Jets who helped themselves … and didn’t on Thursday night

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — The fourth (and final) preseason game produced its fair share of roster shakeupsor perhaps clarification for the New York Jets. There are a handful of roster spots open according to head coach Todd Bowles and a few players made a case for those coveted spots in the win over the Eagles.

And a few didn’t.

Truthfully, no player on the outside looking in did such a tremendous job in the game that he elevated himself onto the roster.

Players Who (Look Like) They Finalized a Spot on the 53-Man Roster:

Chris Owusu – His versatility on special teams is a plus but his two first quarter catches including an 18-yard touchdown reception showed that his training camp concussion didn’t rattle his chance to make the roster. Owusu had a great camp before the concussion and he’s picked up where he left off in preseason. He finished with five catches for 72 yards.

Zac Stacy – He ran well, to the tune of 68yards on 20 carries and had some nice catches out of the backfield, including a weaving 25-yard reception in the second quarter. Stacy was a long shot to make the roster after the Jets traded for him during the NFL Draft but he’s made quite a case during training camp. He’s making this team.

Rontez Miles – With Antonio Allen done for the year, Rontez Miles shot up the depth chart and is now firmly on the two-deep. He got the start on Thursday night and chipped in on a big tackle on the goal line, one of eighttackles on the night, second most on the team. He’s going from the practice squad the past two years to firmly on the two-deep.

Stuck in Neutral:

Walter Powell – A couple big gains, such as a 21-yard effort in the second quarter and another one of 28 yards helped cement the wide receiver firmly on the bubble. Factor in his special teams work and couple nice catches all of which helped him, but two second half penalties damaged him. He may not be doing enough to stick on the roster although he is making a late push.

Quincy Enunwa – The wide receiver and possible tight end had a bad drop in the third quarter, not the first time in preseason he hasn’t been able to hold onto the ball. But he still manages to make enough plays to keep himself in discussion to make this roster. But he didn’t cement his roster spot on Thursday night like he could have with two catches for 17 yards.

Players Who (Look Like) They Didn’t Finalize a Spot on the 53-Man Roster:

Brent Qvale – After getting some first-team reps during minicamp, the second-year offensive lineman allowed a badsack in the second quarter. It might be an uphill battle for Qvale who still has a decent shot at making the team, he just didn’t help his case against the Eagles. He got pushed around a bit as well which won’t help sell the coaching staff on his upside.

Daryl Richardson – He didn’t have a bad night but given the way Stacy played, it might be too little, too late. His recent concussion kept him out of Saturday’s win over the New York Giants and hurt his spot on the roster. He needed a home run showing against the Eagles and came up short, even as 72 rushing yards and a touchdown showed some goods. He should get picked up somewhere as he has talent. Just didn’t have the big game he needed to get on the roster. It wasn’t that Richardson was poor, it’s just that Stacy has consistently shown he can make plays.