What to Watch For at Tonight’s New York Jets’ Green and White Game

Aug 1, 2013; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg talks with quarterback Geno Smith (7) during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports

Tonight, from Cortland, is the annual Green and White game. It’s the first time of 2013 that the players get to up the tempo, not fully to game speed, but certainly faster that practice speed. It will sure be an exciting night. Remember, anyone not up there can listen to the game on the regular Jets’ flagship station, 98.7 FM, and the game will also be streaming online.

Here are some things to watch tonight:

• THE QB COMPETITION OVERALL: Obviously, we finally get a chance to see how the QB fight is going.  Rex hadn’t talked to Marty Mornhinweg as of the timing of this post, but was sure that Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez will each have time with the ones.  Don’t get bogged down with stats, as we have only been practicing for a week.  Instead, look at concepts.  Who is throwing a better ball?  Who is commanding the huddle?  Who is making better decisions?  That will give you better information on competition than stats will every give you.
• BILAL POWELL: The spot light should spend a great deal of time on Bilal tonight.  Chris Ivory is still struggling with his hamstring, we don’t know where Mike Goodson is, and Joe McKnight is having trouble staying healthy.  Powell should see the bulk of the activity tonight, take a look at how he fits in the Marty offense.
• DEE MILLINER: Since Dee has arrived in camp, he has seen a great deal of action especially with the first string.  Yesterday, he gave up a couple of completions to Stephen Hill.  That is going to happen, but it will be interesting to see this kid play, and see what his cover skills are like.  Is he ready to make an impact on the NFL level?  We will begin to find out the answer tonight.
• STEPHEN HILL AND COMPANY: Someone is going to have to step up in this group.  Everyone has said that Stephen Hill has looked far better.  Ryan Spadola has been turning heads, and Clyde Gates earned the unofficial MVP of training camp last week.  We know the perceived notion that this group is lacking.  If someone can step up, it will go a long way to proving that the group is not as bad as everyone thought.
• RICKY SAPP: After all that has been written about Sapp and his raised level of play, he should be quite exciting to watch tonight.  He is getting to the quarterback with ease, and with speed.  He could be the outside pass rusher that we all have been waiting for since the 1980s.  Well, we did have John Abraham, so the best pass rusher since then.  We will see how he does tonight.

What are you guys looking for tonight?