MOORE PLEASE!
Jets must keep getting ball into hands of 2nd-round pick
The more Gang Green uses Elijah Moore the better, because through five days of training camp, Moore has been unstoppable.
The second round pick has been one of the best players through camp. At this rate, there’s no way the Jets can keep him out of the starting lineup as he has done nothing but create big plays.
“Whenever the ball is in the air everybody tries to be a big time playmaker,” Moore said. “Whenever it’s your time you gotta make it.”
That describes Moore’s camp: big time playmaker.
On Monday he didn’t catch any deep balls, but he was consistently open and made a couple of eye-popping catches.
Moore’s best play of the day was when he ran a nasty whip route to create massive space against Corey Ballentine and caught a touchdown during redzone 11-on-11.
Another standout play was when Zach Wilson fired a pass to Moore and he snagged it while Bryce Hall was draped on his back for a 10-yard gain.
Head coach Robert Saleh has been “impressed” with the former Ole Miss star and pointed out that Moore’s mentality has been a reason for a blazing start.
“I was telling somebody this morning he’s kind of an old soul,” Saleh said. “He’s already ahead of the game with regards to how he studies, takes care of his body, the way he approaches practice, the way he approaches each rep. So he’s impressive in that sense. We feel very confident that he’s going to find ways to get better. This game is very important to him, and he shows it with his actions.”
Whether it’s an 80-yard touchdown catch on Saturday or opening practice with a 40-yard grab with Hall breathing down his neck on Friday, Moore has been dynamic throughout camp.
Moore is built like a slot receiver at 5-9, 175-pounds, but he’s versatile and can play each wideout spot in this offense. On his 80-yard bomb, he was the outside receiver and that’s why it may be impossible to keep him off the field.
“He’s got the ability to play outside, inside, gadget, whatever you want to do,” Saleh said. “The reason why he’s able to do that is because of his mental capacity, the young man is very smart. Like I said, it’s very important to him so he’s constantly studying. He knows all three positions at the receiver spot. And because of it and his ability to move around, he’s gonna have a bright future.”
Right now, the battle for the other outside receiver spot is between Keelan Cole and Moore. Those two have rotated with the first team.
Moore has received reps in the slot too, but the path to the starting role will be on the outside since Jamison Crowder and Corey Davis have their spots locked up.
But through the first week of practice, the Jets would be foolish not to start Moore if he continues this.
OBSERVATIONS ON THE QB
Wilson followed up one fantastic practice with a solid one. Nothing spectacular, but not terrible. He looked efficient here and there, was fooled by the defensive coverage a couple of times and held the ball longer than usual at other moments.
Overall, Wilson went 6-for-10 in team drills and 3-for-6 with two touchdowns and an interception in red zone 7-on-7.
Wilson started the day with well timed and on script throws. Nothing huge, just efficient.
He hit Michael Carter in the flat during the first team session. Then found Jamison Crowder on a screen play that went for 30 yards before Lamarcus Joyner reached him. Wilson also threw a dart to Denzel Mims on a 10-yard out route. But after this period Wilson tailed off.
The Jets went to 11-on-11 in the red zone. And on the first play Wilson lobbed a pass to the goal line to Moore, but C.J Mosley and Hall were in the area. Mosley almost picked it.
His next throw Wilson scrambled right after John Franklin-Meyer caused pressure and threw off his back foot to Cole but it fell incomplete. Wilson’s final throw for the period was a throwaway.
The next team period Wilson hit Vyncint Smith and Moore for first downs. But for red zone 7-on-7 on the five yard line, he was meh.
Wilson started the period by holding the ball for six seconds before floating a lollipop that was intercepted by Bless Austin. He bounced back with two touchdowns to Chris Herndon and Smith.
To summarize, it was a solid practice for the rookie quarterback.