cortland and Sanchez sprinted to celebrate with his tight end.
“He said that was freaking awesome, but I don’t think he said freaking,” DK said. “He said it was just like San Diego.”
Among those who attended Sanchez’s “Jets West” camp, Keller said the Jets got a foot up on competition by getting their timing down with Sanchez during a normal down time. And while Keller looks good, there’s a rookie tight end, Jeff Cumberland, who’s raised eyebrows and is making a legitimate push for a roster spot.
“He’s looking really good out there. It’s just unbelievable that this guy wasn’t drafted,” said Keller of the Illinois product who had 59 receptions in four college seasons. “He’s big, he’s fast, he has good hands. He’s as good as any tight end that was in the draft, really, and just to think that we got him as a free agent. Of course, he’s a Big Ten guy, so that makes him that much tougher. He’s definitely making a lot of plays, he’s turning heads and we have four very capable tight ends on our roster right now.”
King Catches a Chippy Cromartie
CNNSI’s Peter King believes there’s “a better than 50/50 chance” that Darrelle Revis will be in his Jets uniform on Sept. 13 when the Green & White host the Ravens on Monday Night Football. But the top corner in camp caught King’s eye Friday with his physicality, which included a big hit on Cotchery by the sideline.
“I thought Antonio Cromartie was physically chippy and he obviously knows that he has to be more of a physical football player,” said the Monday Morning Quarterback.
The 6’2”, 203-pound Cromartie has been very active at camp, not only picking off passes in the Jets’ man-press system but showing a willingness to add some grit in the backfield. King anticipates a tough divisional race as three potential heavyweights battle it out for AFC East supremacy.
“This division reminds me of the American League East where you have the Yankees, the Red Sox and the Rays and here it’s the exact same thing. You have three teams — New England, the Jets and Miami in my opinion — who could all win 12 games even with a difficult schedule,” he said. “Then you have the Buffalo Bills who are hanging back and are not on their level right now, which is the same thing as in the East with the Orioles or Blue Jays.
“But I think this is one of those divisions that I could see three teams making the playoffs or I could see one team making the playoffs because the three teams just beat the crap out of each other the way it used to be quite honestly in the NFC East.”
Tags: Antonio Cromartie, Dustin Keller, Jeff Cumberland, Jerricho Cotchery, Peter King
Posted in Eric Allen | 15 Comments »
By GaryC on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Continuing to here good things about Cumberland, I believe he played out of position at Illinois because they had another TE who was drafted in second or third round.This would give jets three tightends from big ten in cumberland, hartsock and Keller.
By scjoe on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Curious to see who the odd man out will be at TE. Cumberland appears to be a better receiver then Hartstock and Mulligan, I think blocking will be the deciding factor though, if Cumberland comes close to the other two I think he is a lock to make the roster.
By jet80 on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
This is Keller’s break out year for sure! Hes already shown he can play in the nfl and now the #’s and TD’S will follow.WR is loaded for the O this yr cant wait,I just dont get the Coles signing.He most likely has nothin left and is goin to take away the spot of one of my boys Woodhead and Clowney
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
jet80, it’s possible that we’ll cut Clowney and keep Allison, then cut Coles when Holmes comes back and go with Holmes, Cotchery, Edwards, Allison, and Smith. That’ s a pretty good crew of WRs.
By GaryC on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Hoping Edwards isn’t growing that beard as a solidarity statement backing Revis. If Revis doesn’t show up Edwards might be tripping over that beard when season begins.
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
GaryC, a friend of mine, an ex-Division I college player who’s a Vikes fans and doesn’t particularly care about the Jets one way or the other, had a funny remark to me a few minutes ago. He said, “I think pretty soon Revis is gonna be doing the most backpedaling of his career, and it’s not gonna be on the field.” I see it somewhat the same way, I can’t believe DR coulda watched “Hard Knocks” and thought that he’s doing himself any favors by sitting out. So I guess if “HK” shows up Revis for his selfishness and lack of concern for both the team and his future as a player (as opposed to his future as a mega-corporation), the show’s more valuable to the Jets than I thought it would be.
By Mike Jet Vet on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Randy off topic was hoping and believe you might have said we could see hard knocks on the site this Friday .. It isn’t available to me would like to see how it turned out Thanks MJV
By Randy Lange on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
Mike, we had some formatting and editing issues to resolve first, but the “Hard Knocks” Episode 1 link has been in position 5 of the centerpiece since Saturday midday. Let the centerpiece cycle around to position 5 or click on the fifth little “button” and the Hard Knocks logo will come up. Click Play in the middle of the logo and you should be ready to roll.
By Ray on Aug 14, 2010 | Reply
My bet is that barring any injuries to any of these guys, Mulligan will be the odd man out. Cumberland will not last on the practice squad, hell if we cut him he won’t last long enough to get on the practice squad.
By Mike Jet Vet on Aug 15, 2010 | Reply
Ok got it Randy thanks
By Arte Old School Section 327 on Aug 15, 2010 | Reply
Hey Randy.. So excited about MNF, ‘seeing’ the team perform on ESPN, as well as the upcoming season (can’t see us losing too many games :-) Any word on #47 Cory Reamer?? Heard he was strong in OTA’s s and would love to see some depth at LB.. Will especially look for him (and Jamal Westman!!) tomorrow night!!
By Randy Lange on Aug 15, 2010 | Reply
Arte Old School, I haven’t seen much of Cory Reamer good or bad yet but we’ll keep on eye on him this week. Jamaal Westerman of course has been flashing with his pass rush this past week at Cortland. Both will be making contributions against the Giants tomorrow night.
By Row on Aug 15, 2010 | Reply
I would like to see if Kellen plays the majority of the preseason snaps at QB. With him still here, I feel Rex doesn’t feel fully confident in Brunell. The big thing this year is Schotty. Does he maintain a power run offense? Or does he spread things out with motion and all the weapons we have to catch the ball, trusting Sanchez? I am hoping he goes away from his gut and maintains the “run first” mentality. I also am eager to see if he calls a lot of outs, slants and fades to Coles on third down. These calls have been the downfall of the Jets for years. It is important Rex has the power to veto the offensive calls. Brad Smith must stay on this team. We would have lost 3 more games this year without him! Anyone remember the ST’s grab on the fumbled punt return?
By Jets Fan Since '64 Tom on Aug 16, 2010 | Reply
Don’t see any way Smith doesn’t make the team, Row. He does so many different things that he saves us a roster spot. Might even enable us to keep just Sanchez and Brunell. Don’t agree with you about sticking with running, though, that was only ’cause we had to. The minute MS starts clicking with all the receivers, I think you’ll see about a 50-50 breakdown, especially if he starts throwing to LT, McKnight, and even Greene more successfully.
By gmany3k on Aug 16, 2010 | Reply
we should play it just like last yr ground and pound 1st with the passing game as the icing on the cake . I don’t think we want to look like Brady going pass happy all the time . chances are we will be playing in the short game with our ST & Defense.shotty’s motion offense is a weapon in its self so he may continue along that line because with all the new weapons the lethality goes soaring up the charts.