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Scrambling in camp . . .
I asked an Atlanta reporter how quarterbacks Marcus Mariota and Desmond Ridder are doing in Falcons camp, and one thing he mentioned that they scramble too much.
That isn’t good in training camp, because it’s wasted reps for the offense and defense, for the receivers who don’t get reps in the passing game, and for the defenders, like cornerbacks and linebackers, who don’t get pass defense reps.
The reporter said when he asked the Falcons about all the scrambling, they said it’s good work for the defense because they play a lot of scrambling.
That is spin.
You can’t tackle or touch the QB in practice, so who is benefitting?
And that takes us to the Jets.
This week of practice was very productive for the Jets’ passing game and pass defense, because the Jets quarterbacks were staying the pocket and letting in rip—almost no scrambling . . .
Joe Flacco did a lot of good things in the Jets practice today against Atlanta.
He does a nice job of throwing with anticipation, and letting it rip when the receiver makes his cut.
Throwing with anticipation is essential at the QB position in the NFL if you want to be successful . . .
Tight end Tyler Conklin continues to make a lot of plays.
Aside from his talent, another reason he’s been so successful this summer is with Elijah Moore, Garrett Wilson and Corey Davis on the field, they are getting so much attention from the defense, whether it’s the Jets defense in a regular practice, or today against Atlanta, that it’s creating favorable one-on-one matchups for Conklin and he’s taking advantage of it . . .
There was a near skirmish in a special team’s drills, when Jets cornerback Rachad Wildgoose decked Falcons receiver Stanley Berryhill, who got up limping.
The hit was unnecessary on a punt coverage drill, and after the play, Wildgoose got an earful from Jets assistant special team coach Michael Ghobrial . . .
George Fant was called for a false start.
When you think about it, Fant has not played a lot with Joe Flacco, and perhaps there was a misunderstanding.
Later on, Flacco went over to Fant, and took the blame, for the tackle’s false start.
This is what camp is for. Not stats, but guys getting out the same page and getting out the kinks to get ready for the regular season . . .
Jets guard Alijah Vera-Tucker had a pancake block on one of the Falcons’ better defensive linemen, Grady Jarrett, and the veteran wasn’t thrilled with it.
There was no fight after the play, but Jarrett made it clear he wasn’t thrilled with what happen . . .
Chris Streveler telegraphed a pass over the middle to Denzel Mims, and it was nearly picked safety Teez Tabor, who did pushups after the drop. That is what defensive backs on some teams do after dropped picks in practice . . .
Watching Atlanta today, you get the sense they aren’t going to be very good this season.
Aside from the question mark at QB, the roster just isn’t very talented.
After practicing against the Jets today and tomorrow and then playing a game against them on Monday, don’t be shocked if a couple of Jets who are waived end up on Atlanta . . .
It’s going to be interesting to see what the Jets do on game day with Michael Clemons. He’s going to be a backup end, but watching him today, and other practices, he really isn’t a kick and punt cover guy – he doesn’t break down well enough in the open field. That isn’t his game.
With the roster gymnastics teams go through regarding who to make active on game day, how do you have a backup DE active every week, if he can’t play on special teams?
Don’t get me wrong, he will likely be active a lot, but there are some games, it might be tough, based on special teams needs . . .
August 19, 2022
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