The Gang Green had a day off today after five straight days of practice sessions. The team has looked rather promising thus far, showing flashes on both sides of the ball. QB Sam Darnold has definitely shown some progress, which is to be expected, as the Jets finally have an offensive minded head coach.
Darnold had a solid practice on Monday when he completed 12 of 19 passes. WR Jamison Crowder has become Darnold's favorite target over the middle. He had an injury scare on Monday but fortunately was cleared to practice tomorrow. Crowder, who signed a three-year, $28.5M contract in March, is expected to be a major part of Adam Gase's offense.
The top free agent signing, RB Le'Veon Bell, has looked rather rusty. He suffered cramps and was attended by trainers several times during Sunday’s practice but fully participated on Monday. Bell also missed a significant part of Saturday's practice due to a mandatory NFL drug test.
Top rookie, DL Quinnen Williams, who missed first two practice sessions, keeps getting better. “I love the way he comes to work every day,” Leonard Williams said of Quinnen. "It seems like he’s working on something new almost every single day. Almost every day, I see something newly impressive about him that I like."
As most expected before the camp, the cornerback position remains the defense's Achilles' heel. While CB Trumaine Johnson is a lock to start on one side, the other starting position is still wide open. Although CB Darryl Roberts, who started 10 games last season, seems to be in the lead. Roberts looked good on Sunday and Monday, blanketing the Gang Green's primary deep threat, WR Robby Anderson.
Most NFL betting sites still have the Jets as 3-point favorites in the season opener against the Buffalo Bills. But the spread might grow if the young Jets keeps improving and impress in preseason games. The annual Snoopy Bowl against the New York Giants is just nine days away...