He’s the fourth general choose, the reward for shedding 13 video games final season, so the idea is Ahmad ‘Sauce’ Gardner would be the beginning cornerback in Week 1 in opposition to the Ravens.
But coach Robert Saleh was once more unwilling to make that declaration in coaching camp – simply as he didn’t two months in the past throughout OTAs — saying Friday that the 21-year-old rookie has a lot to show about his NFL readiness.
“He is a rookie. There’s a lot of things,” Saleh mentioned. “You still want to see him in pads. You still want to see him when the back hits in the corner. First (regular-season) game against Baltimore, they’re not going to be shy with four corner and contact. So there’s a lot of things we got to see that are different from the college game where it’s more spread out, throw the ball all over the place. This is a lot more condensed where offenses seek corners in the run game. So there’s a lot of things we have to see before we could declare it.”
Saleh mentioned Gardner and Bryce Hall, 24, have been splitting reps at left nook forward of the preseason opener Aug. 12 in Philadelphia. Quincy Williams is projected to start out on the suitable aspect.
What does Gardner need to reveal to earn the nod?
“That’s a good question,” Saleh mentioned. “I think it’s one of those, you know when you’ll know. But him and Bryce are alternating days and reps in terms of getting feel for going against different receivers. They’re both getting those opportunities and they’re doing a good job competing and helping one another out. He’s doing a good job and we’ll know when we know.”
Despite Saleh’s hesitancy, it’s exhausting to consider Gardner would start the season on the bench. The funding from Joe Douglas is an excessive amount of as the highest choose and the four-year, $33.5 million assured deal.
SPEAKING OF THE DEFENSE …
The Jets added a backup linebacker in Kwon Alexander, a 27-year-old who’s accustomed to Saleh’s system as a former member of the 49ers.
Saleh mentioned Alexander had choices earlier than accepting the Jets’ provide.
“We’ll see where he’s at,” Saleh mentioned. “Obviously he wasn’t right here for OTAs. So we’ll work him out the subsequent two days, (Friday) and (Saturday), and see the place he’s at and set a schedule for him subsequent week.
“But no expectation except to do what he always does which is to bring a lot of juice, lot of energy. He plays his absolute tail off.”
CONTRACT TALK
George Fant, the beginning left sort out with one yr left on his deal, mentioned he wasn’t going to get into his negotiations for a brand new deal however supplied
“I just want to be taken care of,” he mentioned, “and that’s about it.”
Fant’s checking account was in all probability boosted by the Jets’ determination to maintain him left sort out and transfer Mekhi Becton to the opposite aspect. Historically, left sort out is the extra profitable place.
It was a considerably shocking transfer since Becton was the eleventh general choose simply two years in the past, however accidents and health points led to an underwhelming first two seasons.
Saleh was impressed with Becton’s effort Friday.
“Today was a really good day for him,” Saleh mentioned. “I just had a small talk as we were walking off. It’s not getting easier, he’s just getting stronger. And he’s just got to continue to strengthen himself and push himself to the brink of exhaustion and just trust that discomfort is going to help him get better.”
Fant mentioned he didn’t want to speak to his teammate after he was given the full-time left sort out place, which was as soon as earmarked for Becton.
“No, we’re all grown man. We don’t have to do that,” Fant mentioned. “It’s a business and a job.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com