The Jets sat down first-round pick Calvin Pryor on Sunday and gave the start at safety to Jaiquawn Jarrett in a move that paid off handsomely.
Jarrett had two interceptions, a sack and a fumble recovery in the 20-13 victory over the Steelers, a performance that may make him the AFC defensive player of the week when the honor is handed out on Wednesday. Helpful as Jarrett’s outing was, the fact that the Jets benched their first-round pick was a sign that something’s gone awry with Pryor’s development.
According to a report from Rich Cimini of ESPNNewYork.com, one thing that’s gone wrong has been Pryor’s inattention to detail off the field. Cimini reports that Pryor has been late to multiple meetings this year, although Pryor, whose play was rocky enough to contemplate a move even with a perfect attendance record, didn’t say anything about that when discussing why he played no defensive snaps against Pittsburgh.
“It was a coach’s decision,” Pryor said, via the New York Post. “We were going to rotate, but Jaiquawn Jarrett had a hell of a game, two interceptions, picked-up fumble. Stay with the hot guy, just keep him out there.”
Pryor won’t be written off so soon after going in the first round, but clearly there’s work to do across the board if he’s going to live up to that billing.
