Photo Credit: The Star-Ledger

As was first reported by Jason Cole of Yahoo! Sports, wide receiver Santonio Holmes has been diagnosed with a Lisfranc injury and is “99% likely out for the season.”

After an initial x-ray came out negative, the team reported Monday that Holmes had suffered an undisclosed injury that would keep him out for “weeks.” Holmes’ MRI results were then evaluated by to Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, per Cole, who diagnosed the WR with the dreaded ‘L’ word.

A Lisfranc injury is one of the more painful and difficult injuries for an athlete, and usually occurs when bones in the midfoot are broken or ligaments that support the midfoot are torn. Recovery time varies depending on the specifics of the injury and whether surgery is required. (You may recall Texans QB Matt Schaub missed the majority of last season with the injury).

Update: The team has confirmed that Holmes has suffered a Lisfranc injury that will require surgery and end his season. He will be placed on IR.

**The Jets have signed former Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Jason Hill. Hill spent some time with the Broncos this preseason (here’s a little piece on him from the DenverPost) and was later released.

If you’re wondering who the heck Jason Hill is, you’re not alone. THIS might refresh your memory.

Is the Jason Hill singing the kind of high-impact addition that is going to save the Jets season? No. (In fact, Rotoworld said this of Hill: ”He’s solidified himself as one of the worst wide receivers in football.”) BUT there are not many talented free agent wide receivers available to sign at this point, outside of the “Big Three”  – Ocho, T.O. and Plax. I know a lot of people are clamoring for the Jets to sign one of these guys, but I think we have to assume that is not in the team’s plans and move on from this notion.

Also, Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News reported yesterday that the Jets do not have interest in re-signing Plaxico Burress and Chad Johnson is “not on their radar.” So..there is that.

Bottom line? Maybe if the team didn’t wait until 5 weeks into the season to sign a veteran free agent wide receiver, we wouldn’t be in this position right now.

A few things to look out for in Friday night’s preseason opener against the Bengals:

1. Jordan White – The rookie WR  out of WMU has impressed everyone in camp so far. After missing out on mini-camp due to a foot injury from May 2012, Jordan White has shown that he is a very efficient route runner.  This comes as good news for the Jets because with Kerley will be out for another week or so.  Pay close attention to how he fares against a well coached defensive Bengals team and my prediction is that he will keep up the great work and end up getting major time during the season.

2.  Terrance Ganaway- Rookie RB out of Baylor has also been playing quite well in camp.  He rushed for over 1,400 yards in his senior year and has shown flashes of helping Greene out with the workload.

3. Bilal Powell- He is one of the players that has been consistently signaled out by Rex Ryan. “At the rate he’s going, it would be a surprise if he doesn’t leap-frog Joe McKnight on the depth chart,” says beat writer Rich Cimini.  This is music to my ears, and I hope to see Powell cement his position as more then a 3rd down back for the Jets this season.  His first chance to show that will be against the Bengals.

Other players to keep your eye on:

• TE Josh Baker – Baker is officially listed as a FB/TE, and has been mixed in with the first and second team offenses in camp.
• WR Patrick Turner - Turner has had an excellent camp so far, and could earn himself regularly playing time with good performances in preseason.
• K Josh Brown – The most underrated position battle in Jets camp is between kicker Nick Folk and the newly added Brown.
• T Austin Howard - With Wayne Hunter sitting out due to his back, Howard will get a chance to show what he’s got at right tackle.

Shahmeer is a regular contributor to The Green Room. You can follow him on Twitter, @shehzada_ 

The annual Green and White scrimmage will be held tonight at the SUNY-Cortland stadium from 6-9 pm.  Traditionally the scrimmage is held on the practice field, but much like everything else Jets related this year, the scrimmage has been moved to accomodate the legions of fans interested in seeing the team play.

You’ll have to be IN Cortland to see the scrimmage tonight, as it will NOT be broadcast on television or streamed online. (Amazing how we complain that ESPN is showing too much of the team and then when we actually want to see something, it is nowhere to be found).

Here’s a summary of some of the more significant storylines from the first week of camp:

1. Tebow Time on the Goal Line:  The Jets worked goal-line drills and short yardage plays on Thursday, and as part of that work, they unveiled a snippet of their Wildcat offense featuring back-up QB/punt protector extraordinaire Tim Tebow.

Tebow, playing with the second team, scored on three of four plays, including a rushing TD out of the Wildcat.

Worth nothing it was also Tebow’s best day of practice passing the ball, though it’s quite obvious that starting QB Mark Sanchez is worlds ahead of Tebow in that respect.

Outside of accuracy on short to intermediate throws, Tebow’s issue has been reading the field and holding the ball too long. Rex Ryan told the media he plans to use buzzers to speed up this process for all the quarterbacks, particularly Tebow and third-stringer Greg McElroy

In terms of how much Tebow we can expect to see this year? Rex says “They don’t know” and it could be 20, 2, 50 snaps. So, much like everything else, wait and see.

2. The Offense is Behind the Defense: Unfortunately, the impressive show from the offense on Thursday was negated by another disappointing performance on Friday.

BUT, let’s be careful not to make too much of these daily QB stats from camp — and I don’t just mean the ones from Cortland either. With the increasing popularity of Twitter and the ESPN wall-to-wall coverage, it’s been very overblown.

Michael Tanier from Football Outsiders, a sight I love and frequent often, went on a lengthy twitter “rant” yesterday about this very subject; I suggest you check it out. Tanier’s main point is that the context of  what the coaches are working on, both offensively and defensively, is rarely known to the observers and that taking the stats out of context is a fool’s errand.

As Tanier explains, “The result is a gross case of false precision in data. Better to be subjective than disseminate bad data.”

3. Aaron “Mayhem” Mayin Continues to Impress: I mentioned on Tuesday that Maybin been one of the stars of camp so far, working hard and impressing both the coaching staff, the media and fans. Several sources who attended camp told me they had Maybin working in the base defense as well, which may mean more regular playing time for him this season.

Photo from newyorkjets.com.

4. RB Bilal Powell Stepping Up: Powell has been taking some first-team reps and, from ALL accounts, is looking very good. I have personally spoken to at least a dozen people who attended training camp this week, and all have reported that Powell has shown a lot of burst, ability to run between the tackles, ability to block and is catching passes out of the backfield. Sounds like he could be the leading candidate for the third down back role, ahead of RB Joe McKnight, (though it sounds like McKnight is also playing very well).

ESPN’s Jane McManus wrote an excellent piece about Powell, describing what she has seen from the second-year running back. Also, Nick Spano and I spoke with Metro North writer Kristian Dyer about Powell last night on Flight 5 Live. Dyer confirmed everything I’ve heard about Powell.

Of course I cannot mention the running backs without also bringing up Greene, who, despite reports from Rex Ryan, doesn’t appear to be impressing anyone all that much. Dyer, in the interview from last night, explained that he looks sluggish and isn’t really proving himself to be the bell cow this team needs.

» Continue reading “Wrapping Up Week One: Thoughts on Jets Training Camp”

The Jets have signed several players in the past few days, mostly just for bodies in camp. There will be many more of these in the next few weeks, so don’t get too excited/freaked out.

• DE Demario Ambrose from Arkansas. As a senior with the Razorbacks, Ambrose recorded 32 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
• WR Wes Kemp from Missouri and WR Chris Forcier from Furman. After injuries sidelined Jeremy Kerley (hamstring), Santonio Holmes (soreness/soft tissue), Chaz Schilens (groin) AND Scotty McKnight (hamstring) the Jets were in need of more bodies for camp. Don’t forget rooke WR Jordan White is also recovering from his foot injury.
• DB Marcus Lott from Coastal Carolina.
• S/DB Devon Torrence. Torrence played for the Bengals in 2011. Coincidence he was signed 7 days before the Jets first preseason game vs. Cinci? Probably. But I like to stir the pot a bit.

The roster is now at the 90 man maximum for training camp.

The team also waived FB Fui Vakapuna (I guess John Connor’s job is safe) and S Tracy Wilson this week.

“Hey. You holding?” said the team GM to another team GM. That’s what many Jets fans are envisioning and hoping for with news that of the 12 (yes, that is a dozen) wide receivers on the current Jets Training Camp roster, four were healthy as of practice yesterday and only five took to the field for today’s journey. (Note: The Jets have since added two more WRs to the depth chart.)

Notably absent and constantly scrutinized Santonio Holmes sat out everything but warm ups and quarterback Mark Sanchez made the quip, “can’t make the club from the tub”, referencing the cold tub so many athletes love and so many of us observers wonder how they can withstand. Witty–and sadly–accurate statement aside, I’m not really all that concerned over the WR corps and haven’t been even before this epidemic of soft-tissue injuries began to spread just as quickly as the news of it spread on my twitter timeline. But many people don’t like the sound of it, and many have wondered even before this issue arose, why we’re relying on one veteran receiver (who still hasn’t repaired the burned bridge he created with a lot of fans in the ’11 season and the months after) and a bunch of new guys and rookies.

Well here’s what I ask. Why not? Now, don’t get me wrong. I put full faith in nobody, so it’s not as if I’m saying I’m putting all my chips on the table for these guys, but why wouldn’t a fan feel energized about the possibilities here? Schilens’ career has been plagued with injuries. Got it. Holmes was a problem last season and he’s a Me guy. Got that, too. Rookies? Check. Patrick Turner who is at a make it or break it point with the team? Check to that, too.

But the thing that appeals to me is that you’re getting fresh guys and they all, in some way, have something to prove. What we’re not getting (and I include Holmes more in the previous group than in this one I’m about to mention), are entitled diva vets at the position who may not only be ME guys but they will be ME ONLY guys. There have been options out there throughout the offseason. Options that, for one reason or ten, Tannenbaum and the guys who make the calls have passed on.

» Continue reading “Soft Tissue For Your Issue? Why WR Panic Should Be Put On Pause”

Jeremy Kerley had a breakout rookie season last year for the Jets, stepping up and surprising after Derrick Mason’s dramatic exit left. Kerley demonstrated nice chemistry with Mark Sanchez and came up with several big plays in key moments, leaving expectations high for the receiver heading into his second year.

But Kerley has been struggling to learn Tony Sparano’s new offense, and Rex Ryan told the media today he is a little disappointed.

Jeremy needs to step it up because, quite honestly, I was a little disappointed in Jeremy in the offseason. He’s got to pick up the system, this new system. You got to put the time in. 

Of little help to Kerley is the fact that he will be now sidelined for the next or so with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately, he also missed the majority of OTAs for the same reason, which might explain, in part, why he is so behind.

The question is, is Kerley struggling to pick up the offense only because his nagging hamstring problems have kept him off the field? Ryan told the media that Kerley has previously demonstrated an excellent work ethic, and I would venture to guess the injury is the biggest factor here.

But hamstring injuries are very tricky, and the team needs to handle Kerley’s injury delicately. They also need to move ahead and make plans in the event Kerley is not healthy enough to play regularly and/or he is unable to pick up the offense. Rex assured the media that a plan is already in motion, presenting the idea of Santonio Holmes playing in the slot should Kerley not be ready to suit up.

Holmes and Hill. Photo c/o of @JetSerious, writer for The Jet Press.com.

Holmes was extremely effective in the slot in Pittsburgh, and regardless of how Kerley progresses, this is worth consideration. Keeping Holmes happy and getting the most out of him is also a high priority, and I think he could potentially do the most damage playing here.

Furthermore, Rex and the coaches seem highly impressed with both Schilens and Hill (then again, it’s rare they don’t offer glowing reviews), and provided they are ready to take on the roles on the outside, this  would maximize everyone’s abilities.

Either way, sounds like Sparano plans to roll out some very unique unique offensive packages that may or may not include CB Antonio Cromartie playing wide receiver (Wait, what?). Should be interesting.

Here are a few other highlight’s from today’s practice, which was open to the public.

• S LaRon Landry got his first day of practice in with the team. He worked with the second team: Eric Smith and Yeremiah Bell played with the ones.
• The Slauson/Ducasse LG competition is on. So there is that.
• OLB Aaron Maybin was impressive today, with two sacks.  Apparently Maybin also spent time playing on Special Teams
• CB Ellis Lankster also had a very impressive showing according to The Jets Blog’s Jake Steinberg and several other sources I spoke to in attendance.
• Per Jake Steinberg, “Joe McKnight was very impressive. John Griffin has great hands out of the backfield. And Bilal Powell looked amazing.”
• Sanchez went 6-for-8 with a sack, Tebow went 3-for-8, also with a sack.

The team will practice in pads on Sunday.

And what would this practice report be without a Tebow story or two? The big headline from today is that Tim Tebow was supposedly “heckled” by Jets fans. Apparently it was all of 5 people, which is hardly a fair representation of the 2,588 that attended.

Sounds like the “heckling” didn’t upset Tebow much; he felt comfortable enough to remove his shirt and run around in the rain. And I’ve got proof, thanks to this video.

Once a week until the start of free agency, I will be examining the positions of need for the Jets and what available free agents the team should target.

I will begin with the free agent wide receivers for two reasons:

1. It’s topical. The Jets have officially committed to keeping Santonio Holmes on the team, in addition to signing WR Patrick Turner to a one-year deal. (Plus, everyone is tweeting about like crazy).

2. I am prepping for a Fantasy Football chat I’m doing next week and I had to take a look at these guys anyway. Just being honest.

Let me be upfront about one thing before we proceed. It’s very easy to get caught up in dreaming about some of these guys coming to New York but the harsh reality is that the Jets don’t have a ton of cap room to spend (somewhere just north of $10 mill, without cuts, extensions or restructuring). Most of these guys are completely out of the team’s price range (based on the estimates I have seen) and since WR isn’t the only need (in fact, it’s not even close to the top need), the limited money must be spent wisely.

That said, let’s take a look at the top free agent wide receivers that will hit the market and the likelihood they end up in green.

It’s Not Gonna Happen

Wes Welker – Patriots are expected to franchise Welker, per Greg Bedard. It’s not even worth talking about.

Vincent Jackson – There was some question about whether or not Jackson would be available as a free agent but according to Kevin Acee of the Union Tribune, the Chargers are planning to release the wide receiver.

Jackson had been asking for $10plus million before being franchised last season, a price the Chargers could not afford . The 2012 WR franchise tag, which comes in at $9.4 mill, is still too steep, especially because Jackson will receive a bump on the franchise salary being that it would be his second successive season with the tag (as I understand it).

I guess all of that doesn’t really matter, because Jackson will be looking for a big pay day elsewhere. I also believe he will be seeking a nice, sunny and warm location (he likes to surf).

The Jets cannot offer either.

Dwayne Bowe – I foresee the Chiefs franchising Bowe. Without him, they are missing a major offensive playmaker and one of the team’s most identifiable stars.

Brandon Llyod – I’m willing to bet a pile of money this guy ends up in New England. He knows McDaniels’ system and Joshy loves the guy.

Lloyd himself even told the media he all but plans to end up working with McDaniels (he may or may not have been joking). And if that wasn’t enough, this moves makes sense for both the wide receiver and the team  hat McDaniel ultimately ended up with (because Deion Branch is a FA).

I would also imagine that the Rams will make a bid to keep Lloyd with Sam Bradford.

Marques Colston - If the Saints use their  franchise tag on Drew Brees, Colston and Meecham will both be out in the open market. Of the two, Coltson will be the more coveted and will command the higher price tag. I’m guessing the Saints will make a good bid to get him back but it will cost whatever team he ends up with a good chunk of change to land him.

Stevie Johnson - Johnson is a play maker and even thought he acts like a stupid dumb-head a lot the time, there are many teams that would bend over backwards to get this guy on their team.

Word is that Johnson and the Bills are very far apart on a deal, but that doesn’t mean that the Bills are above slapping him with a francise tag.

Johnson obviously wants a huge paycheck (supposedly around $7.5 mill) and the Jets simply can’t give it to him. I see him either staying in Buffalo or heading to San Diego or New Orleans.

Jordy Nelson - Keep dreaming.

Mike Wallace (RFA) – Nope.

Hmm, Maybe? But Probably Not

DeSean Jackson – Jackson is extremely talented and his youth, speed and upside are attractive for any team. But his attitude would just be a nightmare for the Jets, especially opposite Santonio Holmes. We would need a full time babysitter.

Early reports indicate the Eagles will franchise Jackson, which would also make him unavailable.

Lastly, Jackson’s agent is Drew Rosenhaus and I don’t like that guy.

Reggie Wayne - Wayne is getting up there and age and will be looking for a big pay day. Wayne still has a lot to offer but the Jets likely can’t afford him.

Mario Manningham – The Giants have a big decision to make about Manningham. Though he played a pivitol role in the Super Bowl victory, the word on the street is that the Giants are not comfortable paying a #3 receiver the kind of money Manningham desires. (The emergence of Victor Cruze has further complicated matters because the Giants can let Manningham and still feel comfortable with the talent that remains).

Many teams will be targeting Mario Manningham as a number #1 receiver and looking to pay him as such. The Redskins have emerged as an early favorite.

Mannigham is also working with Rosenhaus. Ho hum.

The More Likely

Colts WR Pierre Garcon

Laurent Robinson – Robinson has stated publicly he would like to remain in Dallas, but after his breakout season he could command a nice salary that frankly, the Cowboys may not be able to afford.

I love this guy’s talent and I think he could be a fantastic addition to the offense in addition to part of a longer term solution.

Pierre Garcon – The Colts have THREE free agent wide receivers they are going to have to deal with this off-season (Garcon, Wayne, Gonzalez) and not all of them are going to be able to stay in Indy. Garcon is still young (25) and fast.

Jerome Simpson- Love this guy’s talent, but do we really need two guys with marijuana charges on the same team? Trrouubble.

Simpson would definitely be affordable and has right size and speed, but it’s simply a risk the team cannot take given his legal troubles.

Robert Meachem - It’s highly unlikely the Saints are going to be able to keep both Colston and Meecham, and it would imagine it Meachem will become the off man out.

Meachem is the most ideal fit (with his size and skills) for a complimentary role in the Jets offense and for a far more affordable than some of the high-profile guys.

The Rest 

Braylon Edwards – The reason that Braylon is such an attractive option boils down to two things. 1. Prior experience on team 2. The price is right.

I’m not saying this the best option, but it is a realistic one.

Steve Smith – I have a funny feeling he ends up back with the Giants.

Plaxico Burress – He’s not coming back to NY. Yeah, yeah — Tell me something I don’t know, Kristine.

There’s also that whole Philly rumor thing.

Jerricho Cotchery - I bet the Steelers try to get him back. Things worked out well for him in Pittsburgh and with Hines Ward supposed release (or retirement), the Steelers could certainly use him.

Harry Douglas

Early Doucet

Anthony Gonzalez

Ted Ginn

Deion Branch

Eddie Royal 

Complete list of 2012 FA Wide Receivers.

WR SAntonio Holmes will remain a Jet

The Jets are officially moving forward with their financial commitment to wide receiver Santonio Holmes.

Holmes 2012 salary, which will come in at $7.5 million, became fully guaranteed Tuesday when he remained on the roster at the 4 pm deadline (the  second day of the waiver period).

He is now guaranteed a total $15.25 mill from the organization with his combined 2012 and 2013 salaries.

I have been extremely apprehensive about Holmes remaining on the roster, the great majority of it stemming from the  receivers behavior and attitude (which, in my opinion, goes far beyond his actions at the end of this season). Holmes piss-poor, me-first attitude has been well documented throughout his career and from where I sit, he has shown little effort to improve.

While this does appear to be a financial decision, Woody Johnson has stated that the retention of Holmes had nothing to do with the guaranteed money and after carefully examining the financials, I do believe Johnson, to a degree.

The options under Holmes’ contract are such that a player can be released prior to the beginning of the waiver period in February without paying him the full guarantee, which in Holmes’ case is $7+ million. If he was to land with another team, the Jets would have been out out $12.75 mill in cap before any credits from Holmes’ new team. As  Jason Fitzgerald of NYJetsCap.com points out, if the Jets wanted to move Holmes, the best option would have been to find a team willing to pay Holmes his guaranteed money, lessening the blow for the Jets against the cap. If that team could assume that guaranteed money, the Jets would’ve only be out a few million.

» Continue reading “Jets 2012 Season Begins, Holmes Will Remain”

WR Santonio Holmes finds himself the subject of headlines on a regular basis.

Santonio Holmes got paid this summer. Well, technically he is going to get paid for the next 5 years. $45 million dollars to be exact. But even all that money hasn’t kept Santonio from being the subject of controversial headlines surrounding his happiness.

And it’s not all his fault.

A report surfaced last week (from Pro Football Talk–surprise!) that Holmes is less than pleased  with his role in the Jets offense in a story titled, “Santonio Holmes Still Unhappy with his Role.” Very creative.

Given how vocal Holmes had been in weeks past, I was dying to see where Mike Florio got his information about Holmes’ unhappiness; I was looking for a source or a quote. Instead, I got, “The biggest problem, in our assessment and as we understand it, is that receiver Santonio Holmes remains thoroughly dissatisfied with his role in the offense.”

Wait. a. second.  ”In our assessment and as we understand it?” Based on what? Your own opinion?

The report followed the San Diego game, which was a relatively quiet performance from Holmes. But, it was a week ago and during the bye, so I disregarded it as yet another example of the irresponsible journalism we have grown so accustomed to these days. But the PFT article reclaimed it’s relevancy this week when Holmes was asked to comment on the report.

Holmes took the opportunity to deny his “unhappiness” in a chat with the media on Wednesday.

“Never heard that one. Next question. I didn’t talk to anybody about it. Never heard about it.”

Good answer, dude. Definitely an improvement upon your last sound-off. Also, good rule of thumb: Never feed the trolls.

When Holmes was asked specifically if he was happy with his role, Holmes replied, “We’re here winning ballgames right now.”

While it’s quite possible to read between the lines on that one (that he’s probably not too pleased his isn’t the center of everything), Holmes has a point: His most recent role in the offense is directly equal to the team winning games.

» Continue reading “Stats are for Losers: The Santonio Holmes Story”

This weekend’s headlines are all about Wide Receivers..

Randy Moss to the Jets? With all due respect to the writer of this article, ARE YOU SERIOUS? I thought we killed this whole thing weeks ago.  It appears this article was inspired by Titans G.M  Mike Reinfeldt’s comments on Friday that the Titans would not be having Moss back with the team in 2011.  I’ve said it once and I will say it now..Randy. Moss. Will. Not. Be. a. Jet.

New York Jets Reunite Childhood Friends: Article examining the relationship between Jets QB Mark Sanchez and WR Scotty McKnight, who have been friends since they were children.

Could the Jets Target Wide Receiver Steve Smith? Apparently, Steve Smith wants to be traded from Carolina.  It seems like every free-agent wide receiver is “possibly” going to become a Jet this off-season and Smith is no exception.  This article even mentions T.O. as being on the list of “contingency” plans for Mike Tannenbaum.  For now, I am not putting too much stock in any of this speculation, as believe it is ONLY that: speculation.