The following is a recap of some of the top stories surrounding the Jets:
According to Roto-World, linebacker Rocky McIntosh (29) was invited to pay the Jets a visit. Last season McIntosh started 8 games with 65 tackles for the Washington Redskins.
CBS Sports NFL analyst Jason La Confora announced via Twitter the Jets were interested in former Minnesota Vikings tight end Visanthe Shiancoe. “The Jets have been checking on Shiancoe, and want 2 mobile TE sets,” La Confora tweeted. The Jets could use some veteran help at the position since there’s little depth behind Dustin Keller.
Speaking of tight ends, undrafted rookie Brian Linthicum (Michigan State) told George Sipple of the Detroit Free Press that he chose the Jets over other teams based upon his potential starting role per conversations with coaches:
(Linthicum) was down to the Rams, Panthers and Jets.
“The tight ends coach and the offensive coordinator that I spoke with made it very clear what I would be working for,” Linthicum said of his talks with the Jets. “I felt confident with that.
“They’re wanting me to compete for the starting Y position. Every offense has a Y tight end and an F tight end. Dustin Keller is the starting F tight end, more of a receiving tight end, slot-type guy. Then every offense has a Y tight end … on the line blocking, but can also get out in space and make catches.”
Legendary Jets quarterback Joe Namath recently weighed in on the Sanchez/Tebow debate at the United Way Gridiron Gala charity event, attended by Jet-Nations Courtney Aurillo. Namath made it known that Mark Sanchez was the best choice to lead the team this season:
Joe Namath … left no uncertainty about which quarterback on the Jets roster he thinks is best.
The legendary Jets quarterback called Mark Sanchez “sensational” and “much better” than back-up Tim Tebow.
“There’s no doubt about it, there’s no doubt about it at all,” Namath said.
Source: Newark Start Ledger/Jenny Vrentas
Originally critical of the trade Namath now sees positives in the Tebow acquisition, although he still supports Sanchez as the starter:
Joe Namath allowed that the Jets’ addition of quarterback Tim Tebow was a positive, but he did not hesitate when stating that Mark Sanchez, the incumbent starter, was new offensive coordinator Tony Sparano’s best option under center.
“Bring on the competition,” Namath said of this summer’s training camp. “Tebow is a positive any way you add him to your organization.”
Source: NY Daily News/Kevin Armstrong
It seems as if everyone has to get “their two cents” in on Sanchez v. Tebow. This time it was Sanchez’s agent Brian Murphy taking a jab at Tebow via Twitter after it was reported Sanchez performed better in a recent team practice:
[tweet_embed id=205745150662684672]
Murphy tried to explain that his original tweet was not a shoot at Tim Tebow in another tweet:
Didn’t mean to create a stir nor disrespect TT who has done nothing but excel on football field. This is my opinion and time will tell. 24 May 12
It appears an old teammate is mentoring Jets rookie wide receiver Stephen Hill. Current Denver Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas and Hill both played together at Georgia Tech. Thomas is trying to use his two years of NFL experience to help Hill transition to the pro game:
When the Jets drafted Stephen Hill in the second round last month, the speedy wide receiver received a text message from Broncos receiver Demaryius Thomas.
“Congratulations, it ain’t going to be easy,” it read.
“He’s (Hill) like my little brother,” Thomas said.
Hill said Thomas and Lions receiver Calvin Johnson, another Georgia Tech alum, have served as mentors to him. Johnson did not play in Paul Johnson’s triple-option attack, though. Thomas has experienced the transition Hill is now going through.
The biggest challenge for Hill will be adjusting to NFL coverages. In college, teams would load eight men in the box to stop the Yellow Jackets’ rushing attack. Now he will see zone looks that are completely different.
“[He (Thomas) said] just make sure you stay in the playbook,” Hill said. “We actually have coverages in the playbook to make sure we know what’s going on. He told me to ask questions of guys in the locker room because you’ve got to find answers.”
Hill has listened. He said he spends an average of 12 hours a day studying his playbook.
Source: NY Post/Brian Costello
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