A Thursday New York Jets practice in Florham Park featured Ryan Kalil savviness and Harvey Langi’s shot to complete a defensive unit.
FLORHAM PARK, NJ—The last New York Jets practice prior to the most legit preseason dance featured a variety of perspectives.
Team sessions showcased more of the same from Adam Gase and Gregg Williams. Gase’s zone-rushing scheme and three-step passing attack included a few Sam Darnold dandies (and misses).
Darnold hit Quincy Enunwa on an early 15-yard out after a solid play-action. He also missed Jamison Crowder on a fake wide receiver screen/wheel concept that turned him loose. Darnold’s overthrow near the corner of the left end zone cost the offense six.
When the twos faced the ones, Trevor Siemian hooked up with Charone Peake on a go-route that went for a 25-plus-yard score. He beat first-team cornerback Tevaughn Campbell on the play, in man coverage.
Defensively, Brandon Copeland was missing in action, a day after his four-game suspension was announced. Gase revealed the veteran is also dealing with a thumb injury. Consequently, Harvey Langi enjoyed the most exposure on the edge opposite Jordan Jenkins. He ran with the first team all afternoon as Gregg Williams continues to search for answers outside.
Ryan Kalil, the Savvy One
Leonard Williams was made available to the press following practice and filled everybody in on just how savvy Ryan Kalil can play in the middle.
On one early play, Kalil reached for the Big Cat so quickly that it caught him completely off guard.
Leonard Williams explains just how savvy Ryan Kalil plays at center. #Jets pic.twitter.com/Cw5wZMCfMo
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) August 22, 2019
Kalil is already firmly entrenched as the team’s No. 1 center ahead of Jonotthan Harrison. As for Leo, unlike the previous several seasons, he’s enjoying the 3-technique.
Instead of moving everywhere along the line, Henry Anderson is taking the bullet (by moving outside), allowing Leo to concentrate and stick to his inside spot.
Harvey Langi's Big Shot
As previously mentioned, Harvey Langi enjoyed a nice run with the ones on Thursday. With Copeland out, it was Langi who played the edge opposite Jenkins in all four-man fronts.
Usually, Anderson takes on this role, for the most part, unless he shifts inside, at which point, Copeland or Frankie Luvu take the edge. On Thursday, it was Langi.
Langi, 26, was a part of the Jets practice squad in 2018. The undrafted free agent in 2017 was scooped up by Bill Belichick. He played a single game for the New England Patriots that season.
At this point, the Jets are throwing everything against the wall, hoping something sticks. Finesse and speed are desperately needed on the edge.
Final Practice Notes
In a bit of fun, Adam Gase and the entire offense was forced to execute push-ups near the end of practice. The offense and defense must have agreed on a bet prior to a red-zone series.
After a specific offensive play that ultimately went awry, the defense owned bragging rights for the day.
Next up for the New York Jets will be Week 3 of the preseason on Saturday night when they welcome in the New Orleans Saints. The “dress rehearsal” game should feature the starters for most or all of the first half.
