Despite an uneventful preseason, Chris Baker's role as the starter
remains intact. But there is a battle being waged
behind him.
In a race few anticipated, the backup tight end position has been one
of the most hotly contested in camp. On Saturday night, Joe Kowalewski
threw his name into the hat.
Kowalewski, who spent last season on the Jets practice squad, was off
to an impressive start to training camp. However, a leg injury sidelined
him for the majority of the preseason.
"I was out the first two weeks" Kowalewski said after Saturday night's
game. "Two of the hardest weeks of my life. It was so hard, I was
happy for my teammates, but it's so hard, so painful to watch. I
watched the Atlanta game, but I couldn't even watch the whole game."
While Kowalewski rehabbed his injury, both Sean Ryan and Jason Pociask seized the opportunity during his absence and performed well.
First came Ryan's two touchdown outing against the Falcons. That
was followed by a solid three catch, one touchdown, performance from
Pociask a week ago.
Finally healthy, Kowalewski got his
opportunity Saturday night, and made the most of it. Contributing three catches for
twenty-seven yards and some excellent blocking.
"You have to fight" Kowalewski said. "You have to play your best each
time because every time you're on that field it is a chance to do bad
and lose it. It's a chance, but it's also an opportunity. You just
have to take advantage and do your best, otherwise you could lose big
time."
Kowalewski's play early in preseason drew praise from the coaching
staff, but the injury hampered his ability to build on the early
momentum, and has left him amongst a handful of players sitting on the
fence for a roster spot.
A solid performance was needed to keep his chances for a roster spot
alive, and that is precisely what he did.
However, if he doesn’t make the regular roster, Kowaleski remains eligible for another stint on the practice team.