During the previous two seasons, the Jets ran a pass-happy offense.
But with a new quarterback in Justin Fields and coaching staff, the Jets are expected to rely heavily on running the football, which has their offensive linemen excited.
“The coaching staff has told us straight up, ‘We are going to run the ball and that’s different from the past,’ Jets right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said. “As an offensive line, we like that. Obviously, we like hearing that.
“You are always going to run the ball and get the defense tired out. The play-action [pass] opens up, and you can get a couple of drop-backs in there for G-Dub [Garrett Wilson] and the other receivers to do their thing.
“The run game is very important to any offense and we got to go out and execute.”
Last season, the Jets relied on Aaron Rodgers to help move the ball down the field. However, the team’s performance yielded little result after a 5-12 finish, which resulted in the firing of coach Robert Saleh and general manager Joe Douglas. Eventually, they also released Rodgers after Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey were both hired as head coach and general manager.
The Jets passed the ball 64.1% of the time last year, which was the fourth most in the NFL. Conversely, they finished last in rushing attempts (363) and next to last in rushing yards (91.8) per game.
Those rushing numbers should increase this season with Fields under center and with all the investments the Jets have made in their offensive line. In four seasons with the Bears and Steelers previously, Fields rushed for 2,509 yards and 19 touchdowns.
“I think we have a great O-Line, especially for the run game,” Jets center Joe Tippmann said. “We have a bunch of tough, physical guys that will get on their blocks downhill. When we do get in those combos, we can move people.
“I’m really excited. We are still taking those next steps, but I’m really excited about the next steps but I’m really excited about the whole run game that we’re doing.”
The Jets have drafted three offensive linemen, who are currently projected to start. That includes Armand Membou, who was selected seventh overall in last April’s draft.
Because of those investments, Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand’s system is designed to take advantage of Fields’ dual-threat capabilities along with a talented trio of running backs in Breece Hall, Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis.
Throughout the offseason and now training camp, Glenn has made a concerted effort to make the Jets a more physically dominant team. During training camp, Glenn has implemented tackling drills, a rarity in modern NFL practices.
“Very, very impressed with how they operate,” Glenn said about the offensive line. “Big, strong men, they fit the personality that we want as an offense and how we want to operate.
“I mean, obviously, we drafted Membou as our first pick. We have Olu [Fashanu] last year. Our interior is outstanding. And even some of the guys there in the backup roles are doing a really good job for us.
“I’m excited about that group. They still have a lot of time to improve in communication, as they are young, and Membou has just joined, while Olu didn’t start the year. I’m looking forward to seeing those guys continue to get better.”
ANOTHER PROBLEMATIC PRACTICE FOR OFFENSE
Two days after he completed just 2-of-10 passes, Fields didn’t have a much better outing during Monday’s practice. He completed 4-of-16 passes during 11-on-11 drills.
Glenn has expressed that he has been pleased with Fields, but the Jets’ passing game needs to improve. It doesn’t help that Fields is trying to complete passes against cornerbacks Sauce Gardner and Brandon Stephens, who both have had excellent training camps thus far.
The Jets will have two joint practices against the Giants next week ahead of their preseason game on Aug. 16. Fields has never been the most accurate passer in the NFL. But those practices will be more of a determinant on whether it is time to panic about the Jets’ passing game or not.
But Tippmann doesn’t seem concerned about the passing attack.
“We always got to keep getting better,” he said. “But you know, it’s still early in camp and we’re still working towards that end goal that we have in mind.
“We’re not there yet, but we know we just got to keep moving forward. Every time we go into the meeting room, coach [Glenn] is honest with us, we’re honest with ourselves and we’re able to kind of just take that, take that on the chin and learn from it.”
INJURY UPDATE
Jets rookie tight end Mason Taylor did not practice on Monday due to an ankle injury. Backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor also was held out of team drills because of a knee injury.
Safety Kris Boyd and wide receiver Xavier Gipson both have shoulder injuries and will not play in the preseason opener against the Packers, according to Glenn. Left guard John Simpson (back) will also be held out.
Glenn didn’t reveal if any of the Jets’ starters will play at Green Bay on Saturday.
Originally Published:
