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Florham Park – A few things to get into today . . .
Joe Douglas was introduced to the media today.
I will get into more of what he said over the next few days and weeks, but I spoke my piece on this yesterday.
To me, this was one of the most important decisions in Jets history.
They finally have a GM who isn’t only just a great talent evaluator, but also commands a room and has alpha dog leadership qualities.
This looks like a home run hire . . .
Sam Darnold had a rough day today.
He had accuracy issues and seemed to fixated on his first read too often.
If will give you a couple of examples late in practice.
In a 7-on-7 drills, and Darnold had WR Josh Bellamy open on a crossing route, had a step on Brandon Copeland and Darnold rushed the throw, and it was too far in front of the WR and fell incomplete. This should have been a layup.
Also in this drill, Darnold had Bellamy open on an out on the left and was high and wide.
In the previous drill, he was way off target on a pass to Chris Herndon which should have been an easy throw and catch.
He looked very uncomfortable out there.
Perhaps having to learn a new system in his second year has his head spinning a little right now.
I don’t like to make too big of a deal about QB’s in the spring. All that matter is how he looks in Week One against Buffalo.
But the the hype machine need to chill out a little.
Joe Douglas and Adam Gase talked today like they have their QB for sure.
They very well might.
But he not a proven NFL commodity just yet.
He has a lot of work today.
And today was illustrative of that.
Not being negative. Just dealing with the reality of what was going on out there today . . .
Avery Williamson had a very good practice today with his run fits and in coverage . . .
Ben Braden was the starting left guard today with Kelechi Osemele not here.
Braden is what scouts used to call a “corn-fed midwestern lineman.” The Michigan-native really gets after it. He’s one of those guys who is 6-6, 320 from head-to-toe with a thick powerful build throughout his while body. He’s built to be a people mover. He had a collision today with a defensive lineman and the lineman came up limping . . .
Akron CB Kyron Brown had another strong practice today. He’s looking like a really nice undrafted free agent pickup for the Jets. He has top-shelf instincts. He had a pick today, and almost had another one when he jumped a route . . .
Funny line from Adam Gase today when he addressed the media following the introduction of Joe Douglas. In the back of the dais there was a big gap and it looked like Gase might fall in it.
“If I fall, it will be 2-2 in [introductory] press conferences,” Gase said.
If you recall, Gase’s eyes caused a story when he was introduced . ..
Promising CB Derrick Jones seems to be dealing with something related to his knee. Didn’t see him out there a lot today, and saw him huddling with a trainer . . .