It's Only the Preseason!

Well preseason game 1 is over for the Jets and it comes as a 20-16 loss to the Texans. I say, WHO CARES?! It's just the preseason. The starters that played, played very well and showed good signs in their one quarter of work. Nothing overly impressive and also nothing concerning - except an injury to reserve offensive lineman Robert Turner who was filling in for All-Pro C Nick Mangold. If Turner is seriously hurt, that means Vlad Ducasse is next in line to be the primary backup lineman; that my friends is a scary scary thought. The 2nd round pick last season out of Massachusetts has been terrible. He looks like he is going to get someone killed out there. If he sees the field at all this season, the Jets are have serious problems. But enough of the negative, I want to talk about the 3 players that really stood out to me tonight and showed real promise for the season and the future.
The first player I want to talk about is rookie QB Greg McElroy, the Jets 7th round pick out of Alabama. McElroy was extremely impressive in this game. He went 23-39 for 208 yards and a TD. He also lost a fumble. But his stats don't tell the whole story. He was on the field with the second-string, third-string and even the fourth-string offense at times. His first series was a painful one as every time he dropped back to pass he was pressured and hit immediately. At this point I was hoping he would just stay on the field. Then the second half came and McElroy found his mojo. He looked poised and confident just like he did in his Alabama days. He hit Patrick Turner for a 2 yard TD pass on 3rd and Goal to tie the game at 13-13. Then after the Jets surrendered the lead with just under 2 minutes left, McElroy led the offense down the field and threw a beautiful pass to the corner of the endzone for rookie Michael Campbell - and Campbell flat out dropped it. In my book, McElroy won the game. In reality he ended up running out of bounds as time expired on a 'fourth and score a TD' play. That was the only blip on his radar. He played outstanding and showed why the Jets drafted him. He isn't the best QB out there but the kid is a winner and he is one smart football player. He will be a solid backup for Sanchez in years to come.
The next player I want to applaud is another rookie, WR Jeremy Kerley, the Jets 5th round pick out of TCU. While he will probably end up as the team's 4th wide receiver, it was his play on special teams that really stood out. Kerley didn't break anyone's ankles nor did he return anything for a TD, but if you actually watched the game, you would know how special this kid is. He looks extremely comfortable with a football in his hands and knows how to make people miss. He has that rare elusiveness that teams search for. His kick and punt returns always went for positive yardage and he put the Jets in good field position every time. He will be the featured returner once the season starts no question about it.
The third player I want to point out is reserve ILB Josh Mauga. Only true Jets fans know who this player is, but soon the whole NFL will. Where he really shined is in his pair of snaps with the first team defense. On the first play from scrimmage Bart Scott hurt his knee (but thankfully is okay). In come Mauga. His first play he stuffs Ward's run attempt for a one yard loss; his second, he sacks Schaub for a loss of 11 yards. He also added an interception on a tipped ball by rookie NT Kenrick Ellis who was also very impressive tonight. Not to forget Mauga's tenacity and impact on special teams coverage. This kid may never start for the Jets but he is a valuable backup and special teams player.