A Saturday live practice for the New York Jets features the introduction of Ryan Kalil and Quinnen Williams’s Madden game.
FLORHAM PARK, NJ—Adam Gase officially turned up the dial on Saturday. It feels so good to be live.
No more 50 percent. No more “everything high.” The New York Jets decided to get after it on Saturday with a 100 percent and live-to-the-ball session.
It began, however, with a little 7-on-7 action.
On an early play, Sam Darnold dropped back and read Cover 2. This wasn’t your average Cover 2. Gregg Williams, running out of the nickel, sprinted slot corner Brian Poole to the deep middle, making it a Cover 2 Buc with depth.
Darnold attempted to fit it down the right sideline over the corner and underneath the deep-half safety. He just couldn’t quite get it done as Trumaine Johnson leapt for the pick.
The early offensive mishap demonstrated a clear example of just how Williams’s defensive mind is helping Darnold. Exotic pre-snap looks and coverages continue to fill the practice day (and nearly nothing as compared to what we’ll see in September).
When the teams went live, the first-team offense faced the second-team defense, and vice versa. The first two plays didn’t quite work out as planned. Le’Veon Bell was dropped for a loss by Nathan Shepherd, and on the very next play, a coverage sack doomed Darnold and the Jets offense.
After the sluggish start, Darnold started fitting balls into tight windows like a 10-year vet. On one out to slot-man Jamison Crowder, the ball couldn’t have been handed off any better (against tremendous coverage).
Defensively, Blake Cashman is receiving a ton of love in the subpackage, oftentimes taking Avery Williamson off the field. Quinnen Williams is still hanging with the second team save for a few instances.
Speaking of young Q, he experienced an eventful day.
Quinnen Williams' Madden Moment
Quinnen Williams’s post-practice comments revolved around a minor-thumb injury, Steve McLendon’s advice and his hilarious Madden moment.
When discussing his readiness to play the game, Williams’s awareness kicked in after a specific statement.
Quinnen Williams was just trying to talk about his Madden rating ?
(Via @snyjets)pic.twitter.com/MzhPa1sbvQ
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) August 3, 2019
The moment exhibited a lighthearted, genuine moment from the rook that displays some of the personality traits that make him endearing.
Ryan Kalil's Introduction
Ryan Kalil spoke with the media for the first time on Saturday, and immediately, was called out as the GOAT (by young Quinnen Williams).
Quinnen Williams yells at the GOAT, Ryan Kalil, while casually strolling by. #Jets pic.twitter.com/aS7C7jWTHt
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) August 3, 2019
Kalil’s message revolved around his exit from Carolina. Among his thoughts and feelings, the All-Pro center made it clear that he felt the need to call many individuals during this process.
Joe Douglas also spoke about his first major signing as general manager of the Jets. He cannot be more excited about the acquisition of absolute need.
“First off, it’s just a great day to be a Jet, so (we) couldn’t be more excited about this acquisition (Ryan Kalil),” Douglas said. “I’d like to thank a few people. I’d like to thank Christopher Johnson first for his support in this acquisition. When you have a chance, when you have an opportunity to get up in front of the team and when you have an opportunity to get up in front of you guys like I did in my initial press conference, and you talk about what your expectations are for guys that you bring in and how this is the player that we’re looking for and it’s a two-way street and the players have to let us know if we’re not holding up our end of the bargain but when you talk about a guy that we want in this organization, Ryan Kalil is the guy that checks all of those boxes, smart, tough, highly-decorated player, five-time Pro Bowler, two-time First-Team All-Pro. As good as he is on the field, he’s an even better teammate, father, husband, brother, so we just couldn’t be more excited to have Ryan.
“Shortly before camp opened, had some conversations with Tom Condon, his representative, and there was some mutual interest. We began our negotiating process shortly after that, so that’s kind of the genesis of this.”
Other Camp Notes
- Receiver Tim White continues to make plays. On this day, he hauled in a 50-yard-plus go-route from Davis Webb for a score. His continuing impressive play is making things extremely interesting for the rather large wide receiving group.
- Brian Poole is as aggressive as a slot corner can get in the NFL. He came away with perhaps the defensive highlight of the day when he came away with an interception on a slant intended for Deontay Burnett. Gaining inside leverage with active hands, Poole simply guessed, cut in front with physicality and returned it for a good 20-plus yards.
After an off-day on Sunday, the New York Jets will be back at it on Monday morning at Florham Park, NJ.
