New York Jets add CB Leon McFadden and Sign 7 to Practice Squad

Jul 24, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik looks on during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

Cut day. The day that players on the fringe of NFL rosters dread. Yesterday, over 700 players from around the NFL were released from their respective teams due to the fact that teams were forced to get to 53 players with just a week to go before the start of the 2014-2015 season. Today, teams around the NFL were able to start assembling the practice squad. So far for the New York Jets, John Idzik has signed seven players to the practice squad, a day after these six were released from the active roster.

The first player brought back is safety Rontez Miles . In my opinion, I thought Miles deserved to be on the Jets 53 man roster, so I am pleased that he passed through waivers and was added to the practice squad. Miles is still a bit raw at the safety spot, but is always around the ball, and is solid on special teams. I expect Miles to be activated from the practice squad for a few games this year.

Second, John Idzik signed defensive end Tevita Finau. Unfortunately for Finau, the Jets are loaded at defensive end on the 53 man roster, so there just was not enough room for him as well. With that said, Finau was impressive in preseason, recording quite a few tackles for a loss. Finau should benefit from learning from defensive line coach Karl Dunbar and working with the Jets talented lineman.

The Jets also added another defensive lineman to the practice squad with the signing of Kerry Hyder. The rookie out of Texas Tech was praised earlier this offseason by Rex Ryan for his play, so it is no surprise the Jets decided to keep him around.

After his strong game against the Eagles, the Jets decided to add tight end Chris Pantale to the practice sqaud. While the Jets are set at tight end on the 53 man roster, Pantale is a solid player the Jets can keep around in case of injury. Pantale has good potential. While the Jets decided to only go with two quarterbacks on the active roster, those being Geno Smith and Michael Vick, the Jets were able to add Matt Simms to the practice squad after he cleared waivers. Simms has the potential to be the Jets number two QB next year if Vick is not brought back.

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The sixth player the Jets added to the practice squad is offensive lineman Brent Qvale. Qvale is viewed as a long term project the Jets may hope to develop. The Jets also were able to bring back running back Daryl Richardson. This is a bit of a pleasant surprise to me since I thought he would definitely be picked up by another club. He provides great depth to the Jets already deep running back group.

John Idzik was also active on the waiver wire, adding former Cleveland Browns cornerback Leon McFadden. Last years third round pick for the Browns, McFadden is an interesting addition for the Jets. While it is certainly no secret the Jets secondary needed to be addressed, McFadden is an interesting addition. Was he released from Cleveland simply because they are set at CB? Or was there something else to it? From what I have seen, I think McFadden can be a nice addition to the Jets depleted secondary.

After starting in all 16 games for the Browns last year, and starting in two, he was used both in the slot, and on the outside. In my opinion, I think that is why the Jets grabbed him. His versatility can be taken advantage of in Rex Ryan’s defense. It will be interesting to see if McFadden can get his career back on track while a member of the Jets.

I think John Idzik will continue to be active on the waiver wire, possibly adding another cornerback ( Champ Bailey perhaps?) and maybe a wide receiver.

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