CORTLAND — Perhaps there will be a time when the Jets offense finds a productive rhythm that can make it the kind of point-scoring machine that can challenge for a playoff berth. Until then, it’s the little signs of progress that offer encouragement.
As a unit, the offense wasn’t much to brag about during Saturday night’s Green and White scrimmage at SUNY-Cortland, but the surprise play of Greg Salas will keep his name in the mix of wide receivers vying for a spot on the final roster.
The offense might not have scored a touchdown, but Salas made the biggest impression of any player in the annual scrimmage by catching five passes for 54 yards. He had one drop that won’t look good on the film, but his catches had Jets head coach Rex Ryan complimenting his game.
“He’s not a blazer by any means,” Ryan said. “But he can certainly catch the football. He gets open and he competes as a blocker. Those are all good things.”
The receiving corps is crowded without much unproven talent. Eric Decker is the high-priced free agent brought in from Denver. But otherwise the Jets are hoping someone emerges from the list of familiar faces. Stephen Hill has had a good camp thus far. So have Clyde Gates, Jeremy Kerley and David Nelson. Saalim Hakim, Michael Campbell and Jacoby Ford are also competing for a roster spot. But it was Salas who separated himself from the group on Saturday night.
“It felt great to get out here and make a couple of plays,” he said, “just making an impression on the coaches, I guess.”
Salas played with both quarterbacks, Geno Smith and Michael Vick. He caught a 14-yard pass over the middle from Vick and a 15-yarder from Smith.
“Greg Salas had a great night tonight,” Vick said. “I threw one ball across the middle and I cannot believe he caught it. I tried to put everything I had into it. He has great hands and he’s one guy that’s been a good friend of mine since my days in Philadelphia.”
Salas was signed off the Eagles practice squad last October, and appeared in eight games for the Jets, catching eight passes for 143 yards. But he is in a battle to remain on the squad, which is why making a solid impression Saturday night was especially important. “There are some players here … that have something locked up at wide receiver,” said Salas, who was probably referring to Hill and Decker. “But behind those guys, I feel like it’s pretty open. The coaches are giving guys a pretty fair shot at those spots behind them.”
Salas, a former standout at Hawaii who was drafted by the Rams, spent the offseason trying to bond with Smith, hoping to improve his chances of making the team. Salas traveled to Florida to train with Smith and worked diligently with him during OTAs and mini-camp. He also has a relationship with Vick, having been a part of the Eagles practice squad.
“I’m looking to bond with both of them and do what I can to make this team,” Salas said.
If not for Salas, it would have been a dreadful night for the Jets offense, whose best weapon was the scrambling legs of Vick. Smith did hit Hill for a 41-yard gain during an early series, but otherwise the offense didn’t do much except for the catches by Salas. The Jets are still looking for playmakers.
“You should want to be flashing,” Salas said. “You should want to show the coaches how bad you want it and how hard you’re willing to play for it. That’s all I’ve been doing. If I was the starter or not, I’d want to flash.”
Salas flashed the brightest Saturday night.