Category: Jets Training Camp

Robert Saleh has hope that the New York Jets defense will ‘be pretty damn good’

Robert Saleh really believes in the New York Jets defense.

This defense could be scary good for the New York Jets. And that outlook is from none other than Jets head coach Robert Saleh.

Saleh, set for his fourth season with the Jets, is not given to hyperbole. So that makes his comments – and optimism – especially notable.

Last year, despite an offense that was among the worst in franchise history, the defense was very strong for the Jets. They finished second in the NFL in total defense and fourth in scoring defense.

And with so many pieces from the two-deep returning, plus an offense that should be improved and help with field position, there is plenty of reason to believe that the defense can be the best in the NFL.

Saying he’s “always excited” about the potential of the Jets defense, Saleh (out-of-character for him) upped the buzz a notch or two.

“What excites me most about our defense is how well they communicate, and how important it is to all of them to be their best in that particular moment,” Saleh told reporters on Tuesday.

“What we’re capable of, expectations, all that is for outside discussion, but inside and the way we go about our process on defense is special and because of that it gives me hope we’ll be pretty damn good.”

Last year, the Jets allowed 20.9 points per game, a respectable number given how they consistently were given short fields by their offense.

Bart Scott reacts to the possibility that Aaron Rodgers may not play in preseason

Should Aaron Rodgers play in preseason?

Should the New York Jets not play quarterback Aaron Rodgers in preseason? That was the lead question from the ESPN show ‘First Take’ on Wednesday.

The decision to potentially sit Rodgers for all three Jets preseason games is certainly a complicated issue and one that could very well have Week 1 implications for the team.

On Wednesday, Jets head coach Robert Saleh seemed to indicate that Rodgers may not play in preseason.

Following an injury just four offensive snaps into the season opener last year, there is the temptation to wrap Rodgers in bubble wrap and make sure he is as healthy as possible for this season. The decision to potentially shelve Rodgers until the season opener led to a healthy debate between former Jets linebacker Bart Scott and ESPN personality Christoper ‘Mad Dog’ Russo on Wednesday.

Scott cautioned that the opinion expressed by Russo of playing Rodgers in the preseason in order to excite the fanbase isn’t as important as the pragmatic decision of resting Rodgers.

“When you start caring about the feelings of the fans, you become a fan. Robert Saleh understands that this is the last year, they’re all in. Either Aaron Rodgers and this team and this regime have a great season – I’m not just talking about the wild card. They have to win some playoff games and puhs and compete for a Super Bowl or an AFC Championship,” Scott said on ESPN.

“I’m not putting the franchise at risk. I’m going to allow him to continue to get healthy and let this offensive line continue to develop.”

Scott said that the joint practice with the New York Giants during training camp can serve the Jets in terms of getting Rodgers for the season opener at the San Francisco 49ers.

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“Everybody can go live but when you get close to our quarterback, ease up. Not ready yet…it’s important for Aaron Rodgers to know that he can withstand a hit but I don’t need to find that out right now. I need to continue to let that muscle to get stronger, that tendon to stretch out – to become more liable and more flexible,” Scott said as part of the ESPN panel.

“The first time he gets hit? It may be by Nick Bosa. That’s fine though because that’s as long as we can push it.”

 

New York Jets DT Quinnen Williams may increase sack total in 2024

If the New York Jets are able establish scoring leads, DT Quinnen Williams may have more chances to let loose in the pass rush in 2024.

New York Jets defensive tackle Quinnen Williams totaled just 5.5 sacks last season. However, a dynamic change in the Jets’ offensive play style may lead to an increase in sack opportunities for Williams in 2024.

The Jets ranked No. 7 in the NFL with 48 sacks last season and Williams wasn’t even the reckoned force leading the team in such category. Defensive end Bryce Huff and linebacker Jermaine Johnson were the catalyst behind the Jets’ pass rush. Williams, often faced with a double team, has however been pivotal setting picks in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s blitz scheme.

Moreover, with a third-down conversion rate of 25%, the Jets offense practically left its defense out on a limb last season. With an inability to sustain offensive drives, Williams’ and the Jets’ defense spent more time defending the run as last year, as opponents sought to salt games away and dictate time of possession.

Offensive Coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will be intentional about fixing offensive woes and this may yield an increase in points per game for the Jets. Thus, ff the Jets are able to sustain scoring leads this season, this may force opponents into more passing situations, giving Williams a chance to let loose in the pass rush.

Jets OC Nathaniel Hackett says offense has been ‘inconsistent’ in training camp

Nathaniel Hackett talks about the New York Jets offense.

New York Jets offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett has seen some good things from his unit so far in training camp. But Hackett said that overall, his offense has been inconsistent.

Hackett enters into his second season as offensive coordinator of the Jets. He certainly has a unique challenge with the offense.

Given that future Hall of Fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers played just four snaps before being lost last season to an Achilles injury, there are issues to be dealt with here. Re-integrating Rodgers into the offense and getting several new starters all on the same page is going to be a tall mountain for the Jets to climb over the next month.

Asked on Tuesday about what he has seen from the offense, Hackett was very up-front in his assessment.

“For us as coaches: inconsistent,” Hackett told reporters on Tuesday.

“I think there’s been some good, some bad, some things we have to work through.”

Pressed on specifics, Hackett painted with a broad brush while singling out the acclimation process to Rodgers and quarterback Tyrod Taylor.

Learning the cadence of each quarterback, Hackett said, is important. He also added “There are a lot of new players here so they’re kind of working their way into it. Kind of getting those guys up to speed.”

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The Jets are aided by having this be Hackett’s second season as offensive coordinator. It allows some integration within the roster as there is a baseline of familiarity with the offense already in place.

“Well, I think year 2 is a lot different than year one because the system has already been implemented so the guys in the room can help the new guys – they can all work together,” Hackett said.

“So you can kind of push the envelope a little bit more, go a little bit harder, experiment with some new things. Allows you to have a little more fun.”

Watch – New York Jets might have gotten a Day 3 steal in Braelon Allen

Braelon Allen is certainly an interesting running back option.

Braelon Allen is turning heads in New York Jets training camp. The rookie running back from Wisconsin is coming off an impressive collegiate career.

The Jets took Allen in the fourth round of April’s NFL draft. He was their third selection in the draft.

In his three years at Wisconsin, he rushed for 3,494 yards and 35 rushing touchdowns. Last year he had 28 catches for 131 yards – both numbers were career highs during his collegiate career.

At Wisconsin, Allen was named all-Big Ten all three of his seasons in college.

At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen has the potential to be a nice complement to starting running back Breece Hall.

 

With his strong build and solid speed, Allen is certainly an intriguing option in the Jets’ backfield. He can be a good change-of-pace running back as well as a goal-line and shot-yardage option in the backfield.

 

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He also showed at Wisconsin that he has some wiggle and elusiveness in his hard-running style.

On Garrett Wilson, Robert Saleh believes ‘the sky is the limit for him’

Garrett Wilson can be even better according to head coach Robert Saleh.

Garrett Wilson is facing a season where he could potentially join the best wide receivers in the NFL. The New York Jets wide receiver has been a standout during his first two NFL seasons with the New York Jets.

But Jets head coach Robert Saleh believes there is still another level that Wilson can reach in his career.

Wilson, a first round pick of the Jets in the 2022 NFL draft. He has topped 1,000 receiving yards in each of his first two seasons in the league.

The former Ohio State standout has lived up to the hype coming out of the Big Ten.

Last year, he had 95 catches for 1,042 receiving yards and three touchdowns. Impressive numbers, despite the quarterback issues on the Jets last year.

With a healthy Aaron Rodgers, it is not unreasonable to think that Wilson can have his first All-Pro season in 2024.

“I’m just excited whenever he’s on the field, I’ll be honest with you. He’s an electric personality,” Saleh told reporters on Saturday.

“He gets fiery. Has the biggest smile that he has when he puts a helmet on and he gets into a competitive battle, it what makes all these guys special. He flips the switch, and he becomes something that’s completely different, but as long as he continues to come out here and do his best every day, I think the sky’s the limit for him.”

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At Ohio State, Wilson was twice an All-Big Ten selection.

Tyron Smith brings a quiet leadership to the New York Jets offensive line

Tyron Smith brings invaluable experience to the Jets offensive line.

For Tyron Smith, the coming together of the offensive line won’t happen in a flashy way. Instead, the New York Jets All-Pro offensive tackle says it comes in quiet moments where teaching and learning can take place.

Smith signed with the Jets this offseason and brings a wealth of experience to the roster. Eight times a Pro Bowl selection, he has been named an All-Pro five times in his career.

The 33-year old is expected to solidify the left side of the Jets offensive and protec a valuable asset in Aaron Rodgers.

Smith is one of several big moves that the Jets have made over the past two years to shore up an offensive line that had been among the worst in the league. The talent is there but what may not be there is time.

With the start of the season fast approaching, the Jets need to turn a corner quickly with the offensive line and collectively get on the same page.

“Anything we got going on as far as drills with the o-line, that’s the time to talk with your guys (and) try to tweak anything they got going on and helping them out,” Smith told reporters on Saturday.

“I’m not a guy who is rah rah type dude or yell or try to hype anybody up. I’m going to pull you to the side and show you how it is done or tweak anything you got going on if it needs to be done.”

Smith was a first-round pick of the Dallas Cowboys in the 2009 NFL draft. He signed a one-year deal with the Jets this offseason.

Last year, Smith missed four games due to injury. In 2022, he played in just four games due to a hamstring injury.

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“Just got to maintain it, stay healthy, stay in shape so I can be ready for my teammates,” Smith said.

New York Jets All-Pro LB Quincy Williams is destined for greatness

New York Jets LB Quincy Williams ranked an impressive No. 5 in solo tackles with 95 through 17 games played last season.

New York Jets linebacker Quincy Williams ranked an impressive No. 5 in solo tackles totaling 95 through 17 games played last season. 

Williams has shown versatility in defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich’s system, operating as a run-stuffer, coverage guy, and pass-rusher.

The Jets finished near the bottom of the NFL in time of possession last season (No. 25), meaning Williams was forced to play a lot of snaps. 2023 was a test of Williams’ mental and physical endurance, yet he displayed a consistent tenacity every week.


The leadership of Jets head coach Robert Saleh and teammate linebacker C.J Mosley are solid points of reference for Williams’ and his increased intuitiveness. Williams’ instincts have been impactful versus the run, an asset to a Jets’ defense primed for a big season in 2024.

As Williams and the Jets’ defense condition under Ulbrich during training camp, they’ll get a fair share of quality reps against quarterback Aaron Rodgers, running back Breece Hall, and emerging rookie running back Braelon Allen.

Braelon Allen is making an impression on the New York Jets coaching staff

Braelon Allen has impressed the New York Jets coaching staff.

Braelon Allen has reportedly impressed in New York Jets training camp, with head coach Robert Saleh referring to Allen as “really smooth out of the backfield.”

Allen comes into a backfield that already features a star in Breece Hall. But Allen has the potential to make an impact for the Jets, even as a rookie.

He offers the Jets a different physical presence than Hall. At 6-foot-1 and 235 pounds, Allen likely isn’t going to win many foot races in the NFL. But he takes his angle well and in college, his field speed was better than projected.

Last year, Allen had 954 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 carries for Wisconsin. He also had 28 catches for 131 receiving yards, both numbers representing career highs for Allen.

“He’s a big boy and you guys can see that up close. He’s heavy, very smart, fluid, good out of the backfield, really good in pass protection already for a rookie. Isaiah Davis, very similar,” Saleh told reporters on Saturday.

“I feel like they’re ahead of the game with regards to the protection system. Braelon is really smooth out of the backfield with his hand, so he’s got a chance, he’s just got to keep working.”

The Jets took Allen in the fourth round of the draft this April.

Robert Saleh wants to see Sauce Gardner take the next step in one key area

Robert Saleh has a challenge for Jets star Sauce Gardner.

Sauce Gardner is as good as they get among NFL quarterbacks, but that doesn’t mean that head coach Robert Saleh doesn’t want to see the New York Jets defensive back improve in a specific area.

Gardner, a first-round pick of the Jets in the 2022 NFL draft (one of three Jets picks taken in the first round that year), has been an All-Pro in each of his first two seasons in the league.

He has 32 passes defended but just two interceptions during his first two seasons, a surprisingly low number for such a highly-regarded defensive back. Both of those interceptions came his rookie season.

So for Saleh, Gardner needs to take another step this offseason and progress in being able to turn some of those batted passes into turnovers.

“The challenge: Catch the ball. He had a lot of opportunities last year and I think he’s up for that challenge,” Saleh told reporters on Sunday.

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Gardner was taken fourth overall in the 2022 draft. He was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year following a first season where he had 75 total tackles and 20 passes defended.