Patriots third-year pass rusher Chandler Jones, who is being used as a stand-up rusher this season, had six tackles and two sacks in a win over Carolina last night, earning praise from Bill Belichick: “Chandler’s worked really hard at whatever we’ve asked him to do since he’s been here. Last year, he also played some inside over the guard. He’s played outside over the tackle or the tight end, up, down. He’s a versatile player and he’s very conscientious to try to do whatever we ask him to do and playing in all those different spots. He’s a very athletic player with good length, good playing strength so he has a lot of versatility athletically, he has a lot of versatility mentally.” CSNNE’s Greg Bedard believes Jones is poised to become an elite defender.
Here’s some more news and notes produced after Friday night’s batch of preseason games:
- Patriots second-year receiver Josh Boyce, a fourth-rounder a year ago, didn’t play an offensive snap until late in the third quarter. “That reflects how he’s decisively behind” on the depth chart, notes ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
- Geno Smith will start the Jets’ season opener, Rex Ryan told Manish Mehta of the Daily News.
- Jets defensive back Antonio Allen sustained a concussion, reports ESPN’s Jane McManus.
- There’s no competition for the Giants’ starting quarterback job, but Ryan Nassib shined last night, solidifying his standing as Eli Manning‘s backup, according to ESPNNewYork’s Kieran Darcy.
- Giants second-year pass rusher Damontre Moore looked like a “potential star” last night in the eyes of Darcy.
- The Giants are worried about a toe injury sustained by offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz.