At age 37 and coming off shoulder surgical procedure, some gamers may need determined to hold up their cleats and start a brand new chapter of their lives.
Jets sort out Duane Brown isn’t a kind of gamers, as he didn’t ponder retirement regardless of having a 16-year profession and being named to a number of All-Pro and Pro Bowl groups.
So what’s Brown’s motivation throughout the twilight of his profession?
“I still got plenty left,” Brown instructed reporters final week. “I nonetheless really feel like I can play at a excessive stage. I need to get as wholesome as doable.
“Last yr, I used to be taking part in lower than 100%. So I need to get wholesome and play on the stage that I’m accustomed to. Obviously, with the workforce that we now have, it’s a fantastic shot to win.
“I’ve done everything you can ask for individually in my career, but I want to win and I want to be the best version of myself to contribute to that.”
Per week after Mekhi Becton’s season-ending proper knee harm throughout coaching camp final August, the Jets signed Brown to a two-year, $22M contract as he was anticipated to solidify the Jets left sort out place. However, he handled an harm of his personal throughout the preseason as Brown tore his left rotator cuff and was positioned on injured reserve to start the common season.
After lacking the primary 4 video games of the yr, Brown lastly began at left sort out for the Jets, however he performed lower than 100% the whole yr. He began 12 video games at left sort out with the dangerous rotator cuff and opted to not have surgical procedure till the tip of the yr, at the same time as he missed the Jets’ season finale loss to the Dolphins. Because of that, the Jets created a workforce award in his honor, — the “Selfless Warrior” award, as Brown was the primary recipient.
“Last year his money was guaranteed, didn’t have to play a down and his money was guaranteed and he didn’t have to subject his body to what he did,” Jets coach Robert Saleh stated about Brown taking part in by means of harm. “But he stepped on there, he stepped on the sphere, performed as many video games as he presumably may with torn rotator cuffs and did a very nice job, so he’s going to battle for it.
“He doesn’t believe he’s entitled to anything. He believes he’s got to earn everything and there’s a reason why he’s played for so long and has had so much success. I mean, look at him, he’s a brick house. He can still play as many years as he’s willing to play.”
Although Brown was the beginning left sort out final yr, he must compete to proceed in that function starting in coaching camp. During OTAs, Brown has not practiced with the workforce as he has executed particular person work with trainers.
Brown evaded the query when requested if he could be able to follow by the beginning of coaching camp, deferring to his medical doctors and trainers. If Brown shouldn’t be prepared for coaching camp, Becton could possibly be subsequent in line to start out at left sort out.
Becton hasn’t practiced both throughout OTAs as he continues to rehab from his knee surgical procedure, however he’s anticipated to be prepared for coaching camp. Recently, Becton has made it recognized on social media that he prefers to play at left sort out.
That could possibly be problematic for the Jets since Brown has performed his complete profession at left sort out.
“We will see how it plays out,” Brown stated. “I’ve all of the respect for Mekhi [Becton], he’s a really gifted participant. My focus proper now could be to only get wholesome and we’ll determine that out when the time is true.
“I’ve not performed a sport at proper sort out since junior, possibly sophomore yr in school [Virginia Tech]. So it’s not one thing that I’ve practiced through the years.
“Not to say that I can’t do it, but I’ve been solidified at that spot for a while. But again, that’s not my focus right now as I’m just trying to get healthy and worry about it when we get to it.”
Jets WR Randall Cobb: ‘I can fill some voids’
When the Jets signed extensive receiver Randall Cobb, many thought it was a transfer simply to appease quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After all, Cobb is much faraway from the Pro Bowl receiver he as soon as was.
Understanding that at 32 years previous, he isn’t the participant he as soon as was, Cobb believes he is usually a constructive piece to the Jets offense.
“I think I can fill some voids,” Cobb stated. “I do know this isn’t the prime of my profession, however I nonetheless assume I’ve so much left within the tank in the event you watch my movie and see what I’ve executed during the last couple of years, I’m fairly environment friendly the time that I’m in.
“I’m not taking part in 90, 100% of the snaps like I used to at one level in my profession, however the 40, 50% that I’m taking part in, I’m very environment friendly, particularly third down throughout the pink zone, clearly having that understanding and having the ability to assist out in crucial moments.
“I’m excited and it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
During his final three seasons, two in Green Bay and one in Houston in 2020, Cobb has averaged 33.3 receptions per season with 411 yards and three touchdowns. But Cobb could possibly be a pleasant safety blanket for the Jets offense in restricted obligation.
Obviously, Cobb and Rodgers have a ton of chemistry from their days as Packers. Cobb will are available in and be the Jets fifth receiver of their offense after Garrett Wilson, Corey Davis, Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman.
But the addition of Rodgers wasn’t the one motive Cobb was within the Jets.
“For me, the big piece was [Nathaniel] Hackett,” Cobb stated. “I performed with him in Green Bay in 2021 once I bought traded again. My spouse is definitely from Jersey, she grew up in Long Valley, so that is like half-hour from residence for her.
“Her having an opportunity to be close to where she grew up was a big piece for us.”
Rodgers anticipated to follow throughout subsequent media availability throughout OTAs
During the primary two OTA media availabilities, Rodgers didn’t do a complete lot. But that’s anticipated to vary this upcoming week.
Last week, Saleh stated Rodgers was anticipated to completely return to follow final Friday. Judging by the images the Jets launched on their web site, Rodgers participated throughout the workforce’s sixth OTA follow.
Rodgers suffered a calf pressure on May 23 as he simply watched his teammates follow from the sidelines. He did the identical factor final week as he threw on the aspect and spent most of follow final Wednesday giving recommendation to his teammates.
With Rodgers taking it straightforward, Zach Wilson obtained first-team reps throughout follow.
“I think he’s getting more comfortable in the offense,” Saleh stated about Wilson. “It’s attention-grabbing with the best way (Nathaniel) Hackett, he places quite a lot of onus on them understanding the protection and understanding what’s happening, in order that’s all sort of new for him by way of, it’s not simply development, it’s understanding from a world standpoint.
“I think he’s taking it all in and doing his best to learn as much as he can every day, so he’s been good. He’s been attacking it for sure.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com