Jets coach Rex Ryan sent second-year linebacker Quinton Coples a message yesterday.
Ryan, in what was clearly a calculated move, questioned Coples’ work ethic during his press conference.
“If Quinton doesn’t do a better job in the weight room, then he might have to … he’s going to have to compete like anyone else for a job,” Ryan said. “I’m a little disappointed in Q in the weight room the last day.”
Coples, taken 16th overall in 2012, has moved from defensive tackle/end to outside linebacker in the past two weeks. There are questions about how a 285-pound outside linebacker will work, but Ryan said his bigger concern is what he saw Thursday in the weight room.
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“It was yesterday [that disappointed],” Ryan said. “He’s been doing a great job, but any chance I have to get him [motivated] I’m going to. It’s like, I expect so much from him and if he lets up a little bit, we’re going to make sure he knows about it.”
* First-round CB Dee Milliner was mostly a spectator after having shoulder surgery in March. Milliner participated in walkthrough drills, but no positional or team drills.
Milliner, the No. 9 overall pick out of Alabama, said he will be ready for training camp at the end of July.
* Ryan praised the team’s other first-round pick, defensive lineman Sheldon Richardson.
“He was impressive to say the least,” Ryan said.
Richardson, the No. 13 overall pick out of Missouri, moved around the line, playing some nose tackle and tackle.
* Fifth-round pick OT Oday Aboushi and sixth-round pick Will Campbell signed their contracts yesterday morning before practice began. The Jets have three unsigned draft picks — Geno Smith, Milliner and Richardson.
* Ryan had good things to say about wide receiver Zach Rogers, an undrafted free agent from Tennessee.
“I thought he stood out,” Ryan said. “He caught a lot of balls out there. … I saw him return punts and he did a good job on special teams drills.”
Rogers was wearing No. 15, last worn by another special teams star for the Jets — Tim Tebow.
* Draft pick jersey numbers: Milliner — 27, Richardson — 91, Smith — 7, Brian Winters — 67, Aboushi — 75, Campbell — 65 and Tommy Bohanon — 40.