Zach to reality: QB’s poor practices are really no big deal
Another training camp practice, another so-so day for Zach Wilson. Other than his electric performance on July 31, the rookie’s practices haven’t been that impressive. Sure, there’s been solid moments, but those have been fleeting. And Monday’s practice continued that trend.
But it’s not time to start worrying about the former BYU quarterback.
If you’re worrying about Wilson in — let me check my notes — his eighth practice, put your phone down, go outside and get some fresh air.
This is how rookie quarterbacks develop and Wilson is in the dog days of his first NFL training camp. Also, the Jets defense is way ahead of the offense at this point, which makes practices harder, but that’s a good thing.
Growth from a rookie quarterback is usually a roller coaster. It’s not supposed to be easy. Head coach Robert Saleh even acknowledged that the performances by Gang Green’s newcomers aren’t going to drastically improve over the next few practices either.
“For most rookies for, especially on the offensive side, but for everyone, it’s gonna get worse before it gets better. It is what it is,” Saleh said. “There’s just a lot of things that are happening. There’s a reason why being a rookie is hard in this league.”
Here’s the recap of Wilson’s day:
In team drills, Wilson never seemed comfortable with his reads and was hesitant. He didn’t push the ball down the field. Some of that was due to the play call which didn’t require it. But there were a few instances when he wasn’t reading the coverage quick enough and had to hit his check down.
Overall, he finished 5-13 during 11-on-11 and took a sack from Carl Lawson.
During the first team period he started OK. He had three completions to Trevon Wesco in the flat, Keelan Cole on a curl route, and Moore on a quick screen. One of his incompletions was a drop by Cole and he overthrew to Chris Herndon over the middle on a seam route.
But the Cole completion was the only completion longer than five yards.
Then the Jets transitioned to a team period inside the red zone on the 10 yard line and Wilson went 2-4 with two touchdowns to Corey Davis. One of those was a fade route to Davis who cooked Bless Austin at the line of scrimmage and the other was a dart over the middle to Davis. His incompletions were to Jamison Crowder and Braxton Berrios. He also took a sack from Lawson during that period.
On the third down 11-on-11 period, Wilson went 0-4. He targeted Tyler Kroft on a fade route down the sideline with Marcus Maye in coverage, which fell incomplete. His next throw was over the middle was batted down. Wilson then tried to hit Moore on a curl route, but Bryce Hall put the cuffs on the second rounder. His last pass, to Berrios on an out route, fell incomplete as Lawson got to Wilson’s face, which affected the attempt.
The day improved slightly during red zone 7-on-7 on the 10 yard line. Wilson went 4-4, all with touchdowns. He hit Davis for another pair of touchdowns. Vyncint Smith and Moore caught the other two passes. But Wilson held the ball for over five seconds on a couple of those throws, which isn’t a positive when there’s no pass rush.
However, I can’t put too much stock into 7-on-7 though. It’s not real football.
OTHER OBSERVATIONS
Davis had his best day of training camp with four touchdown grabs in the red zone. While Moore has gotten deserved praise for his dominant training camp, the former Titan is still the best receiver on the roster.
Lawson continued to be a dominant force against Mekhi Becton as he caused a few pressures and a sack. Becton referred to it as “iron sharpens iron,” but at what point does his struggle against Lawson become a problem? It’s too early to say that it’s an issue. But with preseason games and joint practices approaching, that will provide a clearer view because Becton will be able to face different pass rushers. Then if he’s getting beat by those rushers then the Jets have a problem.
The starting cornerbacks are progressing. They didn’t give up many big plays during Monday’s practice or the Green and White scrimmage. The coverage has been tighter on receivers and have forced Wilson to throw in smaller windows as of recently. Granted, they still have moments when they get beat, like Austin did against Davis for a touchdown. But they’re developing. However, preseason will reveal exactly where this group is as the Giants and Packers have talented receiver cops.