OTAs: Opportunities To Assess

Randy's Radar

OTAs: Opportunities To Assess

Published: Wed, May 30, 2007 - 10:56am EST
Randy Lange

By Randy Lange

Lange is editor-in-chief of newyorkjets.com. He covered the Jets for 13 years for The Record of Hackensack, N.J.


File Under: Eric Mangini, full-squad minicamp, training camp, Jonathan Vilma, OTAs

05/30 — When does the next NFL season start? Opinions differ about which milepost is most important. Some, of course, say it begins the day after the previous season has ended.

Then there's March 1 or thereabouts and the opening of the unrestricted free agency signing period. And the draft. And the rookie minicamp after the draft.

The Jets passed another one of those markers last week with the start of their OTA (repeat after me: "Organized Training Activity") sessions, during which the Green & White's veterans and rookies come together for the first time. There will be 12 sessions in all, concluding with a full-squad minicamp. Then comes one more break until the players reunite for head coach Eric Mangini's second Jets training camp beginning the last week of July.

Be prepared for Jets stories in your medium of choice in the next 10 days, since there will be media availability for the practices Thursday and Friday and for the workouts June 7-8 as well. That means Coach Mangini will talk and players will be available to reporters coming off the field.

In a dry run for T-camp, we'll be putting up several live blogs a day from practice, beginning shortly after 11 a.m., so all you Radar techs should check in early and often during the next two days, again the following Thursday and Friday and during the minicamp.

Also, just like Mike Rowe on "Dirty Jobs," I want to hear from you. Let us know which Jets player(s) you want to read features about on newyorkjets.com in the coming weeks — and why. Think of yourselves as my unpaid but highly motivated assignment editors. Or not.

What Does the J Stand For Again?

Mistakes happen. In an early version of my NFL Europa blog last week, I singlehandedly reincarnated the Claymores, who have been defunct for several years. Some of my Scottish friends helped me correct this brain freeze. (Said Coops: "Bring back the Claymores, and go Jets!!!)

Apparently, Randy Hill, a contributing columnist to FoxSports.com, doesn't have those kinds of friends inside or outside the network. Today is the second day the following mistake hasn't been corrected in a graph about the Jets trading up 12 slots in Round 2 to draft LB David Harris:

"This suggests Harris can play, and that Johnson Vilma needs help on a defense that surrendered 4.6 yards per rushing play."

Jonathan Vilma's brother, perhaps?

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Fans Respond

Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Show All (8)

capo Said:

Thu, May 31, 2007 - 6:29am EST

"Will Chris Baker be utililized more heavily this season in the passing game or do you think he'll spend most of his time helping out on pass protection again?"

Offensive Comment?

Vilmatic Said:

Thu, May 31, 2007 - 7:33am EST

"Who's going to fill in for Kendall and how are they doing at it? I'm also interested to hear how Pouha does as well as all the scrap heap DEs we brought in."

Offensive Comment?

GAJetFan Said:

Thu, May 31, 2007 - 12:29pm EST

"Like some of the others, I'm very interested in what's happening with the NT position, e.g. Pouha & co., Clemens, how is he shaping up to be the future QB, the load of DE/LBs we picked up, and, finally, our 2 top 2007 draft choices...can they make an impact in 2007 & are they as good as advertised. "

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