New York Jets practice notes: Mekhi Becton impresses, Ashtyn Davis flies

New York Jets practice on Monday featured more from big man Mekhi Becton and speedy free safety Ashtyn Davis. The New York Jets hit the practice field Monday morning with a purpose: to build upon Sunday's session. Adam Gase is forced to run these practices based on the NFL's guidelines, which means abiding by the ramp-up period time restrictions that were featured in Florham Park last week. Monday marked the first day allowed for padded practices leaguewide (save for the Houston Texans and Kansas City Chiefs---the NFL's Thursday night kickoff game) but the Jets went with just tops. "Obviously, this is the first time we've been in pads since December," Gase told reporters after practice. "But I did think the effort was there and the speed was there---a lot of good things as far as improvement in what we're doing." Tuesday, Gase will have the opportunity to increase practice from the 90 minutes the media witnessed Monday. "It was a short practice, mandated through the NFL and NFLPA with how they have this thing set up," Gase added. "Ninety minutes... it goes quick. I do think we got some good work in but with a lot of improvement (to go)." It was most definitely a light, rapid session; but that does not mean it finished without a couple of highlights. Mekhi Becton impresses Mekhi Becton continues to impress everybody throughout the organization. On one particular play, the Louisville product got to the second level and knocked Neville Hewitt into the dirt (field turf that features plenty of rubber, to be exact). "Yeah, I think it's rare to see a 370-pound guy move the way he does," Gase said of his rookie left tackle. "It's hard to explain what it feels like when you're standing next to him. ...when you get next to him, that's when you realize how big this guy is." https://twitter.com/RobbySabo/status/1295374482383630338 On another run play in his direction, his clear path to the second level took him to Blake Cashman, who he nearly blocked and pushed to the sideline. "Big as... ," is how Frank Gore described the young rook. "You see him out there, man. He look different. He's one of the biggest guys out there." https://twitter.com/RobbySabo/status/1295450533331972096 There was nothing Hewitt could say but the truth. "He caught me," Hewitt said. "I tried to get into the gap and he came off the ball pretty good. I was pretty impressed. He's a pretty big fella. ...If you see him coming, you better go at him because if you don't, he's going to get you." It was not all great for Becton. He was caught lunging on a couple of plays as well, once against Jordan Jenkins who beat him in a pass-pro set. Ashtyn Davis' range Another one of Joe Douglas' rookies also continues to impress. Of course, we're talking about Ashtyn Davis. From the early look of things, Davis is a free safety. As detailed in Friday's practice notes, Marcus Maye is handling the in-the-box duties while Bradley McDougald plays high and Davis trails closely behind. On one particular play, Davis ranged from his single-high look and the met the body (and nearly the ball) on the offense's right sideline (go-route, to Davis' left). https://twitter.com/RobbySabo/status/1295362404054949890 He hit wide receiver Josh Malone pretty solidly, ensuring he did not come down with the completion. For any free safety at any level, starting single-high and meeting the ball on either sideline is a tough chore. Oh yeah, the man is a damn track star; there's no question about that (as seen by his impressive catch and backflip: https://twitter.com/RobbySabo/status/1295414064340926466 Other camp notes: Quinnen Williams once again looked like a solid participant in many spots. Arthur Maulet received a ton of play with the ones with Brian Poole out due to hydration (slot corner). Bless Austin and Nate Hairston held down the outside with Pierre Desir missing in action. Blake Cashman filled in for James Burgess (who exited with a lower-back injury). The injuries are also piling up, with Vyncint Smith now expected to miss 5-8 weeks with a core muscle issue that needs surgery.