NY Jets Training Camp (Day 3); Aaron Rodgers Shines Again

The NY Jets Training Camp day three is over, and it featured another efficient practice thanks to continuity on both sides of the ball. Tyron Smith took a vet day off, while Olu Fashanu stepped up at LT. Mike Williams and Morgan Moses showed progress in their rehabs. Alijah Vera-Tucker returned as a full participant. The offense excelled, winning the red zone period, while the defense saw standout plays from second and third-level players. Special teams highlighted Greg Zuerlein’s perfect field goal performance. Stay tuned for more updates as the Jets gear up for an exciting season. Here is the full KRL #JetsCamp Report.

General Notes

– Players are still in shirts and shorts.

– Practice ran 1:55, I wonder if continuity on both sides of the ball (4th year for the defense, 2nd year on offense with Rodgers) is allowing more work/reps to be done in a shorter time frame.  Would be a good question for the media to ask Robert Saleh.

– Tyron Smith was given a “vet day off” and coached up Olu Fashanu when he wasn’t riding the bike.  With Smith out Fashanu took his reps with the #1’s at LT.

– Mike Williams is progressing in his rehab as he’s now working with trainers on the side field.

– Morgan Moses is getting closer as he was more involved/physical in positional drills.

– Alijah Vera-Tucker was a full participant and back at his RG position.

– I would say the offense won this practice, as they remained fairly consistent throughout.  Closing out practice by winning the “red zone” period and forcing the defense to do pushups.

Special Teams Notes

– Greg Zuerlein made his first appearance of the summer and was a perfect 6/6 from the 30, 33, 35, 37, 45 and 55 yard line.

Defense Notes

– A day when second and third-level players made plays as they tried to make the back end of the roster or practice squad:

* Michael Clemons set the edge well against the run in his reps and “tackled” Braelon Allen for no gain
* Leki Fotu and Takk McKinley teamed up on a “sack” of Tyrod Taylor
* Jaylen Key (Mr. Irrelevant) had an INT as he picked off a 30+ yard pass from Andrew Peasley to Marcus Riley.  Showing good range as he roamed from the middle of the field to the sideline to make the pick
* Jimmy Ciarlo (LB) got an INT as he snatched the ball from the hands of Kevin Foelsch (TE) on a 10-yard pass
* Finally, Nehemiah Shelton (CB) made a leaping INT of a Peasley pass in the end zone

Offense Notes

– Breece Hall had a couple of TD’s in his reps.  A 50+ yard run off a slick ball fake and handoff from Aaron Rodgers.  And during the red zone period, Hall caught a sidearm pass from Rodgers after he retrieved a high shotgun snap.

– Irv Charles is excellent on special teams but has work to do on his hands if he wants to contribute at the WR spot.  He had a bad drop on a 15+ yard pass from Taylor.

– Jason Brownlee made an appearance today as he made multiple tight window catches from Taylor and Peasley in his reps.

– Braelon Allen is going to be fun to watch in the RB rotation.  He has the size of a L.B. and is willing to run up the middle but has very deceptive speed which allows him to get to the outside.

QB Notes

– Another good day for Aaron Rodgers as he had multiple TDs to Hall, Malik Taylor and Tyler Conklin.  But what was fascinating to watch was how he used his cadence and pre-snap motion
to decipher what the defense was doing.  On one rep, he did the following:

* Used a cadence change to get someone on defense to jump, that didn’t work
* He then sent the RB into motion; the LB didn’t follow him, indicating they were playing zone
* Finally, he sent a WR into motion, and the CB followed across the formation, indicating the secondary was in man
* With that knowledge, Rodgers then called for the snap and attacked the man coverage in the secondary as he zipped a 15+ yard completion to Allen Lazard

– Tyrod Taylor with a couple of nice plays on the day, a 40+ yard bomb to Malik Taylor over Qwantez Stiggers. And a “4th down” TD to Jeremy Ruckert during the red zone period.

– Andrew Peasley continues to indicate that he could be worth investing in.  Even though he didn’t hit on his bomb attempts he showed good vertical arm strength.  Peasley also showed decent anticipation as he threw a 20+ yard pass to Kenny Yeboah before he came out of his route.

Standouts

– Aaron Rodgers
– Backup defenders