New York Jets: 3 Observations from Preseason Week 2 vs. Falcons
The New York Jets moved to 1-1 in the preseason with a 22-10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday. Here are three observations from that contest.
The New York Jets defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 22-10 Thursday in their second preseason game of the 2019 exhibition season. The victory moves Adam Gase’s team to 1-1 on the preseason as they’ve shown some positive things.
With Le’Veon Bell sitting out, we still saw plenty of good, bad and ultimately disappointing from the Jets on Thursday night. But after a couple of days, it’s time to make a little sense of them.
Here are three major observations from that contest:
1. A tough blow
Inside linebacker Avery Williamson, the team’s defensive signal-caller, was lost for the season with a torn ACL. This is a terrible blow for Gang Green. The Kentucky product paced the Jets in tackles (120) last year while adding three sacks, two forced fumbles and six passes defensed.
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The fifth-year pro never should have been on the gridiron in the second quarter with 10 reserves. I realize that players can get hurt anytime but starters need to play just one series per preseason affair. This one is on head coach Adam Gase — bad job by him.
Williamson started all 16 games in 2018, missing a scant five defensive snaps. Neville Hewitt and Anthony Witt are next up but Williamson will be sorely missed.
2. Sam looks ready
Second-year franchise signal-caller Sam Darnold looked sharp and appears ready for the 2019 campaign. The USC product connected on five of seven passes for 46 yards and looked poised in the pocket.
Darnold did not toss any touchdown passes but he authored an early scoring drive (a one-yard touchdown run by Ty Montgomery) and completed a pair of intermediate throws in very tight windows, something he did only four times all of last year.
As Darnold goes, so go the green and white and, although he is still just 22 years old, he just has that aura of being the franchise quarterback this beleaguered franchise has been praying for since the days of Broadway Joe Namath.
3. My kingdom for a kicker
Can’t anyone make an extra point around here? The Jets are really going to miss Pro Bowler Jason Myers this season, aren’t they? Yikes. Taylor Bertolet is the newest kicker wannabe and, while he did boot a 49-yard field goal he still missed two of three PAT opportunities.
It’s just preseason but this has to stop. General manager Joe Douglas will be scanning the waiver wire to see what other kickers might be available. Look for more tryout sessions.
Next. 2020 NFL Draft: Dolphins get an edge in preseason mock draft. dark
Myers spoiled Jets fans last year — he richly deserved his Pro Bowl accolade — and now Gang Green is just hoping that either Bertolet or someone not on the team yet can be half as impressive as Myers was in 2018. Stay tuned on this one.