8/27/09 Training Camp Practice Photos
Rex Ryan had the usual number of tidbits at today's news conference, which followed the final open practice of summer at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center.
For one, he mentioned that linebacker Vernon Gholston will be with the ones on Saturday night vs. the Giants.
"Vernon will start this week. He's getting all the 'one' reps this week," Ryan said of moving Gholston ahead of Calvin Pace, who can still play in the final two preseason games but then will endure his four-game suspension to start the regular season.
"It's kind of a fine line. We know we've got to get Calvin ready, too. It's still a new defense and all that stuff. Vernon's been getting a lot of playing time, but moving forward he's got to get the majority of the work with the ones. And Calvin certainly understands that."
Gholston said in the locker room today that he remembers last year's Jets-Giants game, the third of his rookie preseason.
"I don't know about a different speed, but it was pretty physical, I remember that part about it," he said. "I'm not saying this is a full game plan this week but we're actually preparing like it's a regular-season game.
"Now," he said, "it's about putting it together."
How true, especially for No. 50. Gholston has a golden opportunity to make some plays at the Meadowlands.
"When I get out there, it'll be exciting. But whether I'm coming off the bench or whatever, it's just about trying to help the team win."
More Clowney Time
Ryan was asked if WR David Clowney might get the same starting opportunity on offense. Almost.
"He's definitely going to play more with the ones. I think everybody would agree he's earned that right," Rex said. "He's looked fantastic in the preseason. Every time you look around, there he goes. As far as changing his spot on the depth chart, we play to play a lot of those guys anyway, almost by committee. But we want to see him with the first group some. I think he's earned that right. We'll see how he does."
"Of course," Clowney said, "I wanted to get more time last week [at Baltimore]. But this week I'm looking forward to getting out there a lot. I don't think it'll take long for any of the receivers to get on the same page with Mark [Sanchez]. He's been here since day one."
He's eager to keep producing at his sizzling summer rate — he leads the Jets in receptions (5), yards (135) and touchdowns (2), and his 27.0 yards per catch is third-highest in the NFL after two full preseason weeks.
One stat he says he won't lead in is unsportsmanlike conduct penalties for ripping off his helmet after TDs, as he did at Baltimore.
"The coaches talked to me about it," he said. "It was nothing premeditated. It won't happen in the regular season."
David and Goliath?
One other item from the Rex agenda was perhaps the biggest mismatch that one Jets back could have against one Jets blitzer: 195-pound Danny Woodhead picking up 360-pound blitzer Kris Jenkins.
"That's probably not the protection we're looking for," Rex said with a smile, "putting Woodhead on Jenkins."
How did that happen? Well, it was the second offense vs. the first defense, and before the snap, Jenkins stood up from his NT position, stepped back and remained standing as the MLB. Then the snap, then a delay, then here comes No. 77 up the gut looking 3½ times as big as No. 22, playing at RB for Shonn Greene (ribs), who was supposed to pick up Big Jenk.
"Did Coach say who the mismatch was against?" Woodhead asked, before admitting the obvious. "There was a little mismatch there. I don't know what would've happened with pads on. That was a funny little deal. If it was live, not so funny."
Practice Notes
Sanchez, in his second practice as the No. 1 QB, strikes on a 25-yard hookup with Jerricho Cotchery to set up a FG situation during two-minute work. ... Wallace Wright also makes a leaping 25-yard grab from Kellen Clemens. ... On the Jenkins/Woodhead play, Clemens, understandably a little rushed, slightly underthrows Clowney in the end zone, just enough that CB Lito Sheppard makes the strong breakup.
Wayne Hunter, the 303-pound T/TE, has a couple of nice back-to-back catch-and-runs from Erik Ainge. ... Ainge throws a wobbler that finds Drew Coleman for the one-handed INT instead of Aundrae Allison, who is also flagged for offensive pass interference on the play. ... Newly signed RB Anthony Kimble, wearing No. 41, worked on the side with RBs coach Anthony Lynn. ... Greene remains on the stationary bike. Ryan says after practice that the rookie RB will be out for the Giants game and "might not play" in the preseason finale vs. Philadelphia. ... Final-day practice attendance: 2,419. Thanks, everyone.
