What’s next?
The Jets take a six-week hiatus after wrapping up minicamp Thursday. Here are 10 takeaways with analysis from players and coaches about how the offseason unfolded and what lies ahead when players report for training camp in late July.
1 Sam Darnold has STAR written all over him … and the Jets know it. It’s a matter of when it’ll happen, not if. The rookie flashed all the traits that made folks on One Jets drive downright giddy after he landed in their laps in April. Let’s get something clear: Darnold will experience growing pains, but his gifts are special. He was a surgeon in the red zone on the second day of minicamp, beating the defense with touch passes (dropping a beautiful TD to Jordan Leggett) and bullets (to ArDarius Stewart and Jermaine Kearse).
Darnold is terrific on the move. That was evident from his success on misdirection plays and designed rollouts. The guy is money when you move the pocket. He’s also improving on spitting back all the West Coast offense verbiage in the huddle.
Is he perfect? No way. There are still refinements in his transition from taking snaps in the shotgun to under center. Todd Bowles’ defense got the better of the rookie at the end of Day 2 during a two-minute drill that prompted the quarterback to chuck the ball off the field in frustration after a simulated sack. He still needs to better sync up his timing and anticipation on throws, but he’s getting there.
Jets fans are conditioned to expect the worst when it comes to quarterbacks. But relax, folks. Sit back and enjoy the ride with Darnold. He’s got the goods. 2 Teddy Bridgewater was poised and showed good functional mobility in his comeback from that grievous knee injury that cost him two seasons.
Bridgewater opened up for the first time since arriving here on a one-year deal in March, re-tracing his seemingly impossible road back from a grievous knee injury two years ago. It’s a terrific story and he’s an incredible person. You can’t help but hope that he finds success. Will it happen with the Jets? Well, I know this: If Darnold isn’t ready and Bridgewater is lights out in the preseason, I’ve been told that the Jets won’t hesitate to throw the former Viking in there to start the season.
Don’t rule out the possibility that the Jets could trade him in preseason if a quarterback-needy team comes calling, either.
3 Darron Lee has his head screwed on straight. He’s never looked happier and more comfortable. Lee will be the primary play caller on defense this season. Lee said he spoke to Bowles in early February about taking over that role. No, Lee isn’t the Mike linebacker, but it doesn’t really matter. He’ll be the Mo linebacker again, but he’ll be running the show.
4 Outside linebacker Dylan Donahue’s roster spot isn’t secure in the wake of a scary drunk driving incident this offseason (going the wrong way into the Lincoln Tunnel) that could have easily killed him and others. Outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene has tried to help the second-year player in his road back. “You take those things and you try to turn the page as quick as you can. Because we’re a team. And things happen,” Greene said.
5 Special teams coach Brant Boyer’s top priority is clear: Fix the return game. The Jets didn’t make any splash plays on returns last year, prompting many groans inside the organization. Boyer didn’t sugarcoat what his biggest goal will be this year.
“Really improving in the return game … big time,” Boyer said. “That’s something that’s really hurt us in the last few years. Finishing.”
6 New offensive line coach/run game coordinator Rick Dennison doesn’t subscribe to the notion it will be difficult for Gang Green to adjust to his zone-blocking principles.
“I don’t think it’s that hard,” Dennison said.
The most encouraging sign up front: New center Spencer Long, coming off groin surgery, took part in some 11-on-11 team drills recently.
7 Rookie Nathan Shepherd is a nice guy by all accounts, but he showed a little feistiness on Day 2 when he nearly got into a tussle with Brian Winters after a play. Kelvin Beachum had to break it up with a nice shove to defend Winters. Shepherd’s development will be fascinating this summer. Can the third-rounder make that huge leap quickly from Division II to the pros?
8 Jamal Adams is the headliner for a vastly improved secondary that is expected to be the glue for Bowles’ and Rodgers’ defense. The secondyear safety must be stealing from Mike Maccagnan’s coffee stash, because he’s high energy all the time. His trash talking game is strong too.
Adams’ passion shines through in every practice. Now, it’ll be up to him to improve his eye discipline in coverage to take his game to the next level.
9 Bowles might have been ticked off at Leonard Williams for making contact with Bridgewater’s throwing hand during a red-zone drill on the second day, but I loved Williams’ response. First things first: Bowles was right. You shouldn’t lay a finger on quarterbacks in practice. They’re simply too valuable to your team.
But I absolutely loved the fire from Williams after the play, taking off his helmet, walking away and shouting to nobody in particular that he would have been admonished for not keeping containment if he hadn’t closed in on the quarterback.
10 The Jets will add Terrelle Pryor to an already crowded wide receiver room in training camp. Pryor, who recently got out of a walking boot after suffering a setback in his foot/ankle this offseason, remains optimistic that he’ll be ready to go at the start of camp.