Coach Rex Ryan Singing the Praises of Wide Receiver Clyde Gates

Dec. 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Clyde Gates (19) before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

For a long time we have discussed how the wide receiver group with the Jets is a bit lacking. We have wondered who is going to step up and make a name for themselves among this group, especially with Santonio Holmes’ injury. It’s still early in camp, but the guy getting it done so far is Clyde Gates. Here is what Coach Ryan had to say about him, and if the new system is a good fit for him, after yesterday’s practice:

Well, I mean, we’re going to need to see the game action and all that but I think without question it’s a fit. If you’re a receiver it’s a fit. I mean, it’s tough, for each of Marty’s (Mornhinweg) years because I’ve had to defend against him and (Marty’s) got an excellent offensive mind. He’s kind of like (Dennis Thurman) in the fact (he is) somebody that’s seen and done it. I see DT’s been with me forever so we’re all part of each other, but the same kind of mentality I have on defense, like I’ve seen it, I’ve done it and defended it. He takes the same thing on (offense)…is it cocky? Yeah, probably. Confident, a little cocky. He can go home at night. At 9:30, he can go home. Why? He’s prepared. He’s ready to go. It’s not like he has to sit back and reinvent the wheel. He’s already done it. It’s impressive, I like watching our offense. Some of the screen things we do, some of the other things that we do down the field, he’s got a way of getting people the football. But you talk about Clyde Gates, most track guys are guys that are super fast, aren’t route runners. I think Clyde’s a route runner. I saw last year, I thought he really improved last year, the beginning of last year, whether it’s seeing a Santonio Holmes, being with Sanjay (Lal), I don’t know, you’d have to ask him. But he does a good job of running routes. And with that speed he has, the number one thing – well, you’re going to press him at the line. Well, if you miss him, you’re in trouble. The other thing is he’s able to get off the press and he does a great job even on the top of his route. So we’ll see. I think the big thing is availability in this league is probably as important as athletic ability and so proving that he can be durable and all that kind of stuff is going to be part of it as well.

Although Rex did find a way to take the discussion to the defense, he had a lot of great things to say about Gates. If he can continue this great work, and step up as a secondary option, the wide receiver depth chart won’t be as bad as it seems.