This week, as we suffer through the very slow time of the year for football fans, I thought I would write about a very inspirational former Jet. Dennis Byrd, defensive end/tackle, played only four seasons with the Jets, beginning in 1989.  

Byrd recorded 28 sacks during his first two seasons, which, even today, is a significant number for any Jet defensive player. But his career will never be remembered for sacks, tackles, or any stats. In November of 1992, during a game against the Kansas City Chiefs, Dennis suffered a severe neck injury. The impact of the injury would prevent Dennis from walking for a while, but it would end his football career for good. (More after the jump...)

He's on the market once again.

Running back Miguel Maysonet has been waived by Philly, after the team added ex-Cowboy Felix Jones last week. There was also some talk of disagreement between the GM and Head Coach, as Chip Kelly expressed some disinterest in the running back, but GM Howie Roseman hooked Maysonet up with a five figure signing bonus. 

Whatever the case, the New York Jets now have an opportunity to nail the player that I, personally, have been very high on since before the combine. 

Maysonet played one year of college ball at Hofstra before the entire football program was cut from the school, and he transferred to Stony Brook University, a school further east on Long Island.

Maysonet would become the Seawolves offense, rushing for a total of 4,725 yards on 695 carries (6.8 yds/carry avg) and 48 rushing TD's, during his three years at SBU. Maysonet was used very sparingly in the receiving game, receiving 18 passes for 191 yards and 4 TD's. 

Miguel Maysonet, at 5'9", 209lbs, has drawn comparisons to Ray Rice and, especially, Alfred Morris, who was drafted late in 2012, out of a small school like Maysonet. 

With the probable cutting of RB Mike Goodson, the Jets will have Chris Ivory, Bilal Powell, Joe McKnight and John Griffin on the roster. Maysonet isn't a necessity, as the running back core looks better than last season. But Ivory has had injury problems, and is very unproven. That could be the mantra of the entire RB core. Acquiring another promising young back would only help bolster the competition. That is, if he falls to the Jets' waiver claim, or clears waivers to become a free agent.

Maysonet could add to the Jets' diverse class, and yes, he could be that fill-in player for the hole in JetNation's heart at the loss of a different back with potential, Danny Woodhead.

Update: Maysonet was awarded to the Browns, per their waiver claim. The Browns had a higher waiver priority than the Jets, so NYJ couldn't have won him if they wanted to.

Zach Rogers is an UDFA (Undrafted Free Agent) wide receiver signee, coming out of the University of Tennessee. Rogers landed onto the Jets squad after the signing of many other UDFA's. Scouts have praised Rogers for his play at Tennessee, some even expected him to get drafted. Although Zach Rogers wasn't a big time breakout player at UT, he was arguably the most consistent receiver on the team. Even alongside receivers Cordarrelle Patterson and Justin Hunter.

Let's start with criticism...

Rogers is no doubt one of the smaller guys at receiver (6', 182 lbs). This could be the "life and death" of a career. Smaller guys coming across the middle of the gridiron may lead to the bigger, huskier linebackers licking their chops for a meal. Size does matter in some cases on the field, and it can be the difference of a few extra yards, or getting the wind knocked out of your chest. Being a wideout may not be in the future for Rogers, but if he were to take over a slot position in the near future, the offense will have a weapon in the making.

Strength is also questionable, but this is always a skill a player can improve on in the weight room. Strength determines if a player can handle the upcoming block. This would definitely need to be improved on by Zach Rogers if he were to make the team. A team can never have enough run support. (More after the jump...)

The Jets have a lot of young, talented players. They could all have good '13 season, but there is one player in particular that I think will have a breakout season and that's Stephen Hill.

Hill hails from Georgia Tech, where their offensive scheme was an option offense. If you aren't familiar with an option offense, it is basically a team running the football as much as possible with 3 or 4 players and there is very little passing. So, if you aren't the quarterback or a running back then you don't get the ball.

Hill had just 49 receptions for his college career---that number is very low! Most starting receivers get that or more in 1 season. The lack of touches has resulted in receiving skills that appeared to be lackluster, coming into the league.

For this edition of our college player spotlights, we had the opportunity to ask one of the NCAA's finest pure passers, David Fales, some questions about his collegiate career. 

Q: Beginning with the start of your college career, what led you to leaving Nevada?

A: Originally signing there [Nevada], I was thinking the offense was more of a passing offense. That’s what Coach [Chris] Ault did previously. After fall camp, I realized it wasn’t the best fit for me and had to make a decision if I was going to stay or leave.

Q: How did you end up at Monterey Peninsula College? And, on the same track, San Jose State?

A: I had a previous relationship with the head coach (Mike Rasmussen) at Monterey Peninsula College. So, if I knew I was going to transfer and go to JC, I knew where I was going to go.  That’s how I ended up there. I still have a really good relationship with him.

Going to San Jose State, Coach [Terry] Malley recruited me before my second year. Then, after the season, I threw for Coach [Mike] Mac [MacIntyre] and Coach [John] DeFilippo, our previous offensive coordinator (and a former New York Jets assistant.) They offered me the day after Christmas (2011).

(More after the jump...)