New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas strikes again and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams continues to rotate looks.
FLORHAM PARK, NJ—Joe Douglas isn’t messing around. ESNY stated it upon his arrival: the former offensive lineman would look to improve the New York Jets woeful five-man unit immediately. Not during the season, not during the 2020 NFL Draft, but the man would do it as soon as humanly possible.
Just days after pulling Ryan Kalil out of retirement, Douglas swung a deal with the Baltimore Ravens for Alex Lewis. The official deal for the guard includes a conditional 2020 seventh-round draft pick in exchange.
Lewis, 27, was drafted in the fourth round by the Ravens in 2016. He started eight games for Baltimore during his rookie season, missed the entirety of the 2017 campaign due to injury, and started 10 games a season ago, mainly as a guard.
Trouble brewed between Lewis and the Ravens recently when the player decided to rehab his injured shoulder away from the team. Lewis was informed he’d be released by the team, but Douglas swooped in to make a deal at the last moment. Considering New York owned the third waiver priority, Douglas probably didn’t trust that the Arizona Cardinals or San Francisco 49ers would pass on the kid.
The deal is official pending a team physical.
Gregg Williams' Defensive Looks
Defensive coordinator Gregg Williams continues to throw out his many looks at camp. In addition to the 3-4 base he was spotted running during the first week, his more recognizable 4-3 is now taking shape.
Brandon Copeland is currently manning down the third second-level linebacker alongside C.J. Mosley and Avery Williamson, while Henry Anderson and Jordan Jenkins secure the edges. In many ways, the 4-3 fits the Jets defensive personnel tighter.
The edges opposite Jenkins in the subpackage and in the base continue to rotate between Anderson, Frankie Luvu, Tarell Basham, Bronson Kaufusi and Copeland (when he’s not playing the WILL).
Quick feet, inside-out, head across (inside shoulder) for the linebackers here on the offtackle. #Jets pic.twitter.com/gqv4bXJVym
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) August 5, 2019
Head coach Adam Gase continues to praise the job Williams puts forth when facing his offense in practice, especially young Sam Darnold.
“I think it’s great,” Gase said. “There are so many things that (Gregg Williams) does that we’re learning every day. There’s a little thing he does different each day that our guys have to adjust to. They have to figure out and we’ve got to figure it out on the fly sometimes. That’s a good thing.”
Darnold agrees with the sentiment.
“It’s definitely challenging,” Darnold told reporters after practice. “It’s fun to come out here and compete every single day with a defense like that because you never know what you’re going to see and it just makes it fun and interesting every single day.”
Leonard Williams' Absence
Leonard Williams didn’t practice on Monday. In fact, it opened the door for young Quinnen Williams and Nathan Shepherd to see extra time with the first team on the interior.
Gase explained the Williams absence, citing a hip issue that isn’t a great concern.
“Obviously, you guys saw that Leonard (Williams) wasn’t out there today,” said Gase. “We decided to take him out, not have him practice today. He had some irritation in his hip, so we’re just doing some kind of preventative things, rehab-type stuff. Then, Steve (McLendon) was excused today for personal reasons.
Other Camp Notes
- Trumaine Johnson picked off Darnold again (for, at least, the third time this camp). Darnold attempted to throw the ball away in-play and Johnson reacted to the short throw to the right.
- The defense severely outplayed the offense all afternoon. Darnold didn’t click with the offense and the offensive line couldn’t handle the defensive front.
- Ryan Kalil is not yet practicing in team sessions as Gase and the Jets are easing him into things slowly.
- Kelvin Beachum returned to action after a brief injury absence this weekend.
The Jets will get back at it for another morning session on Tuesday at Florham Park.
Listen, end-of-practice conditioning is much different in the NFL as opposed to high school/college, but even so, Le’Veon Bell makes SURE he finishes first in his group (gassers, lines, whatever the drill, whatever you wanna call it, etc.).
That’s not a small thing. #Jets
— ESNY (@EliteSportsNY) August 5, 2019
