Category: New York Jets preseason

Saturday’s New York Jets preseason opener was strong for Adrian Martinez

Adrian Martinez looked good for the New York Jets on Saturday.

The New York Jets got a very solid display from quarterback Adrian Martinez in their preseason opener on Saturday against the Washington Commanders. The former Nebraska Cornhusker (and Kansas State quarterback) certainly looked the part with his performance.

Martinez, who signed with the Jets a little over a week ago, finished the preseason game 6-of-10 for 104 yards. The Jets beat the Commanders 20-17 at MetLife Stadium.

It was a good step forward for Martinez, who played in the UFL this past season where he was the MVP of the championship game. He was a quarterback at Nebraska for four years then spent one season at Kansas State to close out his collegiate career.

“Obviously, I just came off of a 12-week season, so I was just playing in football games not too long ago,” Martinez told reporters following Saturday’s Jets win.

“Some of these guys haven’t played since their college season or last NFL season. So, I think I have a bit of an advantage that way. At the same time, it’s a long football year for me, but I’m thankful for it. Honestly, all you can ask for is an opportunity and I felt like going out there it was just football.”

Martinez showed good poise and pocket presence against a solid Commanders front.

Midway through the fourth quarter and with the Jets down 17-10, he found wide receiver Brandon Smith on a 37-yard deep pass. It was an impressive and well-placed throw by Martinez.

 

“Over the two weeks that I’ve been here I’ve been able to build up some trust with him,” Martinez said in his media comments following the game.

“I feel like I can trust him out there, along with some of those other guys, too. But that’s part of this game, it’s finding your guys and giving them opportunities and that’s really all I did. He was the one who went out there and made the plays for me.”

How did rookie Braelon Allen do in his New York Jets preseason debut?

Braelon Allen impressed with the New York Jets.

It was a very strong debut for New York Jets rookie Braelon Allen. The former Wisconsin Badger ran for 54 yards to help the Jets to a preseason win on Saturday afternoon.

Allen, who has earned praise in training camp from head coach Robert Saleh, is a very intriguing player for the Jets. There is the potential for him to create a very formidable one-two punch with starting running back Breece Hall.

Last season in the Big Ten at Wisconsin, Allen had 954 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns on 181 carries. He contributed in the passing game as well with 28 catches for 131 receiving yards.

Allen a strong and physical running back, something that the 6-foot-1 and 235 pound rookie showed on Saturday. He showed it consistently at Wisconsin in the Big Ten, and there was no letdown in this game.

Allen ran an impressive 54 yards on six carries as the Jets started preseason with a 20-17 win over the Washington Commanders.

“I’ll speak for the entire team, we’re all excited to see him run. Him and Isaiah [Davis] for that matter,” Saleh told reporters after the game.

“Braelon didn’t disappoint. When he got to the second level, it’s painful to just touch the human. He’s a very heavy runner. It was really cool to see him out in the open field today.”

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Davis, a fifth-round pick out of South Dakota State, had 41 yards of total offense including four catches for 33 yards in the preseason opener.