Training Camp Wrap/Jets-Giants Game Preview (8/24)

that the Jezz quarterback said, uh, tremendous training camp. I didn't know what to expect from Donald coming in missing three practices, but Jeremy Bates told us the other day that he hit the ground running, that he came in there rerend a call use poise. His athleticism is very impressive in terms of he's got great feet. I think that's what could potentially set him apart from other players down the line, because he can buy himself time, set himself up for new windows to throw through, and he

can pick up yards on his own. Donald did not disappoint. I thought he's been a very solid and game accident Teddy Bridgewater's resurgence has been inspiring. For lack of a better word. I mean, this guy was out of the basically out of the National Football League a couple of years ago, goes down with that devastating knee injury, never felt bad for himself. Instead, he looked at his mother as a cancer survivor, as someone that really endured through something.

When Bridgewater was down on the ground and suffered that devastating kne injury, he never felt sorry for himself. He's come in here with a great way about himself, very positive, guy, picked up the offense, been very accurate in games. Another guy who's been good in the pocket in terms of

stepping up at the right time. Cool customer, poised, really happy on a personal level for Teddy Bridgewater if even if you don't know him, I think a lot of people gotta look at Teddy bridge Water and say, wow, you know how he handled this situation is the way you're supposed to do it. And you gotta credit his private medical team and the Jets medical team because he looks like the same guy who was a sending player two years ago in Minnesota. Finally, McCown, what can you

say about the guy? And a lot of veteran quarterbacks in the National Football League who just had a career year. They'd be winding in the situation. Privately like that he wants to play, but McCown at the same time understand the situation. Jets moved up from six to three to get their quarterback in the future. Teddy Bridgewater is new to this offensive system. They gotta get long looks at

both of these guys. They've done that during the summer, So I don't know Green's I think it's been fantastic. I think that when the Jets assembled the quarterback room of Josh McCown, Teddy Bridgewater and Sam Donald, everyone recognized that it was gonna be a great room as people. But I think that the play has exceeded the expectation, at least for me personally, because you didn't know what

you're getting. And Teddy Bridgewater, like you said, he was out for almost two years and he comes back and he's mobile in the pocket and he's having a great time. How do you not root for Teddy Bridgewater. He's having

so much fun. He's dancing on the sidelines. I mean, Michael Jackson comes on and he's dancing, getting in the huddle calling the play and Sam Donald and Jeremy Bates talked about it the other day about owning the playbook, and the coolest story to me was again what Bates said is that when Sam Donald went out to practice, he was obviously a couple of days late because he

didn't sign his contract for the starter camp. He runs out there, he's late to practice, the Jets welcome him with a slope lap, and he goes out in the huddle and he starts spitting plays out and calling plays, and Bates said that takes rookie sometime a year to be comfortable to do that, and he's just going off

of his recollection from from minicamps. So I think that the room has been good for each other, and Todd Bowles has said that it's the best room has been a part of and Jeremy Bates echoed a similar sentiment. But I think that the light is bright for the Jets quarterback room no matter who wins the job. And we're gonna dive more into the competitions in the battles next week leading up to the final preseason game, and

then of course Cuts Day. Only one cut day this year from fifty three used to be sent to fifty three. Now it's just nifty three. But I think if you're a Jets fan, you have to be encouraged by the quarterbacks. Yeah, well, you gotta look back and say how far has this organization comes since January one? In the locker room clean up day, sam Donald's gonna experience bumps in the road whether he plays in Motown or not. But he looks

to be the goods he does. And Teddy Bridgewater low risk, high reward, and now how you're getting a high reward. So let's just see how it all plays out. I know everybody wants to predict the future as far as the Jets gonna carry too, Well, it's funny you mentioned that because we're gonna take some fan questions later on in the show. We have some questions we didn't get to last week, and Samuel wants to know. I'm bringing

this up because he talked about Teddy Bridgewater. Is what are your thoughts on trading Teddy Bridgewater to the Denver Broncos. If so, what do you think the Jets can get in return? Maybe an edge rusher or a draft pick. Okay, so number one is everything is about two to tango. So what happens during a time like this when people start seeing Bridgewater in a national level and how far he's coming, how well he's playing, is thing naturally look

for possible places. I haven't seen Denver too much. We sat down for Onteer the facility the other day, Greens, myself and you, and you told me check Kelly is now the backup quarterback in Denver. If they're searching for a backup quarterback, I don't think Teddy Bridgewater is a backup quarterback. Now would they be viewing Bridgewater is a

potential guide to lead them? Because nothing against case Ken. Know, I think he's a good quarterback, But you could make the argument that Teddy Bridgewater as a much well has a higher ceiling than case Ken. I would imagine that people will call the Jets about Bridgewater it maybe even Josh mccount. But as far as me looking at the same possible fits, I think a lot of people play fantasy football because everybody was talking about Tampa early on.

Right because James is out the first few games, Ryan Fitzpatrick is there the likelihood of anybody obtaining a veteran quarterback seven to ten days before the season commences and then that guy starting I think is extremely unlikely. I agree with that as well. And again we're gonna get some more questions later in the pod. But if you're if you're Mike mccagnan, Greens, you take every call because

you have to. You have to look to see how am I gonna improve my roster not only from the depth perspective, not only from a depth perspective, but also front liners. So, uh, it's gonna be interesting, you know that. It's something Wan Pablo just writes in what's the best

case scenario for the Jets quarterback situation? Greens, Well, the thing this is what's difficult for me, is because he saw what happened last year with the Eagles when Carson Wentz went down and that Nick Foles, who's a good backup quarterback in this league, eventually took over the Reins and they won the Super Bowl. So you want to make sure that you have an insurance plan and if

whoever the starter is goes down. At the same token is that the Jets don't have a second round pick this year because they traded from six to three to get Sam Donald. So if Teddy Bridgewater's value keeps going up during the preseason. I saw the stat that he is the Eyes passer rating in the preseason. Well, he's completing I think seventy three. I mean, they're playing very good football. And you can say that the preseason means nothing, which is fine, but it all it means something to

some degree. I mean, it's still football. So if a similar situation comes about when Teddy Bridgewater went down and Sam Bradford was traded from the Eagles to the Vikings for a first round pick. I'm not saying that Jets

are gonna get a first round pick for Teddy. But if someone goes down and let's say they're they believe that team is a playoff contender and they don't have the necessary backup in place, if they pony up the draft capital that mccagnet feels comfortable in return, I think you have to trade Bridgewater and that right there might be the best case scenario because you still have Josh McCown. Well,

you're playing very well splash By. You're basing this an assumption at Sam Donald's your week once started, correct and that I think that he's gonna get traded. Well, so I'm using him I'm taking him out of the equation. So I think that's why the one thing that people point out is that externally is what does Teddy Bridgewater bring to the team in the short term, Because let's say Teddy does go out in the short term, he's named the starter and he performs well and the Jets

are four and two. I'm just playing hypotheticals here. You can't trade him mid season and then and then at the end of the year is a free agent, and who's to say that he's not going to sign a good deal. So you had one year. So I'm just looking at like a from a return value. If you have the opportunity to get some of your draft capital back, how do you not do it? What's you know that

plays out? I think it's very interesting debate because you also don't like having Teddy Bridgewater is backup and not trading him I think is a good move too, because you know that Teddy bridge what you're seeing a glimpse of what he can do. And I just think that you can't have too many good quarterbacks on your roster. You can't have too many good quarterbacks in your roster.

Sure that is a good question, Uh, Barbs writes in is that empty quarterback coach position reserved until Josh McCown retires, Well, barbe good. Question number one is Jeremy Bates is the offensive coordinator slash quarterbacks coach. And the thing that kind of flies a little bit under the radar. I know it doesn't internally because if you'll listen closely to McCown, if you'll listen closely to Sam Donald, and if you'll listen closely to Teddy, I'll talk about this guy, Mick

Mick Lombardi's assistant quarterbacks coach. The guys enjoy working with them. He's been praised throughout training camp, so he's doing a nice job himself. If Josh McCown down on the line, yes, he's thirty nine years old, probably not gonna play forever. If he wants to be a coach down the line,

he certainly is going to be a coach somewhere. Talking about I'm bringing back a pod question from last week that we didn't get to because I believe it ties into this is who's your favorite up and coming player on this Jets team? Favorite favorite? Well, that's a tough question because you're asked me who's my personal favorite, and I happen to really enjoy talking to Derek Bones Jones. You a good interview with last year when okay, you

said the fellows like him too, you can see that. Yeah, I think that last year when he was drafted, I was told to talk to him and ask him about the Library, which is a popular bar at almost and the Grove, which is a popular tailgating spot before football. I was thinking about Morristown when he said the Library, But that's called the laundry matter, the laundry man. So so I was told to ask him about it, and he said, yeah, it's a good time. You gotta go

down there for an SEC game, all miss. So last year we talk and we just hang out. Now that I'm seeing him before warm in training camp or that he had a very good training camp, I'd say it makes me happy because one, I like him as a guy. I think he's a good dude. So who's my favorite up and calling player? I'd say him as a dude. How about that apples? That's fine, And I still want to go to an SEC game because I've never done that. This is this is a common question asked darn Zingis

are the Jets going to ding? Why is that fan? This guy's a Knicks fan. He's definitely a Jets and a Knicks fan. Because it is a mix of Donald and Porzingis that darn zingis Darren Zingis you gotta give this guy props or a lady from being very innovative and creative. I guess they're playing Darnald and Porzingis together. This is a Jets Knicks fan, I would have to assume. All right, So are the Jets going to look to upgrade the old line or pass rush before the season?

Oh wait, wait, wait, did just to kill two birds with one stone? And he wants to know overall? How does the all line look? So there you go, all right? I think I think the Jets offensive line is okay. Um, what I would say is, when you're missing two starters in a preseason game, I don't know if I'm turning the alarm on just yet. Brian Winners and Calvin Beachum are to your top performers, and those two sacks of uh Sam Donalds against the Washington Redskins occurred against backups.

With that being said, I think there is some depth on the interior. I think any team in the National Football League. When you look at it, most teams aren't equipped to handle multiple injuries up front. You knock on wood, you want your left tackle is going to be protecting your quarterbacks mind side. You want him ready to go for sixteen games. I don't think the Jets are in

a crazy bad position up front. I look at Winners and I think he's gonna be an upgrade of whatever we saw from Winners last year because he had did you know, awful abdomin injury. Then I look at Spencer Long and say he's gonna be an upgrade center position. I think Calvin Beecham's pretty solid at left tackle, and carp is a good left guard, and then Brandon Shell it continues to develop it right tackle. I think that's

starting five is pretty good. I'm not saying this is the top five, top five offensive line in the National Football League, but I think it's it's okay. And then at the outside linebacker position, that the edge position, you're always gonna be looking. Can you find that next grade pass rusher? Can you get somebody he's gonna give you some more juice off the edge? Right now, it's Josh Martin and Jordan Jenkins and then Frankie Louvu and Brandon Copelan.

But getting looks there. But let's see who springs free from the nineties to the fifty three cut down. You're not gonna see a lot of big name, productive pass rushers out there. I don't think he listen, they don't grow on trees. Everybody's looking for him, So I think it could be difficult. Can you acquire a guy by trade? Maybe? I don't know. You've got to find a perfect situation.

Then you talk about compensation things like that. We actually talked to Albert Rear from Monday Morning Quarterback today about that. He said next year's draft class is loaded with edge guys. That's of course he would say that because Ohio State. Yeah, Joey's Joey's little yeah. Yeah, yeah. He could be at the top five, right, it could be number one overall. Matt Miller said that Nick Bosa on this Jets defense would be a nightmare, but he doesn't think the Jets

will be in position to draft him. Come two. Food for thought, all right, So we'll see what happens on the old line and outside linebacker. Someone that didn't play last week, Calvin Beacham. We'll see if he plays Friday night. But before we talk about the third week in the preseason, e A, let's talk to Dan Grozza, a friend of the pot he was on before, he'll be on pretty much throughout the season, and again he's the new pre and post game voice of the Jets on ESPN Radio.

Let's see who Dan Grozza has his eye on for week three of the preseason. All right, Dan, So obviously all eyes gonna be on Sam Donald, Chatty Bridgewater Friday Night, the MetLife Bawl, all that good stuff. But because you're the voice of the Jets pre and post game, we need something a little more than just the quarterbacks. What are you looking out for? Who's the guy or the

guys that you're looking out for Friday night? Not a pressure you put on my plate with that the pre and post game voice, that's a lot great being with you guys. By the way, Um, obviously, as you said, everybody's gonna look to see the quarterbacks, and Todd Bowls alluded to it on Wednesday at practice right when he said the act that this is gonna be the dress rehearsal. Everybody knows the third preseason game. Want to see the ones out there, want to see how they handle adversity.

So I think that that speaks to the group as a whole, right, I mean, not everything is gonna go great, And in a regular season game, when you're playing four quarters, it's not just gonna be smooth sailing for you. You might struggle for two to and a half quarters and then get it going in the fourth to win a game. So that's something to keep our eyes on. UM. As far as positions are concerned, though, look, I know it's

not maybe high on the priority list. I'll start with the kicker position right now, right, I mean, because Kiro Santos was a guy who was signed in the off season, thought he was gonna be the front runner. Well he's not part of the mix anymore. Unfortunately, couldn't shake that groin injury. Taylor Berto Let's done a nice job here. I know that there's still a little bit to be desired in terms of the kickoffs that they want to see maybe get a little bit stronger. So we get

Myers who comes aboard here from Seattle. This is a job that's important. Okay, you know old coach who used to coach for this team once said, no, you never want to take the foot out of football. It's a big part of the game. Asked the charge us from a year ago. You know, what are you quoting ourselves? Think about the Chargers in the month of September last year.

You know, they dropped three games by like a combined seven points or something like that because they had such a disaster at the kicking position, and that ultimately cost them a spot in the playoffs. Right, So, I mean every single game is important. That's why I look to see what we have from these kickers. Great point about the kickers, because special teams coordinator Brand Boyer said this week that, hey, listen, with the new kickoff rules, I

think you're gonna see more explosive returns. So conversely, on the other side of that, you want to have somebody with the stronger leg to prevent that from happening. There's a lot of strategy involved. You see the up in New England. For example, Belichick what he's coached you know, gus Kowski to do here. Since they move the kickoff, kick the ball up high and kind of pinned them down inside the five yard line, allow your returners to get down there as opposed to just putting it through

the end zone giving them the automatic touchback. Let's see if we can pin them back even for or so. I'm sure that that's something that a lot of teams are trying to implement. It makes perfect sense to me as a matter of fact, too, the tight end position. We've talked about it ourselves collectively. That you got all these names right. You have a nice group there, but we haven't really seen them all yet together healthy in a game on the field. And that's what I'm looking

forward to here. You know now, the fact that leg It's here, Herndon's here, Sterling, Walford, all these guys, you know, let's see them get a good amount of playing time with the ones with the two's sprinkle them in and out here in this game on Friday night, and let's see which couple of guys are gonna deserve most of the playing time when we kick it off for real. You mentioned Chris Herndon. He will make his debut Friday night. That's what head coach Todd Bowl said, Dan, thanks for

joining us. I love being with you guys. E A. Now the question goes to you is who do you have your eye on for the third week of the preseason. And you cannot say quarterbacks because everyone and their mothers as their eyes on the quarterbacks. Who are you to say what I can't I can't talk about here on I'm making the rules that I'm making the rules Mayday, Marcus may he hasn't played all preseason. Todd Bowl said,

I want to see New Jack City altogether. The starters are expected to play at least a half, maybe into the third quarter. I think he needs game rops. He's itching to get back out there. Uh, And I think that would be good to see. So from a starting perspective, you go any number of ways. You can look on the offensive side and say Quincy and Noon was close, Terrell Priors close, and maybe those guys see action. But the way Todd talked about it, the way Marcus talked

about it, I think he's gonna make his preseason debut. Okay, I would agree with everything you said, But the guys for me that I want to see are the outside linebackers, Brandon Copeland and Frankie Luton. For this reason, the third week in the preseason is argely regarded as the final dress rehearsal, so last year, Jordan Jenkins and Josh Martin were the two starters predominantly for the Jets on the outside. You know what they have, you know what they can

give you. If Brandon Copeland and Frankie lou will get first team reps in the first half, what can they do against the Giants assuming first team? And what can they do under the lights in the most realistic game like atmosphere that you'll get in the preseason. So I'm very curious to see what those two guys do. And just jumping off the fact that the starters will likely play a half, if not a little bit more, what do you hope to see out of the starting units?

You know, he said it. He said it as much the other day in the news conference. He wants to see guys in situations that are favorable that you've got to play your way through. Rex Ryan used to always talk about it in terms of playing on ice skates and you put guys on ice, it's in the preseason

to see what they can and can't do. Plane getting plays are going to be important for some of these injury guys coming back, but getting involved in game like situations, and to say it's an unfavorable position like a second and twelve and things like that. That's what Todd Bowles talked about today. If not everything is gonna be a first intent, Not everything's gonna be uh set up the way you draw it up, how you're gonna react to some adversity along the way. Um, so you know, you

could look at little things. You could say, listen, if Donald's in there, he starts, you want him to finish with touchdowns in the red zone. I mean defensively, you'd love to say, well, maybe get a takeaway or two. But I still I'm still of the old adage that you're evaluating personnel in the preseason. But this is the last time where you, like you mentioned, the starters are going to get to action. Thousands of questions are out there. Who will stay up up, who will start at quarterback?

How that person play? All your questions will be answered Friday night. You can watch on New York Jets dot com. How about that the MetLife Bowl Jets Giants Jets home game. Again all your questions and then next week E. A and I will break down the roster a little more, look ahead of the fourth preseason game. Again, Questions always welcome, Eric Allen, Ethan Greenberg. You can follow us on Twitter

at the Allen Jets. The Greenberg Jets will be covering the game and can check on Instagram at jet always plugging the Instagram. This guy. Hey listen, that's that's where it's in, bro. And on that note, that's all we have this week. Next week we're breaking down the roster. We're looking ahead to the preseason finale, but for now we're out