Ryan Spadola Has Chance To Shine Next Week Against Atlanta Falcons

By Stephen Conway
The Star Ledger-USA TODAY Sports

With New York Jets Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill questionable for Monday nights showdown against the Atlanta Falcons, the receiving core is very thin. Clyde Gates and Jeremy Kerley are the only legitimate threats for rookie quarterback Geno Smith. This is why Ryan Spadola is going to have a great opportunity to prove himself yet again to the league and to the coaches.

After an impressive preseason, Spadola has not yet had a catch nor target in the 2013 season. This is largely due to Hill and Holmes being healthy up until now. the 6-foot-3 receiver is instinctive, runs good routes and has good hands. Undrafted out of Lehigh, Spadola desperately wants to show what he can do, and he’s got a great opportunity to do so.

Smith struggled this past Sunday, so it will be interesting to see who he relies on this coming Monday. Wouldn’t it be something if both Smith and Spadola, two rookies hit it off and connect numerous times against the Falcons? That would be something, and maybe it does happen.

The loss of Holmes will definitely hurt Smith and the Jets offense. Even though it hasn’t been said, with his recent history and they way he has been treating his ankle, I wouldn’t expect Holmes to play Sunday. I would believe Hill has a better chance of playing than Holmes, and Hill is questionable with a concussion. The Jets do have an extra day, since they are playing on Monday night, but one thing is for sure, it’s Spadola’s time.

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