Can’t win with ’em, try to win without

For the Jets, there have been mixed feelings about life without some of their seasoned veterans.

For players such as linebacker Demario Davis, losing multiple veteran teammates such as Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis and David Harris will not have as much of an impact as some might think. For Davis, it is all part of the game.

“No [playing without Harris] is not strange, because I’ve played with a lot of guys one year and then not played with them the next year,” said Davis, who spent his first four seasons in the NFL with the Jets before playing with the Browns in 2016. “There were a lot of guys in this locker room ... that were phenomenal players for us that are not here now.”

Guard Brian Winters, who had played alongside Mangold since being selected by the Jets in the third round of the 2013 NFL draft, has felt the veteran absence a little more.

“Absolutely,” Winters said when asked if it felt weird not having Mangold on the offensive line with him. “[Mangold] was one of those guys that I came into the business with and kind of leaned on, [and he was an] Ohio native. So he was one of those guys that I enjoyed to be around.”

Nevertheless, Winters emphasized the Jets still believe they can be successful with the unit they have at camp.

“You lose those names, but we’re still going to continue to build success around the building,” Winters said. “We still have a goal, and that goal is to win.”

If the Jets want to be successful this year without those veterans, the rookies need to step up.

“Anytime you put young guys on the team, they got to grow up fast,” defensive lineman Steve McLendon said. “We understand that they are rookies, but once you step on that field you’re an 11-man New York Jet. ... We don’t have time to baby anyone, and [the rookies] know that.”

With the season quickly approaching, there is not much time for the younger players to get up to speed. The Jets’ first preseason game is scheduled for Aug. 12 against the Titans.