Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.
File Under: Kellen Clemens, Brian Schottenheimer, Dustin Keller, Jay Feely, Mark Sanchez, Britt Davis
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08/02 — The offense saved the best for almost last.
It was two-minute time. The rain was pouring down on Cortland Stadium. The score was tied, 10-10, Kellen Clemens was directing the first offense, and he was facing a third-and-long on his side of the 50.
What did offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer dial up? Kellen-to-Keller.
“I just think it was a good play call, especially for the defense we were facing” said Keller of the 30-yard completion over S James Ihedigbo to the 30-yard line, which led to Jay "Automatic" Feely’s 33-yard “game-winning” field goal with 42 seconds to play. “Me and Kellen, we were on the same page, we saw the same thing. He gave me time to get over the safety and as soon as I looked, the ball was right there. He put it in a good spot.”
Not to mention Keller’s contribution. Some seem to forget that when talking about what the Jets’ wide receivers need, first of all, the wideouts on hand are a good group in their own right, and second, Keller and his big mitts are a huge part of the passing game as well.
“As far as getting to work out, I might be a little ahead of last year because I know what to expect,” Keller said. “At the same time, I know everything a lot better, and I’m able to move a lot faster, read things better, so it makes you able to be a little bit more physical and play a little bit faster.”
Not to slight the defense, but again the D bounced back after Feely’s kick. With the twos on the field, Mark Sanchez was sacked by blitzing LB Brandon Renkart for a defensive three-and-out.
Then the ones came back with a vengeance. On third-and-2, Clemens dropped back and would’ve been sacked by blitzing Bart Scott. But Scott, of course, didn’t take down the red-shirted KC, who then threw up the pass, which S Jim Leonhard swallowed for his third interception in two days.
In other practice highlights:
In 7-on-7 drills, CB Darrelle Revis was all over an out-route from Clemens for his third interception of camp, temporarily jumping ahead of Leonhard in this friendly pick derby.
“I don’t know how many I have. I thought Jim had four,” Revis said. Trying to get it, that’s all. Just trying to get plays.”
Before that in 7-on-7, Sanchez threw a pretty 15-yard post that an open WR Britt Davis cradled for a touchdown.
Later, Erik Ainge threw a left in-cut a little behind Davis, who batted the pass up in the air. CB Rashad Barksdale picked the ball off, then lateraled to S Keith Fitzhugh, who lateraled to Ahmad Carroll. “Batman” sped around his left side as the drill ended.
Early on, they ran the Run Over Drill again, and rookie RB Shonn Greene absorbed another crunching hit on blitz pickup, this time from LB Kenwin Cummings. Thomas Jones, meanwhile, took down Renkart.
The weather wasn’t great for this fifth practice of camp. A heavy downpour soaked everything around 6 a.m. Then the rain stopped for a while at the start of practice but began again and increased in intensity until the final horn sounded. Still, 732 hardy fans showed up for the morning session.
This afternoon’s full-squad session is still on for 4 p.m. Monday morning’s practice start has been moved back to 8:50 a.m., and Rex Ryan's news conference is scheduled for 11:45 a.m. Be sure to check newyorkjets.com for more time changes that may be in the works.
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (15)
Randy Lange Said:
"commentman, Saturday was a beautiful, dry day and Monday is forecast to be the same. At the moment, it is pouring again."
Dan Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 1:15pm ET"Any Chance Dearth can fill the need for a blocking TE? He caught a few in gimmic roles back in '01. Randy: Who has been playing the position with the ones?"
Randy Lange Said:
"Dan, James Dearth has been strictly a long-snapper for a while, but you never know how Rex and Schotty will use him. When the offense goes to a blocking TE, I've seen Richard Owens there. Wayne Hunter also worked that role last season, and rookies Jack Simmons and J'Nathan Bullock are getting looks as well."
Tadog Green=Money Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 1:26pm ET"Wow Jim Three Picks Revis Three Picks I Hope Thats Just Good D And Not Bad O Is Our D That Good Or Is Our O That Bad????????? Randy Any Comments"
Randy Lange Said:
"No comments, Tadog."
MIKE Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 5:20pm ET"Hey Randy, is Keller playing first team TE and if so is he playing on running downs? Can't picture him winning a one on one with Joey Porter outside running plays."
Randy Lange Said:
"MIKE, yes, Keller is playing on running downs. His blocking is improving. How much we'll see soon."
Ira Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 5:42pm ET"What a rainy practice today. Very surprised how well Sanchez threw the ball in the soaking rain considering he comes from LA. Randy that pass that Kellen hit Keller with was real nice one. Sanchez also threw a beauty to a leaping Henry who caught it above two defenders."
steve Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 5:53pm ET"Hey Randy lookin good. I was wondering what the deal is with Brad Smith, I know you mentioned Clowney and Stuckey were competing for #2, but I love Brad Smith's potential. How good are his chances of winning the #2 job?"
Randy Lange Said:
"steve, Rex Ryan said don't overlook Brad Smith for the No. 2 spot either. He had a real nice Friday afternoon practice. As Wallace Wright said in Kyle Richardson's story on the site today, there are four WRs with experience in a "friendly competition" behind Jerricho Cotchery."
#!dolphinsfan Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 5:54pm ET"first i was a little worried about the jets d getting all these ints but then i remembered that your qbs are clemens and sanchez so now i calm.GO FISH!!!!"
Ira Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 6:26pm ET"Good story by EA on Lito today. I really think Lito needed a change to get back to his Pro Bowl style of play and early on it seems he is on his way. Its going to be tough because nobody will throw to Revis' side so Lito will get plenty of work. I think he is up to it. The Jets could have one of the better pair of CB's in the NFL. GO JETS!!!!"
Mike Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 7:05pm ET"Went yesterday...pretty impressed with the facilities. Hope they get on the grass soon too."
Carlito7 Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 9:28pm ET"Hey #FlipperFan..BE AFRAID...BE VERY AFRAID...and you are otherwise you wouldn't be on our site. I took a few minutes two checkout out yours...my goodness. Horrible! Next time your team make a trade with another, tell them to through in a web desighner."
Shep Said:
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 8:38am ET"I would have to say that it's all up to Stuckey and Clowney for the #2 spot. Clowney is world class fast, and if he hadn't have gotten hurt in the preseason game against Washington last year we probably would have seem him used more. And to answer the earlier question about whether its our D or O that's better, I would have to say our D is going to be 65% of our team, the O 35%. Good combo."
Gary C. Said:
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 11:19am ET"Randy, are the Jets considering bringing in Matt Jones for a looksee. Another tall receiver can only help."
Randy Lange Said:
"Gary, I don't know the answer to that. But Mike Tannenbaum's motto is "Every rock, every day." If he and Rex determine they need to bring in an available player, they will."
Steve from Lindenhurst Said:
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 11:52am ET"Very exciting time for Jet fans! We are great in August aren't we?? I think this this team will surprise people this year with a solid offensive line and a good D-Unit. I'm thinking Clemens will be the starter with his expieriance, but I won't make a real prediction until I get up to Cortland to see for myself. Holding out hope that Sanchez is the real deal, but Clemens could be the man!"
Shep Said:
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 12:37pm ET"Hey Steve, you don't leave your Bugatti in the garage and take your Mustang for a spin when your rep's on the line. Sanchez has a lot to learn, but we didn't trade up to the #5 spot and give up all we did to watch him sit on the bench. This is America after all, where we'd rather have $100 now rather than $200 paid out over a year's time. I hope the kid has what it takes. GO JETS!"
#1dolphinsfan Said:
Mon, August 3, 2009 - 5:22pm ET"i agree with you carlito this site is better than ours but games are won on the field and not on the computer...forget about the web designer im tryin to be the randy of dolphins.com..any suggestions randy??"
Randy Lange Said:
"If you'd stop taunting our Jets fans, #1dolphinsfan, you might have a little more time to devote to the résumé. Only kidding. And thanks for the compliment."
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commentman Said:
Sun, August 2, 2009 - 12:35pm ET"Has there been one day with good weather yet, I love the fact that both the defense and the offense did a great job"
Offensive Comment?