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Atlanta – Checking in from Atlanta.
The second guess of the night – Why was starting inside linebacker Avery Williamson playing late in the second quarter with the backup defense. He ended up hurting his knee . . .
Luke Falk is clearly ahead of Davis for the #3 QB job, which could end up being a practice squad spot. After Bronson Kaufusi caused a fumble the Jets recovered deep in Atlanta, Falk completed a two passes to Deontay Burnett, the second one for a touchdown.
Falk has better pocket presence and sees the field better than Webb . . .
After Avery Williamson got hurt, James Burgess played a ton and played well, including a pick six late. He had great coverage on RB Quadre Ollison far down the right sideline. Dan Quinn challenged it for pass interference, and the officials said it wasn’t pass interference. Very impressive coverage by the ILB.
Burgess might be a little better in coverage than Williamson, who struggled in coverage tonight before getting hurt.
Burgess is an underrated player who has a very good chance of making the team. Gregg Williams loves him from their time together in Cleveland . . .
Kyle Phillips beat a tackle for a strip sack late in the game to help the Jets ice the win.
I have to admit, he’s way better than I thought he was.
I thought he was just a camp body because he was kind of a tweener in the 3-4 defense – not big enough for the interior, and not quick enough for the edge. But with the Jets playing a ton of 4-3 defense, he fits much better and is doing a great job as a 4-3 end . . .
Sam Darnold had a terrific opening series, and the two series that followed were nondescript. But this first series showed what a good play-caller Adam Gase is. Whether it’s the preseason or the regular season, the really good player-callers (along with a good QB) march their teams down the field with a well-called drive with the opponent not knowing what to expect.
The Jets marched right down the field – Darnold and Gase both did a heck of a job. That is what the good QB and offensive play-callers often do . . .
6-7 Bronson Kaufusi had a couple of batted down passes. Expect a lot of that from him this year. Not only is he really tall, but he has really good timing . . .
Cornerback Arthur Maulet, who has been getting some starting reps with Trumaine Johnson and Kyron Brown out with hamstring injuries, looked like he was seriously injured on a collision late in the first half.
He tried to get up, but then stumbled to the ground.
I saw him at his locker after the game, and he seemed fine. And Adam Gase also said he was fine . . .
Saw something kind of sad in the tunnel after the game. Two young boys with Chandler Cantanzaro Jets jerseys. I’m assuming these were family members. Catanzaro is from Greenville, SC, so members of the family probably planned this preseason trip a while ago. Cantanzaro retired last weekend.
August 15, 2019
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