Rook Becton enjoying his pancakes
Jets rookie tackle Mekhi Becton has already shown his ability to put defenders on their backs in his first two games.
The first-round pick has become a social media favorite for his pancake blocks. What does it feel like to move people like that?
“It feels great,” Becton said Wednesday. “I did my job on that play. It’s on to the next play. I try to do that every play. It feels real good to have a man on the ground every play. That’s my mindset.”
Becton said he does not talk trash because he knows he has to face that opponent again, but said sometimes the player has something to say to him.
“They’ll just be like, ‘Dang, bro.’ And that’s it. I just laugh and then go on to the next play,” Becton said.
Becton has drawn praise from the coaches for his preparedness and his ability to not make the same mistake twice.
➤ Coach Adam Gase was asked Wednesday again about how much freedom QB Sam
Darnold has at the line of scrimmage to change plays. Gase said Monday that Darnold could not audible to a quarterback sneak in Sunday’s loss to the 49ers on a fourth-and-1 play that ended up with running back Josh Adams getting stuffed.
“He can do a lot of different things, there’s just certain plays where he doesn’t have freedoms to do certain stuff,” Gase said. “The touchdown we scored against Buffalo, he checked to that. At the end of the day if we execute the play call, we’ll be fine. I know you guys want to get into the whole QB-sneak thing, but that’s my prerogative, that’s what I want to do.”
➤ The Jets may be without two starting offensive linemen on Sunday. Center Connor
McGovern (hamstring) did not practice Wednesday. Then, OT George Fant showed up on the injury report with a concussion and was limited in practice, indicating the injury occurred in practice. Josh Andrews would replace McGovern and Chuma Edoga would be in line to replace Fant. … The Jets remain banged up at WR. Breshad Perriman (ankle) and Jamison Crowder (hamstring) did not practice on Wednesday and Chris Hogan (ribs) was limited. Gase made it sound like Perriman will miss the next two games at least. Crowder’s status seems more unknown, but he has not started running yet, a bad sign. … CB Quincy Wilson (concussion) also did not practice. DL Steve
McLendon was excused for personal reasons. Becton (shoulder), S Ashtyn Davis (groin), RB
Kalen Ballage (rib) and RB La’Mical Perine
(ankle) were limited. … The Jets signed S Marqui Christian. The team originally tried to sign him in March, but a verbal agreement fell apart. He has been suspended for the first two weeks and was on the Bears practice squad before the Jets picked him up. … QB Joe Flacco (neck) practiced fully for the first time.