JET NOTES
Rookie receiver Laveranues Coles, who missed Sunday’s game with a sprained left knee, is “not likely” to return to the lineup this Sunday, according to Al Groh.
That said, asked how fellow rookie WR Windrell Hayes did in his starting debut Sunday, Groh wasn’t exactly complimentary.
“Not enough,” Groh said, tweaking Hayes, though adding the rest of the rookie class to his disdain. “I want more production out of that whole rookie group.”
Asked what specifically Hayes, who’s seeking his first career reception, did wrong, Groh said, “Blocking assignments that should have been better in particular. I hope we’ll get higher grade performance from the whole pack of (young players) this Sunday.
“That’s one of the things that should push things along at this time of year – the first- and second-year players. For second-year players, 28 games should have (players) playing like pretty seasoned guy. For first-year players, they’ve played 12 games and 4 preseason games. That’s 16 times they’ve suited up. The rookie season is over. It’s time to be a NFL December player.”
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Groh said Curtin Martin came through Sunday’s game with his strained gluteus maximus “nicely,” though he acknowledged on Sunday that Martin was “not himself.”
. . . When a TV reporter accidentally called Groh “Bill” referring to Bill Parcells instead of “Al,” Groh said jokingly, “What the hell do you want?” in his most gruff voice.
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Groh yesterday compared this final stretch of the regular season to the conference tournaments preceding the NCAA Tournament.
“I see a little similarity between NCAA basketball and this season,” Groh said. “The conference now is like the post-season tournament that leads up to next tournament. What has been created in this division is not unlike that. We’re all trying to fight our way in and jockey for position within.”
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After spending the early part of the season on the inactive roster, third-year DE Dorian Boose has been getting much more playing time in the nickel defense after the season-ending injury to rookie John Abraham. But hasn’t been playing all that well if you listen to Groh, who yesterday called for some sacks from Boose, who’s still seeking his first NFL sack.
“He’s been pretty decent, but if you look at the numbers there you see there aren’t any sacks tied up to it, and that’s what you’re supposed to do on that down,” Groh said.