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A heaping helping of Jets training camp Whispers . . .
New Jets safety Jordan Whitehead, who came over from Tampa Bay, was asked about the Buccaneers’ culture change that helped them win the Super Bowl a couple of years ago.
As he was answering the question, I had an epiphany, and believe me, it wasn’t rocket science. I’m thinking, “Getting Tom Brady to play QB changed the culture.”
How long were the Buccaneers floundering before Brady’s arrival in 2020? Brady arrives, they win a Super Bowl, and now people say their culture changed?
Not sure if their culture changed as much as they landed an elite QB.
Of course culture matters, but having a top-shelf QB matters more.
So we will see moving forward if the Jets have a top-shelf QB, because that will turn around the fortunes of their franchise perhaps more than any other factor . . .
Speaking of QB, not going to make a big deal about one day of training camp, but this isn’t a new observation. It went back to the spring:
Watching the Jets’ top three quarterbacks – Zach Wilson, Joe Flacco and Mike White today, Flacco and White seem more comfortable throwing from the pocket than Wilson. Flacco and White seem more chill in the pocket, and with going through their progressions, and Wilson seems a little fidgety at times.
One of Wilson’s better plays today was in a red zone drill, when he got out of the pocket, rolled left, and hit running back Michael Carter for a touchdown. Not sure if this play was 100 percent realistic because it might have lasted too long. Remember you can’t touch the QB in practice and plays get extended due to that. But this was the kind of play Wilson seems to like – get out of the pocket, and play street-yard ball.
On the play that followed, White stayed in the pocket and hit Trevon Wesco for a touchdown.
Look, this is the first day of camp, and I’m not saying that Flacco and White should take Wilson’s job, I’m just observing they look more comfortable operating from the pocket at this time . . .
A rough first practice for rookie free agent running back Zonovan Knight, fumbling a handoff, and getting stripped after a reception, leading to a fumble.
But you know what, who cares?
It was the first day of camp, and the kid was probably nervous as hell.
And there is no way the Jets hold this against him. He was a priority-free agent who got $130,000 guaranteed from the team.
At the very least, he’s probably going to be on the practice squad. It’s surprising he wasn’t drafted . . .
Joe Douglas spent a big chunk of today’s practice watching the proceeding with owner Woody Johnson, and his right-hand man, Ira Axselrad . . .
It’s official. The Jets have moved Mekhi Becton to right tackle. They will go with George Fant at left tackle. This could turn out to be a terrific move for the player and Gang Green.
Becton could be a tremendous right tackle. A lot of teams like to run quite a bit to the right side, and this guy could be an absolute road grader over there. And they are combining him with guard Alijah Vera-Tucker on that side. Wow, this could be special.
I’ve brought this up before, that around the 2020 draft, Hall-of-Fame personnel man Gil Brandt said on the show I do with Vic Carucci, on SiriusXM NFL Radio, that he would play Becton at right tackle.
Some people might think this is bad for Becton, moving from “The Blind Side” to the supposed less glamorous right side, but I disagree.
First of all, I think Becton is a better fit on the right side. and secondly, if he does well over there, he will get a huge contract. Just ask Lane Johnson (Philadelphia Eagles) and Jack Conklin (Cleveland Browns) . . .
Pictured above is DE Carl Lawson, busting out of his tank top. He’s one of the most powerfully built defensive ends I’ve ever seen.
July 27, 2022
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