Tag: New York Jets

4 things to know about new Jets LB Quincy Williams

You already know Quincy Williams is the brother of Quinnen. Here are a few more things to know about the Jets’ new defender:

The Jets signed two players off waivers last week following roster cuts. One was Quinnen Williams’ older brother.

Linebacker Quincy Williams was taken in the third round of the 2019 draft by the Jaguars – 96 picks after his brother. Injuries derailed his time in Jacksonville, though, and Williams was waived before the 2021 season.

Williams, 25, earned a starting role in Week 1 and started eight of his 11 active games in 2019 but was placed on injured reserve before Week 14 with a hand injury. He missed half the 2020 season with a core muscle injury. Williams tallied 59 combined tackles, three tackles for a loss and one forced fumble in 18 games over two years with the Jaguars.

Here are few more things to know about the Jets’ newest linebacker.

The Jets’ biggest weaknesses entering the 2021 season

The Jets are improved, but far from flawless. These four positions will be exploited in 2021:

Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas did a solid job restructuring the Jets after an abysmal 2-14 season a year ago. They grabbed playmakers in the draft, signed quality free agents, and hired an impressive staff around Saleh. All that should elevate Gang Green’s performance in 2021.

But the Jets aren’t flawless. There are obvious holes across the roster that will likely be exploited throughout the season. New York’s roster is one of the youngest in the NFL, and that experience will hurt them at certain positions. So will a lack of depth.

With that in mind, here is a look at the Jets’ biggest weaknesses heading into the season.

Jets Rookie Power Rankings: Resetting before the regular season

The Jets will feature many first-year players in prominent roles in 2021. Here are our final Rookie Power Rankings before the season begins:

Training camp and the preseason allowed the Jets’ rookies to get their feet wet and get acclimated with the speed of the professional game.

Now, it’s time for the real thing.

The Jets kick off the 2021 season on the road against the Panthers on Sunday afternoon. Many of New York’s neophytes will play a major part in Robert Saleh’s first regular season game as a head coach in starting or rotational roles. That will be the case for the entire season, as the Jets are one of the youngest teams in the NFL and are giving their youth extended run on a weekly basis.

Here is a fresh look at where Gang Green’s rookies stand before they take the field in Carolina.

4 things to know about Jets assistant Matt Cavanaugh

Get to know Matt Cavanaugh, who is on his second stint cpaching the Jets.

The Jets added a familiar face to their coaching staff to cap the offseason, as Robert Saleh hired Matt Cavanaugh as a senior offensive assistant.

Cavanaugh worked under Rex Ryan from 2009-12, helping New York reach consecutive AFC title games with his work as quarterbacks coach. Cavanaugh won’t have a primary role on Saleh’s coaching staff, but he brings a wealth of experience back to One Jets Drive and will aid Zach Wilson’s development as a rookie.

Here are a few things to know about Cavanaugh and a look at his past work.

Former Tiger feels he can be himself again with new NFL team

A former Clemson standout feels like he can be himself again with his new NFL team. After being traded from the Houston Texans to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round draft pick this past Sunday, former Clemson defensive end Shaq …

A former Clemson standout feels like he can be himself again with his new NFL team.

After being traded from the Houston Texans to the New York Jets in exchange for a 2022 sixth-round draft pick this past Sunday, former Clemson defensive end Shaq Lawson took to Twitter and made his feelings known on his new home in New York.

“Woke up today feeling blessed,” Lawson tweeted. “I can finally be myself up here.”

Playing as a 3-4 outside linebacker with the Miami Dolphins last season, Lawson didn’t feel as comfortable as he did from 2016-19 when he played with the Buffalo Bills in a 4-3 scheme.

Now back in a 4-3 defense with the Jets, Lawson believes it will help him flourish while allowing him the freedom to do less thinking and play faster.

“I played in Miami last year, and I was a 3-4 guy. I played outside linebacker,” Lawson said to the media this week. “This defense, you don’t have to go think, you can just go attack and be aggressive. It takes the thinking out of football. So, that’s what I mean when I was being myself. A guy I could bring my personality, actually be myself and show what type of guy I am.”

Lawson was a first-round pick of the Bills in 2016 following his Clemson career from 2013-15. He was a consensus All-American in 2015 and the ACC Defensive Player of the Year that season.

In five NFL seasons, the former Daniel High School star has accumulated 20.5 sacks, including 16.5 in four seasons with the Bills.

Lawson was asked if he believes playing in the Jets’ defense will help increase his production.

“Yes sir, hopefully,” he said. “That’s something I did when I was at Buffalo. That’s the last time I felt like I was myself.”

Clemson Variety & Frame is doing their part to help bring you some classic new barware and help one of the local businesses that helps make Clemson special.

Order your Nick’s barware and do your part to help.  #SaveNicks

Broncos build, donate bicycles in honor of Greg Knapp

Greg Knapp’s love for bicycling will live on in Denver after members of the Broncos assembled & donated bikes to a local elementary school.

Greg Knapp’s love for bicycling will live on in Denver after members of the Broncos, including general maanger George Paton and head coach Vic Fangio, assembled and donated 75 bikes to a local elementary school.

The Broncos worked with Wish for Wheels, according to ESPN, to provide the bicycles to the local second-graders. The students also received helmets and will participate in a bicycle safety course.

Knapp died on July 22 from injuries suffered when he was struck by a car while riding his bike in California. He had been hired by Robert Saleh to coach the Jets quarterbacks this season after spending the past two seasons with the Falcons.

Knapp spent four seasons with the Broncos from 2013-2016 and won a Super Bowl in Denver.

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Jets WR Jamison Crowder tests positive for COVID-19

Jamison Crowder has tested positive for COVID-19 ahead of the Jets’ Week 1 matchup with the Panthers.

Jets wide receiver Jamison Crowder has tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple reports.

Crowder will be placed on the COVID list on Friday, placing his status for New York’s season opener against the Panthers in question. Crowder’s positive test result is believed to be an isolated case, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.

Crowder missed practice on Thursday with what Jets head coach Robert Saleh called a “groin issue.” Crowder caught 59 passes for 699 yards and six touchdowns in 12 games last season and is primed to work as New York’s starting slot receiver in 2021. Elijah Moore will likely fill the role if Crowder cannot suit up in Week 1.

It is unknown if Crowder is vaccinated. If the 28-year-old received the COVID-19 vaccine, he’ll be required to test negative twice in as many days in order to return to One Jets Drive. Crowder will be sidelined for a minimum of 10 days if he is not vaccinated.

Jets 53-man roster: Asking and answering 6 key questions

Plenty of questions about the Jets’ 53-man roster remain entering the regular season.

The Jets trimmed their roster to 53 players and filled out their practice squad earlier this week, but New York’s post-preseason personnel moves do not come without questions.

Whether it’s who starts where or what the depth at a certain position looks like, plenty of talking points remain ahead of the regular season. The Jets have a roster littered with youth and unproven players, which prompts more questions than arguably any other team in the NFL.

With that being said, let’s take a look at six of the biggest questions surrounding New York’s current 53-man roster before Week 1 and how those questions could be answered.

Mock draft roundup: Latest NFL draft projections for Derek Stingley Jr

Where Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling believes LSU Tigers CB Derek Stingley will land in the 2022 NFL draft.

It is never too early for a mock draft right? Well, even if you think so we are going to take a look.

It appears to be a foregone conclusion that everyone believes that the Houston Texans will snag the top spot in the upcoming NFL draft. With the continued focus on trading Deshaun Watson, the team is going to need a quarterback moving forward.

That will keep LSU Tigers cornerback Derek Stingley Jr from being drafted No. 1 overall. Most feel he is the best prospect in the class but as we know, the quarterback is the most overdrafted position in all of football. For good reason, but in the latest mock draft from Draft Wire’s Luke Easterling, Stingley has to wait a few spots to get the call.

Stingley heading to the Big Apple

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

It seems as though we are moving into the regular season with Stingley locked in with the New York Jets. We could see him go to the Detroit Lions with pick No. 2 as they need elite talent, and putting him with former Ohio State Buckeye CB Jeff Okudah would give them a dynamic one-two punch. However, Easterling still believes that it will be the Jets.

The Jets spent their first three picks in this year’s draft on a new franchise quarterback, and plenty of help for him. Next year, they’ll need to do something similar for the other side of the ball, and corner is the most glaring need from the current vantage point.

Stingley proved as a true freshman that he had shutdown capabilities, locking down some of the best receivers in the country. After a banged-up 2020 campaign, Stingley should solidify himself as one of the best overall prospects in this class, and more than worthy of a top-three draft slot.

Without a huge jump from a player on the radar this season, Stingley is likely the only LSU Tiger that we will see selected in the first two rounds of the draft this year. Another name to consider is new linebacker Mike Jones Jr, who transferred in from Clemson. Ali Gaye could find his way into the conversation if he blows it up this year.

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Former Washington linebacker Reuben Foster worked out with the New York Jets on Thursday

Reuben Foster spent over two years on Washington’s roster and never played in one game.

The Washington Football Team claimed former first-round pick Reuben Foster off waivers on Nov. 27, 2018.

Foster was on Washington’s roster until the end of the 2020 season. However, Foster never played a game for Washington.

On Thursday, the 27-year-old Foster worked out for the New York Jets.

Foster, a first-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers in 2017, was released late in the 2018 season after being arrested on a domestic violence charge. Ex-Washington president Bruce Allen took considerable heat for claiming Foster off waivers at the time.

However, the charges were later dropped against Foster, and he was looking to continue his NFL career for Washington in 2019. He wouldn’t get that chance as Foster suffered a devastating knee injury in OTAs that spring and would spend the next two seasons on injured reserve.

Washington opted not to bring Foster back in 2021, and he was suddenly a free agent.

After New York’s practice on Thursday, head coach Robert Saleh was asked about bringing Foster in for a workout.

It’s unclear how the workout went for Foster, or if the Jets plan to sign him at this time.