Jets have big-hitter Pryor working on finishing tackles

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Calvin Pryor made himself known among the college ranks as a big hitter. In the pro ranks, tacking is one of his bigger hurdles.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan says Gang Green's first round safety, who lost his starting job to Jaiquawn Jarrett two weeks ago, is getting back to basics on wrapping up.

"It starts with tackling," Ryan said Monday, via Newsday. "You have to get guys on the ground. He gets some great shots. He is a good tackler, but you have to get them down in space, especially when you have that much room and that is not easy.

Jets' Jarrett earns promotion during Pryor's benching

BY NICK ST. DENIS

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan didn't deny a report that rookie safety Calvin Pryor was recently benched for being late to meetings, but he wasn't about to take anything away from Pryor's replacement.

Pryor only saw action on special teams Sunday in the Jets' upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Meanwhile, veteran Jaiquawn Jarrett blew things up in Pryor's absence, snagging two interceptions, recording a sack and recovering a fumble.

Pryor cleared for contact but won't play Thursday

BY NICK ST. DENIS

New York Jets rookie safety Calvin Pryor was cleared for contact in practice Tuesday, but the team is playing it safe with the first-rounder out of Louisville.

The hard-hitting centerfield won't take the field Thursday when Gang Green host the Indianapolis Colts for the preseason opener.

"Let's get him a fresh start [next week] and make sure everything is good," Jets coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday, via ESPN.com. "I think that will be good for him."

Jets' top two rookies get dinged up over the weekend

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Being a rookie hurts sometimes.

The New York Jets' two most important first-year players are learning just that, as first round safety Calvin Pryor and second round tight end Jace Amaro both sustained injuries over the weekend.

According to the NY Post, Jets coach Rex Ryan confirmed Sunday Pryor suffered a concussion the day before and will sit until he goes through league protocol.

Younger Jets safeties handling bulk of first-team reps

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Antonio Allen is young, and Calvin Pryor is even younger, so New York Jets coach Rex Ryan is making sure the pair of safeties gets in the appropriate workload during OTAs.

Ryan said the first-rounder Pryor, whom he expects to contribute "in a big way for us," worked with the first-team defense Wednesday. Ryan also opted to give the third-year centerfielder Allen the bulk of the starter reps alongside Pryor.

It wasn't a strike against nine-year pro Dawan Landry, but rather an opportunity to get the youngsters some much-needed action.

Milliner certain Pryor's presence will be felt in backfield

BY NICK ST. DENIS

As a rookie, 2013 first-round pick Dee Milliner was very noticeable on the field, but for many of the wrong reasons.

Milliner thinks fellow New York Jets defensive back Calvin Pryor, a big-hitting first-round safety out of Louisville, will also have a presence on the field in his first year.

Pryor's presence, however, will be of the positive variety, according to the second-year corner.

Pryor's former coach: 'It's always business with him'

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Calvin Pryor is from Port St. Joe, Florida, a city of fewer than 4,500 people.

Bye, bye, small town.

The former Louisville safety was taken by the New York Jets Thursday in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, instantly pitting him in the biggest sports and media market in the world: The Big Apple.

Jets again go defense in first, nab 'enforcer' Pryor

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Since the New York Jets selected Mark Sanchez No. 5 overall in the 2009 draft, they've taken five defensive players in the first round of the last four drafts.

Make it six in the last five. Rex Ryan, everybody.

With the premier wide receivers off the board, along with the lone elite tight end, it became more and more obvious Gang Green would be leaning to the defensive side of the ball as the No. 18 overall pick approached. And that's just how it went.