JET NOTES
TAMPA – Don’t be fooled or misled by any starters or position rotations in tonight’s preseason game between the Jets and Buccaneers.
That’s a direct message from Eric Mangini.
The quarterback position in particular is something Mangini insists not to read into whoever starts and plays.
Mangini wouldn’t even divulge what his quarterback rotation for tonight’s game will be, which is a rather silly ruse.
So, if Chad Pennington starts and is relieved by Kellen Clemens. . . .
“I wouldn’t read into it too much,” Mangini warned. “It’s simply going to be a function of where we are in terms of numbers, the different combinations that we want to get with receivers, the offensive line and the backs.
“There are going to be a lot of different guys shuttling in and out of a lot of different positions. It’s just an opportunity now against an opponent to distinguish themselves one way or the other.”
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When it was suggested to Mangini that he might be “looking forward” to Pennington getting hit for the first time to see how durable he’ll be, Mangini said, “I honestly would much prefer that none of the quarterbacks get hit.”
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Mangini has been positive about the transition DT Dewayne Robertson has made from working as a three technique lineman to a nose tackle in the 3-4 scheme.
“Dewayne has done a really good job in terms of working at the different techniques that we’ve asked him to use and the different shades we’ve asked him to use,” Mangini said. “He’s really embraced getting better as a technician and I’ve been pleased with his work ethic at practice. Like anybody else, there have been a couple of steps forward and a step back here and there, but he’s been consistently working at getting better at the position.”
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Second-year CB Justin Miller had a rocky start to camp, but has been coming on of late.
“I thought Justin, early in camp, wasn’t where he needed to be in terms of technique,” Mangini said. “I liked the way that he has gotten better, through the coaching, with his techniques. He’s got really good natural ability. I see a lot of positive things there.
“Now, he needs to keep developing in terms of being a technician, understanding where his help is, and understand where he fits in with the defense. I think that he’s got great upside.”