Allen is the senior managing editor of newyorkjets.com. He is in his ninth season with the Jets.
File Under: Brian Schottenheimer, Rex Ryan, Tony Richardson, Bart Scott, Mark Sanchez, goal line
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08/04 — Before the Jets trotted out to the SUNY Cortland grass field this morning, head coach Rex Ryan told them to fasten their seatbelts and prepare for impact.
“This is a man’s practice. Show guys who wants it more” is what he told players, according to QB Mark Sanchez.
Let’s just say the Jets’ first goal line session of this training camp didn’t disappoint. On the first play from scrimmage, S Jim Leonhard (is there anything this kid can’t do?) got great contain from the edge and helped stop Thomas Jones for no gain. The offense got its first score from inside the 5-yard line when Kellen Clemens hit FB Tony Richardson out of the backfield and the eldest Jet barely got the ball across the goal line.
But man, oh, man, the most surreal sight under a beautiful sun was Sanchez rolling right, tucking the ball under and heading for the inside. The only problem was No. 57 stood in his path and looked poise for a literal knockout.
Ryan made this drill live but Sanchez, selected No. 5 overall in April’s draft, had the red jersey on. The Madbacker intelligently passed on the opportunity to deliver a career-shortening blow and Sanchez quietly tucked his head and crossed the goal line.
Sanchez may have “scored” but Scott just nodded his head at the fans here at Cortland because he put the stop sign on.
“Like I told the rookie, that was a bad career decision because once you roll out, I might blank out. I don’t know what the red jersey means sometimes,” Scott said. “If you come towards me, I’m coming towards you. But I blinked back into reality and I jumped out of the way. But bad career move, rook — throw it away and live to fight another day.”
Fortunately, Sanchez will live to fight another day. And when that day comes, he’ll go at it with a determined attitude.
“I wanted to go back and look at it on film, but there will be a situation some time hopefully in my career where it’s me or the other guy and I’m betting on me obviously, whether it’s Bart Scott or anybody,” he said. “That’s just the way you have to play as a quarterback, whether you’re a rookie or not, and I think he liked that. It was one thing to talk a little smack to me and get after me a little, but at the same time I think he kind of admired the fact that this guy’s going for it, Whether he’s young or not, he’s going to take it.”
With the ones going at it, the offense faced fourth-and-1 from the 6-inch line. After Jones was stopped for no gain, Clemens threw an incompletion (he probably would have been sacked by DE Shaun Ellis) and TJ was stopped short again, offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer went to a little “trickeration.” Clemens faked a handoff to TJ and then scooted around untouched for an easy score.
“It was Schotty’s call. He saw some things that they were doing and said, ‘Hey, if it’s there, keep it,’ ” Clemens said. “It’s always a good thing when you take that gamble and it pays off but it’s just a credit to how much of a threat Thomas is coming on the inside. They have to put all 11 guys to stop them with T-Rich and our offensive line. A lot of times they forget about little old me sneaking on the back end.”
Both Jones and RB Jehuu Caulcrick tallied TDs in the goal line period. Leonhard gave a nice push out of bounds to Sanchez on another run to prevent him from scoring and S James Ihedigbo made a nice PD of an Erik Ainge fade to Dustin Keller.
“For the most part it was evenly matched,” Clemens said. “The defense won their share and the offense won ours. It was a good drill and again a live-tempo drill. We got done what we needed to get done and nobody got hurt.”
Scott said that these past days were clearly the Jets’ most physical of camp.
“Whenever you do goal line or short yardage, it’s mano a mano,” he said. “You have to get riled up for it. You can’t do goal line without emotion.”
Other notes from this morning’s practice:
Ryan said Richardson suffered a hip pointer. The Jets don’t know the seriousness of the injury, but he’ll miss at least a few days. … Sanchez looked particularly sharp in the 7-on-7 period, disguising his targets and zipping the ball. “I felt right on. I was delivering the ball well and the guys were running the right routes. It just shows that our chemistry is getting even better and better and how things are improving. Wallace Wright — he’s still my guy. He’s doing well again. He’s all over the place.” … Ihedibgo, the third-year player from UMass, has made tremendous strides and is getting a lot of work in the nickel package.
For those wondering what the final offensive plays of practice were all about, the Jets were finishing offensive clock-killing drills. The situation was fourth down, no timeouts left, and five seconds to play in the game. First Clemens, then Sanchez dropped back seven stops and threw passes high in the sky. The idea was to burn all five seconds before the ball landed. Both succeeded, although Sanchez’s mortar shot was almost picked off at the sideline. ... Shonn Greene (ankle) left practice to work with the trainers. ... Kris Jenkins (calf) and Keith Fitzhugh (shoulder) didn’t work. ... The morning attendance: 1,062.
And for those planning ahead to Thursday, the Jets’ Green & White Scrimmage will start at Cortland Stadium at 7 p.m. A morning session that day will be closed to the public and media.
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (17)Ira Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 1:44pm ET"EA, T-Rich getting hurt is not good. Hope he is back ASAP. Seems like more guys are getting banged up this camp or it just seems that way because the last HC wouldn't talk about injuries. The door has opened now for Caulcrick to show what he can do at FB with T-Rich out. EA, Any fade routes thrown and to who?"
Rob Kole Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 2:02pm ET"Any plays for RB Woodhead? Comments on how VG doing? Any players shapeing up to back up OL?"
Ray Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 2:25pm ET"I love Richardson, he's the ultimate team guy on offense, and I think Leonard will be that guy on the D. But I really want to see Caulcrick, so this will be a great chance for him to show he is the successor to T Rich and needs to be on the team."
Shep Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 2:42pm ET"I'm with Ira and Kevin. First of all it's kind of weird hearing about all these minor injuries because EM wouldn't talk about any of that. I hope our guys are better very soon and back out on the field. And to Jets' owners and management: Please get LW signed. The guy is the heart and soul of this offense and we need him. Let him feel the love and respect he has earned. GO JETS!!"
Ed Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 2:50pm ET"Kevins right...MAKE IT RIGHT FOR LEON!!! You know you're going to do it, make it now rathrer than later. The guy deserves it and all the delay will serve is to create friction. Do the right thing & do it NOW!!!"
jake Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 3:34pm ET"has kerry rhodes said anything about the death of the arena football league?"
tom Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 3:37pm ET"did the nfl stop giving out international players ?"
MIKE Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 5:17pm ET"Its not lookin like Gholston will start after Pace retrurns. I personally think that a first round pick other than a QB isn't good enough to be a starter in his second year with know other real dominite player behind him, then thats a real problem especially since our team is shaped around solid D and a good running game. Hey Randy how has Murrell looked off the edge as a rucher?"
Randy Lange Said:
"I haven't seen much of Marques Murrell edge-rushing so far, MIKE, but I may have missed him. Rex Ryan has said Murrell is a multitalented player and "really a good pass rusher.""
Elliott Marko Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 5:20pm ET"seriously, i dont even know why its still up for negotiation, he has more than proved himself, fan favorite, always brings a spark, and needs to be shown that he is needed and wanted as a JET, sign him now.."
Mark Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 6:21pm ET"Was up in Cortland over the weekend. Gholston situation is status quo. No desire or aggressiveness. I question his "football" heart and if he is afraid of contact. LB Kenwin Cumming is the guy who looks good but you never hear anything about him. Shonn Greene seems like the real deal. Jets secondary is loaded & deep. TE situation is horrible. J'Nathan Bullock keeps dropping passes as does Simmons."
Row Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 6:33pm ET"If Gholston hasn't shown that NFL fire yet, maybe they should start fining him, and putting the collection in a pool for Leon Washington. Drives me nuts when a player has all the talent in the world and does nothing. If we start another kicker over him, I want his immediate release. Really like to fire of the D! A little skirmish needs to happen now and then... Go Jets"
tom again from bricktown Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 7:17pm ET"hi ya woody, never going to sell out the new stadium. why dont you charge a tailgating pass. no home games on TV. LOTSA LOST MOULA! cant wait until 2010! remember jets fans,shhhh, quiet during during player intro"s."
Ron Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 8:15pm ET"Went to Cortland for the weekend. Nice trip. Loved the run over drill. Caulcruck was great. Leon got a great block and a roar from the crowd. This will be a Rex Ryan D and that is good for Jet fans!!"
Anonymous Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 9:21pm ET"Hey randy, any word on Leon's contract deal yet? I'm not seeing anything about it anywhere. i hope they get this done soon."
supercooljetfan Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 10:40pm ET"am i the only one who didnt get tom from bricktown's comment???"
mario Z Said:
Wed, August 12, 2009 - 10:23am ET"Went to training camp last two days. I was impressed with the speed and agility of the line backers. If they continue into the season like that with the game face on the rest of the teams better watch out. The passing was precision and the recievers great made the qb's llook good. My compliments to the overall class acts of all the players to the fans. They were great. looking foward to friday."
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Kevin Said:
Tue, August 4, 2009 - 1:36pm ET"Scott should have just stood there like a brick wall and see Sanchez collide and plop to the ground. That would teach the rook something...I know nothing mentioned yet...HEY MANAGEMENT...WILL YOU SIGN WASHINGTON ONCE AND FOR ALL. I can just see it...they will get burned...front office that is."
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