10 Things to Expect: Jets vs. Packers
10 Players to Keep Your Eyes on in Green Bay
Dee Milliner appears to be back and ready to make his 2014 debut against the Packers on Sunday. He practiced for the first time Wednesday since suffering a high ankle sprain after landing awkwardly while defending a pass during training camp on Aug. 10. The cornerback said that the ankle feels good and we will see him give it his all: "If I'm out there, expect the most out of me."
Nick Bellore watched the Packers as a kid, growing up in Whitefish Bay, WI which is about two hours away from Lambeau Field. He's sure to have family and friends at the game and his performance on special teams bears watching.
RB Chris Ivory had the highlight of the season opener against Oakland: a 71-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter that extended the Jets' lead. He finished with 102 yards on 10 carries for the game. Head coach Rex Ryan said Ivory's bruising style is a benefit to the Green & White in the fourth quarter: "That big power back that at the end of the day, man that is tough. And especially if it's not going your way. You love just handing it to the big back and let him roll…Especially when you're tired and all that, this guy's fresh and here he comes. That's great for us."
Breno Giacomini came into the league as a fifth-round draft pick of the Green Bay Packers in 2010, so it should be interesting to see how he interacts with some of his old teammates at Lambeau Field.
Calvin Pryor was the first safety taken in the 2014 draft, three spots ahead of safety Ha Ha Clinton Dix, Green Bay's first pick. Rex Ryan told Packers media that he "took the guy who will knock your face in." Pryor had three tackles and two PDs in his debut and Clinton-Dix had a sack and a fumble recovery on special teams.
DT Sheldon Richardson's stat sheet may have been a misleading insight toward his overall performance. He didn't record a tackle, but Rex still believes he's doing the right things on the defensive front: "In a way you're right, there weren't a whole lot of tackles, but yet he was active. (He) hit the quarterback a couple times, but he was active. He was causing disruption." Against Green Bay, look for Sheldon to record more than a few tackles.
Saalim Hakim returned the opening kick 44 yards and appeared to be only a step or two away from bringing it back for a score. He had two kick returns for a 32.5 average in the opener and is expecting more on Sunday. We also saw a glimpse of Hakim playing on defense, using his blazing speed and coming on blitzes. Special teams coordinator Thomas McGaughey said with each snap Hakim plays, he's improving: "Saalim is doing a good job, he really is. He's working hard every day to learn the nuances of special teams. It's all kind of new to him. He's getting better with the fundamentals and the techniques and getting a comfort level with playing fast. As you can see, he has the ability to do that."
The offensive line will have a tough task protecting QB Geno Smith from the Packers pass rush. With Clay Matthews and Julius Peppers as outside linebackers, who have 168.5 sacks between them, tackles D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Breno Giacomini will have their hands full all afternoon.
The defense held Oakland to just 25 yards in last Sunday's 19-14 win, but with Eddie Lacy, one of the game's best young running backs, and James Starks they'll have a tough time duplicating that performance. Even with Aaron Rodgers under center for the Pack, keeping Lacy, a powerful and elusive back, at bay will be a key for a Jets win.
LB David Harris and S Dawan Landry will be key for the defense in the hostile Lambeau Field on Sunday. Rex Ryan said that the two veterans are "chief operators of the defense," and on the road, it's critical for the two men to get the communication right. Harris gives Landry the call and Landry gets the secondary on the same page. With Aaron Rodgers and WRs Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb, the communication between the two will be pivotal if the Jets want to steal one on Sunday.
