Rex Ryan clearly has a soft spot for unheralded lunch pail-type players, the underrated overachievers who will run through a wall — or an opponent. Those are the players he had success with in Baltimore, and the kind of player he’s grooming in Jamaal Westerman.
The undrafted rookie free agent out of Rutgers is looking more and more like a lock to not only make this team, but contribute.
“He’ll get more opportunities as training camp goes on to make our football team. He’s got an excellent shot, and I’ve said that from early in camp. I really like the things he’s doing,” Ryan said. “You can use him a lot of different ways. You can use him with his hand in the dirt, you can use him inside, outside. We’re using him on special teams. I know [special teams coach] Mike (Westhoff) really likes what he’s done on teams as well.”
What hasn’t the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Westerman done? A defensive end at Rutgers, he’s been moved to outside linebacker, then inside linebacker and now calls plays on the field for the second team. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano’s penchant for having his defenders learn the whole scheme instead of just their assignments is serving Westerman well.
“They want me to play outside, inside, linebacker, D-line, whatever it is, I just try to go forward every day and be consistent,” said Westerman.
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OL Damien Woody won’t play in tomorrow’s preseason game in Baltimore, but Nick Mangold will.
Ryan said Shonn Greene is exceeding expectations in receiving and pass-blocking, the lack of which usually keeps rookie backs off the field. Ryan defended David Clowney, Brad Smith and Brad Smith, all of whom are vying with Chansi Stuckey for the No. 2 receiver spot.