Easier to evaluate in real football action

When it comes to player evaluations, Jets coach Todd Bowles values training camp.

However, he values what players do in preseason games even more.

“You want to see guys play under the lights,” Bowles said.

So tonight’s Jets-Jaguars preseason game is of great import to many players attempting to make Gang Green’s roster.

For instance, the Jets’ coach will be looking closely at the battle between Brent Qvale and Ben Ijalana at right tackle. They are platooning at the spot with Breno Giacomini (back) on the PUP list. So who is ahead Qvale or Ijalana?

“Preseason games will determine that,” Bowles said. “They’ve been doing some good things in practice, but we’ll get to play Thursday and the next three weeks after that and evaluate them.”

Another group Bowles will focused on like a laser are the punt returners. That job is up for grabs, and there is only so much you can determine in practice since there is no tackling.

“All of them have burst and take off, but there aren’t many people running down to hit them, so we’ll get a better look at them on Thursday and next week,” Bowles said.

Along with individual position battles, Bowles would like to see where his team is at overall. Some real tackle football will give him get a better feel than training camp practices.

“It’s good to see us play against somebody else, but we still have some kinks to work out,” Bowles said. “It will be interesting to see how far we have come and how far we have to go.”

*Don’t forget to subscribe to the monthly Jets Confidential Magazine. One of our most popular issues is coming out next Monday, featuring “The Training Camp Diary,” a rare look behind the scenes of Jets camp with so much stuff you won’t read anywhere else. Click below to subscribe, or call 1-800-932-4557 (M-F, 9-5).

Dan Leberfeld
Dan Leberfeldhttps://www.jetsconfidential.com
Publisher of Jets Confidential Magazine. Call 1-800-932-4557 (M-F, 12-4) to subscribe. Co-host of Press Coverage every Saturday on SiriusXM NFL Radio from 11-2.

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