Rockies road for Zach
Denver is next test for Jets’ rookie QB
Playing boring football is the new theme in Zach Wilson’s development.
After the 25-6 loss to the Patriots that featured four Wilson interceptions, Robert Saleh said his quarterback has to learn that “sometimes, it’s OK to be boring.”
Three of Wilson’s interceptions were aggressive shots down the field where he should have thrown it away or checked down.
Saleh wants his young QB to walk the tightrope of doing that while still keeping his playmaking ability. He used the famously improvisational games of Patrick Mahomes and Aaron Rodgers as a nuanced example.
“Everyone just celebrates how they’re off schedule and all the haymakers they throw and it’s all the wow plays. But what gets lost in translation is their ability to just play boring football,” Saleh said Wednesday. “If you watch Monday night, Aaron was getting rid of that ball and he was taking what the defense gave and, every once in a while, he would feel the pocket…to be able to feel the pocket and know, ‘Alright, the pocket’s good, I’m going to hold this for one more hitch and I’m going to gut the defense.’”
That’s what Saleh hopes Wilson grows in his game: the ability to be patient before shredding the defense down the field.
“He’ll learn that. But there’s going to be times where he also has to get the defense playing aggressive. And you get the defensive playing aggressive by being boring and you pull the defense up,” Saleh said. “When they pull up, that’s when you can feel it. All that spatial awareness, all those things will happen, and I think they happen naturally as you get your reps.”
In Week 3, that learning process will be tested as the Jets head to Denver to play the Broncos, who are 2-0 with one of the best defenses in the league so far. They’re only allowing 13 points and 251 yards per game, and opponents have only gained 31 first downs. All rank in the top five in the league.
That’s thanks to an elite secondary and pass rush.
When targeted, Bryce Callahan has only allowed a quarterback passer rating of 45.8, with two pass breakups according to Pro Football Focus. Quarterbacks have only completed 44% of their passes when throwing at Kyler Fuller.
And the most impressive aspect is their pass rush has been a one man show in Von Miller. Miller has three sacks and 11 pressures, but nobody else has a sack, and Dre’Mont Jones is second in pressures with only four.
It all adds up to the Broncos passing defense allowing only 184 yards per game, fifth fewest in the NFL.
The Broncos have also been stingy against the run, only allowing 67.5 yards rushing per game. The Jets improved in the trenches in Week 2, running for 152 yards after an ugly Week 1 against the Panthers.
Success up front against the Broncos will take pressure off the passing attack. And so too will Wilson playing boring football when necessary, learning from his mistakes against the Patriots.
INJURY REPORT
Jamison Crowder missed Week 2 with a groin injury. On Friday, it seemed like Crowder was good to go, but was inactive. Saleh says they’re hoping to get him back this week. The veteran receiver has been dealing with the groin injury for a few weeks and also missed time with COVID-19 before being activated off the list on Thursday.
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood was limited on Wednesday. Sherwood injured his ankle against the Panthers and missed the matchup with the Patriots. They hope to get him back this week.
John Franklin-Myers (calf) and Wilson (groin) are dealing with minor injuries, but there are zero concerns about their availability for Sunday according to Saleh.
After signing with the Jets Sept. 14 and taking seven snaps on special teams against the Patriots, LB B.J. Goodson has retired.