Tag: New York Jets linebackers

Jets LB Avery Williamson confident he’ll be ready to play Week 1

Avery Williamson is taking it slow in order to get back on the field in time for Week 1 in Buffalo.

Avery Williamson isn’t rushing his way back onto the practice field after rehabbing from the torn ACL that he suffered last preseason. He is, however, planning to play Week 1.

Williamson spoke to the media on Wednesday and said he’s taking a slow approach to getting back onto the field. He added that the Jets have a plan for him to be ready in time for Week 1 against the Bills and he’s confident that will be the case.

“As long as I’m ready for the season — which I know I will be — that’s all that matters,” Williamson said.

Adam Gase also talked to the media about Williamson’s health. He said Williamson “isn’t too far away” from being cleared by the Jets’ medical staff.

Williamson could have been a cap casualty this offseason. However, with C.J. Mosley opting out because of COVID-19, Williamson will be the veteran leader of the Jets’ linebacking group. He’ll still have to prove that he can play at high level during training camp and earn the starting job at middle linebacker, though.

Williamson had his best season in his first year with the Jets in 2018. Williamson had a career-high 116 tackles to go along with three sacks, six pass defenses and one interception. Obviously, he and the Jets are hoping he can return to that level of production after a devastating injury.

Jets LB James Burgess lands on Reserve/COVID-19 list

The Jets have placed James Burgess on the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

The New York Jets have added another player to the Reserve/COVID-19 list.

According to Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer, Jets linebacker James Burgess has landed on the Reserve/Covid-19 list. The Jets had already placed Bryce Hall, Shyheim Carter and Ahmad Gooden on the list.

Being placed on the list doesn’t necessarily mean Burgess contracted COVID-19. He could’ve just been exposed to someone with the virus. Burgess can be removed from the Reserve/COVID-19 list once he clears the protocols set by the NFL and NFLPA. For now, Burgess is technically not on the Jets’ active roster, so the Jets can sign someone in his place if they so choose.

Burgess played well in the 10 games he started in 2019. He recorded 80 total tackles, one safety, five pass defenses, one interception and one fumble recovery. Burgess could see plenty of playing time in 2020 with C.J. Mosley opting out due to COVID-19 concerns.

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 Jets LB Patrick Onwuasor shares childhood pic of him in a Gang Green uniform

Patrick Onwuasor posted a picture of him in a Jets uniform during his youth football days.

The 2020 season won’t be Patrick Onwuasor’s first in a Jets uniform.

The linebacker recently shared a childhood photo of himself on Instagram in an Inglewood Jets uniform. In the picture from his youth football days, Onwuasor said that he has always been a Jet.

The Jets signed Onwuasor to a one-year deal worth $2 million this offseason. He has spent the last four seasons of his career in Baltimore, primarily as a starting linebacker alongside former Raven and current Jet C.J. Mosley.

Onwuasor put himself on the map during the 2017 season when he recorded 86 total tackles, two pass defenses and one sack. In 2018, Onwuasor finished with a career-high 5.5 sacks in addition to 59 total tackles, three pass defenses and one interception. He struggled mightily in 2019, however, and lost his starting job after Week 5.

The 27-year-old now has a chance to compete for the starting inside linebacker position next to Mosley. He’ll be joined by Neville Hewitt, Avery Williamson and Blake Cahsman.

If Onwuasor doesn’t win the starting job, he’ll serve as a solid depth piece. The Jets had an abundance of injuries at linebacker last season, so Onwuasor can fit right in with the starting experience he accumulated in Baltimore.

James Burgess is Jets Wire’s Player of the Game vs. Bills

James Burgess led the way for the Jets in a 13-6 win over the Bills in the season finale on Sunday.

James Burgess led the way for the Jets in a 13-6 win over the Bills in the season finale on Sunday.

Burgess finished the game with nine total tackles, one pass breakup and an interception. For his performance, he is Jets Wire’s player of the game for Week 17 of the regular season.

The inside linebacker arguably had his best game of the season. He did a little of everything, including coming up with his first career interception. On that play, Burgess completely duped Matt Barkley into making a bad throw. He dropped back in zone coverage and came flying over to make the pick.

For Burgess, he has really progressed since having to step in for the injured Jets linebackers. His tackling has drastically improved and he has the ability to play in coverage. In 10 games, Burgess had 51 total tackles, 0.5 sacks, a safety, five pass defenses and an interception.

The 25-year-old linebacker is a restricted free agent this offseason. If the Jets were smart, they’d tender him a contract. With C.J. Mosley back next season along with Avery Williamson, Neville Hewitt and Blake Cashman, Burgess makes for a good depth piece.

He’s not a good enough player for 16 games, but in case a linebacker goes down next season he can come in and hold down the position for a few games.

Jets waive Jamey Mosley, sign Wyatt Ray to practice squad

Just several weeks after rediscovering a home on New York’s practice squad, linebacker Jamey Mosley is a free agent once again.

Several weeks after rediscovering a home on New York’s practice squad, linebacker Jamey Mosley has found himself in a familiar spot as a free agent.

Mosley has spent most of his collegiate and professional career chasing the success of his older brother, C.J., who signed a five-year, $85 million contract with the Jets this past offseason. The Alabama product entered the league as an undrafted rookie before attempting to land a roster spot with New York in camp.

Though failing to withstand the team’s final rounds of cuts, narrowing the roster from 90 to 53, Mosley was quickly extended an offer to join the Jets’ practice squad. With only 10 spots available to each NFL franchise, New York elected to release their star linebacker’s younger brother to make room for Bronson Kaufusi on Oct. 7.

A few weeks of regular season play would pass before the Jets were faced with another complication at the linebacker position. After suffering a season-ending injury, New York placed Blake Cashman on injured reserve, bringing up Frankie Luvu and voiding his place on the practice squad. With a new hole to fill, the team brought Mosley back on Nov. 1.

Fast forward another several weeks and, yet again, Mosley has found himself on the chopping block. The Jets announced that they released the Alabama product to make room for another linebacker, Wyatt Ray, on Nov. 25.

Coming out of Boston College, Ray went undrafted before finding a home with the Cleveland Browns. That stay, however, would be short-lived, as the linebacker has been struggling to land on his feet ever since.

Ray has been cut by the Browns, Texans and Bills in his short time in the NFL. While experience is lacking in the 23-year-old, Ray will have to impress with potential if he hopes to find a permanent position with the Jets.