New York Jets: What We've Learned Through Week 1 of Training Camp
New York Jets training camp is in full swing. That means it's time for all the overreactions you're used to seeing at this time of year.
[TEAM] looks like a Super Bowl contender!
[PLAYER] is going to break every record in the book this year!
[UNIT] is the best in the NFL!
I probably don't need to tell you this, but you won't learn any of those things at this point in training camp. Of course, this is where the groundwork for such things can be laid, but it's not where the proclamations of those events and happenings can be made.
The coaches don't even know what their roster will look like; how could anyone make those proclamations just yet? That being said, the coaches are starting to get an idea of what the roster will look like, thanks to some players performing better than expected while others begin to tail off for one reason or another. There are also some things we've already learned at this early stage of training camp.
Here's a look at a few big takeaways from the first week of practice.
Devin Smith Has an Uphill Battle to Early-Season Contributions
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The Jets assembled quite the talented group of wide receivers this offseason, but they may be without one of them when the season begins.
Rookie wide receiver Devin Smith suffered three fractured ribs and a punctured lung in practice, according to Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network. With Smith out of practice, the door has been opened to some increased reps for backup wide receivers like Shaq Evans, Chris Owusu, DeVier Posey and others.
Smith was expected to challenge veteran wide receiver Jeremy Kerley for the snaps as the third receiver on the field. Smith's ability to line up as a boundary or a slot receiver sets him apart from Kerley, who is primarily a slot receiver at 5'9" and 188 pounds.
Offensive coordinator Chan Gailey runs a lot of spread formations. The Jets will need to be as healthy at wide receiver as possible, but Smith could be out of action for 4-6 weeks, according to Albert Breer of NFL Network. Thanks to his injuries, Smith could have to wait before making an impact in the Jets offense.
Lorenzo Mauldin and Calvin Pace Could Be in a Time Share
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According to Darryl Slater of NJ Advance Media, words have already been exchanged between Mauldin and outside linebackers coach Mark Collins. The coach told the player that the team wants to use Mauldin as a strong-side linebacker, where they need to look to the future—incumbent starter Calvin Pace turns 35 in October.
Mauldin doesn't see himself challenging Pace for the starting spot just yet, but "expects to spell Pace during games, to give the 13th-year veteran some rest," according to Slater.
Mauldin notes his inexperience in coverage as his primary deficiency in taking that role on a full-time basis. He won't be dropping into coverage frequently in Todd Bowles' defense, but he'll need to be ready when he is asked to do so.
"I probably dropped like three or four times at Louisville," Mauldin said, per Slater. "I really didn't understand [coverage] at that point."
At some point, the Jets will need to fully move on from Pace, and they'll also need to cut the umbilical cord on Lorenzo Mauldin as well. Mauldin may not have the experience that Pace has, but he won't get that experience unless he gets a chance to play.
Leonard Williams Could Play an Integral Role in the Jets Defense
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The Jets drafted defensive lineman Leonard Williams with the No. 6 overall selection as a luxury pick: they weren't in dire need of a defensive lineman, but they thought he could be an integral part of their defense for years to come. As it turns out, it may be a lucky pick if he is asked to contribute early and often.
He may be up to the challenge, according to head coach Todd Bowles:
"He's explosive. I mean, we all knew that. He's explosive, but it's more than that playing down there. You have to read blocks, you have to understand double teams, and you have to sacrifice sometimes. So it's not all about him being the playmaker. Sometimes you have to be the sacrificial lamb. But Leonard is doing a good job. He runs around. He has a good football mind. He's picking up the defense well.
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Third-year veteran Sheldon Richardson is suspended for four games after violating the league's substance-abuse policy, and could potentially be suspended for more games after resisting arrest in Missouri. With Muhammad Wilkerson and Damon Harrison anchoring the end and the middle of the line, respectively, the Jets could have one of the most dominant defensive lines in the NFL if they are at full strength.
Without Richardson, though, the Jets will have to rely on Williams to be a factor from the beginning.
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Chris Owusu Is Among the Early Surprises
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With Devin Smith's injury comes opportunity for younger receivers. Count Chris Owusu among the receivers who are taking advantage of the extra snaps.
According to Kieran Darcy of ESPN.com, Owusu has earned opportunities to play with the first-team offense of wide receivers Eric Decker and Brandon Marshall and quarterback Geno Smith. Owusu's performance has even caught the eye of the Jets coaches.
"He's smart, he's steady, he's more deceptive (than you think), he's quicker than you think, he's always in the right place and he's young," Bowles said of Owusu on Saturday. "He just needs a chance to play."
Owusu has a lot of long speed, as shown in a 4.36-second 40-yard dash at the 2012 scouting combine, but if he keeps getting reps at practice, he'll also have a chance to show how his physical skills can translate to the NFL field.
Dee Milliner Is Earning the Respect of His Teammates
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In the spring, Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie created an uncomfortable situation for his teammate Dee Milliner when Cromartie asked the former first-round pick what it's like to be "on the roster bubble" and "trying to make the team."
Fast forward to the first week of training camp, and Cromartie's tune has changed considerably.
"I've seen a lot," Cromartie said of Milliner, according to Bart Hubbuch of the New York Post. "He's making plays on the ball. He gave up one today, but that was just technique. He has confidence in himself and the confidence in his Achilles [tendon] to play, and that's all you can look for. He's making the plays he needs to make."
Milliner has also been staying as close to Cromartie and Darrelle Revis as possible in an effort to pick their brains on his way to becoming the best cornerback he can be. That being said, Milliner doesn't need to make believers out of his teammates as much as he needs to make believers out of his coaches. The Jets put Milliner on notice this offseason when they buried him on the depth chart; now it's time for him to prove them wrong.
Unless otherwise specified, all quotes obtained via team news release.
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