Zach Wilson will begin however with restricted alternatives within the preseason opener Friday, the quarterback’s first motion in opposition to one other workforce since his disappointing rookie marketing campaign ended seven months in the past.
Wilson is scheduled for “one or two” sequence with the starters in opposition to the Eagles, based on coach Robert Saleh, earlier than transitioning to backups Joe Flacco and Mike White, in that order.
“If the starters put together a good first series, we’ll call it a day,” Saleh stated. “If not, we’ll try to go out there and get a certain amount of plays.”
For Wilson, the sequence in Philly are a fruits of a rollercoaster coaching camp that began poorly within the workforce drills however appeared extra promising within the last week. Wednesday was one other sturdy day from Wilson, who led a drive with a sidearm bullet to Elijah Moore and a landing cross to Corey Davis.
Wilson accomplished all 5 of his cross makes an attempt on the drive.
“It’s been good. The game is slowing down, all those good things,” Saleh stated. “Obviously there’s another level that’s going to be reached. But really like the way he’s approaching every day. He’s unflappable in terms of not losing confidence.”
Wilson, one of many NFL’s worst-rated quarterbacks final season with extra interceptions (11) than touchdowns (9), has boilerplate expectations for the primary scrimmage.
“The biggest thing is going to be clean football, we have to go out there with no penalties. There’s going to be the penalties, but it’s going to be the pre-snap penalties that you need to avoid,” Wilson stated. “I would say there’s the missed assignments that we need to avoid. We need to look like a football team out there.”
OPEN TACKLE
With Mekhi Becton carried out for the season due to a fractured kneecap, Robert Saleh declared an open battle for his vacant place.
“The whole right tackle spot is open,” the coach stated Wednesday, declining to call a starter for Friday’s preseason sport in opposition to the Eagles.
Rookie Max Mitchell, a fourth spherical select of Louisiana-Lafayette, took the starter snaps in Wednesday’s observe, in the future after 25-year-old Chuma Edoga crammed that function.
Conor McDermott, a six-year veteran, is a robust candidate however is out within the quick time period with an ankle harm sustained over the weekend.
The Jets have additionally been open about their want to signal free agent Duane Brown, who brings the strongest pedigree as a five-time Pro Bowler however can also be turning 37 this month.
Asked about juggling improvement with instant manufacturing from the appropriate sort out, Saleh indicated he’d be much less tolerant of rising pains. Such a philosophy would level to Brown, if he’s ever signed, though he’s theoretically much less acquainted with the system after lacking coaching camp.
“The most important thing, no offense to anybody on our team, is to protect the quarterback,” Saleh stated. “So the person who is best prepared to protect the quarterback will be out there.”
KICKING COMPETITION
Perhaps no roster battle will likely be decided extra by the preseason than subject purpose kicker, a contest which stays “neck-and-neck” between incumbent Eddy Piniero and free-agent signing Greg Zuerlein.
“Fans don’t get mad, there’s going to be some fourth downs when we send the kicking unit out instead of going for it,” Saleh stated. “And it’s for a reason. We want to see where those guys are at.”
The Jets haven’t had a kicker with greater than 33 subject objectives since Nick Folk, who left the workforce in 2016.
BROTHERLY LOVE
As the warmth saturated Florham Park and coaching camp superior to its last days, the variety of scuffles between Jets gamers elevated throughout the drills.
Nothing superior to full-on brawl, and Saleh acknowledged he can’t take the ethical excessive floor on this subject.
“I’m 43 years old and this morning I was in an argument my brother,” he stated. “You just fight with your siblings. And it took me back to being a junior in high school when I suplexed him right on his face in the living room.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com