Zach Wilson looks ready for New York Jets’ preseason opener
Zach Wilson enjoyed a crisp day of football on a scorching Thursday afternoon in northern New Jersey. He found a consistent rhythm as the New York Jets made their final preparations for Saturday’s preseason opener against the New York Giants.
Wilson to Corey Davis, left sideline, a little separation, big play 1v1. Good placement, not perfect, but still a really good throw. The key was making the decision quick enough on that deeper drop.
Later, Wilson reads a blitz nicely (DB), quick hot to flat (RB).
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 12, 2021
Jeff Smith takes a short pass from Wilson, turns upfield and zips upfield untouched for a TD. Nice catch-and-run by Smith. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 12, 2021
Corey Davis was a fixture yet again. The big-money wideout has been dominant throughout the entire week. Blessuan Austin is having major trouble with him.
Wilson caps a nice, efficient drive with a 4-yard TD pass to Corey Davis. #Jets
— Dennis Waszak Jr. (@DWAZ73) August 12, 2021
One of Wilson’s best passes: Drops it in the bucket to Davis from 40 yards. Touch and arm strength. Beats Austin on the go. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 12, 2021
Corey Davis is routinely beating Bless Austin at the line and even everywhere else. Separation on every target.
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 12, 2021
Overall, Wilson’s consistency throughout the afternoon was strong. He went 4-of-5 in an 11-on-11s period in which the only incompletion was a drop by Tyler Kroft. On the day, he went 18-of-27.
Big-time pass from Zach Wilson. A perfect deep ball down the left sideline to Corey Davis, who beat Bless Austin and Lamarcus Joyner for a major gain. Part of a strong 11-v-11 series for Wilson who just went 4-of-5. Only incompletion was a bad drop by Tyler Kroft. #Jets
— Andy Vasquez (@andy_vasquez) August 12, 2021
A mostly good day for Zach Wilson (18-for-27, 1 TD. Highlight was a long pass to Corey Davis. Moved the ball well in drive-the-field situations. Only negative was hitting brick wall at +2, where he threw 3 straight incomplete passes. Starting to stack positive days. #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) August 12, 2021
It’s great to see Wilson have eye-popping days like Thursday, but it should be kept in mind that he does not necessarily have to record great numbers on paper to have a great practice.
Some incompletions or “bad” moments in practice can be great learning experiences that will teach him a lot. Some completions could be routine reps that teach him nothing. Just looking at his stats does not tell us anything about how much better he is getting at the sport.
All that matters is whether Wilson is going about his business the right way and establishing a healthy developmental routine that features a good work ethic and a willingness to learn from mistakes.
As Wilson himself said yesterday, he is trying throws in practice that he knows for sure he wouldn’t attempt in a game because he is testing the waters of what he can and cannot get away with. That’s what practice is all about – challenging yourself to improve, not putting up good stats to appease people on the outside.
Too many people overlook this aspect: In practice, a non-throw is often a wasted rep. You play like you practice, yes; but if you can also compartmentalize practice and game, advantages arise.
We’ll find out if that’s what Zach Wilson is doing.pic.twitter.com/bIl7V8MNMl
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 11, 2021
With all of that being said, Wilson’s impressive output on the practice field is certainly a pleasant sight for Jets fans. It sure beats seeing the opposite.
However, when Wilson does thrive on the practice field, it is important to evaluate his strong performances from a process standpoint, not a production standpoint. Forget the numbers – is he doing things that can help him achieve sustainable success in real-game action?
Wilson has been consistently checking the “eye test” box. It is clear as day that his smooth, swift release is a legitimately special trait that will help him execute quick throws at a highly efficient level once the regular season arrives.
Zach Wilson’s best physical trait, by far, is that release. Anything three step usually comes out nicely with timing and read.
It’s about deeper drops. The difference between what he could get away with, timing wise, last year and this year, is what he’s to trying feel out.
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) August 12, 2021
Robert Saleh revealed that Wilson will play “about a quarter, a couple of series” against the Giants on Saturday. Big Blue’s Daniel Jones will not appear in the contest.
Kicking update
Matt Ammendola had seemingly been gaining a lead over Chris Naggar in the Jets’ kicking competition, but the SMU rookie has caught back up to the Oklahoma State product with back-to-back even kicking sessions.
Both kickers followed up a 4-for-4 performance on Tuesday with a 3-for-4 performance on Thursday. Ammendola was good from 33, 40, and 48 yards while missing from 55. Naggar was good from 33, 40, and 55 yards while missing from 48.
Ammendola is on record with 14 makes and two misses (87.5%) in four reported kicking sessions since joining the Jets. Naggar has 15 makes and five misses (75.0%) in five sessions.
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Injuries
Alijah Vera-Tucker is all but guaranteed to miss Saturday’s game, but Saleh says his status is “more day-to-day” and nothing serious. Elijah Moore‘s status is up in the air after he left Thursday’s practice with a quad injury.
Braxton Berrios is also out on Saturday with a groin injury.
Quinnen Williams will not play but is expected to be back next week in time for the team’s second preseason game against the Packers.
Other notes
The Jets shook things up and had Carl Lawson move over to the left side on the defensive line on a few snaps, giving Mekhi Becton a little bit of a break.
Jeff Smith made some noise. In addition to the touchdown referenced earlier, he drew a pass interference penalty on Zane Lewis.
Jason Pinnock has not generated as much hype in recent days as other young cornerbacks such as Bryce Hall and Brandin Echols. He put himself back on the map with an interception off of James Morgan.
Michael Carter II also made some noise after being outshined by Javelin Guidry in recent days. (at least in terms of highlight plays). He broke up a pass intended for Jamison Crowder on a wheel route and positioned himself for an interception off of Wilson in red-zone drills, although he dropped it.
Hall continued his excellent camp with two pass breakups against Corey Davis.
