The Jets have announced their roster cuts. Here are five things that jumped out at me.
1. I’m surprised they kept QB Graham Harrell. I figured he was a rental for the final preseason game just in case Matt Simms got hurt. Now, you have to wonder whether he is just hanging around until Mark Sanchez gets healthy or if he figures into their plans somehow.
2. They kept just five wide receivers. I think this either means they will add another today off waivers or Santonio Holmes is feeling pretty good. You would not go into the first game of the season with just four WRs.
3. Good for Ryan Spadola, Danny Lansanah, Kahlil Bell, Leger Douzable and Matt Simms. None of those guys were favorites to make the team when training camp opened, but they won jobs with how well they practiced and played in the last month.
4. All seven of John Idzik’s draft picks made the cut. I thought Will Campbell was going to end up on the practice squad, but he must have shown them something that I didn’t see. Oday Aboushi was on the bubble until Jason Smith played his way out of the NFL on Thursday night. If either of these two have to play early, that will be problematic.
5. Don’t put this roster in ink just yet. There will be more cuts Sunday when they pick up players off waivers and there will be changes during the week. Remember last year, Robert Malone and Clyde Gates both joined the team after the initial cuts.
The list of cuts: QB Greg McElroy (injury designation), OT Jason Smith, LB JoJo Dickson, DL Junior Aumavae, C Erik Cook, CB Mike Edwards, DL Tevita Finau, RB Mossis Madu (injury settlement), WR Mohamed Massaquoi, S Rontez Miles, DL Lanier Coleman, CB Royce Adams, WR Michael Campbell, LB Troy Davis, WR Ben Obomanu, TE Chris Pantale, WR Zach Rogers, LB Jacquies Smith and OT J.B. Shugarts. The Jets released K Dan Carpenter and DT Antonio Garay on Friday.
Here is the 53-man roster
Quarterbacks (4)
Mark Sanchez, Geno Smith, Matt Simms, Graham Harrell
Running Backs (4)*
Bilal Powell, Chris Ivory, Kahlil Bell, Tommy Bohanon
Wide Receivers (5)
Santonio Holmes, Stephen Hill, Jeremy Kerley, Clyde Gates, Ryan Spadola
Tight Ends (3)
Jeff Cumberland, Kellen Winslow, Konrad Reuland
Offensive Line (9)
Nick Mangold, D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Willie Colon, Austin Howard, Vladimir Ducasse, Brian Winters, Oday Aboushi, Caleb Schlauderaff, Will Campbell
Defensive Line (5)
Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Kenrick Ellis, Damon Harrison, Leger Douzable
Linebackers (10)
Quinton Coples, David Harris, Demario Davis, Calvin Pace, Antwan Barnes, Garrett McIntyre, Nick Bellore, Josh Mauga, Ricky Sapp, Danny Lansanah
Defensive Backs (10)
Antonio Cromartie, Dee Milliner, Kyle Wilson, Dawan Landry, Antonio Allen, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Josh Bush, Darrin Walls, Isaiah Trufant, Ellis Lankster
Specialists (3)
Nick Folk, Robert Malone, Tanner Purdum
*Mike Goodson is suspended through the first four games and does not count toward the 53-man roster.