CINCINNATI — After a slight delay, the moment Calvin Pryor has been waiting for will arrive on Saturday night.
Pryor, the safety the Jets took with the 18th overall pick in the NFL Draft May, will suit up for his first NFL game against the Bengals on Saturday.
“Words can’t describe it,” Pryor said. “It’s my debut.”
Sure it’s just a preseason game, but Pryor will be wearing an NFL uniform for the first time. For him, it doesn’t matter that this one doesn’t count in the standings.
Pryor, a hard-hitting safety out of Louisville, missed the Jets’ first preseason game after suffering a concussion early in training camp. The injury kept Pryor out for more than a week and the Jets held him out of the game against the Colts.
The time with the trainers has Pryor itching to hit someone.
“I’ve been out too long,” Pryor said. “I felt like that concussion set me back. I was so ready to get back out on the football field. I have so much love and passion for the game.”
Pryor showed how anxious he was to hit someone this week in practice. During a non-contact period, Pryor drilled wide receiver Saalim Hakim. Jets coach Rex Ryan noticed that hit, and he likes what he has seen from his new safety. Ryan wants Pryor to get a lot of time against Cincinnati to make up for some of the lost time.
“That hit’s going to be for real on Saturday night,” Ryan said. “So, yeah, we’re definitely looking forward to it. He’s got to learn a lot. [When] you’re a rookie, you come in this league [and] there’s a lot to learn. But the best way to learn is to get out there and play, so you’re going to see him working with the ones, you’re going to see him with the twos [and] you’re going to see him with the threes. He needs some reps.”
There has been some thought Pryor might be hesitant to hit someone after suffering the concussion. Ryan laughed at the thought.
“This kid is not backing off,” Ryan said. “No, that is not happening, so I’m not looking for that.”
Pryor said this week he felt as if he was at about 90 percent, but said he would be 100 percent by the time kickoff came around Saturday.
Asked what fans can expect from him, Pryor said: “Just a guy who plays football very hard and very aggressive. I’ll probably do some talking. I’m just trying to make plays.”
When the Jets selected Pryor, they spoke about the Super Bowl champion Seahawks’ model of having an aggressive secondary. Pryor heard from Seattle safety Kam Chancellor after the draft, and said the two have maintained a dialogue. Pryor said he would like to play like Chancellor.
“He plays the game very aggressive and has a lot of range,” Pryor said. “He likes to come downhill and hit people. I’d say that is who I model my game after, but I’m in the NFL now, so I’m trying to be the best safety.”
The Jets would sign up for another version of Chancellor. The coaches do feel Pryor can be something special.
“Oh, he’s back, he’s healthy. He’s picking up the defense,” defensive coordinator Dennis Thurman said. “I think the guy has a chance to be big time. So we are working him back in, and we hope to get him some snaps this Saturday.”