Gang’s a mess but the o-line is strong
Believe it or not, there’s a silver lining to the Jets’ early-season mess. Mekhi Becton and Quinnen Williams are off to encouraging starts in the first two weeks, creating havoc and making an impact for a team with a dearth of difference makers.
Gang Green should thank the football gods that the 6-7, 363-pound Becton fell into their laps with the No. 11 pick. The rookie has been solid despite the truncated offseason. Becton has committed one penalty and allowed one sack as Sam Darnold’s blindside protector.
“I really think a lot of it has to do with his preparation coming into the season,” Adam Gase said Wednesday. “I know I’ve said this before, but he must have studied a lot. Since he’s been here… he’s been all over it. He was executing things that I was really surprised about…. He got it pretty quick. He did a good job of taking those meeting from the spring and applying them when he got on the field.”
Becton hasn’t been perfect, but the early returns are promising.
“There’s a few things that come up every once and while when it’s the first time he’s ever seen that,” Gase said. “But he doesn’t make the same mistake more than once…. He’s been impressive the first two games.”
Becton’s run-blocking has opened plenty of eyes in the first two games. He’s tossing defenders away left and right.
“He says it every time he comes off the field: Keep running to the left,” Gase said. “I think he does a good job of creating movement off the ball.”
Williams, the No. 3 overall pick in 2019, looks re-born after not making splash as a rookie. He had his best statistical game last week with two sacks, two tackles for loss, 1 quarterback hit, 1 forced fumble and seven tackles.
“That was the way that we need him to play every week,” Gase said. “Not only was he disruptive with the quarterback and the run game, he was just a constant nightmare for those guys penetrating through (and) really causing them all kinds of problems. (He) had a whole bunch of different matchups. It didn’t matter who was trying to block him. He was doing a good job of penetrating. His effort was off the charts. That’s what we need week in and week out.”
MY PREROGATIVE’
Gase reiterated that Darnold does, indeed, have the freedom to audible in some situations. However, the quarterback didn’t have the liberty to do so on a 4th and 1 that was stuffed against the 49ers last week. Right guard Greg Van Roten missed a block that killed the play.
“At the end of the day, if we execute the play called, we’ll be fine,” Gase said. “I know you guys want to get into whole QB sneak thing, but, you know, that’s my prerogative. That’s what I want to do.”
INJURY UPDATES
The Jets signed safety Marqui Christian to the active roster after a deal fell through in the offseason. Gang Green had come to terms on a contract for Christian, who played for Gregg Williams with the Rams, during free agency. But an 11th hour issue negated the agreement before it became official.
The Bears signed Christian, who was placed on the reserve/ suspended list for the first two games, before he was cut. Christian provided safety depth and special teams help in four seasons with the Rams.
Wide receiver Breshad Perriman (knee), center Connor McGovern (hamstring) and wide receiver Jamison Crowder, who missed last week with a hamstring injury, aren’t expected to practice on Wednesday…. Cornerback Quincy Wilson is in the concussion protocol. Veteran defensive lineman Steve McLendon was excused for personal reasons.
Gase wasn’t optimistic about Perriman’s chances of playing the next two games given the compressed schedule with the Broncos coming to town next Thursday night.