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This is pretty obvious
Talking about Zach Wilson’s arm talent. There are good arms, and then there are great arms, and Wilson has a great arm.
Today was the first I saw Zach Wilson practice in person. I missed the rookie mini-camp due to a scheduling conflict, and wow, what an arm.
There were few mid-deep crossing routes, where his rocket arm was on full display, connections with WR Keenan Cole, WR Braxton Berrios, TE Chris Herndon and TE Tyler Kroft.
Aside from the velocity on these throws, what you saw on these connections was has fast the ball comes out of his hand. No issue with an elongated motion, it’s just boom, the ball is out.
Look, I understand he has a lot of work on, and arm strength isn’t everything, but the velocity and the speed of the ball coming out of his hand, pop off the field . . .
The union (NFLPA) had a couple “I told you so” moments today at Jets practice, with two players going down with what looked like significant injuries. We all know the union isn’t enamored of spring practices.
On the first play of the team part of practice – the 11-on-11, offense vs. defense part, starting defensive tackle Foley Fatukasi went down with a leg injury. He limped off and never returned. Not sure what the nature of the injury, but this isn’t ideal news for the Jets, who are already without DT Quinnen Williams who recently underwent foot surgery.
And then later on in practice, WR Lawrence Cager, also went down with a leg injury, perhaps a hamstring. He was holding the back of his leg and was pounding the ground in frustration.
What happened on this play, was Cager was attempting to cut from the middle to the right sideline, but got tangled with CB Lamar Jackson (it probably would have been a holding call).
Cager limped into the locker room with a trainer . . .
Without Fatukasi and Williams, the Jets had go with backup defensive tackles most of his practice, including Nathan Shepherd, who must improve his ability to shed blocks. On a nice run by RB Michael Carter up the middle, guard Dan Feeney locked by Shepherd opening the hole . . .
Speaking of good blocks, E Trevon Wesco did a nice job locking of DE Vinny Curry on a Austin Walter run off left tackle. Walter, a tailback out of Rice, looked good today. He’s a super quick into the hole. Walter was claimed off waivers from the 49ers on May 13 . . .
With Mekhi Becton not there today, the left tackles were Conor McDermott and rookie free agent Teton Saltes, who is a fascinating guy. Saltes is a Native American, and spent part of his his childhood on the Pine Ridge Indiana Reservation in South Dakota. He graduated with a degree in political science and has started UNM Law School. In 2019, he spoke in front of Congress on behalf on indigenous people. Impressive guy.
It was surprising Becton wasn’t there today because he needs the technique and conditioning work, but can’t judge because we don’t know the reason he wasn’t there . . .
Cornerback Zane Lewis, who spent most of last year on the Jets’ practice squad, is now working at safety.
May 27, 2021
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