With Rex Ryan in New York, there’s never a dull offseason for the Jets. After last year’s disastrous campaign, 2013 has been no different.
New York Jets 2013 training camp primer
Everything you need to know about what figures to be one of the most entertaining training camps in the NFL.
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A quarterback controversy and changes in the front office have been at the focal point. In his first offseason as Jets general manager, John Idzik drafted a pair of defensive players, cornerback Dee Milliner and defensive tackle Sheldon Richardson, in the first round of April's draft and followed it up by selecting quarterback Geno Smith in the second round to compete with Mark Sanchez.
Sanchez and the Jets then made headlines by holding practices out West to get themselves ready for training camp. Smith, Sanchez’s biggest competition for the starting quarterback spot, was not in attendance for “Jets West,” as the practices became known. Sanchez is confident he will win the starting job, but the real practices should sort that out soon enough.
Combine those interesting personalities on the field with that of Ryan, and the Jets’ training camp could be one of the most entertaining in the league. Here’s everything you need to know leading up to Jets camp.
Offseason changes
There will be plenty of new faces at Jets camp at the end of the month. Idzik made quick work of revamping New York's roster. Among those gone on offense are backup quarterback Tim Tebow, running back Shonn Greene, wide receiver Chaz Schilens and tight end Dustin Keller, leaving whichever quarterback wins the job without many weapons.
The team also lost defensive end Mike DeVito, nose tackle Sione Pouha, linebacker Bart Scott and cornerback Darrelle Revis, among others, on defense. Rex Ryan will have to get more creative in terms of coverage schemes and blitzes without the same talent he has had in past seasons.
Idzik didn't just gut the roster, though. He also added a few talented pieces, the most notable being running back Chris Ivory. Often thought of as talented enough for a starter's role, Ivory had been buried on the Saints' depth chart. He should have a chance for a featured role now.
Other notable additions for the Jets include tight end Kellen Winslow and safety Dawan Landry.
Training camp schedule and location
The Jets will be holding training camp at SUNY Cortland this summer. While “Jets West” made headlines, we’ll find out how ready Sanchez and the rest of Gang Green are when they open up practice at the end of July. Here are the full training camp details from Gang Green Nation, SB Nation’s New York Jets blog.
The New York Jets will begin training camp at SUNY Cortland on Thursday, July 25. The following days will be open to the public:
- Friday, July 26 - 10 AM
- Saturday, July 27 - 10 AM
- Sunday, July 28 - 10 AM
- Monday, July 29 - 10 AM
- Wednesday, July 31 - 10 AM
- Thursday, August 1 - 10 AM
- Friday, August 2 - 10 AM
- Saturday, August 3 - Green & White Practice, 6 PM
- Monday, August 5 - 10 AM
- Tuesday, August 6 - 10 AM
- Wednesday, August 7 - 10 AM
- Sunday, August 11 - 10 AM
- Monday, August 12 - 10 AM
- Tuesday, August 13 - 10 AM
- Wednesday, August 14 - 10 AM
The team will be then return to Florham Park and will have open practices on the following dates:
- Tuesday, August 20 - Exclusive Season Ticket Holder Practice, 12:30 PM
Wednesday, August 21 - 11:15 AM
Position Battles
Quarterback - The most obvious position battle, and the one that will be the most covered by the media, is the quarterback competition between Sanchez and Smith. With Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill both nursing injuries, whoever wins the job could be in for a bit of a struggle. Sanchez hasn't proven to be anything more than mediocre in his career to this point, while Smith could use a bit of grooming before being thrown to the wolves.
Safety - A pair of second-year safeties will be battling it out for a starting role in the Jets' revamped secondary. Josh Bush and Antonio Allen will be competing for the right to start at free safety across from Dawan Landry after LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell both left in free agency.
Nose tackle - The aforementioned departure of Pouha in the middle of the Jets' defensive line creates an open competition for the starting spot. Antonio Garay and Kenrick Ellis will be the two vying for the first-team role throughout August. Garay is a veteran on the wrong side of 30. Meanwhile, Ellis has had injuries and off-the-field issues hold him back from realizing his potential thus far in his NFL career.
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