Becton's struggles are why he wasn't with the 1st team for the first few days, and today, when given the chance he showed he isn't ready yet. Will he ever be? I think it's too early to say no, but this should provide him with the benchmark he needs to shoot for if he expects to become a starter again. After almost two full years off, it's extremely difficult for a player to ever return to full form. Does he have the dedication and drive to be one of the few to do it? His past track record doesn't show it, but hopefully he does.
Hughes: Allen Lazard has muscle tightness. Mekhi Becton is on a pitch count. Robert Saleh said #Jets Faria: Allen Lazard is dealing with muscle tightness per Saleh. Becton is still working on a “play count” as he makes his way back which is why he wasn’t participating in team at the end of practice. #Jets
Faria: “Just getting to know him, there’s a lot of effort and freakish athletic ability.” Saleh on Will McDonald #Jets
Weight loss or not, Becton's practice sounded exactly like the camp he had in 2021. Repeatedly losing to speed rushers. Its still early but it doesn't sound like anything has changed.
Rosenblatt: Robert Saleh on Aaron Rodgers: “The guy glows in the dark.” Hughes: “The guy glows in the dark. He’s a pretty damn good quarterback.” - Robert Saleh on Aaron Rodgers #Jets
Waszak Jr.: Saleh says it was “a little execution error on the offensive side.” #Jets (Referring to the interception in practice today)
Faria: Saleh on the OL position battles. “There’s a lot of time left. A lot to be decided in the next month.” #Jets
Faria: “He’s done a nice job. He has to learn to trust his knee.” Saleh on Becton #Jets Hughes: Saleh said he’s excited to see Mekhi Becton play. Right now it’s about him learning to trust his knee #Jets
Faria: “I feel good about it. I’ve done it before. No need to rush (Breece Hall).” Michael Carter on the opportunity to be the feature back while Breece Hall makes his way back. #Jets
Ethan Greenberg: Robert Saleh said that Connor McGovern doesn’t necessarily have the upper hand in the center competition, but is the most “comfortable.” Wes Schweitzer and Joe Tippmann also in the mix and will equal opportunity.
Faria: Michael Carter says that he got great advice from Derwin James on building his endurance this offseason. #Jets
"I feel amazing heading into this season. I see everything y'all say, so I'm grinding." Michael Carter on his mentality heading into the season:
Faria: Michael Carter says he joined the running back zoom last week. “Running backs are offensive weapons. There’s no-one on the field that does what we do.” Calls it blasphemous. #Jets
SNY Jets Videos: Michael Carter says he was "a little too emotional" last year, but learned from the experience: "This is the only job I've ever had. Never worked at Publix, nothing. When something doesn't go your way, it hurts you extra."
This is a very underrated element to a young player's development, especially in the past few decades. Used to be that most players had to work in other jobs to supplement their income, or had to work in jobs at college to get their spending money. But now players - at least the ones who have the potential to play in the NFL - don't have to work outside jobs. They're insulated from real life and it can stunt their maturity. I'm glad to see M.C. realizing this and doing something about it.
Saleh said in his post-practice presser that they've got Becton on sort of a pitch/play count right now. Makes sense to gradually work him back in. Hopefully in the next week or so he'll get back up to game speed but we'll see.
