Enunwa Done for Season; Other Camp Notes From Florham Park

It’s official.  The New York Jets have announced that wide receiver Qunicy Enunwa will miss the entire 2017 season with a neck injury.  It’s a bulging disk that the team believes will require surgery and a 6-9 month rehab/recovery time. So, what now?

If today’s practice in Florham Park was any indication, the Jets will go to battle with a pair of second year players in former seventh round draft choice Charone Peake and undrafted free agent Robby Anderson.  The two were trotted out with the first team offense during team periods today along with another undrafted free agent from last season, Jalin Marshall.  Marshall will miss the first four games of the season due to a PED suspension, but is clearly a favorite of head coach Todd Bowles.

Charone Peake may be asked to take on a much bigger role in 2017.

When the team cut ties with Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker this off season, it was no secret that the receiving corps would be thin, but losing Enunwa means the team’s three best receivers won’t be in the huddle anymore, and Anderson, who surprised with a strong rookie campaign, and Peake, will have plenty of opportunities to show they belong.

Having drafted ArDarius Stewart and Chad Hansen, there are several options with plenty of potential, but they’re not going to make a huge impact from day one.

A few observations from today’s practice:

It was an indoor session due to heavy rain throughout the day.

• It’s no big secret that the Jets offense is going to struggle this season, but this is a perfect storm for colossal failure. The defense continues to dominate practice and when things go live, the quarterbacks don’t have nearly enough time to throw the ball.  Add in the fact that two of the quarterbacks have little to no experience at the pro level, will be working in a new offense with possibly the least experienced receivers in the NFL, and it could get ugly. Despite plenty of potentially good pass catchers on the roster, this has the potential to be a historically bad offense.
• The defense looked stout up front.  For the most part, the running backs had very few opportunities to make plays and the quarterbacks were routinely under duress.
• Austin Seferian-Jenkins remains one of the most interesting players in camp.  Everyone knows the talent is there, and his 30+ pound weight loss this off season shows that he has truly re-dedicated himself to football and it shows. ASJ made the play of the day with a leaping TD grab in the back of the end zone against Demario Davis whose coverage was fine, Jenkins just out-jumped and out-muscled him to make the catch.
• Juston Burris made several strong plays showing excellent anticipation and break on the ball.  He broke so early on one play that he missed the opportunity for a pick-6 as the ball was off target and he overran the pass in getting to the intended receiver.
• Running back Elijah McGuire looks as good as advertised catching the football.  Very smooth/fluid receiver out of the backfield and also got to the edge once or twice on long(ish) run plays.
• The linebacker rotation will probably carry on for some time until Todd Bowles picks his starter.  Dylan Donahue flashed in getting after the quarterback and Frank Beltre also had a “sack” after picking one up during Saturday’s scrimmage.
• Chad Hansen had a few impressive fingertip grabs during one on one drills, showing very good body control and awareness in trying to get both feet down in bounds.
• Jamal Adams continued doing all of the things we’ve been told he’s done up to this point.  Very vocal, very active and shouting instructions to defensive teammates from the sidelines when something in the formation tips him off.
• The number one concern with Christian Hackenberg is still his consistency.  He threw a few ducks in drills early on, the made several impressive throws through tight windows in the middle of practice, only to seemingly lose it again later on when several passes hit the turf well short of their intended targets.

Be sure to follow us on twitter for live coverage from Florham Park once again tomorrow.

Glenn Naughton

Glenn was Born in the Bronx, New York and has followed the Jets religiously despite being stationed in several different countries and time zones around the world. He now resides in England and has been a JetNation member since 2005. Glenn will bleed green with the rest of us through the highs and lows.

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