A few thoughts from the Jets’ Wednesday camp practice …
- It was a very good day for the offense. Aaron Rodgers finished 10 of 12 passing with six touchdowns and one interception (a deflected pass that Quinnen Williams caught). Three of those touchdowns went to wideout Garrett Wilson, two to running back Breece Hall, and a third to rookie receiver Malachi Corley. It should be noted this was a red zone heavy day for the Jets – all team periods from inside the 20. Still good to see.
- There’s a fine line Wilson is walking right now. He talked about it after practice. One of his best traits (“superpower," Robert Saleh likes to say) is his ability to run to a place on the field, then find a way to get open. He’s trying to marry that with the detail-oriented approach Rodgers prefers. That’s a work in progress at the moment. Wilson excels at the former, which is why he’s nearly unguardable in the red zone, but is working on the latter.
- Wilson, by the way, was asked after practice about 49ers cornerback Charvarius Ward not knowing his name in an appearance with Kay Adams a few months ago. He took the high road, but you can tell it’s eating at him – “I saw it. It’s cool. They’re right, frankly. It’s all good. I haven’t done anything yet. I’m excited to have the opportunity to do it on them.”
- Hall is much more involved in the passing game compared to his first two years. He’s so good in that role it will be good to see the Jets utilize it. Hall is another one of those guys where he has a chance to score whenever he touches it. So, get the ball in his hands however possible.
- It was a very good day for Corley, the rookie third-round pick. He’s working a lot more with Rodgers because Xavier Gipson and Allen Lazard are nursing injuries. He still has a ways to go with his route running, but the Jets are manufacturing touches for him. Saleh said he could “feel” him on the field – a good sign. Corley can still be a weapon while he fine tunes the unpolished parts of his game.
- Fewer bad snaps from center Joe Tippmann. Just one went high to Rodgers, who promptly threw one of his three scores to Wilson. Rodgers said after practice that he believes Tippmann has a chance to be an “all-pro” and takes his criticisms well. Rodgers has been on Tippmann for his errant snaps in practice.
- Rodgers and Wilson both downplayed the viral clips of them having passionate discussions on the sideline, saying it’s two hyper-competitive guys trying to bring out the best in each other. You guys know me: I love a little drama. Truly, though, I don’t think there’s much to see here. You do remember the quarterbacks Garrett Wilson played with his first two years, right? It’s been dismal, absent a healthy Mike White. He and Rodgers are just fine.
- Defensive end Will McDonald spoke. He said he feels “stronger in every aspect” despite having not gained any weight. Saleh praised McDonald after practice, too.
- Nickel corner Michael Carter went down in practice. Saleh said it’s an ankle injury that he does not believe is serious. He shouldn’t miss much time.