New York Jets: Recapping the Latest Buzz Heading into Training Camp

That fluttering you feel in your chest is the pang of anticipation as the NFL gets ready to kick off training camps.

That buzz you hear is the rumor mill spinning around the New York Jets and every other team, revolving faster and faster as training camp draws nearer and nearer.

With news around several players competing for jobs, others building new friendships, others recovering from surgery and others who are trying to prove their worth in general, the Jets are giving us many of the same storylines as other teams, only with different names.

But as we know, everything is bigger in the Big Apple. So let's take a look at what's going on in New York. 

Sheldon Richardson Suspended 4 Games for Violating NFL's Substance-Abuse Policy

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The Jets are already facing the possibility of being without one of their star defensive linemen with Muhammad Wilkerson holding out during a contractual standoff. Now, they are facing the certainty of being without another one of their stars up front due to a four-game suspension.

Sheldon Richardson will miss the first four games of the regular season because of a violation of the league's substance-abuse policy. He could potentially appeal the suspension and have it reduced, but his suspension is an indication that he was already in the NFL's drug program. For his part, Richardson is sorry for his mistake.

"I apologize for letting down my family, teammates, this organization and the fans," Richardson said in a statement.

He will miss games against the Cleveland Browns, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. The Jets are on a bye in Week 5, which means Richardson's regular-season debut will not take place until October 18 against the Washington Redskins. 

With Richardson's absence, the spotlight grows a little brighter on the No. 6 overall pick, Leonard Williams. Where he might have been able to come along slowly behind Wilkerson and Richardson, Williams could now be thrust into a prominent role right out of the gate.

Stevan Ridley Could Open Season on Active/Physically Unable to Perform List

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There are varying opinions and reports on when and whether running back Stevan Ridley will be ready to play after suffering a season-ending torn ACL in October 2014. The answers will depend on who you ask. 

Dom Cosentino of NJ Advance Media thinks there's a "40-60 chance" that Ridley could open the season on the physically unable to perform list, with the caveat that "no one can say for certain" right now. On the contrary, Rich Cimini of ESPN.com says that said Ridley "should be ready" for training camp.  

In either case, the Jets should not be in any kind of rush to get Ridley back on the field. They already have a deep group of backs with a similar skill set to Ridley's; between Bilal Powell, Chris Ivory and Zac Stacy, the Jets have a wealth of between-the-tackles hammers who can lower their shoulder and fight through contact for extra yards.

If healthy, Ridley could be a threat for the No. 2 spot on the depth chart. If not, that spot will likely go to someone else. 

Bilal Powell Could Open Camp as No. 2 Running Back

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Chris Ivory has virtually sewn up the No. 1 running back spot on the depth chart. The No. 2 spot, however, is wide open and should be up for grabs. For now, though, ESPN.com's Rich Cimini projects Bilal Powell as the Jets' No. 2 running back to begin training camp.

The Jets do not have a "true" scatback on their roster, but Powell is probably the closest thing they have to someone who could fill that role. He played mostly on passing downs in 2014, serving 187 of his 242 snaps in the passing game (132 as a receiver, 55 as a blocker), according to Pro Football Focus.

In fact, he played more frequently in pass protection than any other back on the roster. As a pass-catcher, though, his impact was not as noteworthy; he tallied only 11 catches in 132 times he went out for a pass as an eligible receiver.

Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey has been known to use his backs in inventive ways, but with such a preponderance of three- and four-receiver sets, the Jets may not need their backs to go out for passes all that frequently. 

Powell may not be the best third-down back in the league, but he can still be effective in that role if used correctly. 

Brandon Marshall and Eric Decker Developing a Close Bond

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No one could forget the explosive offenses that Jets wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall have been a part of in their veteran careers. Apparently, Decker and Marshall aren't even trying. 

According to Rich Cimini of ESPN.com, the two new teammates have been referring to each other by the names of their old teammates: Marshall has been calling Decker "Alshon Jeffery," and Decker has been calling Marshall "Demaryius Thomas."

The two receivers are a perfect complement to each other on the field. Marshall is a prototypical X receiver lining up on the boundary, with the big frame (6'4", 230 lbs) to win physical matchups and make contested catches in jump-ball situations. Decker is a great option as a Z receiver, with a bit more size than your average receiver who moves between the slot and the boundary (6'3", 214 lbs). He could double as an X receiver at times, as well. 

Decker and Marshall will be a Batman and Robin-type of dynamic duo this season, but who will be Batman and who will be Robin? The truth is, it may not matter. As long as the Jets offense keeps moving at an efficient rate, everyone should be happy.

Of course, that hasn't always been enough to keep Marshall content, so it will be interesting to see if their bond remains tight even if Decker is the focal point of the offense in a couple of games.

Geno Smith Will Work with Jets Receivers in Chicago This Summer

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Geno Smith has had a tough start to his career, but he's not taking it lying down. 

Now with so many new pieces on offense, the Jets must make it a priority to get everyone on the same page. According to Paul Schwartz of the New York Post, Smith is taking on some of the leadership in terms of that responsibility and is working with the Jets receivers in Chicago before the start of training camp. 

"Yes, we will all be getting together," Smith said at the Northwestern Mutual Geno Smith Football ProCamp at Boonton (N.J.) High School. "It's about a month from us reporting for camp, so it’s very important for us to continue to build on what we ended with back in minicamp."

According to Smith, the Jets chose Chicago because Brandon Marshall's wife just gave birth to twins; the locale of the workouts will help Marshall stay close to home to take care of the children and his wife. Smith even indicated that, although he expects to be the only quarterback in attendance, the other quarterbacks—veteran Ryan Fitzpatrick and rookie Bryce Petty—are also welcome to attend. 

Todd Bowles said earlier this offseason that the starting job is Smith's to lose. His leadership in this area is a good indication that he's not content to coast to the starting job, and hopefully for his sake, the extra time working out will lead to improved chemistry with his receivers—or at least something better than what we saw from him last year.