A closer look at the New York Jets Roster …… Offense Part 2 of 2

Last week we looked closely at the Quarterback positions, as well as the Offensive Line. We will continue this week with the second part, getting deeper into what will appear to be the biggest ness on this team. The skilled players, Wide Receivers, Tight Ends and Running Backs.

1. Wide Receivers…Holmes, Kerley, Nelson, Salas, Campbell, Cribbs, Gates, Hakim, Hazelton, Hill

a. First and foremost, Santonio Holmes. He was obtained cheap, and like anything that is cheap, it will not last. I do not wish to even dedicate time and explain this dude, gone!

b.  Jeremy Kerley has been the only constant in this group. Unfortunately injuries limited him in 2013, but his quickness and sure hands, make Kerley a must keep. On a team with successful wide outs, Kerley would be a dangerous weapon to reckon with.

c. David Nelson was one of the numerous bodies the HC went out to get in season, just to be able to field a wide receiver. Nelson once a Bill, was a very welcomed surprise. He is not a #1 receiver, nor a #2, but Nelson as a third wide receiver is a nice luxury. Sure handed, always plays hard, excellent in the red zone.

d, Stephen Hill is at his last chance. This young man was drafted knowing that he would be a project. However, with the enormous talent and speed, you also expect some growth. There has been none! His run routes are horrific, separation is non existent, even when he’s the fastest man on the field. Put up or get out of town. He also doesn’t play special teams; therefore if he can’t cut it as a receiver, he is a waste of a roster spot.

e. Rest of the group, Gates, Hakim, Hazelton are gone unless there is a need for a body. Salas played some meaningful minutes and produced, he will be at least in training camp. Cribbs might be kept as a return specialist, with some trick plays on offense. Jones was signed after he sat out of football do to a family tragedy, he will an opportunity to make the team at camp. Campbell has a shot at the practice squad, maybe.

Let’s be serious, this group doesn’t scare anyone. I doubt any DC has dedicated more than 5 minutes to prepare for the Jets receivers, especially while Kerley was in rehab. The Jest have a huge need here, and I’m sure that need will be addressed by GM Idzik. Jets basically need to starting wide outs, with Kerley to complement as a slot receiver. No messing around Idzik, lets go get them, Geno needs someone to throw to.

#	Player		Age	Height	Weight	Year exp.	College
—	Michael Campbell	WR	24	6-2	205	1	Temple
16	Josh Cribbs	WR	30	6-1	192	10	Kent State
19	Clyde Gates	WR	27	6-0	197	4	Abilene Christian
15	Saalim Hakim	WR	24	5-11	188	1	Palomar Coll. CA
17	Vidal Hazelton	WR	26	6-2	209	2	Cincinnati
84	Stephen Hill	WR	22	6-4	215	3	Georgia Tech
10	Santonio Holmes	WR	29	5-11	192	9	Ohio State
—	Dwight Jones	WR	25	6-3	230	1	North Carolina
11	Jeremy Kerley	WR	25	5-9	188	4	Texas Christian
86	David Nelson	WR	27	6-5	215	5	Florida
17	Greg Salas	WR	25	6-2	209	4	Hawaii
	Average		25.82	6’1″	203.64	4

 

2.    Tight Ends… Anderson. Cumberland, Pantale, Reuland, Sudfeld, Winslow

a. Jeff Cumberland is  Free Agent, but I fully expect him back, if not, sayonara. Good hands, hard worker who made the transition from Wide Receiver. He has been the most productive TE on the roster last two years. I would love him back, however if the price tag is too high, no, walk away. My guess, he will be back.

b. Winslow was a good addition in a year with no CAP money, but lets face it, he is GONE!

c. Sudfeld was snatched off waivers by New England, and I like his size and upside. He will not be a #1 TE next season, but he is a nice commodity on the bench. Fully expect him to be on the roster.

d. Pantale a fan favorite last camp, time to step up , the future is now, practice squald seems appropriate.

e. Reuland has been a good soldier with little upside, see ya.

f. Anderson will be a forgotten name no later than you are done reading this article.

This is another area that has not exactly been a problem for opposing defenses. It is actually amazing that Geno had any stats at all with the TEs and WRs. Jets need a #1 type from the draft of Free Agency regardless of what Cumberland does. If Cumby is gone, then we need two.

#	Player		Age	Height	Weight	Years Exp.	College
	Colin Anderson	TE	24	6-4	240	R	Furman
87	Jeff Cumberland	TE	26	6-4	260	5	Illinois
44	Chris Pantale	TE	23	6-5	254	1	Boston College
88	Konrad Reuland	TE	26.00	6-5	260.00	3	Stanford
82	Zach Sudfeld	TE	24	6-6	255	2	Nevada
81	Kellen Winslow	TE	30	6-4	240	10	Miami (Fla.)
	Average		25.50	6’5″	251.50	3.5

 

3.    Running Backs… Goodson, Green, Griffin, Ivory, Powell, Reynaud, Bohanon, Hilliard

a. Chris Ivory was an excellent trade for the Jets. Ivory’s issue is to make sure he remains healthy, other than that he is a hard-nosed runner. Fights for extra yards on every play. He is physical, tough to tackle. He will remain the #1 RB on the Team

b. Bilal Powell has been behind the scenes for a few years now. He was shadowed by Greene, and now Ivory and Goodson, however, Bilal keeps playing. That tells you all about this kid, very hard worker and an excellent team player. His hands are also very good out of the backfield. He will back unless another team offers him the moon.

c. Tommy Bohanon a 2013 draft pick was as good as you can expect. He worked his way into the startin team and stayed there all season. Plays hard, great blocker, still learning the game, eventually he will be among the best in the league at FB.

d. Mike Goodson was a mystery in 2013, but he does posses something our backfield lacks, great hands. Goodson was signed for that purpose, unfortunately he wasn’t on the filed much. Morty Ball and his West Coast offense needs a sure handed RB for it to work smoothly, the Jets did not have one last season. That value, and the fact he is signed, means Goodson will have an opportunity to redeem himself in 2014.

e. The others with the exception of Alex Green, will all be looking for work elsewhere.

I do not see the Jets making a big splash at the RB position in the off-season. If Goodson does come back healthy and plays 12-14 games, this group has the ability to be the best in the division.

#	Player		Age	Height	Weight	Years Exp.	College
23	Mike Goodson	RB	26	6-0	210	6	Texas A&M
25	Alex Green	RB	25	6-2	220	4	Hawaii
24	John Griffin	RB	25	5-11	208	2	Massachusetts
33	Chris Ivory	RB	25	6-0	222	5	Tiffin University
29	Bilal Powell	RB	25.00	5-10	204.00	4	Louisville
24	Darius Reynaud	RB	29	5-9	208	6	West Virginia
40	Tommy Bohanon	FB	23	6-1	246	2	Wake Forest
36	Lex Hilliard	FB	29	5-11	235	6	Montana
	Average		25.88	5’11”	219.13	4.4

 

………..next week we will take a closer look at the Defense