GROUND AND POUND: Jets running back Bilal Powell (right) has had a strong training camp so far, but he is the lone bright spot among a backfield full of questions in a preseason that despite some problems has gone better than expected so far. (
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CORTLAND — The Jets are 11 days deep into training camp and four days away from their first preseason game. Let’s take a look at five things we’ve learned so far:
GANG GENO
The quarterback competition between Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith is the big story of training camp, and so far Smith has been stealing the spotlight. The rookie second-round draft pick came into camp much more assertive than he was in the spring, and is making very few mistakes. Smith has yet to thrown an interception during team drills. The one knock that could be put on Smith is he holds onto the ball too long.
The next test comes Friday night when the Jets travel to Detroit to face the Lions. If Smith plays well in the first two preseason games, the starting job likely will be his. One of the criticisms on Smith coming out of college was he could not handle adversity. If the Lions hit him hard, pay attention to how he responds.
GOOD HANDS
During the spring, the Jets looked as if they had no wide receivers. Several were injured and those on the field were dropping every pass thrown their way. But the group has performed better in training camp. No one is going to compare this group to the NFL’s great receiving corps, but they at least look competent.
Santonio Holmes remains sidelined and he has told friends he expects to miss at least the first four games of the season. Stephen Hill is healthy and is catching the ball. Clyde Gates has been one of the stars of camp. The speedster looks as if he has improved his route running. If this group can improve, whoever the quarterback is will have a chance.
ON THE RUN
While the receivers have answered some questions, the running backs seem to create more every day. First, Mike Goodson failed to report to camp for personal reasons. Then, Chris Ivory felt hamstring tightness that has kept him from practicing fully. Joe McKnight has battled dehydration and now a head injury. Bilal Powell has looked good, but the Jets currently have no idea what their running back rotation will look like because of all these question marks.
WHO’S THE BOSS?
New general manager John Idzik has stayed in the background for most of training camp, but he made waves early when he refused to say coach Rex Ryan had the final say on who the Jets would chose as starting quarterback. Idzik got his first taste of what a New York media brushfire feels like.
Did the story get too much play? Probably. But there was something curious about Idzik refusing to budge when pushed by reporters over whether Ryan would have final say over on-field matters. Idzik said he would have a “pretty big role” in picking the quarterback. With this shotgun marriage of Idzik and Ryan every word and interaction between the two is going to be studied for meaning. Idzik should get used to it.
HE’S DEE MAN
Rookie cornerback Dee Milliner missed the first few days of camp because of a contract holdout, then was eased into practice. But Milliner started the Green and White scrimmage Saturday night and looks as if he will be a major contributor immediately.
Smith has taken away some of the normal attention paid to the first-round picks, something that could benefit Milliner and defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson. Milliner looks healthy after shoulder surgery and the receivers have been impressed with his play so far.
* The Jets released wide receiver Jordan White and cornerback Eric Crocker yesterday. They signed wide receiver Michael Campbell, running back Mossis Madu and center Erik Cook.