Hours main as much as the primary preseason recreation in opposition to the Philadelphia Eagles, Jets coach Robert Saleh determined to relaxation a number of starters.
It seems that would as soon as once more be the case for Gang Green’s second preseason recreation in opposition to the Atlanta Falcons Monday evening.
“I’m torn on it,” Saleh mentioned after Saturday’s follow. “I get up at some point and ask do I play them and I get up the following day and resolve I’m not going to play them. I feel there’s large worth on this one and it’s completely different as a result of it’s Monday Night Football. We are such a younger crew and loads of younger guys — that’s what they dream of, Monday Night Football.
“You never want to make a game bigger than it needs to be, but there’s still that human aspect of how they grew up and how people view Monday night as that’s the only game on and all your peers are watching. It’s a perfect opportunity to give our guys to go through the mental aspect of a heightened environment so they can manage Week 1.”
As with any preseason recreation, there’s at all times the danger of starters struggling an harm. That’s precisely what occurred in the course of the first preseason recreation in opposition to the Eagles.
Quarterback Zach Wilson suffered a bone bruise and meniscus harm whereas scrambling in the course of the first quarter. Although the injury isn’t as extreme as some predicted, Wilson might miss the season opener in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens after surgical procedure to the best knee this week.
Like many groups within the league, the Jets have scheduled joint practices with the thought of evaluating gamers higher than they may throughout a preseason recreation. During the final two days, the Jets’ first, second and third groups participated in 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills with Friday being a padded follow.
“It’s good going up against another opponent,” Jets security Jordan Whitehead mentioned. “Being at camp, we are used to our offense. But going towards the season, it is helpful going up against another opponent.”
JERMAINE ATTACKS PRACTICE
Many first-round picks robotically get positioned as a starter shortly after being drafted.
With the Jets’ line of defense being one of many crew’s deepest items, that isn’t the case for Jermaine Johnson. However, changing into a starter is the least of Johnson’s issues proper now as he’s centered on bettering from follow to follow.
“However, I can help the team, that’s how I look at it,” Johnson mentioned. “I follow like I’m a free agent anyway.
“I practice like I’m fighting for my life, that’s how I am and that’s how I practice. It just lines up perfectly with what Coach Saleh is all about. Practicing hard, balls to the wall and give 110% with not only yourself but with the team.”
Johnson has been disruptive over the past two practices in opposition to the Falcons. On Friday, he registered a sack on Atlanta quarterback Marcus Mariota, and a day later, Johnson recorded a sack on Desmond Ridder.
The Jets coaches have been impressed with Johnson’s detailed enhancements since being drafted within the spring.
“I love the way Jermaine has attacked practice,” Saleh mentioned. “Football for these guys is really easy all through school that they’ve to determine a brand new method to follow. There’s a degree of talent and a degree of professionalism that takes place on the follow discipline with effort and dealing on their method.
“That a part of his recreation has been a nice shock as he has grabbed it by the horns and provides his finest daily. He is a rookie, so there are loads of issues he has to study. But he’s making an attempt to contribute on [special] groups, he’s making an attempt to contribute within the run recreation, and making an attempt to contribute within the move recreation.
“His mental makeup, his athleticism, his hand-eye coordination, all that stuff is awesome. It is going be a matter of time before he ties it all together.”
JOYNER BACK, WILLIAMS STILL OUT
Jets security LaMarcus Joyner returned to follow after lacking the final week attributable to an sickness. He participated in crew drills with the remainder of the crew.
The similar couldn’t be mentioned about defensive lineman Quinnen Williams as he’s nonetheless coping with an ankle harm he suffered final week. Joining Williams was defensive lineman Bryce Huff and deal with Duane Brown as additionally they labored with trainers all through follow.
Saleh says he hopes to have Brown training with the remainder of the crew after Monday evening’s preseason recreation.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com