Kellen-to-Musa Ends Practice with a Flourish
Published: Thu, June 5, 2008 - 6:42pm EDT
By Eric Allen
Allen is the senior managing editor of newyorkjets.com. He is in his seventh season with the Jets.
File Under: Chad Pennington, Eric Mangini, Woody Johnson, Chris Baker, Kellen Clemens, Kerry Rhodes, Kris Jenkins, Bubba Franks, Scott Cohen
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06/05 — There were five fascinating images at the Jets’ second minicamp workout this afternoon.
Early in the session, NT Kris Jenkins looked to be in perfect position for an unlikely interception. A Chad Pennington pass intended for Laveranues Coles bounced high into the air and the 6’4”, 360-pounder had a good read on the ball. He must have been thinking six, though, because he completely whiffed at a sure pick.
Entering his seventh professional season, Jenkins has yet to record an NFL interception. It sure would have been nice to see the big man celebrate after a practice INT, but maybe he’s saving his first one for the regular season.
Moments later, S Kerry Rhodes came on a blitz. Pennington recognized the rush, stepped up in the pocket and threw a spiral to TE Chris Baker 15 yards downfield. A sure-handed Baker tipped the ball to himself with his left hand and brought it in for a pretty reception.
Later Baker false-started before Pennington took a snap from inside the offense’s 10. After Bake’s penalty lap, Woody Johnson, the Jets CEO and chairman, walked over to No. 86 and shook his hand. The greeting, which occurred while Bake was sitting on one knee and resting some weight on his helmet, was cordial.
We saw an explosive conclusion to Day 1 of camp. Kellen Clemens, who worked with the twos in the afternoon, delivered an excellent 30-yard toss to Marcus Henry. Corner Dwight Lowery was in on the coverage, but KC hit the 6’4” WR in stride and Henry held on as both he and Lowery tumbled to the ground.
In the better-late-than-never category, head coach Eric Mangini put the offense in a situation: down six with less than two minutes to play. Clemens connected with RB Musa Smith on a screen from his own 40. The defense was caught off guard and Smith, getting a few key blocks, took it the distance for a 60-yard score. Mike Nugent came on for the winning XPA and practice reached an end.
P.M. Notes
Both quarterbacks answered their uneven mornings with better afternoons. Pennington found Laveranues Coles on a number of occasions and generally looked sharp with the ones. While each QB completed a high number of passes, the defense didn’t allow a ton of big plays and the DBs did a decent job of keeping the players out in front.
Bubba Franks was not to be outdone by Baker, coming up with a fantastic left-handed catch on a pass over the middle from Penny. ... Keeping with the tight ends, Dustin Keller continues to show good explosion and decent hands, even though he dropped one today. Defenses are going to have to contend with that speed. ... OL Wayne Hunter, an off-season pickup, had his helmet knocked off in a line scuffle and was ready for some fisticuffs. A few of his fellow linemen held him back and cooler heads prevailed.
Give Leon Washington an inch and he’ll take a mile. The 2007 Jets MVP popped open through a couple of center creases in the defense — once following a shuffle pass — and No. 29 is breathtaking to watch. … Following a deflection, OLB Bryan Thomas hauled in an interception and then pitched the ball back to CB David Barrett… Woody Johnson was not the only Mr. J. in house as his brother Chris was also at the Weeb.
Front Office Moves
The Jets are expected to formally announce the hiring of Scott Cohen as assistant general manager sometime in the next couple of days. Cohen spent the past seven seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles director of pro personnel.
“Scott’s going to bring a lot of great attributes to the organization," GM Mike Tannenbaum said. "I think he’s going to make a good department even better with Joey [Clinkscales] still spearheading the draft, and Terry [Bradway] is going to be really concentrating on the road now. We have Brendan [Prophet] and JoJo Wooden working with Scott to focus primarily on the pro personnel department. So I think it’s an opportunity where we brought Scott in to make a good department better and I’m glad he’s here.”
Fans Respond
Here's your chance to tell Randy what you think! Add a Comment | Hide All Show All (13)Brian Sommer Said:
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 8:00pm EDT"Hey Eric. How are the two young RB's looking; Caulcrick and Woodhead? You have to hope the best for these guys. They come with some good stories."
Randy Lange Said:
"Brian, look for my Danny Woodhead story in the near future."
Michael Said:
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 8:11pm EDT"when that hunter guy got his helment knock off and ready to hit a player what guys came in and stop him??do you know randy?thanks jets fan for life,Michael"
Randy Lange Said:
"Michael, this is Randy. I'm sorry but I didn't see who knocked his helmet off."
Miguel Said:
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 8:25pm EDT"Hey Eric, I would enjoy reading something about our highly touted 3-4 defense with the presumptive starters, BT, VG, Harris, Barton, and its looking. Our defense will win championships, Coleman is underrated and Ellis is forgotten, but with Jenkins our front seven will be respected by the start of this season."
Alex Said:
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 10:36pm EDT"Miguel, you really think that'll be everyone? I have a good feeling Pace is going to start while BT and VG both get some reps. There is no way the Jets are gonna cash out 40 mil on some guy and bench him. Since VG still hasn't made it to practice, he's behind the learning curve and don't forget that he is a rookie. Thomas will start across from Pace and Ghols will work his way in to a starter."
Darrell Said:
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 10:52pm EDT""Shuffle" pass? What, exactly, is a "shuffle" pass? "
Randy Lange Said:
"Darrell, it's been referred to in NFL circles as both a shuffle pass and a shovel pass."
Ira Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 7:06am EDT"Class move by Woody. Hope this Baker problem gets resolved before camp starts."
Ira Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 7:46am EDT"Thomas is getting off to a good start and that's a good thing for the Jets. Guess he wasn't just talking last week and showed it on the field."
Jesse Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 8:10am EDT"I like Chris Baker don't get me wrong, but his attitude is killing what could be a good season. Just because other players in the league wants to whine about their contracts doesn't mean we should take it from him. Bench him or get rid of him!"
Dunnie Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 9:50am EDT"I would bet our starting LB corps will be : (SAM) Pace , (WILL) Gholston/Thomas , (MIKE) Harriss, (BUCK) Barton. I could also see PACE/GHOLSTON at WILL and Thomas handling SAM. Imagine if they put Thomas in the middle at Buck ? hmmm. who knows."
Ira Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 10:33am EDT"Dunnie, No way do they put Thomas at ILB. Too tall and would have trouble getting off of blocks from guards. He is best suited for OLB and DE where he can use his speed."
Dunnie Said:
Fri, June 6, 2008 - 11:16am EDT"i was thinking maybe on occasional passing downs ... 3 speed rushers ... might cause some confusion. Also ... I want to see Pace and Gholston on the field at the same time eventually. But I definitely agree with you .... it was just an outlandish thought."
Matt Mecca Said:
Fri, June 13, 2008 - 8:26am EDT"Eric, recently my friend told me that he saw an article in the record stating that Mangini said that Pennington was his quarterback but it's subject to change. Is this true?"
Randy Lange Said:
"Matt, this is Randy. Any report anywhere that says that Coach Mangini has decided on his QB now is false. Last month Mangini said his decision will "come down to the same sort of evaluation of who manages the game the best, and then also who gives us the best chance to win. So both those criteria go into it. There are new things that have gone into the system, there are new players that are being incorporated in the system, so it's looking at that over the course of the OTAs, training camp, preseason games.""
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MikeMc Said:
Thu, June 5, 2008 - 7:19pm EDT"Hope Tannenbaum isn't training his replacement. Jenkins better stick to knocking the ball down, even if he does get a pick , he'll never go for six. I love the in depth coverage, Like Woody leaning on Baker, this guy seams to be trying to shoot his way out of town and into a new contract, he's trying it because its worked for many a player, this has to stop we must make an example by benching him."
Offensive Comment?