Category: Jets Training Camp

Jets injury report: Vyncint Smith latest WR to miss practice

Vyncint Smith’s core injury leaves the Jets very thin at wide receiver.

The Jets’ wide receivers group is getting thinner by the day.

Vyncint Smith became the second Jets receiver to go down with an injury as he missed Sunday’s practice with a core issue. Smith will see a specialist on Monday.

Denzel Mims missed his second straight day of practice with a hamstring injury. Adam Gase gave no update on a timetable for his return. With two injured receivers, the Jets signed free agent Chris Hogan. He won’t be able to practice for a few days until he goes through all the COVID-19 protocols, though.

Elsewhere, Cameron Clark is week to week as he deals with a shoulder injury. Brian Poole sat out of Sunday’s practice due to dehydration.

Pierre Desir also missed his second day of practice because of a hamstring injury. The injury isn’t considered serious, though. Bronson Kaufusi (hamstring) and Jabari Zuniga (quad) missed a second consecutive day of practice as well.

Adam Gase talks C.J. Mosley, Le’Veon Bell and more with Jets training camp in full swing

Jets head coach Adam Gase spoke with reporters via conference call on Wednesday. Here’s what he had to say.

The Jets have yet to take the practice field this summer, but with the “acclimation period”, which consists of strength and conditioning, underway, training camp is essentially in full swing at One Jets Drive.

It has been an eventful last week and a half for head coach Adam Gase, as New York’s roster has endured a good amount of turnover. Jamal Adams is off to Seattle, while C.J. Mosley decided to opt-out of the 2020 season because of family health-related COVID-19 concerns. Brian Winters, Quincy Enunwa and Trenton Cannon are also no longer with the organization, as the three were handed their walking papers to kick off the second week of camp.

On Wednesday, Gase spoke with reporters via conference call, addressing the Jets’ recent string of transactions, how they could go about replacing Mosley, Le’Veon Bell’s motivation to succeed this upcoming season, and much more.

Here are the biggest takeaways from Gase’s most recent chat with the media.

Better now than later

AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Adam Gase never wanted to lose Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley. The two were key cogs in Gregg Williams’ defense and crucial to the Jets’ ability to compete in 2020. However, the way New York’s second-year head coach sees it, it’s better that the two players departed now as opposed to in the middle of the season.

When speaking with reporters, Gase noted that losing Adams and Mosley in the early parts of training camp is semi-helpful, as it gives the Jets time to adjust to life without them. Had Adams and Mosley departed mid-season, New York would have had to build a new defensive scheme on the fly, which is an extremely tough task for any defensive coordinator — even the veteran Williams.

The Jets have a month to build their defense without two key parts. It’s not going to be easy, but at least they will have time to work out the kinks before Week 1 rolls around.

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Jets’ 53-man roster prediction 3.0: C.J. Mosley’s opt-out, other moves shake things up

Jets Wire takes its latest crack at projecting New York’s 53-man 2020 roster following C.J. Mosley’s opt-out and multiple other cuts.

The Jets’ roster has endured a good amount of turnover throughout the last couple of days.

On Saturday, linebacker C.J. Mosley opted out of the 2020 season because of family health-related COVID-19 concerns. Sunday brought about the release of veteran offensive lineman Brian Winters, while wide receiver Quincy Enunwa, running back Trenton Cannon, offensive lineman Ben Braden and outside linebacker Wyatt Ray were shown the door on Monday.

New York’s recent string of transactions not only shake up the depth chart, but also change the outlook of who breaks training camp with the team. With that being said, let’s get into Jets Wire’s latest crack at predicting Gang Green’s 53-man roster.

A reminder: italics signify new arrivals and/or changes from the previous prediction. You can click on previous predictions below as the summer progresses.

Predictions 1.0 – Post-NFL Draft | Predictions 2.0 – The Jamal Adams trade

Quarterback (3)

Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports

Starter: Sam Darnold

Backups: David Fales, James Morgan

Cut: Mike White

Nothing new to see here, as the makeup of the Jets’ quarterback room entering the regular season is essentially set in stone. Joe Flacco, remember, won’t be ready for the start of the season. The only question surrounding the group at this point is who could wind up as New York’s designated “quarantine quarterback.”

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Updated look at Jets’ middle linebacker depth chart after C.J. Mosley opts out

Here’s what the Jets’ linebacker depth chart will look like after the opt-out of C.J. Mosley.

The Jets took a hit at middle linebacker on Saturday after C.J. Mosley opted out of the 2020 NFL season.

Mosley is opting out for family health concerns, according to ESPN’s Rich Cimini. So with no Mosley out for another season after he missed all but two games in 2019, the Jets’ depth at inside linebacker will be tested.

Fortunately for New York, it has depth up the middle. Mosley’s absence likely means Avery Williamson can reclaim a starting spot after suffering a torn ACL last preseason. There was a chance the Jets were going to move on from Williamson this summer — doing so would have saved them $6.5 million — but Mosley’s opt-out should change that.

Patrick Onwuasor is the other most likely option to start. Mosley’s former running mate in Baltimore, he came over from the Ravens this offseason after a disappointing 2019 campaign. However, Onwuasor played well in 2018 when he recorded 5.5 sacks.

As for the rest of the depth chart, the Jets have a solid mix of experience and youth. Neville Hewitt played well in place of Williamson last season. He had 73 total tackles, three sacks, five pass defenses and two interceptions in 12 starts. The Jets also have James Burgess and Blake Cashman, who both started at times in 2019 in place of injured teammates. Burgess had 78 total tackles, one safety, five pass defenses and one interception in just 10 games while Cashman had 38 total tackles and one pass defense in seven games before tearing his labrum and fracturing his shoulder.

There is also B.J. Bello is projected as the third-string middle linebacker. An emergency option, he recorded five tackles in seven games last season.

Despite Mosley’s absence in 2020, this unit still has the potential to be impactful. Gregg Williams’ system allows players to play to their strengths rather than requiring a certain skill set, which also allows for flexibility. That siad, no one here will replicate what Mosley is capable of, something the Jets got a taste of in Mosley’s brief appearances in 2019.

New York Jets Training Camp Primer: What’s new and what to expect

After a rather chaotic offseason, Gang Green returns to One Jets Drive on Tuesday for the start of training camp.

After a rather chaotic offseason, Gang Green returns to One Jets Drive on Tuesday for the start of training camp.

The last few months have been awfully busy for Gang Green. Joe Douglas got his first crack at free agency and the NFL draft, Woody Johnson was accused of racism, sexism and corruption, and star safety Jamal Adams successfully forced his way out of New York. Oh, and there was also, you know, the NFL trying to navigate a global pandemic.

COVID-19 and safety protocols will remain at the forefront of the discussion as the Jets and every other team opens up camp. As we’ve already seen with other sports leagues, coronavirus is the story right now, and it doesn’t look like that’s changing anytime soon.

With that noted, there are plenty of on-field matters to discuss in regards to the Jets, many of which we at Jets Wire have already written about in great detail. As for this article? Let it serve as a brief refresher for the offseason and a look at training camp and the uncertain season ahead.

Key Additions

Free Agent Signings: WR Breshad Perriman, WR Josh Doctson, RB Frank Gore, QB Joe Flacco, QB David Fales*, OL Alex Lewis*, OL Connor McGovern, OL George Fant, OL Greg Van Roten, OL Josh Andrews, CB Pierre Desir, CB Brian Poole*, CB Arthur Maulet*, LB Jordan Jenkins*, LB Patrick Onwuasor, LB Neville Hewitt*, LB James Burgess*

*Re-signed

Trade Acquisitions: S Bradley McDougald, CB Quincy Wilson

Draft Picks: OL Mekhi Becton, WR Denzel Mims, DB Ashtyn Davis, EDGE Jabari Zuniga, RB La’Mical Perin, QB James Morgan, CB Bryce Hall, P Braden Mann

Undrafted Free Agents: OL Jared Hilbers, EDGE Bryce Huff, WR Lawrence Cager, WR George Campbell

Key Departures

QB Trevor Siemian, WR Robby Anderson, WR Demaryius Thomas, RB Ty Montgomery, RB Bilal Powell, OL Ryan Kalil, OL Kelvin Beachum, OL Brandon Shell, LB Brandon Copeland, CB Darryl Roberts, CB Trumaine Johnson, S Jamal Adams, S Rontez Miles

Potential Summer Salary Cap Cuts

OL Brian Winters, LB Avery Williamson

Position Battles to Watch

No. 2 WR: It’s Mims vs. a field of journeymen. The second-round pick is the clear favorite.

No. 2 CB: Bless Austin faces a challenge from Wilson and Hall, among others.

No. MLB: Who will be C.J. Mosley’s partner up the middle? Williamson is playing for his roster spot and fending off Blake Cashman and Onwuasor.

No 2. OLB: A few unprovens are vying to play opposite Jenkins: namely Tarell Basham, Zuniga and Huff. Chances are all three see decent playing time this season.

RT: Free agent signing Fant vs. sophomore Chuma Edoga.

K: Sam Ficken has never been the most accurate kicker. Neither has Brett Maher. Who can miss the fewest field goals this summer?

What Could Go Right?

The Jets believe they can contend in a wide-open AFC East in 2020, even after trading Adams. To do that, they’re going to need a dramatic turnaround from an offense that finished last or close to it in nearly every conceivable category last year.

The plan? Douglas spent most of his offseason revamping the Jets offensive line — New York could have five new starters in the trenches this season. The goal is to get Darnold more time to throw and Le’Veon Bell more holes to run through. If all that happens, Darnold could finally have his breakout season despite the lack of star power around him. The quarterback has shown flashes through his first two NFL seasons, but, even with a strong defense, the Jets are going to need a Pro Bowl-caliber year from him if they want to be in the playoff hunt at the end of the season.

What Could Go Wrong?

A lack of face-to-face time during the offseason could seriously hinder a team with so many new additions. Chemistry was a problem for the Jets offensive line last year — and that was without a global pandemic getting in the way.

Even if that’s not an issue in 2020, it remains to be seen if the pieces the Jets brought in were enough. Douglas wasn’t able to get the cream of the crop linemen available, failed to find Darnold a true No. 1 receiver and continued the tradition of ignoring Gang Green’s pass-rush. Throw in an incredibly difficult schedule, and this has the makings of a long season in New York.

It wouldn’t be a shock if Adam Gase didn’t make it through to the end.

Expectations

Entering training camp, it’s hard to say the Jets are any better than the third-best team in the division. There are still serious holes at important positions and little proven talent around Darnold.

While Gregg Williams should have no issue producing another impressive defense, Gase gave little reason to believe he can turn the offense around. With so many challenging games on the docket and not enough talent to match, this Jets team would be lucky to go .500 in 2020.

 

10 Jets players in danger of being cut prior to training camp

Jets Wire takes a look at 10 players who could be released before the beginning of training camp on Thursday.

With the NFL expected to adopt a smaller offseason roster in the coming days, numerous Jets players on the roster bubble entering training camp are in danger of being cut before they even make it to One Jets Drive.

In an effort to combat the spread of COVID-19, offseason rosters could be reduced from 90 players to 80 or less for training camp. The NFL and NFLPA have already agreed to cancel the preseason, indicating that a smaller offseason roster could be the next measure the league takes in an effort to reduce the risk of players contracting coronavirus.

Smaller offseason rosters would mean pink slips being handed out before the beginning of camp. Jets rookies have already reported to Florham Park, but the rest of the team is scheduled to arrive on Thursday. That gives New York five days to cut its roster down by 10 or more players.

So, which Jets players could be in danger of being cut before the beginning of training camp? Here are 10 that could be shown the door before Thursday.

Avery Williamson

Syndication: North Jersey

Avery Williamson was already facing an uphill battle for his roster spot entering training camp. Now, his departure out of the Big Apple could be expedited.

Williamson missed all of 2019 due to a torn ACL, putting his future with the Jets in flux. Blake Cashman shined as a rookie in Williamson’s place, while New York added C.J. Mosley’s former running mate, Patrick Onwuasor, in free agency this offseason. That does not necessarily mean Williamson is on his way out, but it puts him behind the eight ball when it comes to making the 53-man roster.

Considering Williamson’s already-slim chances of breaking camp with the Jets, Joe Douglas and company could do him and the organization a favor by releasing him before Thursday. The Jets said that Williamson would get a chance to compete for a job in the preseason, but that can’t happen now that there won’t be one.

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Jets’ Pierre Desir, Frank Gore among players to call out NFL over coronavirus protocols

Pierre Desir and Frank Gore were among the Jets players to take to Twitter to call out the NFL coronavirus protocols on Sunday.

Players around the NFL are not happy with the league’s inability to come to an agreement on safety protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

With teams set to report to training camp beginning on Monday, the NFL has yet to etch out the details of its plan to protect its players from coronavirus. Social distancing guidelines have been established, but the league is still negotiating many details of its plan for player safety, including testing frequency and the number of preseason games that will be played.

On Sunday, numerous players around the NFL took to Twitter to speak out and voice their concerns with the season inching closer. Among them were Jets running back Frank Gore, linebacker Avery Williamson, cornerback Pierre Desir and Brian Poole, all of whom had plenty to say as they prepare to report to One Jets Drive on Thursday.

NFL Players Association director DeMaurice Smith and president JC Tretter addressed the union’s concerns in a video teleconference call with reporters on Friday in which they called for daily testing. A joint committee of doctors, trainers and strength coaches formed by the NFL and NFLPA recommended testing occur every other day.

Jets players will begin reporting to training camp on Tuesday with the rookies being the first to head back to team facilities. Quarterbacks and injured players will report on Thursday, while the remainder of the team is set to return on July 28. Players can choose not to report, but under the collective bargaining agreement, teams can fine players who do not show up for camp.

Report: Extra locker room space part of Jets’ plan to comply with NFL social distancing guidelines

Extra locker room space will play a part in New York’s plans for social distancing in training camp.

When the Jets report to training camp beginning this week, their locker room at One Jets Drive will not be as crowded as it normally is during the summer.

In order to meet the NFL’s guidelines for social distancing issued last month, New York will use trailers set up outside of team facilities as extra locker room space, according to the New York Post’s Brian Costello. The NFL is requiring 6 feet of space between lockers, which is not possible to do in the Jets’ regular locker room with a 90-man training camp roster. New York is also not able to use MetLife Stadium, as the Giants are holding their training camp there.

Jets players will begin reporting to training camp on Tuesday with the rookies being the first to head back to team facilities. Quarterbacks and injured players will report on Thursday, while the remainder of the team is set to return on July 28. Head coach Adam Gase returned last week. The rest of his coaching staff is scheduled to report on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Despite the NFL’s social distancing guidelines, there are still many unknowns about training camp, preseason and what kind of precautions the league is taking to ensure player safety. The NFL is still negotiating details such as testing frequency and the number of preseason games that will be played, leaving plenty up in the air as rookies from the Chiefs and Texans are set to be the first to report for camp beginning on Monday.

Report: Giants will use MetLife Stadium for training camp

The Giants will still use the practice fields at Quest Diagnostic Training Center, but will use MetLife Stadium as a meeting place.

The New York Giants will use MetLife Stadium as the team’s training camp headquarters, according to Art Stapelton of NewJersey.com.

The Giants will host their team training camp in East Rutherford, while the Jets will be in Florham Park. As Stapleton reports, the Giants will still use the practice fields at Quest Diagnostic Training Center since the team’s training center is on the outskirts of the team’s facilities. However, with regards to the locker room and meeting space, the Giants will use their home stadium as a temporary space.

The Giants will also have access to the suites in MetLife Stadium, as the team will attempt to socially distance given their current constraints.

The Jets don’t have the same advantage of being able to prepare in their own stadium. Following the guidelines set forth by the NFL and CDC, the Jets will be conducting a limited training camp on their own accord while preparing for the season in Florham Park.

This isn’t a change from the Giants’ usual circumstances, but since they’re so close to their stadium already, they’re allowed to participate in the team’s limited training camp there.

The Giants being allowed to practice at MetLife gives them an opportunity to experience their home stadium without a crowd. The Jets, meanwhile, will have to get creative in order to mimic such circumstances at their own team facilities.

2020 New York Jets Position Preview: Quarterback

Jets Wire breaks down New York’s quarterback room with training camp and the 2020 season approaching.

With the beginning of training camp less than two weeks away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.

Gang Green’s 2019 campaign essentially went off the rails when QB Sam Darnold contracted mononucleosis. Backups Trevor Siemian and Luke Falk were thrown into the fire, effectively exposing the Jets’ lack of depth under center.

As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will be providing an in-depth look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s kick things off with a breakdown of the gunslinger situation at One Jets Drive.

The Starter

Thanks to the upgrades the Jets made to their offensive line this offseason and a couple of new additions at wide receiver, 2020 could be the year Sam Darnold finally comes into his own as New York’s starting quarterback.

Insufficient pass protection and an underwhelming group of wide receivers plagued Darnold’s first two seasons as a starter in the NFL. Fortunately for Darnold and the Jets, general manager Joe Douglas did his best to rebuild the offensive line and give Darnold two new viable weapons in speedster Breshad Perriman and rookie Denzel Mims.

New York will go as Darnold goes in 2020. If the third-year signal-caller plays well, the Jets will be in the hunt for a wild card spot and maybe even the AFC East title. If not, it will be back to the drawing board at season’s end.

Depth

Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

If Darnold succumbs to injury or illness in 2020, the Jets will not be left out in the cold as they were last season thanks to an improved quarterback room.

Veteran Joe Flacco is in as New York’s No. 2 quarterback. He won’t be ready for Week 1 due to offseason neck surgery, but the former Super Bowl MVP gives the Jets a reliable backup once he is 100 percent healthy and a potentially valuable mentor for Darnold.

Behind Flacco are David Fales, rookie James Morgan and Mike White. Fales is familiar with Adam Gase’s offense, but the Jets drafted Morgan for a reason. The 29-year-old Fales is all but a lock to break camp with the team while Morgan marinates on the sideline, but once Flacco returns to the field, Fales’ time in New York will likely end. White is nothing more than a training camp body and is not a serious threat to make Gang Green’s 53-man roster.

Outlook

Darnold is potentially in store for a breakout 2020 season. He will finally be able to stand in the pocket and go through his reads playing behind a decent enough offensive line and has an assortment of weapons to work with in a solid wide receiver trio, the two-headed monster of Ryan Griffin and Chris Herndon at tight end, and Le’Veon Bell out of the backfield.

With that being said, the Jets need those hopes to come to fruition if they want to contend this upcoming season. Darnold does not have to magically develop into a worldbeater, but he has to play well enough to convert close losses into wins. If that does not happen, 2020 stands to be another disappointing year — and one that could force the Jets to reconsider Darnold’s future in the Big Apple.