For all the information you need on catching LB Billy Boyko, OG Will Rackley and WR Ryan Spadola this weekend, just check below the flip.
Who: LB Billy Boyko
What: Oakland Raiders at the New Orleans Saints
Where: Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, LA
When: 8:00PM EDT
Broadcast: NFL Network, Midnight EDT (tape-delay), or NFL Preseason Live Online ($14.95 for all preseason games)
What we'll learn: Boyko, who returned to Raider practice this week after an injury held him out of most of camp for the Oakland Raiders, will finally get his first taste of NFL action. Currently listed as the fourth MLB on the Raiders' depth chart, the hope is he'll show up well on special teams, or make a big play or two in the second half, to make a good impression on the Raider coaching staff and hopefully make the 53-man roster.
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What: Jacksonville Jaguars at the New York Jets
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
When: 7:30PM EDT
Broadcast: NFL Network, Live, 7:30 EDT
What we'll learn: Rackley, who is penciled in as the Jaguars starter at guard, will probably play early in the game as protection for QB Blaine Gabbert, and might make way early in the second half for the backup, OL Jason Spitz. Earlier this week, he and teammate C Brad Meester were the only two offensive linemen standing in practice - a change from 2012, when Will lost the entire season to injury.
NY Post: Lehigh Hopes for Spadola to Pick Up Slack for the Jets
There will be a Lehigh reunion of sorts Saturday night when the Jets play the Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Perhaps before the game, and certainly after, Jacksonville offensive lineman Will Rackley and Jets free agent wide receiver Ryan Spadola will have a chance to chat and update each other on their respective training camps. The conversation should start with Spadola saying, “Thank you.”
It was Rackley, drafted in the third round in 2011, who provided Spadola with advice on how to make the transition from college to the NFL. It has helped Spadola go from an undrafted free agent to a virtual lock to make the Jets’ opening-game roster.
“He was the guy I reached out to throughout the whole NFL process from the Combine to getting ready for the draft and what to expect in training camp and how to prepare for it,” Spadola said.
Spadola’s emergence is much-needed with Santonio Holmes still sidelined after foot surgery in 2012. Clyde Gates missed yesterday’s practice with a head injury; second-year player Stephen Hill remains a work in progress, and nine-year vet Braylon Edwards may not have much left.
It’s uncertain why Spadola, who is a solid 6-foot-3, 200 pounds and runs a 4.4 in the 40-yard dash, went undrafted. He caught 232 passes for 3,611 yards and 24 touchdowns during his career at Lehigh. It could have been because his stats were down after missing two games his senior season with mononucleosis. It could have been because he came from a small college. It could have been because he was suspended by the NCAA for one game as a junior for retweeting a racially insensitive tweet disparaging an opponent.
Whatever the reasons, the Jets are happy he spurned free-agent offers from the Colts, Dolphins, Bucs and Giants.
“I learned what the Jets were about and what they were trying to accomplish this year,” said Spadola, a native of Howell, N.J. “I looked forward to being a part of it.”
Spadola has worked with the first team offense at times during camp and is being featured on special teams.
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