The Jets just signed two cornerbacks, Jonathan Zenon and Kenny Patton. Patton, a four-year starter at Hawaii, signed as an undrafted rookie free agent with the Raiders on May 4, 2007 before being released May 15, 2007.
Zenon was a part of the SEC's top defense last season at LSU and started 30 games in his career with the Tigers. His signing today reunites him with Erik Ainge, the Jets fifth-round selection. In last season's SEC Championship game, Zenon provided the winning score by picking off a fourth-quarter Ainge pass and returning it 18 yards for a touchdown in LSU's 21-14 victory. A couple of no-risk signings here at a position the Jets need some depth at.
As an aside to Roger, who posed a question about Brad Smith at the bottom of the previous post, I don't think it's make-or-break for Smith quite yet, though he was a limited participant in the drills we saw last Thursday. He also did some holding on field goals. You and others have raised this question about Smith and it's a good one. We'll see Thursday if he's more involved in things.
Comments (8)
Hey, Erik. I think that I would like to hear about how things are going with the skill positions (WR, RB &CB). It looks like the Jets are bringing in a lot of guys in. I'd like to know if these guys really have a shot or are they at best just another final day cut. I don't expect you to know that right of the bat, of course. I DO want to know what vets you think are not going to make it, either because they have real good competition or they are playing poorly. Thanks.
Erik, do you have a few more stats on these guys? Ht, Wt & Speed would be nice. I tired of these smallish CBs weighing 180lb. I want a 6' 2" corner that can cover a Randy Moss. Maybe the Jets can find some of these guys from small schools that didn't get drafted. Thanks.
Big A, you're not going to be happy size-wise here. Zenon is 6-0, 176 and Patton is 5-11, 193. Zenon, though, started a lot of games in the SEC, not only known as college football's best conference, but also its fastest. I will keep an eye out for the veterans not playing well and on "cut alert," though we've just seen one practice. I might have some names Thursday as well as which of these guys are playing with the starters and which are with the backups. I would be surprised to see many of these rookie FA signings with the "ones."
Hey Erik, Thanks for all the information you drop on us and for keeping this interactive.
I know it's WAY early here, but this is how I see the Jets depth chart at receiver at this point in the process. Tell me if you agree....
1. Coles
2. Cotchery
3. Smith
4. Stuckey
5. Henry
6. Clowney
I think as minicamp and training camp progress, there could be the potential for Smith and Stuckey to flip-flop positions, and I'm not sure if they'll carry 6 receivers, but if they do, I'm thinking the speedster Clowney could edge out Wallace Wright, David Ball, etc...
Rich R., that list looks about right, though based on the fact Smith's role last week was basically holding and Stuckey caught a few balls, I think that "flip-flop" has already taken place. But if Smith was limited because of injury, that might not be the case yet. We'll see Thursday the respective roles of the two and maybe then more of a determination can be made.
Erik,
Thanks for the constant updates, I really look forward to reading them. One of my biggest concerns for the Jets this year is depth at Oline. I am comfortable with the starting 5 but what are your thoughts on Turner, Bender, Garner, Oldenburg and the kid from Hofstra. Have any of these guys showed you anything to warrant a slot on the team? I realize that Montgomery is the 1st option. Can you keep an eye on these guys during OTAs for us?
Keep up the good work!
Thanks, E. It looks like they might be longshots at best. Keep up the good work. You're making this blog quite a bit more fun than I expected. Kinda of like when they brought out the crayons in kindergarten. lol
Joe O, I'll keep an eye out for that on Thursday, but remember these practices have been non-contact to this point so O-line play is tough to judge in those kinds of drills. You can always look at footwork, though.
Big A, I have been told before that I write as if I were doing it in crayon so I thought I'd spread that kind of fun around.