And then there were none
A good crowd attended the final training camp practice today at Hofstra, though they had to wait toward the end of practice to see Brett Favre’s best throws.
* And they came in his two-minute situation, which was the offense trailing 24-20 with 1:59 left. On first down, Favre threw a nice ball down the right sideline that a diving Brad Smith caught for a 35-yard pickup. On the second play, Favre faked and then hit Jerricho Cotchery, running a stop-and-go, for a 19-yard gain down the left sideline. A quick out to Chansi Stuckey gained six yards but the drive stalled from there, with Favre’s fourth-and-3 pass from the 19 sailing high over the head of Smith. Good overall camp for Smith and Stuckey, whom I would pronounce about even for that No. 3 receiver spot.
* Favre is making his way through the ranks of the Jets receivers. He established an early connection with Cotchery and then started working Dustin Keller in after that. The last couple of days of practice there’s been a lot of balls thrown Stuckey’s way. As the tight ends go – I’m not counting Keller in that category – Chris Baker has seen as many passes as Bubba Franks, a good sign.
* Brett Ratliff threw a perfect spiral that traveled about 40 yards in the air, hitting Jerricho Cotchery for a 50-yard touchdown during one 11-on-11. Burgess left defensive backs Rudy Burgess and Ron Girault far, far behind on the route. Rookie receiver Marcus Henry, getting more and more time with David Clowney out, had a drop but also two nice catches. Ratliff fired an 18-yarder over the middle to Henry in one 11-on-11 and he hit the rookie for a 23-yard gain on a deep seam route during a two-minute drill. That drill, incidentally, ended when safety Cameron Worrell intercepted a Ratliff pass, intended for Wallace Wright, at the 12. Just to be clear: Ratliff did get to run the two-minute offense today but that’s not an indication he’s not the No. 2 QB. Kellen Clemens ran the two-minute offense yesterday; Ratliff didn’t. But that said, I have a suspicion we might see Ratliff first - after Favre - on Saturday. If I’m wrong, I’ll do my laps.
* We know this almost certainly: David Barrett will not be the starter opposite Darrelle Revis. Rookie Dwight Lowery was in by the defense’s third series today and overall played more with the “1s” than did Justin Miller. Miller is still the starter but I’m not sure that’s going to be the case in Miami Sept. 7.
* Mike Nugent went 6-for-6 in field goals in the middle of practice, with plenty of distance to spare on his makes from 43 and 48 yards.
* With Erik Ainge running the Giants scout team, Hank Poteat made an interception on a ball that was deflected at the line.
* At various points, Calvin Pace (a very underrated camp performer), Kareem Brown and Marques Murrell put pressure on the quarterback. Brown keeps looking better and better. Same for Murrell, who might be able to provide some LB depth. And C.J. Mosley continued to be worked in with the first team defense.
A couple of training camp-enders, courtesy of the great Randy Lange at newyorkjets.com:
* Today’s practice went 2 hours, 17 minutes, the second-longest session of camp. Only the 2:18 practice on Aug. 13 was longer. The average length for the 25 practices of this year’s camp was two hours, which was Mangini’s stated goal before camp started.
Also from Lange: an estimated crowd of 4,100 watched today’s practice, bringing the combined attendance for camp to over 70,000, a Jets training camp record. This was aided, of course, by the addition of Brett Favre on Aug. 9, with that day’s attendance of 10,500 a single-day record.
* Today’s Hempstead Mini-Marathon participants: Chris Baker (false start), KRIS (Wow, I can't believe I spelled it 'Chris' for the first time in my last TC post. Bad job, Erik) Jenkins (off sides) and Ratliff and Will Montgomery (fumbled center exchange).
* Laveranues Coles and Shaun Ellis were again limited in practice, though Coles saw his first 11-on-11 work in a while.
And finally, we on this blog went through training camp without a day off and Eric Mangini made me feel bad about myself today, so I’m taking tomorrow (Thursday) off. Katie Strang will quite ably be filling in for me. But though I am far, I will be near.
Anyway, straight from the reporter-insert-foot-in-mouth category, here was an exchange with Mangini from today’s presser:
Mangini: “I don’t get out much. I talk to Mike (Tannenbaum) and a few other people. How do you guys feel?”
Me: “I don’t get out much either.”
Mangini: “You’re single, though, right?”
Me: “Yes.”
Mangini: “You might have to get out a little more.”
Then I seamlessly transitioned into a question about Dwight Lowery, although as I did so I concluded Mangini had somehow been in contact with my parents. The advice sounded strikingly similar.
And therefore, while I will not be going out tonight upon finishing this blog post, I will be taking tomorrow off as I need to get a start on writing things for Newsday’s special NFL pullout section. As an aside, I have about eight things to write for that section, as does Tom Rock, our Giants – and former Jets – reporter. Our NFL columnist, Bob Glauber [who continues to take Cleveland shots at me], I believe, has the responsibility of putting together a 50-word chart for the section. As the old saying goes, to whom much is given, little is expected.
And speaking of little, before I go here, this will be the last of the super-sized practice reports. Starting tomorrow the Jets, as do most teams, move into in-season practice mode meaning reporters' access is somewhat curbed. But there will be stuff nonetheless. Good night. K-Strang fills in tomorrow, but I'll probably be lurking about for questions/comments, etc.
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Comments (31)
End training camp with a bang...and a thesis paper. Well done, Boland. (Note: It's KRIS Jenkins, not Chris Jenkins. Figured I'd give you the heads up before Mr. Green T caught you) Happy trails, Bolanator.
Damn, you're good. Just what I asked for and more. Keep it up!
Wait, Erik you're pulling out? Isn't the exact opposite of what Mangini was telling you needed to be done?
Here's the youtube video of Favre's 2-minute drill, for those interested. You can see the long pass on first down and the second down toss as well.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YOlKnToV06M
oh, i forgot to mention you have to fast forward on the video above to the 2:25 mark to see Favre start his 2-minute drill. Before that it's Erik Ainge looking lost as usual.
A day off???
I retract all the positive statements I've made about you ;)
I don't envy some of the decisions, Tannini are going to make, about personnel. Lots of standout younguns, this year.
One guy I like, who hasn't received much coverage, is Jehuu Caulcrick.
He hasn't run much, but he seems to be a nice receiver, and great blocker at FB. Any thoughts on him, Mr Erik?
Begrudgingly... enjoy your day off (the part you're not working)...
Mangini is telling you to take a day off because too much information is being dispersed to us fans. He doesn't like loose lips. With that being said go and enjoy that day off, it's well earned. I know we are constantly kissing your hard working ass, but it is truly appreciated.
As a parting shot, K. Strang sounds like an out of work Country and Western singer whose record label dropped her for eating ice cream cake covered in crystal meth and gummi bears during church in Kentucky. I'm just saying.
Erik,
Great job on the TC reports. Thanks! I look forward to your continued reports on the Jets' practices and as we move into the regular season.
Jason nice going with the action pictures. Now, if someone can go on youtube showing you taking pictures, it will establish you as the undisputed official jet blog photographer.
Erik.... you have been the biggest revelation of the entire training camp. You cover a lot of ground, run precise routes, have great hands, keep your wits under pressure and don't give us false starts. Your talent fills a void and gives us respectability against any opposition. Can't wait to see what you do during the regular season and hope all our other acquisitions turn out as well as you.
Boland your the kind of dude who matches Mangini's ideal of a great player--you are smart, you love the game and you are a guy who is a character--I mean someone who has character.
See. I'm not just a curmudgeon.
Oops. I must be getting sleepy. That was me just fawning over Boland. I'll be negative and grouchy in the morning after a good night's sleep.
you can't say "bad job" anymore...russo is gone...that reference means nothing.
Erik,
Good camp report from yesterday and the entire summer. I thought D. Coleman made some nice plays yesterday and like you said Lowery is really pushing Miller. I think they will let Miller start the 1st 3 weeks and work Lowery in slowly. They do face Chad, Brady and River. But by week #4 if Miller stays were he is at then Lowery should be able to start by the Cards game or adfter the bye vs the Bengals.2008 great summer at Hofstra and very sad to leave but looking forward to the new facilty in NJ for next year. GO JETS!!!!
Erik, great job these past few weeks. Enjoy the semi-day off. Looking forward to the Newsday pull-out section. I'm guessing Glauber has us second in the east at 10-6...with a wild card berth...to optimistic??? I hope not. Go Jets!!! Squish those Fish, including Chad!!!
Erik,
enjoy the well deserved time off, you've earned it. Maybe the new Jets gameday greeter can show you around...seriously though, thanks for the great blog, it's been fantastic for all of us, but especially folks like me who live out of state and can't get to Hofstra anymore
Thanks for the great reporting all camp. You've been the best beat writer and its not even close. And thanks for the tix for the pats game!
Eric, I just want to thank you for all the hard work you do and for not being like the other lazy bums we have available who also cover the Jets who have sufficient time to count minutes and track days of practice as opposed to player development, changes in plays or schemes, or insightful news. Many of your peers cannot even report a presser correctly.
You really work to observe, analyze, and report accurately. Thank you. Please keep on keeping on and don't as happened to Andrew Gross, just start reporting the same old same old tripe that your peers write because they are too lazy to investigate and write their own stories.
A grateful,
harlan lachman
Erik, repetitious I know, but a great job deserves the accolades.
Two questions regarding the center exchange of all things.
There seem to be a lot of snap exchange issues with the back up centers, especially with Clemens.
First, is this perhaps a Clemens issue since he was most successful in college running the spread offense and in the shotgun. He was much better last year in the two minute offense, so wondering if he is just having a tough time converting to the standard set.
Second, did D Woody get any work at Center? Would he be the first option if Mangold missed some time?
Unrelated, any chance they are shopping Miller. In the final year of his contract and being pushed for playing time, he has more value than any of the other CB's at a deep postition, mostly due to his pro bowl kick returning skills.
Perhaps they can move him for some offensive line depth?
Trammel the mammals
Boland taking a day off.... in the middle of the week.... wow, I'm... I'm shocked. So much for Core Jet Values. Smart, Hard-Working....
: P
I want to know if Boland's going to post a swimsuit shot of this Kate person.
Great chatting with you at Camp Erik. Sorry it won't happen again. I'll stop by the press box and say hi to you and dmb at the Patsies game.
Hey, does anybody proof read Glauber's stuff? Someone should tell him that Belechik has blinders on, not blinkers, unless he's a motor vehicle.
Eric,
How about the Ball kid from NH? He has great hands, any chance he makes the team?
Joe
Great hands eh? He's probably at Boland's apartment right now.
And you said I was off.
Whoa whoa whoa....tickets the pats game? Wheres mine and everyone elses?
But yes thank you Erik, you have been the best with your reports, your the only one that is actually enjoyable and knowledgable to read.
Erik,
Are you participating in the Writers Cup golf tourney tomorrow? Forget the trophy: If the Jets' writers win, how about we trade back.....you for T-Rock.
We don't want Rock back
All right, here goes...and the way some of you wrote, you would think I was retiring or something...but I do appreciate the nice - and even not as nice - comments.
Bryan, it figures you [or Darrell, maybe even Cliff] would nail me right away for the misspelling. I can take it.
Cliff, I retract the "off" statement. You very much on, though never in.
burf, are you sure you're not our good friend B. Bassett of thejetsblog? Kidding. I just say that because Caulcrick is, let's say, a passion of Mr. Bassett's. I put together my own 53-man roster (worth nothing obviously) last week before the Washington game and Caulcrick is on it. He's definitely moved up as training camp moved along, but he's right on the periphery I think. It will be close.
Squishthefish, Glaubs probably will peg you at 9-7 (a guess, I haven't asked him). I'm on record with 11-5.
RC Meany, I think the constant exposure to the sun effected you and Mr. Green T probably the most during camp. Classic stuff from both of you throughout.
Joe, David Ball will be lucky to make the practice squad. Here's the problem: even with Clowney out, there's still too many guys ahead of him and even if his hands are as good as Wallace Wright's, Wright is a borderline all-pro as a special teamer. And Marcus Henry, besides coming on strong the last week, also has stood out on special teams. But I think they'll try to practice squad Ball instead of cutting him outright because his camp has been decent to good.
Wayne 80, Clemens' problems with the ball is a mystery when you combine the fumbled center exchanges with all the drops, many on well-thrown balls. You might have something with the two-minute theory. Woody got zero time at center. Mangold's backup all preseason has been Will Montgomery. As for Miller, that's an interesting thought, but his skills as a returner I don't think the Jets want to part with. And, Lowery's emergence aside, Miller still is the starter opposite Revis as of now.
John Z., you'll like this: I am playing in the Writer's Cup golf tomorrow. I know how much you love that sport.
And 10, I'm guessing you're still upset with me about the Jenn Sterger post. Admitedly, we toed the line on that one.
Way to go little brother. I guess I'll have to try to care about the Jets now, which will be tough for a Giants fan like myself. I'm digging the blog however and hoping you use your day off to go out and meet a nice girl!
Nah, I like Brian, and have corresponded with him... but nope, I aint him. Actually, I only noticed this week, that he was a Jehuu groupie, like yours truly.
Thanks for the lowdown on Caulcrick... I hope they find a place for him, because he won't last long on the Practice Squad, if he even makes it there.
Have a lovely rest of partial-day off...
excellent reporting
Hey guys, easy on all the compliments for EB. If the suits see how good a job he's doing they might promote him to the Giants...or something? And then what?