Category: Jets Training Camp

Jets head coach Robert Saleh talks about bringing along Mike Williams

Jets head coach Robert Saleh talks about Mike Williams’ return to the field.

The plan to bring along Mike Williams will be pragmatic. The New York Jets wide receiver is just returning to the practice field this week.

Last year in just three games played due to an ACL injury, Williams had 19 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown. But in 2022, he had 63 catches for 895 yards and four touchdowns.

Twice in his seven-season NFL career, Williams has 1,000 receiving yards.

Williams was activated this week and he saw the practice field on Thursday according to head coach Robert Saleh. It was the first time Williams has been on the field since signing this offseason with the Jets.

“The good news is, obviously he’s a lot further ahead than we anticipated,”Jets head coach Robert Saleh told the media on Thursday.

“If I’m not mistaken, he was out at individual and some route running stuff early, so that’s going to kind of be his progression, he’ll be involved in all the walkthroughs, individual, routes on air, so for the next week or two that’s about the extent of what we’ll see unless he starts feeling good, but we’ll anticipate him getting back into teamwork, maybe a couple weeks from now.”

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Williams signed a one-year, $10 million contract this offseason.

Turning breakups into interceptions…practice isn’t necessarily perfect for Jets All-Pro Sauce Gardner

New York Jets All-Pro Sauce Gardner doesn’t get many shots at interceptions in practice.

With the challenge to up his interceptions this season, New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner faces a very unique challenge in actually practicing turnovers.

The reason for the issue? Gardner faces a quarterback every day in Jets training camp in Aaron Rodgers who simply doesn’t throw many interceptions.

It makes it a challenge for Gardner to practice catching the ball and creating turnovers if the ball being thrown at him isn’t catchable. Early in training camp, Jets head coach Robert Saleh said he wants to see Gardner turn some of his plays from last year into turnovers this season.

In his first two seasons in the NFL, Gardner has had 32 passes defended but just two interceptions. a surprisingly low number for such a highly-regarded defensive back. Both of those interceptions came his rookie season.

Asked by reporters on Thursday about the challenge from Saleh to increase his interception total, the two-time All-Pro said that “I feel like I could have had three, four…three (to) four easily” last season. Playing in man coverage means that his back is often turned to the quarterback so he doesn’t always see the quarterback’s release.

“I ain’t saying that as an excuse (but) it ain’t as easy as everybody thinks. It’s not like we’re just playing catch out there. It don’t make it no easier going  against Aaron in practice. I’m not getting those easy opportunities to pick him off in practice,” Gardner told reporters.

“I got to do extra work outside of that. Aaron’s not going to give me no 50-50 balls.”

In other words, practice isn’t the perfect place for Gardner to get live reps at interceptable balls.

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This is very much a season of expectations for the Jets. After what happened last year with the loss of quarterback Aaron Rodgers in the first week of the season, Gardner said that there is a sense of focus within this group.

“We all know what we can do as a team, all of us as a collective group, a collective unit – coaches included,” Gardner said.

“We know what we can do, man. It’s a matter of taking it one day at a time. Taking the classroom to the meeting room to the field and applying that to the field and just executing.”

What rookies (and a young player) stood out to Robert Saleh during the Jets joint practice?

Robert Saleh talks about his team’s joint practice.

Following Thursday’s joint practice, New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh highlighted several rookies who made an impression.

The Jets had a joint practice on Thursday with the Washington Commanders. The Jets will play their first preseason game on Saturday against the Commanders at MetLife Stadium.

Following the joint practice, Saleh was asked by reporters on Thursday about first-round pick Olu Fashanu (offensive tackle) and third round pick Malachi Corley (wide receiver). He highlighted two other young players in his answer about the rain-soaked joint practice.

“I know Malachi made a couple plays, there’s a couple plays I’m sure he wants back, like I said, it’s junky weather for receivers today, but we’ll see, I’ll get to the tape and have better answers for you tomorrow,” Saleh told the media.

“I felt good about what Olu looked like, but I thought [Andrew] Peasley did a nice job today, same thing with [Adrian] Martinez, so we’ll see what the tape looks like.”

Martinez signed with the Jets last week. He spent four years at Nebraska and then a single season at Kansas State before playing in the UFL last year where he was the MVP of the championship game.

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As for Peasley, he signed with the Jets in May as an undrafted free agent. He played collegiately at Utah State and then Wyoming.

 

 

What does Robert Saleh think of Aaron Rodgers so far in Jets training camp?

Robert Saleh talks about how Aaron Rodgers has looked so far in training camp.

So far so good from Aaron Rodgers. That is the message from New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh when it comes to his star quarterback.

Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury just four plays into his Jets career last year, is very much the straw that stores the drink this year for Gang Green. If Rodgers is healthy, there is every reason to believe that the Jets are a team that can not only make the playoffs but make a run to the Super Bowl.

A healthy Rodgers could mean a divisional title for the Jets. It isn’t farfetched, given that the Jets were a respectable 7-10 last year with Rodgers having missed 99.9 percent of the team’s snaps.

“I think he’s in a great space, you know, he’s in a great space mentally,” Saleh told reporters on Thursday.

“I keep telling people, his arm looks like he’s 30, so he’s chomping at it. He’s ready to roll, and he looks really good.”

As for Rodgers’ workload in preseason, that remains to be seen.

There was some speculation that Rodgers, given his injury last year, would not play in preseason. On Thursday, Saleh said there is a possibility that he could play, possibly in the final game of preseason against the New York Giants.

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Saleh cautions that on the topic of playing in the preseason, he has had “preliminary discussions” with Rodgers but nothing is settled.

“Either way, like I said, we haven’t had final decisions yet at all with regards to the third game,” Saleh said.

“You guys know me, the third game is usually when we like to play our guys and depending on how today went, how Saturday goes, and then next weeks work with the Panthers, and the following week with the
Giants, I’ll make that decision.”

A revamped offensive line for the New York Jets can be ‘a really good group’

Robert Saleh sees potential in the offensive line.

Arguably one of the weakest points of the New York Jets two-deep over the past decade has been the offensive line. It’s not a stretch to say that consistently, the Jets offensive line has been inconsistent.

That may not be true this upcoming season, with the Jets aggressively upgrading their line in free agency and the NFL draft over the past two years.

Specifically this offseason, the Jets brought back Morgan Moses, who was with the team in 2021 and then spent the last two years with the Baltimore Ravens.

Then they signed All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith and drafted Olu Fashanu.

It has head coach Robert Saleh thinking that the upgrades have positioned the offensive line to be improved.

“It’s got a chance to be a really good group. I’ll even talk about the second-half of the season last year, that group and the amount of reps and playing time that they all got, and how much better they got over the course of the year,” Saleh told reporters.

“Remember, we played the two best run defenses in football a year ago to finish the season and rushed for a lot of yards. So, all the experience that they got, we feel really good about not only the front five, but the next six or seven guys, eight guys even.”

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The Jets finished last year ranked second-worst in total offense. The hope is that a rebuilt offensive line can keep quarterback Aaron Rodgers healthy and the offense viable.

Besides the obvious, there is another reason why Robert Saleh is excited for Morgan Moses’ return

Morgan Moses impacts more than just the Jets on the field.

For the New York Jets, getting veteran offensive tackle Morgan Moses back on the field for drills on Friday is crucial for the development of a revamped offensive line.

But off the field for Jets head coach Robert Saleh, simply having Moses in the locker room is a big lift.

The 33-year old offensive tackle is in his second stint with the Jets, having been with the organization in 2021. After two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Moses is back and brings his considerable experience and leadership to the line.

Those off the field components, Saleh told reporters on Friday, really stand out to him. Saleh was in his first year as head coach of the Jets for Moses’ previous season with the organization.

“He’s an elite human. His locker room presence, the way he prepares, he’s a veteran…he’s so conscientious of his body and he’s not afraid to bring young guys with them and communicate and kind of show guys the ropes,” Saleh told reporters during Friday’s availability.

“He’s experienced three NFL buildings and so he knows what all of them look like. He’s got great experience and he’s not afraid to share that.”

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Morgan was a third-round pick out of Virginia by the Washington Commanders in the 2014 NFL draft.

Morgan Moses makes his return for the New York Jets

Morgan Moses returns to the field for the New York Jets.

The return of Morgan Moses is big for the New York Jets, giving their revamped offensive line a chance at some very important training camp reps.

Moses had offseason shoulder surgery and Friday marked his return to participating in drills. The Jets now have their starting five offensive linemen on the field together for the first time all offseason.

For the Jets, getting the 33-year-old Moses integrated into the group is a very important development.

Being able to get into a groove is important for the line, especially after future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered an Achilles injury last year. Keeping Rodgers upright and healthy will determine just how far this talented team can go.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh was asked on Friday by reporters about the importance of his starting offensive line playing together.

“It’s always beneficial, but at the same time, the League is chaotic, right? So, the odds of us playing with the same five all season are slim to none,” Saleh told reporters on Friday.

“So, it’s good for them to work with one another and different combinations, but as long as we maintain our communication. To answer your question – to get our Week 1 group out there as quick as possible so they can gel that can definitely be beneficial.”

As for Moses in particular, Saleh was pleased to have his veteran offensive lineman on the field again.

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“It’s been a long road for him trying to get back from that peck, but excited to get him back, excited to get him in pads,” Saleh said.

“Still going to be scheduled. It’s going to be a little sporadic moving forward, but it’s good to get in those reps.”

Sauce Gardner is a coverage nightmare for NFL QB’s | New York Jets

New York Jets DB Sauce Gardner didn’t produce an interception last season but that’s because opposing QB’s know not to throw his way.

Last season the New York Jets ranked No. 1 in pass yards allowed per game. Perhaps defensive back Sauce Gardner deserves some credit for his dominance.

Sure, Gardner didn’t produce an interception in 2023, but that’s because his 12 pass deflections were enough to convince opposing quarterbacks not to throw his way.

To make things more exclamatory, two of the NFL’s  top 5 leaders in pass yards last season play for teams in the same AFC East division as Gardner.

Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen combined for 8,900 plus pass yards last season yet neither of them had a game where they threw for 300 yards versus the Jets.

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Gardner is a humble assassin, standing six-foot three-inches with a wingspan of 79 inches. With a 40-yard dash time of 4.41 seconds, his combination of size and speed makes it nearly impossible to sneak passes underneath against him.

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Gardner is physical at the line of scrimmage, inhibiting opposing wide receivers from getting a clean release. His ability to jam wide receivers is crucial, especially when trying to contain speedsters like wide receiver Tyreek Hill and Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Zay Flowers.

There isn’t a quarterback in the NFL who finds comfort throwing the football in Gardner’s proximity. The Jets’ defense relies heavily on Gardner’s ability to play man coverage.

A bigger and stronger Will McDonald has the potential to flash for the Jets

Will McDonald has continued his development this offseason with the New York Jets.

Will McDonald IV has been dripping in New York Jets training camp, with the former Iowa State standout reportedly taking the next step in his development.

Last year, McDonald showed some of his potential as rookie for the Jets but didn’t have the output expected of a first-round pick.

Taken No. 15 overall last spring, McDonald had 14 tackles and three sacks as well as a pass defended in 15 games. Five times last year, he did not register a tackle.

It was a disappointing and frustrating season for McDonald, but this offseason’s gains appear to be making an impact in training camp. Head coach Robert Saleh, when asked on Wednesday about McDonald’s training camp performance, pointed towards a second-year edge rusher who is progressing and developing.

“Will, much, much stronger. I know he looks the same, but his strength in the run game, his strength in the pass game is showing up,” Saleh told reporters on Wednesday.

“He’s flashed a little bit. I know he’s gotten a couple of wins on our starting
tackles, and I really like the way he’s progressing.”

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In college at Iowa State, McDonald was three times an All-Pro selection.

Aaron Rodgers sees the Jets offense as trending in the right direction

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers sees the offense progressing.

Aaron Rodgers believes that the New York Jets offense is progressing and is even at a better point than it was a year ago.

The Jets are hopeful that Rodgers will make it through the season healthy after the veteran quarterback suffered an Achilles injury in Week 1 last season.

The offense needs time to get on the same page, something that understandably needs to happen after having not played a competitive game with Rodgers in 11 months.

But at training camp, Rodgers told reporters that the offense is pointed up following Wednesday’s practice.

“I think we’re trending, definitely trending in a better direction, then maybe this time in camp last year,” Rodgers told reporters on Wednesday.

“Tyron (Smith) didn’t practice today, today was a lighter rep day, shorter field. Two days ago, defense got after us, yesterday it felt more even, and then today it felt like we had more of the upper hand.”

The most important thing, Rodgers said, is that the Jets offense is getting on the same page during training camp.

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With the details being of paramount importance,  it will be interesting to see just how much Rodgers ends up playing in preseason. There is some speculation that Rodgers may not play at all in the three preseason games.