It’s well documented that new Jets QB Justin Fields is a gifted runner.
And the Jets will certainly look to take advantage of his legs in their offensive play-calling this season.
But the focus right now is on his work in the pocket. The running opportunities should be there in the fall, but with no tackling this time of year, this isn’t the time of year for running. It’s a waste of reps.
There is a reason the NFL teams used to call the spring camps – “Passing Camps.”
This is the time of year to focus mainly on the passing game, and that is what the Jets are doing with Fields.
“This is the basic installation,” said Jets offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. “Get [Fields] to understand the concepts, get him to understand the progressions, get him to play fast, get him to play on time and in rhythm.”
The main focus now is to get Fields up to speed on the playbook, his third different system in three years.
This isn’t the time of year to be running a ton of QB scrambles, but more so to get the timing down in the passing game.
Engstrand knows that once the real games start, Fields’ elite running skills will always be in the Jets’ back pocket.
“When things break down, he’s got those [running skills], you know, that he can rely on when things aren’t exactly the way we want it to be,” Engstrand said.
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