Tag: Pierre Desir

Jets injury report: Vyncint Smith latest WR to miss practice

Vyncint Smith’s core injury leaves the Jets very thin at wide receiver.

The Jets’ wide receivers group is getting thinner by the day.

Vyncint Smith became the second Jets receiver to go down with an injury as he missed Sunday’s practice with a core issue. Smith will see a specialist on Monday.

Denzel Mims missed his second straight day of practice with a hamstring injury. Adam Gase gave no update on a timetable for his return. With two injured receivers, the Jets signed free agent Chris Hogan. He won’t be able to practice for a few days until he goes through all the COVID-19 protocols, though.

Elsewhere, Cameron Clark is week to week as he deals with a shoulder injury. Brian Poole sat out of Sunday’s practice due to dehydration.

Pierre Desir also missed his second day of practice because of a hamstring injury. The injury isn’t considered serious, though. Bronson Kaufusi (hamstring) and Jabari Zuniga (quad) missed a second consecutive day of practice as well.

Jets injury report: Denzel Mims, Frank Gore, Pierre Desir miss practice with hamstrings

Denzel Mims, Frank Gore and two other Jets players missed practice due to hamstring injuries.

The Jets are one practice in and they’re already dealing with injuries.

New York completed its first official practice of training camp with no pads on Friday, but without a few key players. Denzel Mims, Frank Gore, Pierre Desir and Bronson Kaufusi all missed practice with hamstring injuries. Rookie Jabari Zuniga sat out of practice due to a quad injury.

Adam Gase said Mims took an awkward step while running routes on air a couple of days ago. Gase added that it’s not ideal for Mims, a rookie, to miss practice due to injury considering there were no OTAs or minicamp this offseason. Gase mentioned that the Jets could bring in a veteran wide receiver if Mims is out for an extended period of time.

Vyncint Smith got reps as the No. 3 wide receiver in place of Mims.

As for Gore, Gase said he tweaked his hamstring last week and the Jets sat him out of practice as a precaution. Gore has been doing some group work, though.

8 Jets who need to be better in 2020

Jets Wire takes a look at eight players who need to take their game up a notch for New York in 2020.

Joe Douglas spent the entire offseason revamping the Jets’ roster. He reworked the offensive line, brought back two impact defenders, added two more in free agency, gave Sam Darnold two new weapons to work with and used the NFL draft to address any remaining needs.

It’s going to take much more than a few free-agent signings and draft picks for New York to contend in 2020, though.

The Jets’ roster is littered with players who underperformed in 2019 and need to flip the script beginning in Week 1 against the Bills. Some of those players have been with New York for years, while others are new to the organization. Either way, any chance at success in 2020 hinges on eight players being significantly better than they were a year ago.

Let’s take a look at who those players are

Sam Darnold

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

It goes without saying that the Jets have a lot riding on Sam Darnold entering 2020. New York needs consistency out of the quarterback position if it wants to contend. That is something Darnold has not been able to bring to the table since his rookie season.

The hope is that year three is the one where Darnold finally takes the leap Adam Gase and company have been waiting for. He has a good enough arm to succeed and the flashes of potential he has shown since 2018 are a testament to the kind of player he can be when he is on his game.

The Jets will go as Darnold goes this upcoming season. If he struggles again, it’s going to be a long year at One Jets Drive.

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2020 New York Jets Position Preview: Cornerback

Jets Wire breaks down New York’s cornerback room with training camp and the 2020 season approaching.

With the NFLPA player reps officially approving the NFL’s proposal and training camp just a short ways away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.

Cornerback was one of the Jets’ worst units in 2019. Gregg Williams and Dennard Wilson got the most they could out of the team’s ragtag group, but when teams were beating the Jets last season they were doing it through the air. With the addition of Pierre Desir and the re-signing of Brian Poole, New York’s cornerback room should improve in 2020. However, a lot remains uncertain.

As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will provide a look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s break down the cornerback room at One Jets Drive.

The Starters

The Jets brought in Desir to stabilize the team’s secondary and provide the consistency that neither Trumaine Johnson nor Darryl Roberts could supply during their time in New York.

Desir’s 2019 season was met with a drop in production, as he allowed opposing quarterbacks to complete 64.9 percent of their passes with a 96.5 passer rating against him. At the same, Desir brings a veteran presence to the unit, starting 23 games in Indianapolis over the past two seasons. As he returns from a nagging hamstring injury that cost him four games during the 2019 campaign, Desir figures to be Gregg Williams’ go-to cornerback on the outside.

Returning in the slot is Poole, who was one of the best nickel cornerbacks in the NFL last season. In his first season in green and white, Poole recorded 62 tackles, four tackles for loss, six pass defenses and a pick-six. Poole allowed the fewest yards per cover snap out of the slot last season, according to Michael Nania. Overall, Poole allowed just 0.526 yards per cover snap, which ranked second-best among cornerbacks, behind only Richard Sherman.

Not only is Poole dependable in coverage, but he also isn’t afraid to stick his nose out at the line of scrimmage. Poole had the second-most tackles for loss (4) among qualified cornerbacks and the third most pressures (11), per Nania.

Depth

The Jets’ No. 2 cornerback spot is up for grabs. Entering his second year in the NFL, Bless Austin has the inside track at starting opposite of Desir, but the additions of Bryce Hall and Quincy Wilson will create competition.

Austin finished his rookie season with 25 tackles, four passes defended and a forced fumble in seven games. He ended the season in Williams’ doghouse after getting beaten for a touchdown in the Jets’ Week 16 win over the Steelers, but he should find himself back into the equation once training camp gets underway.

After suffering a gruesome ankle injury that prematurely ended his senior season at the University of Virginia, Hall is making steady progress as he continues his recovery. He has spent a lot of time soaking up knowledge from Williams, so he’ll be ready when his number is called.

As for Wilson, a change of scenery was much needed for the former second-round pick. The Jets took a flier on him after he fell out of favor in Indianapolis. Standing at 6-foot-2, Wilson has the size, length, ball skills and versatility to make an impact in Gang Green’s secondary.

Among the other players competing to be a depth piece in the secondary are Arthur Maulet, Nate Hairston, Lamar Jackson, Javelin Guidry and Shyheim Carter.

Outlook

The Jets’ cornerback room leaves a lot to be desired. New York is far removed from having a No. 1 shutdown cornerback but has the capable pieces to keep opposing teams in check, much like the unit did down the stretch last season.

With the position group’s depth decimated by injuries in 2019, the Jets were able to bounce back and finish 17th in the NFL against the pass, allowing 236.2 yards per game. That has a chance to improve in 2020, especially with the new additions.

See more from Jets Wire’s Position Previews series:

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL | DL | MLB | OLB | S

Jets’ Pierre Desir, Frank Gore among players to call out NFL over coronavirus protocols

Pierre Desir and Frank Gore were among the Jets players to take to Twitter to call out the NFL coronavirus protocols on Sunday.

Players around the NFL are not happy with the league’s inability to come to an agreement on safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

With teams set to report to training camp beginning on Monday, the NFL has yet to etch out the details of its plan to protect its players from coronavirus. Social distancing guidelines have been established, but the league is still negotiating many details of its plan for player safety, including testing frequency and the number of preseason games that will be played.

On Sunday, numerous players around the NFL took to Twitter to speak out and voice their concerns with the season inching closer. Among them were Jets running back Frank Gore, linebacker Avery Williamson, cornerback Pierre Desir and Brian Poole, all of whom had plenty to say as they prepare to report to One Jets Drive on Thursday.

NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith and president JC Tretter addressed the union’s concerns in a video teleconference call with reporters on Friday in which they called for daily testing. A joint committee of doctors, trainers and strength coaches formed by the NFL and NFLPA recommended testing occur every other day.

Jets players will begin reporting to training camp on Tuesday with the rookies being the first to head back to team facilities. Quarterbacks and injured players will report on Thursday, while the remainder of the team is set to return on July 28. Players can choose not to report, but under the collective bargaining agreement, teams can fine players who do not show up for camp.

4 ways a canceled 2020 NFL season could impact the Jets

Jets Wire breaks down four ways the Jets will be impacted by a canceled 2020 season.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still in full swing, there is a chance the Jets do not take the field in 2020.

Although the NFL is moving toward re-opening team facilities in preparation for the upcoming season, there are still major questions about the league’s ability to play this Fall. According to National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director Anthony Fauci, the NFL would have to emulate a “bubble” format similar to what the MLS and NBA have discussed in order to play in 2020.

“Unless players are essentially in a bubble — insulated from the community and they are tested nearly every day — it would be very hard to see how football is able to be played this fall,” Fauci told CNN. “If there is a second wave, which is certainly a possibility and which would be complicated by the predictable flu season, football may not happen this year.”

NFL chief medical officer Dr. Allen Sills acknowledged Fauci’s comments and said the league is working toward addressing issues to mitigate health risks, but that is far from a guarantee that football will be a go come September. The same goes for playing a full season.

So, what would a canceled 2020 season mean for the Jets? Here are some ways New York *could* be impacted if Fauci’s concerns come to fruition.

Christopher Johnson’s final days running the show?

Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

Even if football is played this Fall, Christopher Johnson’s days running the Jets could be numbered.

Woody Johnson’s term as United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom is set to end at the end of 2020. Assuming he decides not to take on another term or if Donald Trump loses November’s presidential election, Johnson will return to the States full time and will likely reassume control of the team he bought in 2000.

This means that Christopher will likely return to a secondary role in the organization. It will be interesting to see how the transition goes, as Christopher endeared himself to the players throughout his tenure as CEO — especially in light of recent social and racial injustices in America. Either way, there is a chance Christopher’s time in the spotlight could be over once football returns.

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Several Jets sign Players Coalition petition urging Congress to end qualified immunity for police

Jets players joined more than 1,400 other athletes urging Congress to pass a bill that would help in the fight against police brutality.

Hundreds of athletes across the NFL, NBA and MLB joined forces Wednesday to sign and send a Players Coalition letter asking Congress to pass the Ending Qualified Immunity Act, a bill that would fight against police brutality. 

Among the more than 1,400 signatures from players, coaches and front office members were a couple of current and former Jets. Cornerback Pierre Desir, wide receiver Breshad Perriman and defensive lineman Quinnen Williams signed the petition, as did at least 37 others with Jets ties, according to ESPN. That included Demario Davis, Kelvin Beachum, Josh McCown and Ty Montgomery.

Congressional representatives Justin Amash (L-MI) and Ayanna Pressley (D-MA) introduced the bill after George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were killed by police. The act would eliminate qualified immunity, which protects members of law enforcement and government officials from Americans who try to sue them when they believe their constitutional rights have been violated.

The Players Coalition, an independent organization that works with sports figures to improve social and racial justice, urged Congress in its letter to make necessary changes to improve the safety of American citizens. 

“We are tired of conversations around police accountability that go nowhere, and we have engaged in too many ‘listening sessions,’ where we discuss whether there is a problem of police violence in this country,” the Players Coalition wrote. “There is a problem. The world witnessed it when Officer [Derek] Chauvin murdered George Floyd, and the world is watching it now, as officers deploy enormous force on peaceful protestors like those who were standing outside of the White House last week.”

This is the second time the Players Coalition, founded by Saints safety Malcolm Jenkins and former NFL wide receiver Anquan Boldin in 2017, reached out to government officials in the past month. On May 8, the coalition asked U.S. Attorney General William Barr and FBI Director Christopher Wray to investigate the death Ahmaud Arbery, who was shot and killed in February while he was out for a run in Georgia.

The cross-sport collaboration by the coalition wants to see real improvements when it comes to stopping police brutality, and it starts with the Ending Qualified Immunity Act.

“It is time for Congress to eliminate qualified immunity and it can do so by passing the Amash-Pressley Bill,” the coalition continued in the letter. “When police officers kill an unarmed man, when they beat a woman, or when they shoot a child, the people of this country must have a way to hold them accountable in a court of law.

“The time for debate about the unchecked authority of the police is over; it is now time for change.”

Jets free agent target Logan Ryan seeking $10 million per year

The Jets would have to get creative with the cap in order to sign free-agent defensive back Logan Ryan.

Logan Ryan has a price in mind as the fight for his services moves forward. 

The veteran free agent defensive back is looking for at least $10 million annually, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. It’s the same annual salary he earned over the past three seasons with the Titans. The Jets and Dolphins both have interest in him, but Logan said he’s still “open for business.”

The Jets need another cornerback, but would Douglas be willing to hand out at least a one-year, $10 million deal for the 29-year-old? Douglas has been frugal with the Jets’ money in his first season as the general manager and signed only one player to a contract that exceeded $9.1 million annually (tackle George Fant). He’s also only given out two contracts with more than $10 million in guaranteed money (Fant and center Connor McGovern).

If it’s a matter of cap space, the Jets won’t have enough to sign Ryan and their draft picks until either June 1 – when they’ll earn $11 million in cap relief from cutting Trumaine Johnson – or by cutting one or two players. The Jets have around $13 million in cap space after signing Frank Gore and need around $9.8 million to sign their nine rookies, per ESPN’s Rich Cimini. They can save an additional $7.28 million by cutting guard Brian Winters and/or $6.5 million if they cut linebacker Avery Williamson.

There are also cheaper options or perhaps more pressing needs that could take the Jets out of the running for than Ryan. If Douglas is hard-set on getting another veteran cornerback, he could look at Dre Kirkpatrick, Eli Apple or Brandon Carr to round out his secondary. The offensive line could still use some cleaning up and veteran tackle Jason Peters and three-time Pro Bowl guard Larry Warford are still on the open market. Each would individually cost less than Ryan. 

This doesn’t bode well for Ryan’s potential future in New York, especially given his age and position. But the price isn’t terribly high for a player of Ryan’s caliber considering other cornerbacks in Ryan’s age range signed for more lucrative deals this offseason. Ryan also had a career year in 2019 for the Titans with 113 combined tackles, 18 pass breakups, 4.5 sacks, four forced fumbles and four interceptions. He’s a great fit for the Jets’ defense and would be a phenomenal addition to a secondary featuring Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Pierre Desir, Brian Poole, Bless Austin and rookies Bryce Hall and Ashytn Davis.

Ryan is obviously the best defensive back left in free agency, but he’ll cost the Jets a good amount of their remaining 2020 salary cap if Douglas pulls the trigger. He’ll also need to compete with the Dolphins, who have more money and the appeal of no state income tax in Florida. Ryan would absolutely strengthen the Jets’ overall defense and fit well with Gregg Williams, but he might be too expensive right now.

This will be a matter of Douglas’ desire to pay top dollar for a position of need or let another team swoop in and give Ryan what he wants. It wouldn’t be shocking for either scenario to unfold but would show how far Douglas is willing to go for certain players.

As rumors heat up, Logan Ryan is still a great fit for Jets

According to reports, the Jets are in contact with free-agent cornerback Logan Ryan.

Could the Jets be close to adding a veteran cornerback to their secondary?

According to Brian Costello of the New York Post, the Jets have had contract discussions with representatives for free-agent cornerback Logan Ryan. However, no formal offer has been made to Ryan and there is no strong feeling within the organization about whether he will actually sign with the team.

After the Jets drafted Ashtyn Davis, who could potentially line up at cornerback, Bryce Hall and traded for Colts cornerback Quincy Wilson, it remained to be seen if general manager Joe Douglas and company would have any interest in adding Ryan given New York’s newfound depth at the position. Now, it seems like the Jets are exploring the possibility.

Ryan, 29, is coming off arguably the best season of his career, setting new highs in tackles (113), pass deflections (18), sacks (4.5) and forced fumbles (four). Ryan also added four interceptions as a member of a Tennessee Titans defense that reached the AFC Championship Game.

Despite his strong showing throughout 2019, there is a major blemish on Ryan’s resume. He allowed the most yards (967) of any cornerback in football, per Michael Nania. However, Ryan also saw the most targets (114) at his position and played the third-most coverage snaps (623), causing his yardage allowed total to become somewhat inflated. Ryan gave up only 41 first downs on those 114 targets, which limited opposing wide receivers below the league average of 40.1 percent first downs per target.

Ryan is not an elite corner, but he could be exactly what the Jets need at this point in time. A duo of Ryan and Pierre Desir would be an immediate upgrade over what New York had on the outside at cornerback last season and would give defensive coordinator Gregg Williams two established defensive backs to insert into his scheme.

If the Jets are serious about their pursuit of Ryan, there may be some financial hurdles that need to be cleared before a deal can come to fruition, as New York only has $14.2 million remaining in salary cap space. This could mean the end for Brian Winters’ tenure with the team, as releasing him would free up $7.28 million, likely enough to sign Ryan. It could also mean Avery Williamson’s time with the Jets is up, as New York would clear $6.5 million in cap space by releasing him.

If all financial hurdles are cleared and Ryan, who grew up in New Jersey and played his college football at Rutgers, is interested in a homecoming, adding him to the secondary could be exactly what the doctor ordered for the Jets. At the very least, it looks like the wheels for such a move to occur are now in motion.

Jets roster serving as a stable for ex-Colts

The Jets have 11 former Colts players on their roster.

You might as well call the Jets the New York Colts with the amount of former Indianapolis players on the roster.

The Jets have 11 former Colts players under contract. That includes Thomas Hennessy, Matthias Farley, Nate Hairston, Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson, Ross Travis, Henry Anderson, Tarell Basham, Pierre Desir, Jonotthan Harrison and Josh Andrews.

Of these 11 players, six of them were acquired under Joe Douglas and five under Mike Maccagnan. Farley, Hairston, Wilson, Travis, Desir and Andrews are Douglas guys while Hennessy, Maulet, Anderson, Basham and Harrison are Maccagnan’s doing.

Not many of the former Colts have made a huge impact with the Jets. Hennessy has been the most consistent player as the Jets’ long snapper for the past few years. Anderson had a good first season with the Jets with seven sacks but followed that up with a lousy 2019 season. Basham started to come on last season.

Harrison, meanwhile, has been in and out as a starter on the offensive line. Hairston was a major disappointment last year and Farley barely stepped foot on the field. Maulet was a solid depth piece at cornerback and made some good plays on special teams. Desir, Wilson, Andrews and Travis have yet to put on a Jets uniform.

New York seems to have a good relationship with the folks over in Indianapolis. Not only did the two teams pull off a couple of trades this past season, but Maccagnan traded with the Colts before the 2018 draft to move up to the third overall pick. That pick, of course, turned into Sam Darnold.