By Tom Rock
I had to chuckle at one of Eric Mangini’s comments today. He was asked about Jonathan Vilma and said “Like everybody else, he’s one of the hardest working guys on the team.” That brings the art of saying nothing to a new level.
Mangini also said RB Cedric Houston has “a shot” at playing this weekend, though he had trouble keeping a straight face for that one. Houston wasn’t out at practice with the team today and will probably be out for a few weeks.
One guy who will be playing is WR Laveranues Coles. Apparently so fed up by the badgering questions of reporters about his health following what looked like a serious injury on that final play against the Colts, Coles violated team policy and responded to an inquiry about his injury. “Do I look OK?” he asked (and he did). “I’ll be out there.”
Coles did have a wrap around his left calf for an injury that has been bugging him since the Patriots game. He’d make a good Mets pitcher with that injury. Maybe he can start Game 3.
For a more forthcoming injury evaluation, we turn to Jags coach Jack Del Rio, who said DT Marcus Stroud will probably not play this weekend. He was playing with an ankle injury on Sunday against the Redskins then added a groin injury so he’s fighting a double-whammy. Del Rio said he’s listed as doubtful and did not practice today.
I wasn’t very impressed with the music selection at practice today. I guess Jacksonville doesn’t present a lot of opportunity to be creative. Though I did see Coles, a native of Jacksonville, bopping to Lynyrd Skynyrd’s “Jacksonville Kid.” Rather than push the geographic issue, the music director turned to Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again.”
Comments (3)
(1) Here's a question: will Schottenheimer continue to throw away the first quarter by calling plays from the 1928 Bears' offense? Getting stopped by the other team is one thing, but sabotaging yourself with utterly inexplicable play calling for the first 15 minutes is another. It's particularly curious because, come the second quarter, the Jets magically shift into a semi-modern offense and wind up scoring with dispatch;
(2) What is going on with Pete Kendall? Who's going to fill in now? Teague?
Tom, can you please decipher the last sentence of this Coles quote in the Journal News: "I don't really think I've been limited, unless you know something I don't,'' said Coles, who is listed as questionable with a calf injury for the third straight week. "I've been taking the reps. I've been practicing. I've been going through all the drills and everything else. I don't see any limit. There's no limits. Trust me, with our coach, there is no limits.''
In re to my blog comment asking what midweek practices are like, they must be going at it.
Rich: Let me dig out my Laveranues-to-English dictionary and figure this out!
What he meant was that Mangini does not allow the players to limit themselves in practice, they either go all out or don't go. Which is a nice thing to say but untrue because the Jets do hold some players back during practice for medical reasons. CB David Barrett has been in that position, along with the offensive linemen who have been hurt (Teague, Kendall until recently).