Tag: Robert Saleh

‘McKinleys ain’t no quitters!’ – Takkarist McKinley has a strong showing in the Jets preseason finale

Takk McKinley takes a big step forward to making the Jets roster.

Don’t call it a statement game for Takkarist McKinley, even though Saturday’s preseason win was just that for the New York Jets defensive lineman.

McKinley had four total tackles and 2.5 sacks for the Jets in a 10-6 win over the New York Giants.

A first round pick of the Atlanta Falcons in the 2017 NFL draft, McKinley has been through quite the ringer in terms of injuries, including a torn Achilles in 2021. He now has seven total tackles in three preseason games, fully looking the part for the Jets in the absence of Haason Reddick.

And with a strong final preseason game, McKinley has put a bow on a training camp and preseason that impressed head coach Robert Saleh.

“I think he’s helped himself – I don’t think this game really…I think he helped himself with regard to everyone noticing, but it’s not nothing that we haven’t noticed already,” Saleh told reporters after the game.

“He’s had an awesome training camp and he’s one of those guys that we’re going to have to make decisions on. It’s a really good d-line group and it’s good to have guys like him who can rush the passer.”

With Reddick holding out for a new contract, McKinley and second-year edge Will McDonald have seemingly taken advantage of the extra reps.

[lawrence-related id=695841,695834,695829]

Only once in his seven NFL seasons has McKinley played a full schedule (that was in 2017 as a rookie with the Falcons where he had 20 total tackles and six sacks). He last played in 2022 with the Los Angeles Rams, appearing in just four games.

Last spring, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys but was cut in June.

“I think for me just my faith and just the people that believe in me. Knowing I didn’t have a mom or dad growing up, I was raised by my grandma and my auntie and they could have easily given up on me but they didn’t give up on me,” McKinley said during an in-game interview.

“So, for me it was like I can’t give up on myself. Like I’m speechless right now, but I’m just grateful to be in front of you guys and just have the interview. McKinleys ain’t no quitters man, I got two kids and they look up to me. I’d be quitting on them if I quit on myself.”

 

After a more ‘normal camp,’ New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh sees a like-minded group

Robert Saleh has a sense of normalcy around this training camp for the Jets.

The distractions surrounding the New York Jets a season ago has now given way to a team that head coach Robert Saleh believes is focused.

Given the buzz around the arrival of Aaron Rodgers a season ago, this has been a relatively calm training camp and preseason for the Jets, all things considered.

For Saleh, ahead of the final game of preseason on Saturday, this camp has seen the team come together. Given all the buzz around Rodgers (will he play in preseason? Won’t he play? Pyramids?) and Haason Reddick’s holdout, this has been a relatively calm situation for the Jets.

In many ways, it is a stark contrast from a season ago.

“It’s felt like a normal camp. Last year wasn’t normal,” Saleh told reporters on Thursday.

“I’ve really appreciated the way our guys have about their business. I’ve said it before, I love the way our o-line’s coming together, and I’m not just talking about their play style, I’m just talking about they actually like being around each other. I’ve always said it with the defense, the defense likes being around each other. The offense, you see certain position groups, I think they’re actually starting to enjoy being around one another because there’s a lot of like minds, and I’ve liked the way they’ve come together, the way they root for one and other, the way they play for one and other, the way they communicate with one and other, it’s turning into a pretty cool group.”

[lawrence-related id=695838,695829,695816,695813]

The Jets play the Giants on Saturday at MetLife Stadium. They open the NFL regular season in Week 1 at the San Francisco 49ers on Monday Night Football.

Aaron Rodgers will help the New York Jets convert on third-down this season

With QB Aaron Rodgers healthy, the New York Jets are unlikely to rank No. 32 in third-down conversion rate like they did in 2023.

The New York Jets ranked No. 32 in the NFL on third-down in 2023. Surely, the return of quarterback Aaron Rodgers will bring some resolve to their offensive struggles.

The Jets’ defense spent the most time of any NFL team on the field last season and somehow, they still gave up the fewest pass yards per game.

Just imagine how prolific the defense has the potential to be if Rodgers can sustain offensive drives and get them rest this upcoming season.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C-8raunPTJq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

With a quality run-game developing, Rodgers won’t have to throw for 30-35 pass attempts every game. Instead his strengths will work as an asset in a balanced offensive attack.

Offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett will likely preserve Rodgers, using his accuracy as an advantage in the quick pass game. Not that this is some newly found plan, Rodgers was simply injured last season.

If the Jets can keep themselves in short-yardage situations on offense, they could potentially lead the NFL in both total first downs and time of possession this upcoming season.

Robert Saleh explains why Aaron Rodgers won’t play for the Jets on Sunday

New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers won’t play in preseason.

Aaron Rodgers is a healthy scratch for Saturday’s preseason game. The New York Jets quarterback will not have played in any games this preseason.

It certainly isn’t the end of the world for the Jets or Rodgers, who suffered a season-ending Achilles injury last year in Week 1.

Rodgers has had a heavy workload in training camp and participated in all three training camp joint practices. This includes Wednesday’s joint session with the New York Giants where his performance created the buzz among Jets fans.

And while opinions differ on if Rodgers should play in preseason, Jets head coach Robert Saleh thinks his future Hall of Fame quarterback will be ready for Week 1 at the San Francisco 49ers.

“Different reasons last year, as compared to this year. I’m not going to get into those,” Saleh told reporters on Thursday.

“I feel like we’ve gotten so much good work with three quality opponents over the course of three weeks, last year we didn’t scrimmage with the Giants, this year we’ve had three different scrimmages, and I feel like the
work we’ve gotten in has been very productive.”

In terms of where Rodgers is at physically, Saleh said the Jets star is in a good spot.

[lawrence-related id=695834,695829,695816]

“I mentioned it yesterday, he’s got plenty of mobility. He showed it in Carolina. He’s been showing it in practice. It was really cool for him to do it again,” Saleh said.

“There was obviously a couple of off-schedule throws that he made. You can tell that he’s gaining more and more confidence in it because he’s not afraid to run and leave the pocket. He’s been doing it if you guys notice during our routes on air, during individual and group install, he manufactures off-schedule plays, just to make sure that, one; the guys are on their P’s and Q’s, and him, he’s getting his work in, so the mobility’s there. He’s got plenty of mobility to create off-schedule.”

Robert Saleh praises Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers as ‘freaky, freaky, freaky’

Robert Saleh thinks Malik Nabers is a special player.

Malik Nabers has impressed New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh. The New York Giants rookie looks like he will be the franchise’s next great wide receiver.

This past April, the Giants took Nabers as their first round pick. He is coming off a junior season at LSU where he had 86 catches for 1,546 receiving yards with 14 touchdowns.

So far in limited preseason reps, Nabers has four catches for 54 yards.

Saleh, in speaking to the media on Wednesday ahead of the Jets joint practice with the Giants, praised Nabers. His comments were made prior to the joint practice.

“Dynamic, elite competitor, freaky, freaky, freaky,” Saleh told reporters.

“You could argue that he could have been the No. 1 receiver, but he’s a very special talent, special mindset, and the Giants definitely got a really good one.”

[lawrence-related id=695829,695816,695813]

Nabers was the second wide receiver taken in the NFL draft, following the selection of Marvin Harrison Jr. by the Arizona Cardinals. Harrison, a former Ohio State standout, was the fourth player taken in the draft.

Braleon Allen, Isaiah Davis, & Breece Hall: New York Jets HB personnel

Stopping the run will be much more difficult for New York Jets opponents in 2024.

With the return of quarterback Aaron Rogers and three quality running backs on their roster, the New York Jets should carry a more balanced attack on offense in 2024.

The Jets ranked near the bottom of the NFL in pass yards per attempt last season. With an inability to pass the ball, the Jets allowed opponents the affordance to play man coverage and focus in on defending the run.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CzFTNBxL7io/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Stopping the run will be much more difficult for Jets’ opponents in 2024. Rookie running backs Braelon Allen, and Isaiah Davis are alrerady looking good in preseason so attrition may be a strong point for offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett when considering his personnel packages.

Allen & Davis will share carries with starting running back Breece Hall throughout the season.

Furthermore, with the luxury of depth at the running back position, Rodgers may only have to complete a moderate 23-27 passes per game. Based on the HB stretch runs seen deployed in Hackett’s offense throughout preseason, the Jets are developing a niche based on the rush attack and quick passing game.

If things manifest ideally, Rodgers will fit splendidly into Hackett’s scheme powered by three talented running backs. This should help Rodgers spend less time aggravating that Achilles the critics scorn him endlessly about.

What’s the status of Mike Williams? Jets head coach Robert Saleh gives an update

Robert Saleh talks about where things are at with Jets wide receiver Mike Williams.

The timetable for Mike Williams in his injury recovery continues to progress, but for the New York Jets, it isn’t clear yet if he will play in preseason.

The Jets signed Williams to a contract this offseason with the expectation that he can bounce back from a year cut short due to injury.

Williams is progressing following an ACL injury last year with the Los Angeles Chargers that shelved him after just three games. Prior to the injury he was on pace for a strong season as he had 19 catches for 249 yards and a touchdown.

The hope for the Jets is that Williams can put up numbers similar to 2022 when he had 63 catches for 895 yards and four touchdowns. If he can return to health, then Williams has the potential to balance an offense that includes playmakers such as wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Bryce Hall.

“Well, he’s a dynamic player, right? And someone that you can’t just ignore when he’s on the football field,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh told reporters on Monday.

“He balances out defenses in the sense you can’t focus just on Breece. You can’t focus on Garrett, you can’t focus on our tight ends. You’ve got to know where he is, so it makes the defense play more balanced, so just his presence alone balances the numbers.”

In his seven NFL seasons, Williams has twice gone over 1,000 receiving yards.

[lawrence-related id=695800,695792,695788]

“He’s progressing well. Right now, for him, it’s just continuing to gain confidence,” Saleh said. “It’s going to be more of a mental block than anything else, but I think he’s doing well.”

An offseason of growth for the Jets’ Quinnen Williams continues into training camp

Robert Saleh continues to see growth from Quinnen Williams.

The development of Quinnen Williams continues as the New York Jets defensive lineman finetunes his game.

An improved Williams is a scary proposition for opposing offensive lines, given that the Jets star was already among the best defensive players in the NFL.

Last year, his fifth in the NFL, saw Williams have 62 total tackles and 5.5 sacks for the Jets in 2024. In an ESPN survey of NFL executives and scouts, Williams was ranked as the second-best interior defensive lineman in the league.

For head coach Robert Saleh, Williams is making continued strides. A Pro Bowl selection in his last two seasons, complacency has not set in for Williams.

“He’s having a good camp,” Saleh told reporters on Monday.

“He’s going about his business, he’s honing in on his craft, he’s been working on a few things, so I think he’s in a really good place.”

The Jets took Williams with the third overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.

[lawrence-related id=695798,695792]

Monday was a good day for the defense according to Saleh. The unit showed up, with Saleh saying that the offense was a bit slow to “get going.”

“Trying some new things.” Saleh said.

“I gave credit to the defense because the defense was playing pretty tight today.”

What’s the plan for the New York Jets starters in the third preseason game?

The New York Jets haven’t unveiled their plans for their third preseason game.

For the New York Jets, the plan for their final preseason game will be set in stone later this week.

The Jets, by and large, have rested their starters in preseason and have chosen to play their best talent in joint practices. Especially concerning the health of quarterback Aaron Rodgers, it appears that the future Hall of Famer won’t see significant snaps in preseason.

Head coach Robert Saleh said that the plan is to take things through the week ahead of Saturday’s game against the New York Giants. The Jets are 2-0 in preseason following this past weekend’s 15-12 win at the Carolina Panthers.

(The Giants are 1-1 and coming off a 28-10 loss at the Houston Texans)

Andrew Peasley and Adrian Martinez, the two quarterbacks battling for a roster spot with the Jets, played all the snaps at Carolina. As for the starters, Saleh said that a decision hasn’t been made yet.

“We haven’t talked about it yet,” Saleh told reporters on Monday.

“We’ll re-evaluate everything after the practice on Wednesday and come up with a decision.”

The Jets managed just 202 yards of total offense on Saturday in their win.

 

Jobs are on the line as Giants gear up for joint practice with Jets

The New York Giants will partake in a joint practice with the New York Jets this Wednesday in Florham Park with plenty of jobs on the line.

The New York Giants will face off against their MetLife Stadium co-tenants, the New York Jets, this Saturday night in their annual preseason meeting.

The game will close out the preseason for both teams, but before that, they will partake in a joint practice out at the Jets’ facility in Florham Park on Wednesday.

Every NFL team will have to reduce their rosters to 53 players from the current 90 by next Tuesday. There’s still a load of questions up and down the roster that remain unanswered.

Giants head coach Brian Daboll and his staff will have some tough cuts and he hasn’t ruled out some starters playing in this Saturday’s game, including quarterback Daniel Jones.

Jones played his first game since tearing his ACL last November. He may need some more fine-tuning to shake off the rust before the season opener on September 8 against Minnesota.

“First game back after a little bit of a layoff,” Daboll told reporters on Sunday. “Scrambled for a first down. Did some good things, but obviously all of us can do better. It is his first game back and you’re trying to get ready for a game that’s not far off.”

There are ongoing roster battles and some injuries that have opened up opportunities along the offensive line and in the secondary. Those jobs will likely be settled out on the field this week against the Jets.

The running back situation is also still in flux, although it looks like Devin Singletary and Eric Gray have nailed down the top two spots.

As for the Jets, quarterback Aaron Rodgers will play in the joint practice and could possibly make an appearance in this game. He hasn’t played since injuring his Achilles in Week 1 last year.

Jets head coach Robert Saleh hasn’t ruled it out but intimated that any decision regarding Rodgers would include the front office.

“[Aaron’s] going to be included in the conversations along with the coordinators and [general manager Joe Douglas], and we’re going to make the best decision for the team,” Saleh said before this week’s game, via CBS Sports.

“You never know,” Rodgers told CBS New York during the Jets game this past Saturday against Carolina. “I’m not sure. I mean, I feel like Saleh already ruled me out a few weeks ago, but if I beg him, maybe I’ll get to be out there.”

It’s doubtful the Jets would risk exposing Rodgers to injury against the Giants but the Jets have questions they need answered, too. Keep in mind that Rodgers played in last year’s preseason game against the Giants and had a tiff with former linebacker Jihad Ward.

[lawrence-related id=731512,731509,731505]