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It’s limited what you can discern about a team early in camp since there is no tackling and limited contract, but there are still certain things you can glean after a week of camp.
And one thing is that Aaron Rodgers is still an elite quarterback.
Now you can argue that since you can’t tackle the quarterback, you get a skewed view of the position in camp.
Quarterbacks are playing touch football in training camp. Well actually not even touch football. Not only can’t you sack them, you’re not supposed to touch them. That is why they wear the red jersey.
But you can see that Rodgers can still make all the throws with the ability to threaten all parts of the field.
His nonpareil work at the line before the snap has also been on full display with him consistently checking out of plays based on the defensive look and switching to something better.
Also, while media QB stats are moronic, and irrelevant this time of year, the most important thing that comes out of many incompletions in camp are the tutorials Rodgers gives the receiver or tight end after the play about how to do that play better the next time around.
A perfect example was an incompletion to young, talented receiver Jason Brownlee early in camp, and after the play, Rodgers explained to him he wasn’t exactly in the spot he was supposed to be, and where he should be the next time.
Also, Rodgers’ hot-reads on blitzes have been superb. We haven’t seen this level of hot-read effectiveness in Jetsland in several years.
The offensive line should be good if they stay healthy, and Olu Fashanu is going to be like a high-end Chubb Insurance policy for Tyron Smith at left tackle. And the Jets have done a nice job of spelling Smith in camp so they don’t wear him out, with off days and limited reps when he’s active.
The Joe Tippmann shotgun snap issue is still a work in progress. Let’s see where that is in a couple of weeks.
I have nothing to say about the running backs because that position is hard to evaluate in practices with no tackling.
While you can’t tell a lot of run defense, just like you can’t judge running backs now, the run defense, which was a huge problem last year, should be better with the additions of Leki Fotu and Javon Kinlaw to clog up the middle. You can see them clogging up the middle on run plays even without tackling. It takes a $30 cab ride to get around those guys.
The linebacker pass coverage could be better. Probably not seeing enough plays on the ball from that position so far in camp.
Chuck Clark might not be the fastest safety, but he makes up for it with instincts and experience, and he should help the Jets’ deep patrol.
We know the starting corners and nickelback are rock solid.
The Jets’ edge rush early in camp has been pedestrian, and they could certainly use Haason Reddick. His contract mess hasn’t been handled particularly well by either side during his lengthy holdout that goes back to the spring, however, they should not move on from him. They need him.
And even if he comes back a little pissed off with however the contract matter is “resolved” he’s going to need a big year to earn a large contract in 2025 when he likely hits free agency, so even if his feelings are hurt, he can’t let the effect his performance. He needs to be a sack machine to make big money after the season.
August 1, 2024
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