For the first time this training camp, Eric Mangini was disgusted with his team after a practice and ripped into them afterward. Well, what amounts to a rip job by Mangini. While his tone just now was the same as usual – reserved – his words were strong. And his practice was the longest yet of camp, 2 hours 9 minutes.
“There’s a real progression during camp and there’s so many guys, you’re giving guys opportunities to make a case for themselves, and there are some things that mechanically go wrong,” Mangini said. “Where I get frustrated is when, today, which I thought was the case in our review period, it was more trying to get through practice than practicing with a purpose. And that’s not acceptable.”
There was more.
“It’s going to be hot in Miami (for the season opener), it’s hot now,” Mangini said. “We’re going to be tired in that game, we’re tired now. We have to be able to deal with those things and still get down what we have to get done. And when it gets to the point where you’re trying to get through a rep, you’re trying to get through a period…and look, these (practices) aren’t long comparatively, but c’mon, it’s a joke compared to what we have done. Everybody has to uphold their end of the bargain. To whom much is given, much is expected to be efficient. We’re doing that, we’re not wasting any practices, any periods. So that’s where I’m at.”
This afternoon’s practice, I’m guessing, will go a bit better.
A few quickies from this morning:
* No picks for Kellen Clemens and he actually outperformed Pennington in the two-minute situational drill to end practice. The situation was the offense backed up to the goal line, down 23-16 with 2:04 left. Clemens opened the drive by hitting Jerricho Cottchery on a 20-yard out route on the left sideline. Then came Clemens best throw in a couple days as he hit David Clowney (a reader asked about him in a previous post), who blew past Justin Miller at the line, down the right sideline for a 43-yard pickup (Mangini talked up Clowney today, one of the only players he seemed OK with from the practice).
Clemens connected with Cotchery on the sideline and then over the middle on a slant to move the ball to the 6. But the offense could not get in. Clemens’ third-down fade for Chansi Stuckey was knocked away by Drew Coleman and on fourth down, Clemens’ corner fade for Marcus Henry got disrupted, again by Coleman.
* Clemens fared better than Pennington in the drill, though it started well enough. Pennington got the offense away from its goal line by hitting Wallace Wright on a 25-yard deep slant, caught in front of Hank Poteat. Pennington followed with a short pass over the middle that gained 8. The offense stalled and faced a fourth-and-4 from midfield but Pennington converted by throwing a 16-yard strike to the 34. Problem was, only 15 seconds remained on the clock. A Hail Mary to the left side of the end zone was nearly grabbed by David Ball, but he couldn’t hang on as he hit the ground. Even had ball held on for what would have been a spectacular catch, he likely would have been ruled out of bounds. That left six seconds and a final ball into the end zone got batted away by linebacker Cody Spencer.
* Kerry Rhodes delivered what to this point was the hardest hit of practice. Clemens rifled an 18-yarder to Stuckey over the middle, where Rhodes was waiting. Stuckey had no sooner brought the ball to his chest when Rhodes leveled him, leading with his right shoulder. A win-win if you’re a Jets fan – and let’s face it if you’re reading this blog, you probably are – because that’s just the kind of hit you want to see Rhodes delivering. But Stuckey hanging on despite the shot is a good sign as well.
* But as Mangini said, a sluggish practice overall. Bubba Franks dropped a 5-yard pass over the middle – he dropped one yesterday as well – and Brett Ratliff threw another interception. In an early 11-on-11, Ratliff threw for Jason Pociask on the right sideline. But his ball skimmed off a defensive lineman’s hand on the release, right into the hands of Ahmad Carroll, who returned the pick 25 yards for a touchdown. To DCJetsFan, I don’t see four quarterbacks being kept on the roster. It’s going to be Ainge or Ratliff and that competition is far from over. Ratliff has come back to the pack – a pack of one – in a big way the last couple days. Ainge hasn’t shown much in the limited opportunities he has had to throw.
* David Harris, Laveranues Coles, Jesse Chatman and Artrell Hawkins did not practice. Bumps, bruises and mild strains are a part of any training camp so don’t go crazy yet on these guys missing, though Coles, because of his injury issues last year, is worth watching. If he, or Harris for that matter, miss the Green and White scrimmage Saturday, then it might be problematic.
And with that, at 1:30 we have NFL officials giving a seminar on any new rules that go into effect this year. Back with more later.
Comments (26)
Erik
Thanks for addressing my questions. Sorry I misspelled your name. I'll run a penalty lap
Great stuff as always, Erik.
One question: I talked to a fan who goes to a lot of TC practices, and he said in his opinion, the difference in Clemens' play this morning was his progressions. Specifically, he said that instead of going from deep to short, Clemens looked from short to deep, thus avoiding sacks and getting the ball out quicker.
Any truth to this, or is this guy trying to put a prom gown on a pig?
Thanks again.
Mark my words; Ahmad Carroll will be the DB opposite Revis at some point this year...he'll definitely be the nickel to start. The guy has SERIOUS game and he's got speed to match up with incredible athleticism. We always commend the Jets for going after what they want and need (role fillers). Well, Mangini knew Carroll and liked what he saw.
My guess is that Carroll's problems in GB were of the motivational type. He's now being coached and it looks, so far at least, that he's going to make an impact for us. Let me know if I'm wrong here, Boland, but I'm guessing Carroll looks pretty damn quick out there.
As always, I love what I'm reading Boland.
I think it will come down to Carroll or Poteat. I give Poteat the edge. I haven't been impressed with Carroll yet. We will see when the hitting starts next week in Cleveland. So for those who were ready to give up on Keeln he has bounced nicely. Lets hope it continues. Kellen is good in a 2 minute offense and if you look at last years results i would say his QB rating was higher then then any other point in the game.
It should come down to Carroll or Barrett, considering the last 2 seasons Poteat has outplayed Barrett by a MILE.
DB, I wouldn't quite say "prom gown on a pig" as you put it - and put quite well I should add - but Clemens did look more comfortable, maybe relaxed is the better word, than we've seen him so far. That was a good read by your friend.
Sweet. There's no way to know if the progressions thing is true or not without asking Clemens himself (and I doubt he'd tell you even if you did), but problems with progressions and reads would certainly seem to explain a lot of Clemens' problems. Hopefully he's corrected it permanently.
From what I've read, it also seems like Clemens is pressing a lot and trying to be the anti-Chad--in other words, showing off his arm, going downfield a lot, etc. That's not going to impress the coaches if he keeps turning the ball over. Instead, he needs to become Chad with an arm (and mobility, and clutchness, etc. etc.)...hopefully he's settled down a bit and will just play football from now on, instead of putting so much pressure on himself.
Sorry dmb but Barrett has looked good enough to continue to press Miller for that starting job. Kellen locks unto to his WR's and thats one of his big problems. Also pocket presence can't be taught. You either have it or not. I think Kellen will continue to improve. Just think not enough to beat out Chad yet. We will see in the next few weeks.
I like the optimism that Kellen may be taking more chances down field, which is why he has thrown more picks. Gives me new hope for a quarterback of the future.
I think the Browns are an excellent preseason opponent to get this QB mess settled. Plus, with their improved offense last season, I think it will be a good opener for the Jets' revamped D.
EB - I keep seeing you write the "F" word... Fade. Last year the fade pattern was probably run 80% of the time we were deep in the red zone. And it was a disaster.
As Carton put it so eloquently last year - The sneak 'n lob offense. - Are you seeing more straightforward offensive football plays on the goal line? Because it seems to me you keep writing about these two minute drills where we drive down the field, then throw a fade pattern that gets batted away by one of our weaker DB's - what gives? Also - Haven't seen Revis' named mentioned specifically, does Chad and Kellen just not throw his way?
Also - for those of you merely mentioned David Barrett - you should be excommunicated for Blog Posting. HE IS AWFUL and wouldn't start on any team in the league.
Here's a question.....what position players would all of you pick to have on your fantasy team?
obviously i meant from the jets roster
Erik, nice work today. I appreciate your honest answer while trying not to get batteries thrown at you during the season regarding the Browns. We are all fans here and can respect your alliegance. Keep doing what you're doing and no one here wll crack on the Browns. Much. This season. Probably not.
Vajetfan,
I am the Arizona Cardinals of Fantasy Football. I never win due to the fact i always pick Jets players. I just can't rationalize picking Brady or some other team i can't stand. So do the opposite of what i do, like picking Chad Pennington two years in a row.
Sorry, Anonymous was me. Not proud.
The Packers are in "serious talks" about a trade that would send Brett Favre to the Jets, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
Fantasywise, Coles is always a solid pick as a #3 receiver, especially if Pennington wins the QB job. I also like Thomas Jones this year, with an improved OL and a fullback to open some holes for him. Keller may be a sleeper TE. Beyond that, I would avoid Jets.
Erik,
This was on rotoworld.com and profootballtalk.com
The Packers are in "serious talks" about a trade that would send Brett Favre to the Jets, according to the Green Bay Press-Gazette.
This would be the Packers' ideal landing spot for Favre. Favre's agent, Bus Cook, has conversed with the Jets, indicating his client does have interest in playing for them. An impending trade could be the reason commissioner Roger Goodell has refused to reinstate Favre to this point. Allowing Favre to practice could've crippled the Packers' team chemistry. Stay tuned.
Helloooo everyone. Yes, I saw the Favre report and am working on a story so that is taking the time I would normally use to write a practice wrap up, even though i know many of you would rather read the practice report. Hey, there's another one tomorrow. And just to be clear, no trade has happened one isn't imminent from what I've been told. This might be Favre's agent Bus Cook creating a stir to leverage teams against each other for his client.
DKnyj I don't understand the Jets infatuation with the fade. Every team charts tendancies and we are notrious for that play. It's "safe" because it rarely gets picked off but it is reliant on perfect positioning and timing. Any one facet out of wack and it's a wasted down. Brutal!
So KC has shown the ability to get the ball downfield in a hurry and CP's dinks and dunks stalled? Shocker. If KC's given an opportunity to develop he will at least be as successful as Chad based on ability alone. You can't minimize CP's inability to make the throws necessary to be an NFL caliber QB.
www.JetsRewind.com has just launched.
Another interesting Jets blg with video commentary.
I'm gonna say that the Jet's D ends up being a top 10 D. Sacks + Special Teams will be huge for them.
Also, if the Nuge gets a little more consistent, he's not a bad bye week kicker.
Coles, Jones, Cotchery, Keller. All of them are worth a look.
(My league has a Defensive Player too...I had Harris at the end of the season, a point a tackle. Game over with Harris' 24 tackles.
Oh, and IRA, you seem to be all about Poteat. The guy is ancient and, in case nobody noticed, a slow and old secondary leads to huge problems. See Giants secondary all season until the playoffs when they were saved by their front seven. You put their secondary with a bad pass rush and you'd have seen a Dolphins team.
I'm not saying Poteat's useless, since I'd rather have him than Barrett...but Carroll's got speed and agility which neither of the other two slow-mo's have. I'll take that with his good hands any given sunday (hah).
im worried about coles and especially david harris....erik....are you frightened too?
Erik,
Bus Cook reminds me of an ancilliary character from the Andy Griffith Show. Sort of like Otis the drunk's lesser-known slightly effeminate brother. "Andy, now you gotta know, Brett here, he's not looking for trouble. If Barney here doesn't appreciate the work that Brett does for Mayberry, then he'll go and play for Bugtussle."
Mr. Green T, I think Bus Cook is driving most of this stuff, no pun intended. Yes, I can do better than that but it's 1 a.m.
And mike, do I look frightened? don't answer that...