The Jets have yet to take the practice field this summer, but with the “acclimation period”, which consists of strength and conditioning, underway, training camp is essentially in full swing at One Jets Drive.
It has been an eventful last week and a half for head coach Adam Gase, as New York’s roster has endured a good amount of turnover. Jamal Adams is off to Seattle, while C.J. Mosley decided to opt-out of the 2020 season because of family health-related COVID-19 concerns. Brian Winters, Quincy Enunwa and Trenton Cannon are also no longer with the organization, as the three were handed their walking papers to kick off the second week of camp.
On Wednesday, Gase spoke with reporters via conference call, addressing the Jets’ recent string of transactions, how they could go about replacing Mosley, Le’Veon Bell’s motivation to succeed this upcoming season, and much more.
Here are the biggest takeaways from Gase’s most recent chat with the media.
Better now than later
Adam Gase never wanted to lose Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley. The two were key cogs in Gregg Williams’ defense and crucial to the Jets’ ability to compete in 2020. However, the way New York’s second-year head coach sees it, it’s better that the two players departed now as opposed to in the middle of the season.
When speaking with reporters, Gase noted that losing Adams and Mosley in the early parts of training camp is semi-helpful, as it gives the Jets time to adjust to life without them. Had Adams and Mosley departed mid-season, New York would have had to build a new defensive scheme on the fly, which is an extremely tough task for any defensive coordinator — even the veteran Williams.
The Jets have a month to build their defense without two key parts. It’s not going to be easy, but at least they will have time to work out the kinks before Week 1 rolls around.
Depth will help replace C.J. Mosley
Losing C.J. Mosley for the year hurts, but the good news is the Jets have enough depth at inside linebacker to make his absence a bit more bearable.
Avery Williamson, Patrick Onwuasor, Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt and James Burgess are all more than capable of contributing in place of the four-time Pro Bowler. Williamson was New York’s leading tackler two years ago, while Onwuasor already has experience stepping in for Mosley. Cashman flashed potential as a rookie and both Hewitt and Burgess filled in admirably for the Jets throughout 2019.
Replacing a player of Mosley’s caliber is going to be a group effort. Fortunately for New York, it has the horses in the stable to pull it off.
A potential inside linebacker rotation
The Jets might have enough inside linebacker depth to effectively replace C.J. Mosley, but it still remains to be seen how exactly that depth will be put to use.
Gase said that New York has yet to decide whether it will go with two set starters at inside linebacker or if it will have a rotation at the position. Avery Williamson and Patrick Onwuasor have the most experience of the group, which gives them the inside track at starting if the Jets choose to employ two set starters. Blake Cashman, Neville Hewitt and James Burgess also bring a lot to the table, which could lead defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to rotate his inside linebackers on a situational basis.
Whichever option the Jets opt to go with, they look to be in good hands at the position — even with Mosley watching from home.
Williamson working his way back
Avery Williamson is now certain to be a major part of the Jets’ defense in 2020, but he has hurdles to clear before he can return to the field.
Williamson is still working his way back from a torn ACL that cost him the 2019 season. It has been nearly a year since Williamson suffered the injury in the preseason and is close to a return, but still has work to do before getting back on the gridiron.
“I don’t think we’re too far away [from Williamson’s return],” Gase said. “He’s excited to get out of the trainers’ room.”
Once Williamson is cleared, New York gets back an experienced MIKE linebacker who led the team in tackles just two years ago. It might take him a little bit to get back in the swing of things, but Williamson’s track record he will be back to bringing down opposing ball carriers in no time.
Juice is hungry
Le’Veon Bell is ready to put his disappointing 2019 season behind him.
Bell struggled mightily in his first year with New York, posting some of the worst numbers of his career. However, 2020 offers the three-time Pro Bowler a clean slate and the chance to bounce back, which he is eager to do.
“He’s extremely motivated,” Gase said. “He’s in phenomenal shape.”
Working in Bell’s favor when it comes to his chances of rebounding this upcoming season is a revamped Jets offensive line. Now that he is likely to have some holes to run through, Bell could be bound for a vintage 2020 campaign. He is in the right mindset to pull it off, too.
Big Becton
Of all the mammoth-sized players Adam Gase has encountered in his 15 years coaching in the NFL, rookie offensive tackle Mekhi Becton is already among the biggest of them all.
“The guy is a big man,” Gase said. “He did a great job of sticking with the program he was doing in the offseason. He’s one of the biggest players I’ve ever been around. We’re excited to get him on the field.”
Becton, who is listed at 363 pounds on the Jets’ official roster, will see plenty of playing time at left tackle in his first professional season. If he improves his technique and develops as general manager Joe Douglas expects him to, New York could have a beast of an offensive lineman on its hands. He already fits the profile of one. All he has to do now is put the pieces together.
