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The good stuff from Jets camp . . .
Watching Jamal Adams out here, I feel like he’s on the fast track to that Troy Polamulu, Eric Berry, Earl Thomas stratosphere.
He looks so ready to take a quantum leap this year. He had another terrific practice today.
He had a PD on a deep out to tight end Chris Herndon down the right sideline that was outstanding, showing his improved range (lost weight and better conditioning) and instincts (he now knows the defense like the back of his hand). This was a tremendous play.
But Adams impact is beyond just his impressive skill set, it’s his leadership. Sam Darnold reported today after missing the first three Jets’ practices due to a contract dispute. The first time Adams saw Darnold on the field he ran over to him, “Hey baby, how you doing?”
Adams enthusiasm and spirit are so important to this team. He plays with so much energy and tempo it rubs off on teammates.
He looks ready to become a transcendent talent . . .
Darnold’s first practice was a roller-coaster as can be expected. He was inaccurate early in practice but seemed to get more comfortable as the session progressed. Now he did throw a pick to safety Doug Middleton, but this wasn’t a terrible play. It was a crossing route to Robby Anderson, but CB Derrick Jones (who is having a very good camp) had very good coverage and the pass bounced off either Anderson or Jones into Middleton’s hands . . .
There was a really nice deep out from Josh McCown to Jermaine Kearse for a long gain. But in any football practice, when there is a positive play, there is usually a negative play also on the other side of the ball.
CB Morris Claiborne was beat on this play. He’s actually had a pretty good camp, so I’m not going to be too critical about one play. My issue here was with the lack of a pass rush, which continues to be an issue for the Jets.
And this has been a problem all camp – not much of a pass rush, especially off the edge. Jets need to get some more from their outside linebackers beating one-on-one blocks and taking the edge.
Another impressive deep pass from McCown to Kearse resulted in the touchdown on the left side of the end zone. On this play, Jets left guard Brian Winters had a great block, stoning OLB Brandon Copeland (who isn’t bad), giving McCown the extra time he needed to complete this pass . . .
CB Parry Nickerson is a little undersized, but he will hit you. After a short completion to WR Tre McBride, Nickerson smacked the former Chicago Bear pretty good . . .
The assembled media at Jets practice today was obviously expecting to get a chance to interview Darnold today since he finally reported. But it didn’t happen.
Darnold felt he had too much catching up to do to talk to the press since he missed the first four days of training camp. He will talk on Wednesday (the Jets are off on Tuesday).
I was very impressed by this. He has his priorities in order . . .
July 30, 2018
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