A Look at New York Jets’ WR Jacoby Ford

Oct 13, 2013; Kansas City, MO, USA; Oakland Raiders Oakland Raiders wide receiver

(12) warms up before the game against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs won 24-7. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

In case you missed it, yesterday, we took a look at the Jets’ new cornerback, Dimitri Patterson.  Continuing the idea, we are going to now take a look at the Jets’ new WR, Jacoby Ford, previously of the Oakland Raiders.

Has he been the most productive receiver out there, even when healthy?  Absolutely not.  Many have questioned this signing, and talked to the point that he might not make the team out of training camp.

He might not, but he might.  If you look at how he has played when healthy, even the small sampling, it is not as bad as you might think.

To illustrate the point we are going to look at some film from 2013 on Jacoby Ford.  Specifically, the play was his longest of the season as a wide receiver, a 22 yard pass play from Matt McGloin, late in the fourth quarter of their week nine matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles.

As usual, we start with the formation before the play unfolds…………

We have quarterback Matt McGloin in the shotgun. Jacoby Ford is in the circle, lined up in the slot to the right. Ford is going to take his route right up the seam, but the defender is going to stay right with him as we move forward.

You can see in the circles, that McGloin is ready to throw the ball, and the defender is right with Jacoby Ford. Watch as McGloin releases the football.

As the ball is being released, you see that Jacoby Ford is looking back over his shoulder. Why? Because Matt McGloin is placing a pass right on Ford’s back shoulder, where only he can make the catch, no matter where the defender is. I am not taking anything away from McGloin’s throw at all. Look at the catch…..

Ford goes up to get the football at its highest point, and shows good hands as he comes down with the 22 yard connection, despite the defender being all over him.

Is Ford the greatest? No, and I don’t think that is what John Idzik envisioned when he signed him. But he is a capable wide receiver that is a step up from last season, and would play a great role behind Decker, Kerley, Nelson, and whomever they draft.

Give the kid a chance.