The New York Jets’ starting right tackle is feeling great in his return to action
Morgan Moses is happy to be back.
During his media availability on Friday, the New York Jets’ veteran right tackle expressed feeling “fantastic” to be back on the field after recovering from his torn pectoral muscle.
“I’m never one to just sit on the side and have to work through things. But you know, it’s all about timing. Being able to go out there today and just run around with the guys and feel, you know, feel like you’re 10 years old again playing football, man, it just felt fantastic.”
Moses also spoke about having the starting five linemen on the field together, saying that it is “very important” to work together early in camp and that the “sky’s the limit” when the unit is working at a high level.
“Having the starting five intact today’s definitely great, man. Just to be able to work together, have the same mindset, and see the game together as one unit.”
Furthermore, Moses said Alijah Vera-Tucker is “flourishing with a veteran mindset,” while Tyron Smith is someone he can “talk to about techniques” and mentioned that between them, “iron sharpens iron.”
During his press conference, head coach Robert Saleh added that Moses is an “elite human” in the locker room and spoke highly of his football ability.
“His locker room presence, the way he prepares, you know, he’s a veteran. He’s so conscientious of his body, and he’s not afraid to bring young guys with him and communicate, and he kind of shows guys the ropes. He’s experienced three NFL buildings, so he knows what all of them look like. He’s got great experience, and he’s not afraid to share that.”
Moses also praised rookie tackle Olu Fashanu.
Morgan Moses has been impressed thus far with Olu Fashanu
He wants to learn from the rookie: "There's things that Olu has done that's new into the football world that [Tyron Smith and I] haven't done because we've been in the league for 11 years" pic.twitter.com/zNoAx4vOJV
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) August 2, 2024
“The one thing that’s amazing about [Fashanu] is his work ethic,” Moses said. “He never gets down on himself when he’s getting coached hard or we’re pulling him to the side and talking to him. He’s like a sponge, he gravitates to everything that comes out of our mouths.”
Moses even said that he and Tyron Smith are learning from Fashanu in the same way the rookie is learning from the veterans.
“There’s some techniques that me and Tyron haven’t worked before, and we’re working through it in conversations, and Olu will throw himself in there. We’re all learning. I tell everybody, there’s things that Olu’s done in college that’s new into the football world that we haven’t done because we’ve been in the league for 11 years, so we’re also learning from him as well.”
As much talk as Tyron Smith gets, Moses is arguably just as important for the Jets in 2024. He brings a steadying veteran presence to right tackle, which has not been the case since he left the team following the 2021 season.
Add in his mentorship to the likes of Fashanu and Carter Warren, and Moses is set to be an essential presence for the Jets on and off the field this season.
