Zach Rogers Gives Up Tim Tebow’s Old Jersey And Other Musings

Nov 24, 2012; Knoxville, TN, USA; Tennessee Volunteers wide receiver Zach Rogers (83) catches a pass for a touchdown against Kentucky Wildcats safety Mikie Benton (31) during the first half at Neyland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Randy Sartin-USA TODAY Sports

Yes, it pains me to put Tim Tebow’s name in the title, but when you see a number 15 Jets jersey, that’s inevitably what pops up.

During rookie minicamps and early OTA’s former Vol Zach Rogers was the lucky recipient of the number 15 jersey that was vacated by Tebow.

Now it looks as though Rogers has moved on from number 15, to number 9.

More importantly than a jersey number is Rogers’ performance so far with the Jets.

Head coach Rex Ryan praised Rogers early on in camp, saying he was impressed by the undrafted free agent out of Tennessee.

Rogers struggled with some drops last week, but appears to be back on track this week.

According to Manish Mehta of the New York Daily News, Rogers ran with the first team receivers today.

While that doesn’t mean a whole lot this early in OTA’s, it’s still an encouraging sign for the rookie.

The Jets are also using Rogers as a kick-returner in practice according to Conor Orr, who covers the Jets for the Star-Ledger. Orr said that Rogers was “returning plenty of kicks today”.

Rogers will have to do all the little things right, he has an uphill battle to make the Jets’ final 53 man roster, a task that some think he’ll accomplish.

As for that number 15 jersey, well wide receiver Ben Obomanu find himself as the lucky one now.

Of course the real unlucky ones are those that cover the Jets. I doubt Obomanu will be able to provide them with nearly as much material.

For more on former Vols in the NFL make sure to follow along on Twitter @Vols_zach