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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:
1a. No days off: The team’s mantra, courtesy of coach Robert Saleh, is “all gas, no brake.” For Mekhi Becton, it’s “all gas, no break.”
The 6-foot-7 right tackle, whose fluctuating weight was the storyline of the post-draft offseason, showed up to training camp in much better shape than minicamp and has participated in virtually every team rep with the starting offense. There were a couple of wobbly moments on an oppressively hot day in the first week, but Becton powered through the first eight practices.
For a man with his size (about 370 pounds) and history, that’s no small accomplishment. Teammates have said he appears more determined than ever, with Becton himself saying his goal is to make skeptics “eat their words.” There’s a lot of football to be played, but this is an early win for the Jets.
“I just appreciate the fact that he is absolutely grinding through, making it uncomfortable for himself,” Saleh said. “He’s getting better every day. He’s getting more confident every day. [I’m] really pleased with the direction he’s going in.”
Finishing is important. The 2020 first-round pick has started 14 of a possible 33 games, unable to complete six of them because of various injuries. When he’s on the field, he has the ability to move people in the running game. The key is keeping him healthy and in shape, because the Jets are riding with him after passing up the top tackles in the draft.
Becton is learning a new position and a new scheme, one designed for smaller linemen because of the premium on movement skills, but the Jets don’t seem worried about him playing the right side in a zone-blocking system. But realistically, you have to expect some growing pains.
“He is special,” Saleh said. “Really, the only thing that could ever stand in the way of Mekhi is Mekhi.”
1b. Help on the way? The Jets hosted free agent tackle Duane Brown Saturday night at the Green & White scrimmage at MetLife…
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Source : espn
