EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ — Zach Wilson took the field at MetLife Stadium for the first time since last season and put together another solid workout.
This is promising news for the New York Jets and their sophomore quarterback.
“I really liked it” Coach Robert Saleh commented on Wilson’s performance on Saturday night.
Wilson was unofficially 12 of 19 — including four drops from receivers — for 100 yards with a touchdown and an interception as the Jets prepare for their first preseason game next Friday night in Philadelphia.
All eyes are on 23-year-old Wilson as he looks to build on a good finish to a rookie year in which he has not been caught in his last five games. Wilson’s decision making and accuracy appear to be improving this summer, particularly during his last four practice sessions – including this one in front of fans at the Meadowlands.
“He dropped a dime buzzing into the head of a defender who I thought was a chance to keep a drive going and had a really good shot there in the two-minute drive.” Said Saleh. “He moved around in the bag, found some open lanes to run and wait for some time. He was really good in the huddle. … He was good with the cadence because he changed his cadence. So I really liked him.”
Wilson, also running for 24 yards, capped a drive that was 5-for-5 with a 10-yard TD on Tyler Conklin. He led another that ended with a 37-yard field goal from Eddy Pineiro. He was also intercepted by Del’Shawn Phillips. In the final two-minute practice, Wilson was incomplete in fourth place for Corey Davis, who was covered by first-round cornerback Sauce Gardner.
Wilson’s numbers would have been more impressive if it weren’t for the drops from Davis, Elijah Moore, Braxton Berrios and Jeff Smith.
“I could find excuses” Said Saleh. “We are professionals, we have to play. But at the same time, just talking to the guys when you’re in the stadium for the first time, the depth perception is very different. So you have to retrain your eyes for all that too. Not to make excuses for them, it’s a real thing and just adapts to all of that. That’s why we had these scrimmages here.”
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Brown in the city
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Free agent offensive tackle Duane Brown participated in the scrimmage and during warm-up chatted with Saleh, general manager Joe Douglas, GM Rex Hogan’s assistant, owner Woody Johnson and some players.
The Jets could take advantage of the veteran depth on the line, and Brown could serve as a backup swing tackle. Brown, who turns 37 on Aug. 30, made his fifth Pro Bowl last season. After 10 years in Houston, he spent the last five years with Seattle.
“Any time you have an opportunity to add a Pro Bowler like him and add to our roster, we’ll look into it.” Said Saleh. “We will always search far and wide and obviously there is interest on both sides.”
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injuries
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Substitute OT Conor McDermott was helped off the field after injuring his left ankle. Saleh had no immediate word on the severity of the injury – but if McDermott misses time it could make Brown’s signing a bigger priority. … CB DJ Reed, RB Ty Johnson and DE Vinny Curry all sat out with hamstring injuries. Saleh said Reed was seated “More care”.
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