McKnight Contributing All showing coaches he can play where ever he’s needed…
Last year on Hard Knocks, the HBO special that shows the inside of training camp, Joe McKnight was shown as a player out of shape and who actually vomited on the practice field. This year is a complete reversal.
McKnight leads the league in kickoff returns averaging over 44 yards per reture, including a 107-yard touchdown return against the Ravens. He has played defensive back in a few plays this year, as well as getting carries at running back and a couple of receptions.
”When we had him in preseason [last] year, he couldn’t hold on to the ball. We were all down on him,” Rex Ryan said. “But sometimes you got to be patient because the one thing he always had was great athleticism.”
McKnight is finally showing the league what Ryan was talking about. He was a fourth round draft pick last year from Southern California who was brought in to spark the offense and handle kick off duties. McKnight is a very humble player who says, “All I want to do is make plays and help my team win.”
The way he is playing, his kickoff returns are helping the offense, and he’s making contributions in all three phases of the game. Hopefully his contribution will help translate to many more wins as the season approaches the halfway point.
The Grab Bag
Carson Palmer was traded to the Oakland Raiders this past week, and the trade has an interesting Jets twist to it. As Palmer was sitting out this year until the trade, he was working out back home in Southern California with former Jets quarterback Ken O’Brien. Upon retiring from the NFL, O’Brien had been the quarterbacks coach at his former school, where he put up crazy numbers as a starting quarterback, Cal Davis. O’Brien has always enjoyed helping out other quarterbacks and became friendly with Palmer. O’Brien has said, “Palmer is fit and ready to play.”
The Jets waived from the practice squad offensive lineman Dennis Landolt and defensive tackle Martin Tevaseu, however Tevaseu was just re-signed to the practice squad with new member Eron Riley, a receiver from the Denver Broncos.
The Jets are fairly healthy going into the game Sunday vs. the Chargers. The only player listed on the injury report is defensive back Antonio Cromartie, with a groin injury; however, he is expected to play. Nick Mangold and LaDainian Tomlinson did not practice Wednesday, but that was just to give them a rest. They will play on Sunday.
Former Jets head coach Eric Mangini, who is presently a member of the ESPN team, has been consulting for the Miami Dolphins each week. Every week he has conversations with the owner about the team’s roster as well as the game plans by coaches. Mangini has stated he is not interested in coaching the Dolphins should there be an opening. The team is currently winless this year, and was actively recruiting then-Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh before he signed with the 49ers. This is a story that we will continue to follow as the season progresses.
