Another chance gone for Holmes

VALENTINE Holmes was given a chance at punt and kick returner for the New York Jets, but he was unable to turn them into the eye-catching plays he needs to make the team’s regular season roster.

It was another disappointing pre-season game for Holmes who has been given few chances by the Jets to show he is worthy of a spot on the 53-man roster.

The former NRL star entered the game against the New Orleans Saints late in the fourth quarter at New Jersey’s Metlife Stadium yesterday. The Saints won 28-13. Holmes appears destined to spend the coming season stashed away on the Jets’ practice squad, which allows him to train with the team but not play games.

The Jets declined to give him any opportunities to return punts or kicks in the first two pre-season games but he had his first chance with a little over four minutes to go against the Saints. Holmes returned a 55-yard punt for 11 yards, but teammate Deonte Thompson was penalised for holding and the gain was erased.

The code switcher then had a 21-yard kick off return but was quickly wrapped up.

The Jets went with Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell, Trenton Cannon and Elijah Mcguire at running back before Holmes had his chance in the final minutes but he did not touch the ball.

Holmes is expected to receive time on the field in Thursday’s final pre-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles.

The Jets will most likely rest their first team players against the Eagles to avoid injuries, while playing fringe members of their squad like Holmes.

The Jets’ incumbent Australian punter Lachlan Edwards appears to have the edge on the challenger for his position, American Matt Darr.

Edwards had four punts for an average of 45 yards, with a longest of 54. Darr only came on in the fourth quarter and had three punts for 50 yards and a longest of 55, although one was returned 79 yards for a touchdown by the Saints’ Deonte Harris.

The Jets opened with number one quarterback Sam Darnold.