CORTLAND – With Santonio Holmes injured and the Jets’ receiving corps in question, there’s playing time to be seized — and Clyde Gates is doing his best to grab it, the same way he’s been snatching pass after pass in the early stages of training camp. The question is whether he can keep that up.
Gates has always been fast, and he’s made a quick impression, with Rex Ryan dubbing him the early MVP of camp. But if the speedy wideout wants to avoid going from camp MVP to regular-season DNP, doesn’t want to become just another flash in the pan, he’ll need two things: consistency and availability.
“I’ve been pleased with Gates. Obviously, he’s making some big plays. When you’re crossing the goal line with the ball, you have a tendency to notice the guy. He’s doing a tremendous job,’’ Ryan said. “Most track guys that are super fast aren’t route-runners. Clyde’s a route-runner. I thought he really improved the beginning of last year.
“He does a good job of running routes, and with that speed, the No. 1 thing (is) you’re going to press him at the line. Well if you miss him you’re in trouble. The other thing is he’s able to get off the press and he does a great job even on the top of his route. So we’ll see. The big thing is availability in this league’s probably as important as athletic ability, so proving he can be durable is going to be part of it.’’
Gates – who caught just 16 passes last year after being claimed off waivers from Miami on Sept. 1, but is looking to take a quantum leap forward this season – said Ryan’s praise buoyed his confidence.
“That’s great. It helps me out a lot to know I’m out here making a statement and making an impression on them. Me personally it helps me out a lot to come out every day and continue doing what I’m doing,’’ said Gates, who has dealt with numerous injuries, from a groin at the 2011 combine to a hamstring this spring.
“That’s the biggest thing, consistency. You can’t come out one day and have a good day and the next day be mediocre. That’s just not going to cut it on this level, so the big thing for me personally is consistency day-in and day-out…Being healthy is the biggest part with me. If I’m healthy I feel like I can be consistent every day.’’
He’s at least given the Jets a tantalizing taste of what kind of player he could be, laying out for a diving fingertip grab on a Mark Sanchez deep ball in 7-on-7 drills Saturday, a 50-yard touchdown on a fly pattern what appeared to be overthrown. Then Gates reminded Sanchez just how hard he is to overthrow.
“He’s hungry, and he’s showing it,’’ said Sanchez. “He’s showing that he wants to be on the field. He’s making his presence known, he’s going up and getting the ball, he’s running great routes. You can tell he’s really worked in the offseason, so I’m proud of him. I’m proud of his effort. It fires you up to see guys really going for it.’’
Gates’ work has caught up to the speed that prompted Miami GM Jeff Ireland to draft him in the fourth round in 2011. He ran a blistering 4.37 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL Scouting Combine, tied for the fastest time for any receiver despite nursing that groin injury. But he’s become more than just a sprinter.
Ryan wasn’t sure whether it was having watched Holmes’ route-running in practice last season or the work with receivers coach Sanjay Lal, but it’s clear that Gates has put effort into it.
“You’ve got to take pride in what you’re doing. You have to build a craft. I’m a receiver, so receivers catch the ball and run good routes. That’s just something always try to practice on and master,’’ said Gates, whom Jet coaches have praised as a hard worker.
Born Edmond Gates, he got his nickname from his father Edward, who’d picked up the same nickname because he’d been in trouble with the law so often his friends likened him to outlaws Bonnie and Clyde. When the younger Gates was just 6, his father was sentenced to 20 years in prison for first-degree murder.
“Yeah, I got it from my father. My whole town of Vernon (Tx) gave me that name,’’ said Gates. Now his father Edward is out, as he himself is keeping his head down and focusing on becoming a well-rounded NFL receiver.
“He’s extremely detailed. He takes pride in his routes,’’ said Lal. “We talk about routes being like choreography for dancers. They work tirelessly on their footwork. And as receivers, we do the same.
“He’s really bought into that, so he studies the film, takes coaching, asks the right questions, comes back the next day and says can you watch me on this? How did I do on that? What can I do better? Where should I put my footsteps? So he’s into it. That’s the biggest thing I’ve seen; he enjoys route-running and he wants to be a great route-runner.’’
Of course, at just 5-11, 197 lb., Gates must become more proficient at beating the inevitable press coverages that are coming his way to even get into his routes. And if he does?
“I you miss, you’re in trouble,’’ said Lal. “That’s why he has to make press releasing the best part of his game, because they’re not going to give a speed guy free access. So he first thing they’re going to try is can we press him, can he defeat the press? Now if he can, they’re in trouble.’’
Saturday and yesterday, Gates went head-to-head with standout corner Antonio Cromartie. He praised the freedom inherent in Marty Mornhinweg’s West Coast system, while the offensive coordinator is saying
“I’ll tell you this: I didn’t get to see much at all in the minicamps. He was in the tub, man alive. But the little I did see at the end of minicamp, he was flashing,’’ said Mornhinweg.
“Now, flash is one thing. We’ve got to play at that high level really consistently. Up to date, he’s done a heck of a job – up to date. Now his challenge is to continue to progress and keep that at a high level day-after day. And staying healthy.’’