New York Jets practice notes: Lawrence Cager, Mike White coming on strong

The New York Jets practice notes for a Saturday feature two youngsters, Lawrence Cager and Mike White, coming on strong.

FLORHAM PARK, NJ—There has been a Lawrence Cager sighting, and what an experience it was for the New York Jets offense.

The undrafted product caught two touchdowns in teams Saturday morning. If you’re envisioning a simple five-yard flat catch and turn, remove that simple nonsense from your thoughts.

Both scores showcased Cager’s high-point ability. The 6-foot-5 weapon possesses the ability to catch the ball at its highest point in traffic, which means he can be a red-zone fade monster.

First, he brought one down on an outside fade that was originally tipped. His back probably landed out of bounds before he maintained possession, but that did not take away from the highlight-nature of the play.

Lawrence Cager just made a tremendous catch, side of the end zone, halfway. Fade. Loose tipped ball, came down with it, but I do believe his back hit OOB before full control. Either way, there’s your Cager sighting. He has that high-point talent. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 22, 2020

Interestingly, head coach Adam Gase sees more than just his raw physical attributes on display.

“He’s a quick study,” Adam Gase told reporters after practice. “(He’s) very intelligent. He’s obviously a very big body. Smooth runner. He really tries to be a detailed route-runner. He tries to do the little things right, and we’re talking about certain routes vs. certain techniques.”

Cager’s second score came out of a slot look that saw him run a red-zone wheel to the corner of the end-zone. (It could be argued it was more of a slot fade, as the media was on the other side of the end zone.) This one was a no-doubter, as he impressively lifted himself off the ground and ended team sessions with a bang for the offense.

“He’s just gotta keep playing,” Gase added. “I think when he gets opportunities like he did today and makes plays, it’s encouraging for us to see because it’s hard to find guys that are that big and run as smooth as he does, and as sharp as he is. He’s a guy that came in here with a very big chip on his shoulder, and he wants to prove a lot of people wrong.”

Mike White is Making the Correct Reads

Based on performance alone, there’s no question who the No. 2 quarterback should be when the team travels to Buffalo in Week 1. Mike White has been sharp all camp long and continued to raise his play Saturday.

Lawrence Cager, again. From the slot, runs a red zone wheel, goes up and comes down with the touchdown to end teams. The kid is coming on strong now with Mike White leading the way for that group. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 22, 2020

Both of Cager’s touchdowns featured White on the beginning side of things. He and the undrafted Georgia product really demonstrated chemistry that hs yet to be seen in Florham Park this summer.

Do not be confused, however; White is spreading the love.

One series showcased White hitting Josh Malone twice (deep out, slant) and then La’Mical Perine in the flat. He’s not hesitating, especially from a three-step look, something Gase has to love at the moment. White even pushed Nathan Shepherd back to the defensive huddle in a loving manner after one of his connections on the day.

Mike White continues to make every read. Connects with Josh Malone twice (deep out, slant) and hits Perine in the flat.

After it was over, he jokingly shoved Nathan Shepherd as he was walking back to defensive side. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 22, 2020

This kid has a real shot of making the roster in Joe Flacco‘s place to start the season.

Sam Darnold‘s Inconsistencies

Although the offense enjoyed a much better day than Thursday’s defensive-dominant practice, Sam Darnold remained inconsistent. He threw a few scores—including a beauty of a fade to Chris Herndon that went for about 20-30 yards—but also put up one of the worst throws of the day.

Darnold was picked by Blessuan Austin after he severely under-threw the ball on a red-zone fade spot to Breshad Perriman.

Third play of teams: Darnold fade to Perriman in the end zone, severely under-thrown, Bless Austin INT in corner, bobbled a bit but two feet down. #Jets

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 22, 2020

Ashtyn Davis Thumps

Football teams always have a general understanding as it pertains to which players practice harder. The guys who look down on those practice heroes are the very same players Joe Douglas is probably looking to avoid.

Admittedly, it’s a bit trickier at the NFL level. This is not 1988 anymore. Two-a-days and drills such as bull in the ring went out of style quicker than JNCO jeans.

Nonetheless, rookie safety Ashtyn Davis has been the most aggressive practice tackler in camp. He thumps the ball carrier every chance he gets and usually finishes the play to its absolute completion.

Additionally, Davis’ coachability is starting to leak out.

“This young man is a sponge,” defensive back coach Dennard Wilson said after practice.

Wilson praised his coachability as well as his freak athletic ability, citing his sideline-to-sideline range.

Quincy Wilson’s Joy

New defensive back Quincy Wilson did not hold back when asked how he felt about the trade that sent him to New Jersey.

“It was one of the best days of my life,” Wilson told reporters after practice.

He also explained why he loves playing for Gregg Williams.

“They coach you to make plays, not cover grass,” Wilson added.

Williams runs a ton of match zone, which means reads rule the roost. Defensive backs are given a specific set of reads on each play and are taught to make an aggressive mistake (if a mistake is made at all).

News and Notes

Defensive lineman Bronson Kaufusi has been moved to tight end. This is an interesting position move considering his brother, Corbin Kaufusi, was moved from defensive line to the offensive line last year.

Those Kaufusies have no problem taking one for the team.

Avery Williamson, Ryan Griffin and Daniel Brown were all activated Saturday. Although none of the three saw team reps, they were on the field and working in positionals.

The Jets waived tight end Connor Davis to make room for Friday’s Anthony Cioffi signing.

Braxton Berrios returned to practice after an excused personal absence.

Existing Injuries

• Denzel Mims (hamstring)
• Brian Poole (dehydration)
• Pierre Desir (hamstring)
• Jabari Zuniga (quad)
• James Burgess Jr. (back)

New Injuries

• Patrick Onwuasor (knee)
• Josh Adams (hamstring)
• John Franklin-Myers (groin)

Patrick Onwuasor injured his knee towards the end of practice. He did get up and walk off but the severity is not yet known. Josh Adams joins the hamstring club and John Franklin-Myers subtly found himself injured with a groin.

Denzel Mims’ availability remains a mystery. Gase will not commit to announcing a date he might think is plausible. Brian Poole’s availability is an even greater mystery, considering the dehydration designation, but Gase fully admits he will not return until the team is 100 percent sure he will be fine.

“We’re gonna go through the process,” Gase said about Poole’s availability. “It won’t be in the next couple of days. We’ll see how long he’s out, but we have a whole, kind of procedure we’re going through with him to make sure that when we send him back out there he’s in good shape and ready to go.”

The Jets will return to practice Sunday morning.

A DB coach once told me, “Defensive backs are receivers who cannot catch.”

I don’t agree. Neither does Marcus Maye, probably. Besides, backpedaling is no fun. #Jets pic.twitter.com/S3U4yauzVP

— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 22, 2020