An enormous smile got here to the face of rookie Jets huge receiver Malachi Corley when a reporter requested him about what number of huge receivers attempt to keep away from contact.
“That ain’t me,” stated Corley, the workforce’s third-round decide.
No, it’s not.
By now, Jets followers have watched Corley’s highlights from Western Kentucky that embody play after play of Corley operating over defenders.
“I simply love soccer,” Corley stated Friday throughout rookie minicamp. “I feel I like soccer and I like life. I feel that a part of my calling card is to be an excellent soccer participant, and I feel the Lord has blessed me with some abilities and skills and a confidence that’s out of this world. I feel each time I get the ball in my arms, I’m simply able to punish any person each single time I get it. That’s the best way I wish 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 enjoying 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 model was particularly spectacular on this period of “self-preservation.”
“He by no means runs out of bounds,” Saleh stated. “That further one or two yards, each yard issues. So many instances you’ll see ball carriers, it’s first-and-10 and so they get an 8-yard acquire and so they run out of bounds. It’s second-and-2 after which third-and-1 and then you definately’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 could be a large distinction in soccer.”
Corley and the opposite rookies had 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 Might 20, and the rookies can be training 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 night time,” Corley stated. “I’ve texted him the final couple of nights. I’m identical to a little bit child. He’s an grownup. He’s the MVP, Corridor of Famer, all these sorts of issues. I’m identical to a little bit child speaking to him on a regular basis, texting him, making an attempt to see what he’s finished to remain constant within the league, the issues that he’s finished to work on his psychological well being, how he’s stored his physique alive so lengthy.
“He stated I might 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 might 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 arms and let him make performs. The participant generally known as the “YAC King” in faculty nonetheless has work to do, although.
“He’s uncooked from a route-running skill 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 methods to get him the ball. He’s distinctive in that means. He is a brilliant child so he can take in it. For him, we all the time speak about these ‘only one issues,’ JOT tapes. His one factor is route refinement and simply ensuring that on third-and-4 while you’ve received to have it, you’ve received to have the ability to run a path to create separation. These are the issues he’s started working on.”
Corley stated he needs to work on exhibiting the coaches he can play on the skin in addition to within the slot and be generally known as greater than only a gadget participant.
“I feel I’ve hardly scratched the potential of who I’m as a participant,” Corley stated.
