Coleman gets Revis' spot, Wilson shifts to nickel
EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - SEPTEMBER 20: Julian Edelman #11 of the New England Patriots is tackled by Drew Coleman #30 of the New York Jets at Giants Stadium on September 20, 2009 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) Credit: Getty/Nick Laham
Kyle Wilson, the much-picked on rookie, has been demoted – sort of.
Drew Coleman will start in the right cornerback spot – Wilson’s position – and the rookie will move to the slot for Sunday's game against Buffalo.
Because of Wilson’s struggles in the first three games – and Coleman’s key interception to close out Sunday’s win in Miami -- head coach Rex Ryan said “ideally” he’d like to play Coleman on the outside and move Wilson back into nickel.
“I think Kyle’s struggling a little bit, no question, but I think Drew earned it,” said the coach. “When we put him in, he stood up. Both of those guys will play a bunch. We think as coaches that he deserves a shot.”
Each of the Jets’ three opponents – Baltimore, New England and Miami – had success targeting Wilson, a first-round pick out of Boise State.
“I was OK,” Wilson said of his performance Sunday night, in which he was flagged for a 27-yard pass interference penalty that set up the Dolphins’ first touchdown. “Obviously I would have loved to make some more plays, but I just have to look back and learn from it and become a smarter player, looking back at it and envision myself making those plays in the future.
“…You’ve got to make the plays. I didn’t make them.”
Coleman, who shared first-team reps with Wilson, opposite Antonio Cromartie in practice this morning, said he’s approaching this week like any other.
“I’m going to go out, compete every week and let the best man win,” he said. “Whether it’s me or Kyle, we’re both going to go in, help each other out and the main thing we’re focusing on this week as a secondary is communicating.”
Ryan, however, noted that he has been impressed by Wilson, despite the rookie’s struggles.
“This guy, quite honestly, has been much better than I though picking things up,” said Ryan. “I think the communication part (needs some work). It’s definitely not a physical thing, it’s more a technique issue and maybe tightening the thing down a bit more. I think he’s going to be fine.”
