Category: New York Jets preseason

NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger is impressed with one play from Jets edge Will McDonald

Brian Baldinger praises Will McDonald of the Jets.

Will McDonald didn’t get a lot of run on Saturday night, but one standout play from the New York Jets defensive end led to rave reviews by an NFL Network analyst.

The Jets are now 2-0 in preseason following Saturday’s 15-12 win at the Carolina Panthers. McDonald finished with a sack, but it was the way that he got to the quarterback that impressed Brian Baldinger.

With Haason Reddick currently holding out in search of a new contract, McDonald has been getting praise during training camp.

Baldinger, who spent 12 years in the NFL as an offensive lineman, really liked what he saw from McDonald during one play on Saturday night. He posted a quick thought about McDonald on social media:

 

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McDonald, a first round pick in the 2023 NFL draft, is coming off a rookie season where he played in 15 games. All told, he registered 14 total tackles and three sacks as well as a forced fumble.

Watch as Brandon Codrington makes a statement with a big kick-off return

Brandon Codrington gets a big kickoff return for the Jets.

Brandon Codrington made a bit of a statement on Saturday night with a 63-yard kick-off return in the third quarter of the New York Jets preseason game at the Carolina Panthers.

A defensive back out of North Carolina Central who signed with the Jets as an undrafted rookie free agent, Codrington was a standout on special teams in the MEAC. It is his ability to make plays on special teams that likely can help him get a roster spot or potentially make the practice squad.

He is also a talented cornerback, having been named first-team all-defense in the MEAC as a senior last year.

Check out some nice work here from Codrington. This is a nice (and intriguing) blend of speed and wiggle to get out in the open field and then extend his return:

 

Codrington returned the ball to the Panthers’ 32-yard line.

Five plays later, Austin Seibert made a 38-yard field goal to give the Jets a 6-4 lead over the Panthers.

Jeff Ulbrich cites one area where the Jets defense must improve this weekend

Jeff Ulbrich wants progress from his defense.

Following the first game of the NFL preseason, New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich saw some good things from his defense.

The one thing that he didn’t see quite as much of from his Jets unit as he’d like to? Tackling.

It is understandable, Ulbrich said, given how training camp is set up. Saturday’s preseason opener, a 20-17 win was the first time that his defense was unleashed against an opponent.

There was some rust, but it is part of the progression from training camp to preseason. Saturday’s game at the Carolina Panthers presents Ulbrich and his unit another chance to sharpen up.

He anticipates some starters getting more snaps in this game.

“We’ll see, that’ll probably be a game-time decision between coach Saleh (head coach Robert Saleh) and myself, and the position coach involved but just incremental improvement in every way,” Ulbrich told reporters.

“Game 1, typically from a defensive perspective, tackling is never the greatest because that is really our first real opportunity to get guys to the ground. If there was one thing I could absolutely point to that has to get better, that will get better, is our tackling, our tracking, our wrapping consistently, owning our leverage, using our buddy and getting guys to the ground at a more consistent rate.”

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The Panthers lost their preseason opener last weekend 17-3 at the Buffalo Bills.

Continuity is building for the New York Jets revamped offensive line

Nathaniel Hackett talks about how the Jets offensive line is progressing.

A rebuilt and revamped offensive line for the New York Jets is coming along, with offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett pleased at how the unit is doing.

The Jets offensive line overhaul, undertaken during the past two offseasons, now has the potential to be a solid unit. It is a line built to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a point that was underscored just four plays into last year when the Jets quarterback suffered a season-ending Achilles injury.

The offensive line projects to be much improved and features veteran bookends at offensive tackle.

Hackett said that the coaching staff has gone back to the film from last year’s joint practice with the Carolina Panthers. The new look to the unit was eye-opening compared to a year ago.

“It’s amazing to see the different faces, the different people, so first and foremost, I give so much credit to Joe Douglas, Robert Saleh,” Hackett told reporters on Wednesday.

“We’ve had a lot of changes up there just from the people that we brought in, and they’ve been amazing additions. It starts with just the people that they are and the way that they practice, the way they push themselves, the way they work together, so I think that’s one of the best things you see.

“Then anytime you’re in a second year, everybody understands Coach [Keith] Carter, they understand me, they understand what we’re looking for. We can talk about the nuances, the details, and you see that in a lot of the game. We’ve had some different people playing in different spots and we haven’t skipped a beat. Like the guys just do such a great job working together and they enjoy playing together. I think that’s what you’re always looking for with that group upfront, those five.”

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The Jets will participate in a joint practice this week with the Carolina Panthers. These two teams will then play a preseason game on Saturday.

Andrew Peasley showed some upside in Saturday’s Jets preseason opener

Andrew Peasley looks good for the New York Jets.

There were some flashes from Andrew Peasley this weekend as the New York Jets rookie made his preseason debut and was certainly quite solid.

An undrafted rookie free agent out of Wyoming, Peasley went 8-of-11 for 73 yards and a touchdown as the Jets beat the Washington Commanders 20-17. He turned 24-years old in January.

Last year for Wyoming, Peasley threw for 1,823 yards with 20 touchdowns and five interceptions. In the season opener last year against Texas Tech, Peasley threw for 149 yards and two touchdowns as Wyoming took the Big 12 program to overtime on the road.

For the Jets, Peasley looked the part and performed well.

“I thought I did pretty decent for my first time getting real snaps in the NFL,” Peasley told reporters on Saturday following the game.

“Had a lot of fun, man. That was my main goal, is just be confident and go out there, play. I thought we all, the second group, when I went out did really well, made some plays, JB [Jason Brownlee] in the end zone with that touchdown and just all around ran the ball really well, which helps fast games.”

The Jets return to preseason action on Saturday against the Carolina Panthers.

New York Jets rookie Braelon Allen makes a strong impression in his NFL debut

Braelon Allen’s NFL career got off to a good start for the Jets.

Braelon Allen looked the part on Saturday, the New York Jets rookie running back with some strong runs in his preseason debut.

In Saturday’s preseason win over the Washington Commanders, Allen ran for 54 yards on six carries. It was Allen’s debut in the NFL. He was taken by the Jets in the fourth round of April’s NFL draft after a strong career at Wisconsin.

Allen is a strong and imposing running back, but he also showed some good speed and elusiveness to go along with his size. Similar traits to what he showed in college in the Big Ten at Wisconsin.

On Saturday, following the Jets getting a 20-17 win over the Commanders in their preseason opener, Allen talked about his first game in the NFL.

“I thought it was good. Obviously, got to watch the film and evaluate it, but it felt good. It always takes me a little bit to get into the flow of the game,” Allen told reporters after the game.

“My first few caries were slipping around a little bit and stuff like that, but I thought the o-line did a great job. Every carry I had there was space, so they made it really easy. Like I said, just got to get back into the film room and
evaluate and get better.”

Allen and the Jets play at the Carolina Panthers this upcoming weekend.

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In all likelihood, Allen will be behind incumbent starter Breece Hall this season. But it was still a very strong debut that showed his potential to be a potential game-changer – even as a rookie.

Allen grew into the game, finishing as the leading rusher for the Jets.

“My first few carries I always feel like my legs aren’t really working the
way they are supposed to be,” Allen said.

“I kind of feel like I’m stumbling over myself a little bit. Today was more me just kind of slipping and sliding around, but definitely the more carries I get, the stronger I get. I think my last few carries I was able to impose my will a little bit and start to get into the flow of things.”

New York Jets DB Jarrick Bernard-Converse looks impressive

New York Jets DB Jerrick Bernard-Converse had an impressive showing in NFL Preseason Week 1.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jaylen Daniels and his reserves enjoyed challenging New York Jets defensive back Jarrick Bernard Converse this past weekend.

The Commanders likely thought they would have an offensive field day with the Jets’ reserves. Instead, Washington discovered that Jets’ defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich has addition personnel to wreak havoc on opposing offenses this upcoming season.

Moreover, Bernard-Converse was actually lining up versus the Commanders No. 1 quarterback, and top wide receivers in their week 1 preseason match-up. Perhaps Bernard-Converse might occupy the No. 3 slot of the Jets’ defensive back depth chart this fall. If so, he may recieve more target throws with opposing quarterbacks fearful of Sauce Gardner and D.J Reed.

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Fans should keep a close eye on Bernard-Congress throughout training camp, he may be destined to secure a spot as the slot corner in nickel personnel. Ultimately, Benrard-Converse showed a multifaceted skill set including closing-speed, open field tackling, and durability in NFL Preseason Week 1.

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.