The Jets are expected to place more emphasis on rushing the football this season with coach Aaron Glenn leading the charge.
If Saturday was any indication, the team got off to a solid start in their 30-10 preseason victory against the Green Bay Packers.
“I think all of our backs did a really good job,” Glenn said. “I hate that [Donovan Edwards] got the touchdown called back. I really think he deserved that.
“I really think you saw speed from him as he got around the edge of the defense, so again, that’s our brand of football. We want to run it, but we also want to be very efficient in the passing game, which I think our guys did.”
The Jets’ first team offense took limited snaps against the Packers, but they showed the potential of a solid rushing attack. Combined, the Jets rushed for 147 yards on 40 carries.
One of the biggest plays of the night came on the first drive when Justin Fields scampered for a 13-yard touchdown run on his only series of the night. With the pass rush closing in, Fields evaded Packers’ defenders by using his legs to put six points on the board.
Fields signed a two-year, $40 million contract with the Jets during the offseason in hopes of revitalizing his career after three disappointing seasons with the Bears and one year with the Steelers.
“We just wanted to show who we are as a team, show our identity, physicality, of course, in the run game,” Fields said. “Once you get that run game going, everything else opens up.”
Fields completed 3-of-4 passes for 42 yards.
Unlike times during training camp when his play has been inconsistent, Fields showed decisiveness by taking what the Packers’ defense gave him.
“I thought Justin got the guys in and out of the huddle,” Glenn said. “I thought Tanner [Engstrand] did a really good job getting the play calls in so the guys could play with tempo and play fast.
“It was good to see Justin use his legs also. We know he has that in his bag. The thing I think he showed for the most part, is we can call the play, we have a shot, and it’s a shot out there [and] he can check it down. He did a really good job of that, so he was patient.”
The Jets had significant roster turnover during the offseason. That is why Fields believes it was good for the Jets starters to see some time on the field during the preseason opener.
“I think with a new team like this, everybody is kind of new, new offense,” Fields said. “I think it was important for us to get on the field. Practice isn’t the same as a game. So it is nice getting out there on a stadium field. Great atmosphere here always in Lambeau [Field]. It was awesome for sure.”
Not everything was rosy for the Jets against the Packers. Glenn has made an emphasis on eliminating the penalties during training camp by having officials at every practice. However, they still have a lot of work to improve in that area.
The Jets committed 12 penalties for 91 yards. Three of those penalties were personal foul infractions.
Micheal Clemons was called for unnecessary roughness after he got into a fight with Packers tackle Zach Tom, who was also flagged on the play. It was offsetting penalties, but Glenn took Clemons out of the game and was visibly upset.
Defensive end Eric Watts and linebacker Marcelino McCrary-Ball were also called for unnecessary roughness penalties. A holding penalty against Liam Fornadel erased a 72-yard touchdown run by Edwards.
“I have to address that,” Glenn said.
INJURY UPDATE
Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard injured his right shoulder and was seen wearing an arm sling following the game. It is unclear when he suffered the injury, but Lazard caught two passes for 17 yards against his former team.
Running backs Isaiah Davis (ankle), Kene Nwangwu (calf), and safety Tony Adams (thigh) also sustained injuries, but Glenn didn’t sound like they are serious.
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