Countdown to training camp: 19 [Jacoby Ford] Days

Image: Associated Press

The time from now until training camp can be filled with a mix of vacations and training regiments for players and personnel, but for hardcore NFL fans it’s more of a time filled with vodka and despair.

We’ll be counting down to the July 23rd, report-to-Cortland date, by featuring current players with roster numbers that correspond with the number of days left. For days without a corresponding player, we’ll be featuring other players and maybe some surprises.

19 Days = #19 Jacoby Ford

Wide Receiver Jacoby Ford, a fourth-round selection by the Oakland Raiders in the 2010 NFL Draft, signed with the New York Jets on April 1st.

A Clemson University product, Ford is best known for his speed, having run the NFL Scouting Combine’s 40-yard dash at a time of 4.28 seconds, and having participated in track and field in college.

Through three seasons with the Raiders, Ford has amassed 848 receiving yards on 57 receptions, with five total touchdowns. He is coming off a 2013 campaign where he gained just 99 receiving yards on 13 receptions.

Is this another Chaz Schilens? In short, no.

Ford’s biggest contributions may come in the return game, as he recorded 84 combined punt and kick returns with the Silver and Black, including four returns for touchdowns.

His limited offensive production up to this point in his career should be taken with a grain of salt. With the Raiders’ severe quarterback turnover and overall inefficiency on offense, Ford may not have been given a fair shot to properly showcase his abilities. With wide receiver positions behind Eric Decker available via open competition, Ford is afforded the opportunity to become a more featured member of his new squad.

What’s he bringing to Gang Green?

The addition of Ford adds speed to a team a team craving it, along with RB Chris Johnson. The pair are arguably the fastest players in the NFL.

From screens to go routes, offensive innovator Marty Mornhinweg should be able to find a way to get Ford the football in space, should he 1) make the roster out of camp and 2) show value beyond a special-teams player.

The special teams unit took a big hit, last season, as longtime coach Mike Westhoff retired after 2012. WR Jeremy Kerley drew disappointment from fans for his record-breaking number of fair catches in his punt returns, and kick returns saw a number of players interchanged with limited production.

Jacoby Ford has multiple ways to flash his skills in 2014, and the New York Jets will take any help they can bargain for in these two phases of the game.