Camp Preview: Special Teams

Edition #440

Good morning! ☕

Who knew that guys walking into a building could pump up a fanbase so much? I think that’s just a representation of how excited we are for the season, how excited we are to finally have a QB.

We are going to finish the week with a look at the special team unit because kickers win Championships…at least that’s what I tell my friends.

📚 I’ve got some extra reading for you this morning as well. Yesterday I posted a 1000+ word article on the Jet’s 6th WR position following the trade of Denzel Mims.

🚨 I also posted my second column on the Jets UK website, focusing on 5 undrafted free agents to keep an eye on during training camp. As always I appreciate all the reads, shares and comments. 🇺🇲🇬🇧

You know football season is officially back when you’re posting articles on three different websites within 24 hours.

1️⃣ Day one at camp is in the books, and not for the last time this summer I'm sure, the defense dominated. Aaron Rodgers was held in the red zone with DJ Reed getting a PBU and Michael Carter blanketing on the other pass. In fact, the only TD of the day came on a Zach Wilson pass to Mecole Hardman. The most pleasing aspect to hear is how he felt the pressure, climbed the pocket and then delivered.

🧀 It’s the first day of camp, so it’s important not to read too much into things. But with Duane Brown out, Billy Turner was taking the reps at left tackle with the first team, while Mekhi was working with the second team as a left tackle. Duane Brown was absent for personal reasons, not injury related. It’s also worth noting that Carter Warren, Mekhi and Turner all took reps on both sides of the line.

👍 Saleh confirmed that Becton was a full go, meaning no limitations stemming from his recent injury issues.

🏈 Unsurprisingly, Jamien Sherwood was in with C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams in the base 4-3 defence. It’s going to be interesting to see his progress this year, and his development could be the reason that Kwon Alexander remains unsigned.

💨 Head coach Robert Saleh confirmed that Breece Hall hit 23mph on the GPS today, so it's safe to say he's moving well. Saleh confirmed there was no rush and he'll return when he's fully ready. Good early signs considering it's only the middle of July.

🤕 Randall Cob and C.J. Uzomah will be off the PUP list within the next few days. Which is great to hear.

👓 Garrett Wilson was talking about the football intelligence that Aaron Rodgers possesses: “He's a historian. He knows the game at a level that I haven't seen before."

🏆 He also spoke about the goals for the season and as you'd expect, the aspirations are huge: "I'm not gonna beat around the bush. We want to win a Super Bowl."

✍️ The Jets signed former Tennessee Titans safety Dane Cruikshank to a deal according to his agent. A 5th-round pick out of Arizona in 2018, Cruikshank has only had one year where he’s played more than 50 snaps on defence, and that was 2021 where he split time as a deep and box safety. He does have nearly 1000 snaps on special teams in his career, however, so maybe this is a signing for Boyer. They also signed wide receiver Alex Erikson who has some return experience.