May 23, 2023; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) warms up during OTA’s at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Jones-USA TODAY Sports
Day 2 of NY Jets Training Camp brought fans an exciting practice session filled with notable performances and intriguing developments. The team ran their first fan practice, introduced new O-Line techniques, and highlighted some surprise special teams participants. With players still in shirts and shorts, both offense and defense had their moments, showcasing the talent and potential for the upcoming season. A nice connection from Aaron Rodgers to Garrett Wilson was a stand out moment. Here are the key takeaways and standout performances from today’s session from KRL who is covering #JetsCamp for JetNation again this year.
General Notes
– First fan practice of camp and it ran 2:15.
– Players still in shirts and shorts.
– Another new OLine technique, Keith Carter is tying elastic bands around their waists to keep them in sync when dropping back in pass protection.
– A couple of surprise special teams participants which could impact the final roster construction. The rookie RBs, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis are built like LBs. With their size Brant Boyer (ST Coach) is using them on all the teams, which could allow a 4th RB to be kept. Also Allen Lazard was working on special teams, giving him more positional flexibility as he tries to secure a WR spot.
– Boyer started to work on blocking techniques for the drastically changed kick off rules. With players starting from a stationary position separated by five yards, they’re being asked to do a lot in a compressed area.
– Another fairly even practice, as the offense started out hot early but the defense recovered forcing the offense to do pushups late.
Defense Notes
– Started to see Sauce Gardner “travel” with specific receivers on a number of his reps. He also had a nice PBU on an Aaron Rodgers to Garrett Wilson pass.
– Another good day for the new DT Leki Fotu. Where in back to back reps he got a TFL on Isaiah Davis then followed it up with stopping Davis for no gain.
– Good day for Will McDonald during 11 on 11’s. He blew up the edge on a running play stopping Tarik Cohen for no gain. And then later on he used his “Dwight Freeney” spin move to get into the backfield and force Tyrod Taylor into a rushed incompletion. McDonald also started to get reps with the #1s.
– Takk McKinley flashed off the edge as he tries to make the team. Getting a “sack” of Andrew Peasley during one rep and showing good awareness in another rep. As McKinley diagnosed a screen pass and forced a quick dump off from Taylor for no gain.
– Qwantez Stiggers may have had another INT today as he picked off Taylor on a 20+ yard pass. But I’m not sure he got his feet inbounds and there were no refs at practice to make the call.
Offense Notes
– Garrett Wilson with the “sexy” play of the day as Aaron Rodgers threw a 50+ yard TD to him during the first 11 on 11 rep of practice. During another rep in a “3rd down” period Wilson caught another pass from Rodgers and ran away from everyone for a 30+ yard TD. Wilson almost had the “hat trick” but he just couldn’t hold onto a 30+ yard pass from Rodgers over DJ Reed.
– Strong day for Breece Hall as he showed his speed hitting the hole on a 20+ yard “stretch play”. And then showing good hands as he caught a 15+ yard pinpoint sideline pass from Rodgers as he scrambled out of the pocket.
– Allen Lazard showed up again as he made multiple catches and ended practice with a TD from Rodgers.
– Jeremy Ruckert started to get reps with the #1s and didn’t disappoint. Making multiple catches in the middle of the field from Rodgers (one over CJ Mosley for 15+ yards). And earning a “helmet slap” from Rodgers as Ruckert recognized the defense was coming with a blitz and ran the proper route to pick up a 15+ yard gain.
QB Notes
– Aaron Rodgers had a good day as the above notes on his completions to multiple receivers show.
– Tyrod Taylor had one notable completion as he threw a 30+ yard pass to Malik Taylor over Brandin Echols.
– Finally, Andrew Peasley could be a worth a spot on the Jets practice squad as a developmental QB. He doesn’t seem “skittish” as he runs the offense, he generates a nice amount of completions and his arm strength is decent. With Jordan Travis still recovering from his injury Peasley is taking advantage of his opportunity.
Standouts
– Aaron Rodgers
– Garrett Wilson
– Jeremy Ruckert
– Leki Fotu
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