Category: Jets Training Camp

Report: Free agent WR Donte Moncrief to work out for Jets

According to reports, free-agent wide receiver Donte Moncrief will try out for the Jets later this week if he passes COVID-19 protocol.

It looks like the Jets are in the market for another wide receiver.

Less than a week after signing Chris Hogan to address its lack of depth at the position, New York will put free agent wide receiver Donte Moncrief through COVID-19 protocol with the hope of working him out, according to the Daily News’ Manish Mehta. If Moncrief passes the protocols, he will have his tryout.

Moncrief, 27, has bounced around the NFL since putting together an impressive 2018 season (48 receptions, 668 yards, three touchdowns) with the Jaguars. He signed a two-year deal with the Steelers in free agency last offseason but lasted only five games in Pittsburgh before being released in November. Moncrief caught on with the Panthers to end 2019, but did not catch a single pass in three games.

Prior to 2018, Moncrief spent four years with the Colts after they drafted him in the third round of the 2014 NFL Draft. He totaled 152 receptions, 1,875 yards and 18 touchdowns in Indianapolis, his best season coming in 2015 (64 receptions, 733 yards six touchdowns).

With Denzel Mims sidelined due to an ankle injury and Vyncint Smith sidelined 5-8 weeks after undergoing core surgery, the Jets are without two of their top four wide receivers early in training camp. In all likelihood, Smith will not be ready to go for the beginning of the regular season, while there is currently no definitive timetable for Mims’ return. Signing Hogan somewhat bolstered the Jets’ wide receiver depth chart, but New York needs more than just one veteran and a bunch of unproven free agent wideouts to fill out the group.

Jets fans might remember Moncrief as the Jaguars receiver who torched Trumaine Johnson for five catches, 109 yards and a touchdown just two years ago. If all goes well in his tryout, he could be burning opposing corners while donning green and white in 2020.

Jets WR Vyncint Smith out 5-8 weeks with core muscle injury

Vyncint Smith will be out for the next 5-8 weeks with a core muscle injury.

The New York Jets will be without one of their key wide receivers for the next month.

According to multiple reports, Vyncint Smith will miss 5-8 weeks with a core muscle injury. His muscle essentially ripped away from the bone, per The Athletic’s Connor Hughes. Smith will have surgery on Tuesday.

Smith’s injury is a significant blow to the Jets’ receiving corps. He was expected to see a lot of opportunities this season with the Jets being so thin at the position. In 2019, Smith recorded 17 catches for 225 yards in 13 games. He also had 52 rushing yards to go along with a touchdown on the ground.

The Jets signed Chris Hogan to a deal on Sunday, so he’ll likely take Smith’s spot on the depth chart for the time being. New York could potentially look to sign another veteran wide receiver to bring in some more experience at the position.

As for the rest of the Jets’ injuries, James Burgess tweaked his back in individual drills. Blake Cashman got first-team reps. Denzel Mims (hamstring), Pierre Desir (hamstring), Brian Poole (dehydration), Jabari Zuniga (quad), Cameron Clark (shoulder) and Bronson Kaufusi (hamstring) all have yet to practice for Gang Green.

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.