New York Jets: Rontez Miles should have made final roster

It’s been a long road for Rontez Miles, he’s floated between the practice squad and the active roster for the New York Jets for the last couple seasons. But after a strong camp, some luck and a slew of highlight plays, Miles revealed his excitement on making the final-53.

Thanks to all the fans my friends and family for the support!!!! Blessed and Horned to be a #jet #GangGreen #freedom

— RONTEZ MILES (@RontezMiles) September 5, 2015

Entering his third season with the Jets, things looked slim to say the least, the depth at the safety position was overwhelming. Just to name a few guys who were also on the 90-man roster: Calvin Pryor, Jaiquawn Jarrett, Antonio Allen, Marcus Gilchrist and Durell Eskridge. But apparently the third time was the charm for Miles in his attempt to make the roster. Although it wasn’t exactly peaches and cream to get there, his first break came via Allen’s season ending injury.

Empire Writes Back New York Jets: Antonio Allen Out with Season-Ending Injury: The New York Jets’ se… http://t.co/pkflNmP8hb #NYsports — Empire Writes Back (@EmpireWritesBck) August 12, 2015

The NFL is much like the real world, it’s a harsh place and extremely cut-throat. Allen goes down it’s a next-man up mentality and that’s the reason Eskridge was brought in just a few days later. Even more competition for Miles, but he’s faced long odds before year in and year out waiting by the phone hoping someone calls and tells him that he made the final roster. He’s dealt with a lot of pain and heartache of hearing the dreaded phone call to collect his playbook and meet the coach in his office.

But here is where Miles’ fairy tale ends and to reiterate the NFL is a cold-blooded place since the highs and lows can come almost in an instant.

We have acquired S Ronald Martin on waivers from SEA and waived S Rontez Miles- http://t.co/cJGca8U4ae pic.twitter.com/GFPwYHwiMQ

— New York Jets (@nyjets) September 6, 2015

Just like that Miles’ third tenure with the Jets was cut abruptly short; he didn’t even make it to the opening day roster. I feel terrible for the kid, he was a player that bled inspiration not only to his teammates around him, but Jets fans too. I’ve got to go on a little bit of a rant here. I am a die-hard Jets fan and I’ve relentlessly believed in this new regime and all the moves they’ve made. But this is one of those times that I can’t really understand why they released Miles in exchange for another safety.

.@RontezMiles @PFF grade through three preseason games is +5.5 which is #1 for all NFL safeties and also the best grade on the #Jets team. — Jake Steinberg (@Steiny31) August 31, 2015

Despite being the No. 1 ranked safety overall in preseason and constantly being around the ball; his biggest highlight play of the preseason was the scoop and score against the Atlanta Falcons.

Miles missed the cut but he was a fan favorite and always will be as I hope he catches on a roster somewhere in the NFL because he has the heart, the grit and the desire to be one of the greatest safeties of all time and that never-give-up mentality will take him places in life, I truly believe that.

Thank you for your undying passion Rontez and I hope that you’re back with the Jets in the future.

.@nyjets DB Rontez Miles with the 57-yard fumble-scoop-and-score! #ATLvsNYJ http://t.co/xeUq5jPEtB

— NFL (@NFL) August 22, 2015

Next: New York Jets: Major risk pays off in the end

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