The Leftovers: Preseason 2017 (Pt. 1)
In a brand new and original feature here on JetsFix.com, we're going to look across the other rosters around the league at how some of the players who've been on the Jets roster over the past couple of seasons are faring. This will enable us to get an early idea about whether letting these players go was a mistake or a well-timed move.
Since there's no practice today, let's check in on how those ex-Jets to have played in preseason so far are getting on.
We'll start with the highest profile players and work our way down the list:
Ryan Fitzpatrick - QB - Tampa Bay
First game is tonight at Cincinnati.
Brandon Marshall - WR - New York Giants
First game is tonight v Pittsburgh.
Eric Decker - WR - Tennessee
First game is tomorrow night against the Jets.
David Harris - LB - New England
New England has played it's first preseason game, but Harris did not play. He has been listed as a starter on their depth chart, although it's not anticipated that he'll have an every down role.
Breno Giacomini - OT - Houston
Giacomini, working with the second unit, was on the field for a touchdown drive that ended with a 26-yard run by Albert Blue, although that particular play went away from him. He was in for a few series and didn't give up any direct pressure, although he was beaten around the outside once, forcing the quarterback to step up. He also got called for a penalty after whiffing on a cut block at the second level and then grabbing his man around the ankles to stop him making the tackle.
Calvin Pryor - S - Cleveland
Pryor came off the bench, although Ibraheim Campbell was knocked out on the second play, moving Pryor up the depth chart. He got plenty of playing time, all the way into the fourth quarter, but only had one tackle on an eight yard run. He also got beaten by Clay Harbor down the seam for a 19-yard third down conversion which involved some pre-snap confusion and saw him remonstrating with a teammate after the play. The Browns employed both safeties deep most of the time, which we know is a role Pryor doesn't really like. His ultimate role will likely depend on how quickly Jabrill Peppers establishes himself.
Marcus Gilchrist - S - Houston
The Texans already played their first game, but Gilchrist, who only just joined them, did not play.
Nick Folk - K - Tampa Bay
First game is tonight at Cincinnati.
Geno Smith - QB - New York Giants
First game is tonight against Pittsburgh.
Jarvis Jenkins - DL - Kansas City
First game is tonight against San Francisco.
Jeremy Ross - WR - Arizona
Ross saw action in the hall of fame game, although he didn't get any chances to return kicks or punts. He caught a 29-yard pass down the middle on his only target.
Brandon Wilds - RB - Cleveland
Wilds saw action on just a few snaps for the Browns, carrying once for five yards.
Donald Hawkins - OL - Kansas City
First game is tonight against San Francisco.
Troymaine Pope - RB - Indianapolis
First game is Sunday afternoon against Detroit.
KD Cannon - WR - Los Angeles Rams
First game is Saturday night against Dallas.
Austin Calitro - LB - San Francisco
First game is tonight at Kansas City.
Devin Street - WR - Houston
Street saw action for the Texans, recording one catch for six yards, but then dropping a potential first down on a throw right at the numbers on the next play. The defense was offside anyway, so the drop doesn't officially count, although it will still be just as damaging to his roster chances.
Jace Amaro - TE - Tennessee
First game is tomorrow night against the Jets.
Trevor Reilly - OLB - Miami
In an interesting move, the Dolphins are converting Reilly into an off-the-ball linebacker, something many Jets fans wanted to try with him. He had two tackles, one on a short pass and one as he quickly diagnosed an outside run and beat the tight end to blow it up for a loss in the backfield.
Tommy Bohanon - FB - Jacksonville
Bohanon didn't play much, but made a good impression on a drive late in the first half with some solid run blocking, culminating in the lead block to set up Leonard Fournette's short touchdown.
Jarvis Harrison - OL - Tampa Bay
First game is tonight at Cincinnati.
Wes Saxton - TE - Buffalo
Saxton got some playing time in the Bills' first game but was only in for a few series and was not targeted.
Darryl Morris - CB - Indianapolis
First game is Sunday afternoon against Detroit.
Jeremy Butler - WR - Buffalo
Butler did not play in the Bills' first preseason game as he has been dealing with a concussion.
Raheem Mostert - RB - San Francisco
First game is tonight at Kansas City.
Darius Jennings - WR - Tennessee
First game is tomorrow night against the Jets.
Kyle Friend - OL - Pittsburgh
First game is tonight against the Giants.
Jesse Davis - OL - Miami
Perhaps surprisingly, Davis made the start at left tackle, although the Dolphins actually had only one of their projected starters (Jermon Bushrod) in. Davis played well into the second half and help up quite well as a run blocker but struggled in pass protection, getting beaten for a few pressures.
Lawrence Okoye - DL - Miami
Okoye, now back to being a defensive lineman, made a good impression in limited reps last night. He had a couple of pressures and made a nice play against the run, shedding his block to bring down the running back in the hole.
Mike Liedtke - OL - Tampa Bay
First game is tonight at Cincinnati.
Bernard Pierce - RB - Denver
Pierce did not play in Denver's first preseason game last night. He's been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Shelby Harris - DL - Denver
Harris was released in final cuts last year by the Jets. Could he turn out to be someone they should have kept? Based on last night's game, perhaps that could happen. According to PFF, he had the highest grade out of any player on either team.
They broke his performance down by saying this:
Even though Harris finished with only two run stops, he was a force that distrupted several other run plays as well that led to stops by other defenders. Harris was also tied with a team-high two pressures as a pass-rusher, both being hurries.
Jerome Cunningham - TE - Tennessee
First game is tomorrow night against the Jets.
Titus Davis - WR - Chicago
Davis, who you may recall walked out on the Jets last year, did not play in Chicago's first preseason game last night. He's been dealing with a hamstring injury.
Dane Evans - QB - Philadelphia
Evans was at rookie mini-camp on a tryout basis but did not sign. He saw brief action last night, completing three of his eight passes for 22 yards and throwing an interception on his only downfield throw.
Barrett Gouger - OL - Los Angeles Chargers
Another mini-camp tryout. His first game is tomorrow against Dallas.
Darius Victor - RB - New Orleans
Victor was another mini-camp invitee. He had a couple of nice plays to gain eight on a run and another eight on a catch, but his other four touches netted just five yards.
Of course there are still several recent departures who aren't currently with a team, such as Nick Mangold and Darrelle Revis. We'll add these to the list if they get a deal.