A giant smile got here to the face of rookie Jets large receiver Malachi Corley when a reporter requested him about what number of large receivers attempt to keep away from contact.
“That ain’t me,” stated Corley, the staff’s third-round decide.
No, it isn’t.
By now, Jets followers have watched Corley’s highlights from Western Kentucky that embody play after play of Corley working over defenders.
“I simply love soccer,” Corley stated Friday throughout rookie minicamp. “I feel I really like soccer and I really like life. I feel that a part of my calling card is to be soccer participant, and I feel the Lord has blessed me with some skills and skills and a confidence that’s out of this world. I feel each time I get the ball in my fingers, I’m simply able to punish any person each single time I get it. That’s the way in which I prefer to play the sport.”
The Jets hope that Corley can use that mentality to raise their offense.
Of all their draft picks, Corley has the clearest path to taking part in time as a rookie.
Corley performed slot receiver in faculty and figures to be within the combine at that spot.
Coach Robert Saleh stated Corley’s bodily type was particularly spectacular on this period of “self-preservation.”
“He by no means runs out of bounds,” Saleh stated. “That additional one or two yards, each yard issues. So many instances you’ll see ball carriers, it’s first-and-10 they usually get an 8-yard acquire they usually run out of bounds. It’s second-and-2 after which third-and-1 and then you definitely’re punting versus sticking my foot within the floor, get vertical and now it’s first-and-10 once more and also you get a brand new set of downs. That may be a enormous distinction in soccer.”
Corley and the opposite rookies have been on the sector Friday for the primary day of rookie minicamp.
The draft picks didn’t see a lot motion because the Jets attempt to hold them wholesome, however they’ll quickly sufficient.
They start OTAs on Could 20, and the rookies will likely be working towards with their veteran teammates.
Corley has already touched base along with his new quarterback.
He and Aaron Rodgers have talked and texted. Rodgers has even provided to let Corley keep in his visitor home, a suggestion Corley stated he’ll take the veteran quarterback up on.
The 2 share an agent, so Rodgers has familiarity with Corley.
“I solely talked to him on draft evening,” Corley stated. “I’ve texted him the final couple of nights. I’m similar to a little bit child. He’s an grownup. He’s the MVP, Corridor of Famer, all these sorts of issues. I’m similar to a little bit child speaking to him on a regular basis, texting him, making an attempt to see what he’s performed to remain constant within the league, the issues that he’s performed to work on his psychological well being, how he’s saved his physique alive so lengthy.
“He stated I may keep in his visitor home if I wish to. So, yeah, me and him are shut. That’s going to be my canine whereas I’m right here.”
The Jets may use Corley in a similar way to how the 49ers use Deebo Samuel.
Saleh stated the coaches are arising with methods to get the ball in his fingers and let him make performs. The participant referred to as the “YAC King” in faculty nonetheless has work to do, although.
“He’s uncooked from a route-running capability standpoint,” Saleh stated. “We’re clearly attacking that. Getting him the ball and the creativity that comes with it, I feel we’re all having quite a lot of enjoyable taking a look at methods to get him the ball. He’s distinctive in that method. He is a brilliant child so he can take up it. For him, we at all times discuss these ‘only one issues,’ JOT tapes. His one factor is route refinement and simply ensuring that on third-and-4 once you’ve acquired to have it, you’ve acquired to have the ability to run a path to create separation. These are the issues he’s set to work on.”
Corley stated he needs to work on exhibiting the coaches he can play on the surface in addition to within the slot and be referred to as greater than only a gadget participant.
“I feel I’ve hardly scratched the potential of who I’m as a participant,” Corley stated.
