Aaron Rodgers’s arm is right where it needs to be
FLORHAM PARK, NJ—Immediately scampering to his right, out of the pocket, ensuring to move the defensive coverage in that very direction, a certain NFL quarterback decided to prove that he still has plenty of cannonballs in reserve.
Tuesday’s media-attended New York Jets OTA session saw Aaron Rodgers stamp out the narrative that he may have lost a bit too much on his fastball.
Newest #Jets team session:
—Aaron Rodgers just showcased that arm strength (you’ll surely see it on a highlight), immediately flushes right, used his eyes to move coverage his way, but decides to go across the grain, Xavier Gipson great catch with coverage catching up, TD after…
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Flushing right, Rodgers moved the coverage with his eyes, only to go against the grain. The result was a cross-body pass that traveled around 50 yards in the air, perfectly landing in Xavier Gipson’s breadbasket as the closest safety did his best to recover.
Gipson’s RAC of about 20 yards did the rest on the touchdown.
Aaron Rodgers in positionals at #Jets OTAs. pic.twitter.com/zBj3D6PYE7
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Jeremy Ruckert heavily involved
Third-year tight end Jeremy Ruckert enjoyed by far his best media-attended OTA session on Tuesday.
It started early in team sessions when Aaron Rodgers found him near the sideline on a pretty reception where the Ohio State product had to dig it near the ground. Although the defense definitely won that rep, the haul was impressive, nonetheless.
#Jets team sessions:
—Micheal Clemons in the right spot against a misdirection pass play of sorts. Runs into double-team in space, doesn’t make tackle but squeezes it nicely, limits time and space inside-out.
—Jeremy Ruckert with the pretty grab near the sideline, but it was a…— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Then, Rodgers found Ruckert again for a nice downfield chunk against the perfect defensive coverage. In other words, the passing concept was perfect for the coverage called.
#Jets 7v7:
—Ruckert with another haul, open space, middle of field, right Aaron Rodgers read against the specific D coverage.
—Ball falls incomplete off of Garrett Wilson’s hands, but MC2 with the tight cover in a tough spot, inside-out, ball had to be led a bit more bc of…— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Later, in 7v7s, Ruckert caught a shallow cross out of a bunch that caught the defense in the wrong coverage. (Nearly 100 percent of the time, defenses will check into a zone or man-match against a bunched-up look; more on how to evaluate these sessions below on this page.)
Next #Jets team session is more offensive specific in intent:
—Ruckert RAC catch for a perfect look that’ll torch the coverage called (every time).
—Deeper shot to The Ruckert in 1v1, great throw, outside shoulder, better coverage by Tony Adams. Gets inside arm in at the right…— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
If Kenny Yeobah was the star tight end a couple of OTAs ago, it was definitely Ruckert on this day.
Nick Mangold makes an appearance
New York Jets legend Nick Mangold was in attendance Tuesday.
He was first spotted mixing it up with his fellow offensive linemen, and having a one-on-one conversation with center Joe Tippmann.
Nick Mangold checking out his New York #Jets today. pic.twitter.com/UIf9RnyAf4
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Obviously, Jets fans love to see fan-favorites coming back into town to attend practices, but Mangold is on another level in many regards.
Other OTA notes
- Offensive tackle Tyron Smith did not practice (but was spotted on the exercise bike).
- Yet again, most of the defensive line was not practicing: Quinnen Williams, Haason Reddick and Jermaine Johnson, to name a few.
- Do not underestimate Xavier Gipson’s offensive contribution this season. He once again put up a stellar day offensively.
- Both Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are impressing everybody in the passing game. Allen may have had the catch of the day, high-pointing a left sideline ball from Tyrod Taylor. It was underthrown just a tad, but Allen came away with it after he separated from 1v1 linebacker coverage.
- Micheal Clemons made a tremendous defensive play early in team sessions on what was a misdirection-type passing play.
- Jarrick Bernard-Converse broke tightly on a flat concept out of a body/rub concept.
- Garrett Wilson and Sauce Gardner continue to light up the field. Garrett did his usual thing, whereas Sauce’s highlight was a quick break on an Allen Lazard three-step slant (incompletion).
- Tony Adams was up and down on Tuesday, with his highlight coming in 1v1 coverage against Ruckert, a deeper back-shoulder ball that saw him get his inside arm up at the perfect time.
Still 7v7 at #Jets OTAs:
—A beauty, Rodgers to Garrett Wilson, in rhythm, as AR identified the coverage early (not much over-the-top), so he saw 1v1, and GW got the better of Tony Adams.
—A couple of plays later, WR hits GW for a deep TD, but I really didn’t see it until the…— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
More #Jets OTAs, 7v7:
—Session ends with a Tyrod Taylor-to-Braelon Allen deep shot, left sideline, LB in coverage, solid separation, a bit under-thrown but gets job done, beauty of a high-point grab.
Both Allen and I.Davis are extremely impressive in the passing game.
— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
#Jets 7v7 again with intent on a specific subpackage that aims to confuse the offense (pressure looks, gap shows, etc.).
—First play saw the heat get to Rodgers. D win.
—Garrett Wilson with another catch, but the pressure would have probably forced a sack or completion, bc of…— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
Next #Jets team session is more offensive specific in intent:
—Ruckert RAC catch for a perfect look that’ll torch the coverage called (every time).
—Deeper shot to The Ruckert in 1v1, great throw, outside shoulder, better coverage by Tony Adams. Gets inside arm in at the right…— Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) June 4, 2024
The truth about evaluating OTA and camp sessions
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