Zach Wilson finds his groove
Although Zach Wilson looked rusty in his first training camp practice with the New York Jets, he wasted no time shaking that rust off, thriving in Saturday’s training camp practice open to the fans.
Wilson got the crowd going with a sideline throw to Corey Davis.
Wilson to Corey Davis for a short gain gets the fans fired up. Wilson led Davis with a pass to the sideline and Davis shook free and made an easy reception. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) July 31, 2021
John Franklin-Myers broke through the line for what probably would have been a sack in a real game, but Wilson was able to escape the pressure and step up for a touchdown bomb to Elijah Moore.
Fans back at 1JD and the roar has returned. John Franklin-Myers probably had a would-be sack of Zach Wilson, but Wilson connects long to WR Elijah Moore for a second consecutive day. 2-8 hearing the love #Jets
— Eric Allen (@eallenjets) July 31, 2021
Denzel Mims – whose stock has been slipping as he has been spotted playing with the third-team offense – built some positive momentum as he connected with Wilson on a sideline grab following a scramble by the BYU legend.
Wilson scrambles to his right and zips a pass to Denzel Mims, who makes a nice good grab for a nice gain. Crowd cheers. #Jetd
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) July 31, 2021
Making plays under pressure was a theme for Wilson throughout the day. The Jets’ defensive line appeared to be dominating the offensive line, but Wilson kept thriving. He stepped up and launched a completion to Keelan Cole.
Wilson hits Keenan Cole over the middle.
Pressure was around him but he stepped up and fired it.
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 31, 2021
Moore beat Bryce Hall for a contested completion with a good route against Hall’s press coverage.
Wilson to Elijah Moore on a 10 yard out route.
Bryce hall pressed him but Elijah went inside before squaring him up cutting out and making a difficult catch. Good rep #Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 31, 2021
In many of the highlights and reports that have been shared featuring the battles between these two young players throughout the offseason, Hall showcased tight coverage only to be defeated by a spectacular catch from Moore.
Hall, who stands 6-foot-1 and 201 pounds, should be having a much rougher time with the shifty Moore than he is. At the very least, the experience will certainly benefit him greatly moving forward.
Overall, Wilson earned rave reviews for his work on Saturday morning.
That’s a wrap on today’s practice. A nice-bounce back for Zach Wilson, who looked much better than yesterday. He had 30 reps and completed 14-of-20 passes. What the Jets want to see, but again … it’s July.
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) July 31, 2021
Takeaways from practice #4
Wilson was VERY good. Great bounce back from yesterday.
Moore is going to start. BOOK IT.
Offense looked a lot better today.
Lawson continues to do his thang.
Jason Pinnock with the coolest play of the day catching a pick on his butt#Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 31, 2021
Jets fans make their triumphant return
Saturday marked the first of eight Jets practices that will be open to fans this offseason. It is the first event in which the Jets have hosted fans since they faced the Pittsburgh Steelers at MetLife Stadium on Dec. 22, 2019.
First public practice since … 2019. Good to see fans watching football. In attendance: NFL commish Roger Goodell. #Jets pic.twitter.com/exTH5eSRv4
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) July 31, 2021
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell was among those in attendance.
All 32 teams.
All for you, the fans.Commissioner Roger Goodell on the big football celebration that is Back Together Saturday. 💕🏈 pic.twitter.com/D3avkXprgO
— NFL (@NFL) July 31, 2021
Jets players wasted no time interacting with the crowd. Ryan Griffin picked up a first down and threw the ball to a fan, but a team staff member took the ball back, prompting jeers from the crowd.
Wilson on play action to Ryan Griffin in the flat. Griffin turns it up for a first down. He throws the ball to a fan but a Jets staff member takes it back. Crowd starts booing 🤣🤣🤣🤣 #Jets
— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) July 31, 2021
The Jets are off on Sunday will return to the field on Monday for another practice that will be open to fans.
