Wide Receiver - AFC East

Edition #668

Good morning! ☕

We have 39 days until we run out of that tunnel in San Francisco, which means we still have 39 days to rectify the errors, the missteps and that snapping issues for Tippmann. 39 opportunities to take 39 steps forward…which is an excellent Alfred Hitchcock film starring Robert Donat, if you’ve never seen that 1935 classic, you’ve got homework this weekend.

Who has the better wide receiver core? I was asked that question yesterday on X, formerly Twitter. Instead of answer it directly, I thought I’d made it the focal piece of today’s newsletter. First, we take a look at some of those quick throws.

🟢 Michael Carter II needs to be extended, he should have been extended yesterday, but we’ve already spoken about that earlier this pre-season (Edition #643) and I still stand behind the importance of getting that deal done. But for now he’s putting his experience in this system to good use, teaching the rookies how to play defense the Jets Way: "I am a well-respected person in the building, and I need to start using that," Carter II said. "Using my voice to be a better leader. In terms of communication on-field, I can always grow in that aspect. We are constantly communicating in different ways and trying to see what works and what doesn't. The Jets Way is a type of ferociousness and violence in the way we play. Also, a respect for one another and a love and a bond that tis really strong and that is showcased when we go out on the field."

⚪ Carter also went on to talk about the improvements he’s been trying to make this off-season. He’s already one of the best slot corners in football, now he wants to be known as THE best slot corner in football: "Technique wise, I can't get enough of getting better at the little things," Carter II said. "I am trying to be better in press coverage and have better leverage. I am trying to use my feet more to limit the use of my hands and then bringing that into the fold later on. Just keep building on what I have been doing well."

🟢 Aaron Rodgers spoke a lot about standards and how perception of certain heated discussions can be overblown, the focus has been on Garrett but he also got on Joe for his snapping and this is what he had to say about that: "A guy like Joe Tippmann, he has the ability to play a long time in this league at center," he said. "He has a chance to be an All-Pro, I think. So if he's snapping the ball a little wayward at times, he can take me jumping his ass a little bit and getting on him. Sometimes you need to do that."

• Michael Carter II was seen hobbling away from practice, that’s a concern. Saleh said he wasn’t overly concerned, but I never trust a HC.

• Aaron Rodgers bounced back in the biggest of ways with 6 touchdowns and 9-11 passing. The Jets prioritised their red-zone offence and boy did it deliver. Garrett Wilson caught 3 of those TDs, Breece with 2 and Corley with the other.

• Carter Warren was in with the starters yesterday alongside Olu Fashanu with Tyron Smith getting a rest day.

• For the first time in training camp, we got some really good reports on Corley. Not only did he have the catch at the back of the end-zone on the corner route, but he was very active throughout. Really good to see the rookie starting to make some moves.

• Robert Saleh singled out Will McDonald for special praise after practice saying the second year man looks much much stronger and has flashed against the pass and the run so far through camp.

• Garrett Wilson spoke about the videos showing him and Aaron Rodgers getting into a heated discussion. It's competitive sports, that happens. “We’re both passionate guys … it’s just a conversation. We’re both like minded. We’re trying to figure out how to attack the defense.

  “We’re getting better. We’re gaining an understanding of each other. It’s truly enlightening for me every time we have convos like that.”

PFF threw out all their pre-season rankings of offensive units last month and here’s how they ranked the AFC East receiving units:

Miami Dolphins #2
New York Jets #19
Buffalo Bills #27
New England Patriots #32

In the opinion of the powers that be at PFF, we have one elite unit, one average unit, one poor unit and one very poor unit.

But are the Jets really 17 places behind the Miami Dolphins when it comes to receivers based on recent form?