Rex Ryan on the Wide Receivers

Jul 24, 2014; Cortland, NY, USA; New York Jets wide receiver Eric Decker (87) runs with the ball after a catch during training camp at SUNY Cortland. Mandatory Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

One of the biggest issues for the Jets coming into training camp, as we all know, is the wide receiver group. Specifically, how the depth chart is going to shape up. We have talked about how Eric Decker has really been the only one to step up and make a name for himself so far. Coach Ryan was asked about that, and here is what he had to say:

Well, I think that’s a good point. You’ve got Decker (who) clearly is the guy, and obvious (Jeremy) Kerley. But the rest of them, it seems like (Clyde) Gates has had some, you’d say he’s had some times. Greg (Salas) has. Each day it seems like somebody else steps up, Jacoby (Ford). That’s why I talk about that depth. It’s just great competition. Sometimes Shaq (Evans) shows up. We’ll let that thing play out, but I think we’re in a much better situation than we were at any time last year.

Rex, like the rest of us, is ready to see someone step up:

Well, I think so. You want to see that, but let’s let these games play out. We’ve seen it before, you can have a practice All-American but when the lights come on he’s terrible. I’ve seen it. I’ve definitely seen that. You’ve got to be able to do it when the lights are on and I think (we will) let that work out and we’ll see. At the end of the day, you want to feel good about how you’ve got guys ranked and who makes your team and make sure you’re doing it. I think the way the receiver situation is now throughout the league, you don’t just have one or two guys anymore. There’s a lot of guys thrown in there. You have a lot more receivers up that are active in today’s game, I think, than you used to. So that’s it. I think, again, it’ll work out in the end.

Hopefully this will start to happen soon. It’s early, with the first game action to come in the Green and White scrimmage over the weekend.