The New York Jets decided to get the officials in and put on a scrimmage-type feel. Unfortunately, it was all defense all the time.
FLORHAM PARK, NJ—The special teams were on the field, all by itself, to start the day. Officials were walking towards the field draped in their familiar zebra colors. It could only mean one thing…
Scrimmage.
Adam Gase had his New York Jets simulate a gameday-type feel Wednesday in Florham Park, NJ. The excitement was easy to spot, but unfortunately for the offense, yards were also tough to experience.
Gregg Williams‘ defense dominated the day. The majority of the team sessions featured offensive ones vs. defensive twos and defensive ones vs. offensive twos. No matter the defensive unit, it played well, even against the Sam Darnold starting offense, something that cannot sit well with the head coach.
“Obviously, some things showed up that we have to get fixed quickly,” Gase told reporters after practice. “This was a good step for us, and without having preseason games, we can’t get lulled to sleep at practice, thinking, ‘Hey, it’s all good.'”
Darnold continued to showcase inconsistencies. He was intercepted by young Ashtyn Davis and found himself stuck in the pocket in many spots—whether it came by pressure or coverage. He also missed Chris Herndon down the seam for a touchdown. The ball sailed a bit on him as he missed high and inside with a wide-open Herndon running against what appeared to be a deep-third look.
Sam Darnold finds Jamison Crowder for a nice 20-30 yarder down the middle. Good job by Darnold reading the safety. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 26, 2020
“Today was a good example of what we really can’t do,” Gase added. “We have to really dial it in and make sure we do a great job at all the practices and at our next scrimmage.”
There were also too many penalties. On a nice screen to Frank Gore, one of the offensive linemen was called for illegal man downfield. It was one of the few examples of an excellent play-call against a Williams defense that was flying around every rep.
“We made some plays,” Gase said. “The problem was, we were getting them called back. There’s just a lot of little things we have to clean up.”
La’Mical Perine Busts Out
Of course, it was not all bad. La’Mical Perine officially busted out on this day. With Le’Veon Bell taken out for precautionary reasons, Perine and Gore did the heavy lifting.
On a between-the-tackles rush, Perine took it to the house for about 70-80 yards. He juked one of the defensive backs out of his shoes after breaking past the second-level. Free safety Bradley McDougald mentioned that somebody missed filling his gap on the play, but in good teammate form, would not say who.
La’Mical Perine goes for 70-80, jukes the remaining DB and really wasn’t touched en route to TD. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 26, 2020
Perine also ripped off another 25-30-yard scamper down the left sideline on another attempt.
Bad Day For the Receivers
Jeff Smith dropped a ball on a comeback route early—one he should have had. Darnold delivered it in a nice spot (low and away), but Smith could not come up with it.
Chris Hogan has been seen running with the ones, but his day was not great either. His frustration was apparent after a catch and fumble that happened on a 5-8 yard play near the numbers.
Jamison Crowder went for a few big plays but was held in check for the majority of the reps. In fact, even when the first-team offense squared off against the second-team defense, it was a struggle.
Chris Herndon was, once again, the top threat for the first-team offense. The connection between him and Darnold has not evaporated after a year off.
Cameron Clark Returns
A positive came in the form of rookie Cameron Clark who saw some time with the first-team after Greg Van Roten went out with an oblique injury. He and Jonotthan Harrison rotated at left guard.
This was Clark’s first practice back from a shoulder injury that kept him out up until this point.
Mike White Finally Struggles, James Morgan Has a Moment
We’re not in Kansas anymore. Mike White, the kid who’s lit up camp thus far in an unexpected way, struggled mightily against the Jets’ first-team defense. The difference was stark with Williams’ top unit on the field.
On the flip side, James Morgan may have enjoyed his finest day with the Jets. On one drive, he found Jehu Chesson on the dig in a one-on-one situation inside the 5-yard line that helped set up a Braxton Berrios touchdown (great route that looked to be an option). Berrios bolted for the front-right pylon and Morgan put it on him.
Cam Clark is practicing. James Morgan finds Chesson for a nice 15-20 yarder against single coverage, and he then finds Berrios for the score as he bolts towards the front pylon. #Jets
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 26, 2020
Braden The Mann. #Jets pic.twitter.com/SxC6Itk60S
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 26, 2020
Injuries
- Denzel Mims (hamstring)
- Breshad Perriman (knee)
- Conor McDermott (knee)
- Josh Adams (hamstring)
- Pierre Desir (hamstring)
- Brian Poole (dehydration)
- Matthias Farley (hamstring)
- Jabari Zuniga (quad)
- Lawrence Cager (knee)
- Tarell Basham (ankle)
- Le’Veon Bell (hamstring)
- Greg Van Roten (oblique)
Denzel Mims was spotted running on the side early in practice. He seems to be progressing a bit.
Lawrence Cager’s knee swelled up last night, and he’s scheduled for an MRI, Gase told reporters after practice.
Le’Veon Bell’s injury is called as a hamstring, but Gase labeled it precautionary. Bell disputed his injury status on Twitter after practice. He was lifted during team sessions in favor of Frank Gore and La’Mical Perine.
its tough to stay loose when you do a bunch of standing around……& I’m used to GOINGGG 🏃🏾💨💨
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) August 26, 2020
its tough to stay loose when you do a bunch of standing around……& I’m used to GOINGGG 🏃🏾💨💨
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) August 26, 2020
exactly…I PRACTICE for a GAME!!! I need to PRACTICE to be great in GAMES!!! duh https://t.co/AcOUMBOgdt
— Le'Veon Bell (@LeVeonBell) August 26, 2020
Greg Van Roten also left practice early, and interestingly, Cameron Clark, who just returned from practice, helped replace him at right guard along with veteran Jonotthan Harrison.
With just 18 days to go before the team’s Week 1 date in Orchard Park, NY, time is of the essence. There’s still a lot to be cleaned up over the next two-plus weeks.
“They’re aware,” Gase said of his players knowing Week 1 is right around the corner. “That date’s not moving. Whatever the sense of urgency is, we have to keep increasing it.”
The Jets are scheduled for another practice Thursday morning before an off-day on Friday.
