Geno Smith Sets the Tone -Jets Training Camp Report 8/6

Jets Training Camp continued on August 6 with a fast-paced practice in the heat and humidity at the team facility in Florham Park. JetNation’s Kenny Delgado, who posts in our forums as @kdels62, was on the field to take in the action. He came away impressed with the energy, organization and execution on both sides of the ball.

Geno Smith looked comfortable running the offense and continued to embrace a leadership role. On defense, veterans Demario Davis and Minkah Fitzpatrick helped set the tone during an intense practice. Omar Cooper, Adonai Mitchell, Armand Membou and David Bailey were among the other players who caught Kenny’s attention.

Check out Kenny’s Jets Training Camp observations for his live updates from the practice field.

Here is Kenny’s full report from the August 6 practice:

General Notes

Practice was already underway when we were led onto Field 1 at 8:30. Field 1 is the main field from open practices.

The weather was hot and humid but admittedly it could’ve been more hot.

National media was present so there were quite a few people near the field.

Everything was observed from ground level and between 20-50 feet away at the closest. So keep that in mind when you read long-winded posts about why a defender was out of position on a play.

Coaching

High energy is the plan. Very vocal work from AG and Banjo while Reich seems to value pacing.

I was particularly impressed with their drills specifically designed to be about switching in and out of different personnel packages.

Not many penalties throughout the day and I only logged one pre-snap penalty.

Jets Training Camp Overview

If anyone recalls my impressions from last year’s training camp, certain trends emerged: Really long developing plays especially when Fields was under center, pre-snap penalties, poor safety play. All of that it turns out would transfer from the practice field to the playing field. There is a different air at camp this year and maybe it’s just because there are no fans to create pressure but it genuinely feels like a new operation.

The structure of the team periods was the same as last year, situational and intentional but the execution was faster and more intense. The offense lined up quickly and there was a cadence that was so different than last year. The defense thumped and jawed and rarely saw a receiver with room for YAC. Reich and Geno clearly understand what it takes to be productive in the NFL and it sets the tone at all levels. Geno in particular looks comfortable throwing the ball and more importantly he looks comfortable in a leadership role. Jawing loudly, celebrating and keeping up a good energy level, it was night and day from watching the malaise that Justin Fields carried to the field. As for the defense, the loudest guy out there is Demario Davis and his big personality manifests to the rest of the defense who seems to have a bit of swagger this year. The other guy who made considerable noise today was Minkah Fitzpatrick, he lines up everywhere but after each play he was there hollering jovially at his teammates. The difference between those guys and last year’s Sherwood-based confusion was impressive. No more celebrations for 6-second sacks or safeties staring at each other. There was real intensity and as a result some moments that made me wince as pads collided.

None of this means anything; it might have just been one intense day in the humid Jersey wetlands, but it was the best day I witnessed in 2 seasons.

Guys Who Had a Good Day

Jarvis Brownlee – Gave up a little, but his run fits were noticeable and had good moments in coverage.

Omar Cooper and AD Mitchell – Both had moments. Both ran out of various WR spots. Cooper might end up being WR2 eventually but Mitchell isn’t letting that happen easily.

Isaiah Williams and Tim Patrick – Both would’ve started for this team in recent years. That they are depth is a good indication of the talent on this team relative to the Douglas and Maccagnan Jets.

Braelon Allen – It’s easy to fall for the hype.

Interior OL – Yeah last year they were also good in the preseason. No glaring mistakes and the occasional big explosion.

Max Mitchell – When he played his side of the line was the stronger of the two.

Jonathan Kingsley – With Enagbare out he had a solid practice. Also had a solid training camp last year.

Mykal Williams and other backup LBs – Williams was the best but each backup had a moment.

Membou – When he played Bailey sucked and he had a pull where he absolutely destroyed Philips and opened up a huge hole. I love him and you should too.

Not Great

Will McDonald – Consistently the weaker side of the defensive line. I am definitely worried.

Andre Cisco – Meh and got beat in man coverage.

Mason Taylor and TEs generally – Many TEs saw the field, all did not much. The validity of chain-moving plays are tricky to gather when players are only going 75%.

Nwangwu – Got more RB reps with Davis out and was solidly meh.

Olu Fashanu – Noticeably the weaker tackle. Bailey’s only successes came after he flipped and played over Olu. There’s a play where some may claim that Bailey overplayed a run. I disagree. He beat Olu clean who desperation lunged to put Bailey slightly off balance, but if Bailey was permitted to dig in his cleat and really tackle Breece, he had the positioning to stuff the run for a TFL.

Was the Klub Open?

No, but Brady Cooked.

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