Training Camp Experience

Hopping off the shuttle bus, we followed the long line of Jets faithful into the training facility. Immediately through the gate, we entered JetFest — the open area for fans to wander around with experiences for everyone. 

There were combine-like stations for fans to test their athletic abilities, including running a 40-yard dash, measuring a vertical jump, and showing off passing accuracy. My agent has advised me not to comment on the rumors circulating camp that I had the best individual performance of the day at these stations.

A line for autographs filled the courtyard. Jets legend Marty Lyons was in attendance on Tuesday. Lyons was one of the big four in the “New York Sack Exchange” during the 1980s. Fans, young and old, waited for a signature from the all-time defensive lineman up until the start of practice. 

At the end of the lot was the Jets store — a tent showcasing the jerseys the team will be repping throughout the year. It was open before, during, and after practice for fans to stock up on gear for the upcoming season. This was also the perfect place for me to buy Christmas gifts for my friends up in Buffalo. 

Leaving the courtyard, we followed a long path circling the team’s three training fields. We settled down on the nearby grandstands, which gave a great view of the fields as well as the main facility building. It was time to watch some football.

Jets Training Camp Standouts

While everyone was cheering and shouting at the starters, I was locked in on the players who are not guaranteed to be there next week. In just a few days, most of the backups on the bubble will hang their jerseys up and continue searching for a new squad. But the few that rise to the top during Jets training camp and make the team are a different breed. 

Donovan Edwards – RB

The undrafted free agent out of Michigan had himself an impressive day at camp. With Breece Hall and Braelon Allen getting reps earlier in practice, Edwards had a majority of the touches in the second half. 

During drills against the starting defense, he was primarily utilized as a checkdown back. However, in his rushing attacks, Edwards showed elite speed and extreme control in his change of direction through the gaps. He finished the day with one rushing TD in 11-on-11 drills and one receiving TD in red zone drills. 

This version of Edwards is different from what fans saw during his time in college with the Wolverines.

Michigan played around with a two-man rushing scheme, using both Edwards and Blake Corum over the years. Corum was the primary back with his lightning speed, while Edwards was the power back used on third and short. It was good to see that Edwards has still kept that power-back element of his game, but he is much faster than before.

With Isiah Davis currently sidelined and Breece Hall looking less aggressive in the backfield, Edwards making the cut and being used as a second-down back in ground-and-pound scenarios isn’t out of the question. 

Arian Smith – WR

The star of the show at practice was the former Georgia WR. Smith was a spectacle to watch during every rep he took, whether that was in solo or team drills. It’s easy to see why HC Aaron Glenn took a chance on him — his speed was electrifying. Fans were audibly reacting to how quick he was during ball drills. “Holy sh*t, he’s fast!”, the man next to me blurted out.

Smith had drop issues in college, which is why he fell to the fourth round, but he had no problems catching the ball in camp this day. Smith hauled in almost every pass thrown his way, and the one that he did fail to bring in was on a poorly thrown pass to his back shoulder. Everything else about his game looked elite.

During team drills, Smith was unstoppable. He burnt almost every DB in 1-on-1s and caught what would’ve been a 50+ yard TD on a go route. 

Another concern that coaches had with Smith was the lack of variety in his route tree. When he was a Bulldog, Smith was primarily sent on go routes down the sideline to the endzone, which worked out for him because he could simply outrun any defender. Teams were worried that his limited playstyle wouldn’t translate to the NFL.

But during 11-on-11 drills, Smith was used for deep shots down the field and also in short pass plays. His ability to run a slant or curl was underrated; his quick movements created space between him and the defense in small spaces. He ended practice with two receiving TDs.

Smith is making a legitimate case to be a starter alongside Garrett Wilson this year. With the season inching closer, and given the lack of depth in the receiving room, Smith’s dream very well may become reality.

Andrew Beck – FB

Very few NFL teams have a fullback. The Jets are not one of those teams. Darren Mougey’s first acquisition as GM was picking up Green Bay Packers FB Andrew Beck, who is an absolute unit. 

Beck played college ball with the Texas Longhorns as a tight end. He was a contact-heavy receiver with good hands. The Denver Broncos drafted him in 2019 and used him as a TE for four years. In 2023, Beck was traded to the Houston Texans. With TE Dalton Schultz coming off a solid season as a starter, the team decided it would be better to transition Beck to fullback. He finished the season there but was shipped to Green Bay in 2024. Now with the Jets, Beck is back to prove his worth. 

Beck’s effectiveness in both the rushing and passing game was stunning. Typically lined up behind the quarterback, he would roll out to the flat and be used as a checkdown receiver. Occasionally, OC Tanner Engstrand would call for Beck to run a wheel route down the sidelines, where he made two impressive shoestring grabs for big gains. His previous experience as a tight end clearly helped him.

Beck also dominated at the line of scrimmage. He was an angry runner, searching for contact and lowering his shoulder on linebackers to gain extra yardage. He was not laterally quick, but for a fullback, he was exceptional. On multiple occasions, he got the fans riled up with his aggressive playstyle. With the neck roll and his heavy running, he reminded me a lot of Mike Alstott.

With no competition at the position, it seems likely that Beck will make the team come Aug. 26. It will be exciting to see how Aaron Glenn utilizes Beck in play calling this year. Having a designated fullback in today’s league is a great call; it seems to be a lost art in the sport. I predict that he will have a big impact on the run game this season, whether it be as a blocker or as a runner. 

Quan’tez Stiggers – DB

The CFL star is coming off an underwhelming rookie season with New York. Stiggers didn’t see much action, but when he did, he was not much of a factor. Now, with a lack of depth at the CB positio n, it is likely that he will need to step up at some point.

Throughout practice, Stiggers showed how much he had improved. Last year, he was weak in 1-on-1 assignments and gave up short, easy gains. Over the course of this day, Stiggers was a lockdown defender. His biggest play was a PBU on Wilson. QB Justin Fields sent Wilson down the sideline, who made an acrobatic play over Stiggers, but before Wilson came down with possession, Stiggers punched the ball out in a bang-bang play. 

He was also quite effective in run defense. Stiggers had multiple stops on RBs Braelon Allen and Donovan Edwards throughout team drills. He was quick to his spots and strong enough to make tackles in traffic , which is not an easy task with those two carrying the rock. 

With Azareye’h Thomas sidelined right now and Brandon Stephens as CB2, it is fair to predict that Stiggers will get significantly more playing time than he did last year. He could be the guy to line up next to Pro Bowler Sauce Gardner. 

Quentin Skinner – WR

Skinner is another undrafted free agent on the practice squad this summer. The former Kansas star is one of a handful of players looking to fill the holes at WR and make the 53-man roster. 

Throughout practice, Skinner made people watch him. From running through solo drills efficiently, with only one dropped pass, to torching DBs in the 1-on-1s, Skinner put on a show. He was quick off the line and laterally fast, with sharp cuts throughout his routes. H e was elusive after the catch, leaving defenders grabbing air.

Skinner’s highlight of the day was a 40+ yard TD thrown on the run by UDFA QB Brady Cook during the two-minute drill. Cook rolled out to his left as the pocket collapsed and made an off-balance, back-legged throw to Skinner down the sideline. 

Although he dropped a pass in solo drills, Skinner’s hands have repeatedly been praised by coaches throughout camp. During the second preseason game against the Giants, Skinner made a one-handed diving catch for a TD in the red zone. Most 50/50 balls thrown his way end up more like 80/20s. 

While Skinner is in the running, at the end of the day, cuts need to be made. The front office has already made it clear that they are in the market to trade for another WR. With Terry McLaurin and Romeo Doubs as available options, New York might make a move for veteran talent instead of rolling the dice with a cheap risk like Skinner.

If the Jets do not snag one of these players within the next few days, I predict Skinner will make the squad and get minutes. He has the talent and skill to be a factor on a team. He reminds me of another UDFA who made an impact in his rookie year, Xavier Gipson.

Expectations

HC Aaron Glenn and GM Darren Mougey are both in their first years in their positions. They are unproven and have a lot to learn. However, Glenn was drafted by the Jets, and Mougey worked with the Broncos for the better part of a decade. They are no strangers to New York’s situation.

For what it’s worth, in the short time since Glenn took over, there has been a massive culture change in the Meadowlands. He has held the team accountable with no exceptions. The players are buying into what he is preaching, and it is starting to have an effect, which will pay off in the long run. This same thing happened in Detroit under Dan Campbell.

There are still many question marks lingering in the air, however. Will Justin Fields finally find his footing on an NFL team? Can Breece Hall have a comeback year? Will the defense continue to hold up? Who will step up to help Garrett Wilson? All of these will be answered as the season progresses.

The most realistic good outcome this season is, in a sense, just a step in the right direction. The only thing the Jets do not want to do is be on par with or worse than last year. The NFL season is a long one; there are ups and there are downs. It may be jagged around the edg es, but they have the time to clean up their mistakes and grow. 

I think the Jets are right around the corner from success — it’s just going to take some time. It might not be this season, it might not be next season, but four to five years down the line, I think this will be a completely different team. All of the pieces are there — new coach, new front office, key players locked in under contract, young talent, etc. They just need time to clean up the mess.

Chasing Dreams

After years and years of being disappointed, being patient might not be the solution Jets fans want.

The younger version of myself, the die-hard Jets fan who sported a Brett Favre jersey around the house, would tell me to have faith and that this year, like all years, is our year. He’d remind me that I just got to watch the Jets’ stars of today and tomorrow at practice, something that would have blown his mind as a kid. He’d tell me to sit back and enjoy the ride — and I like where his head is at.

So, as Gang Green gears up for another season filled with hope and dreams, after watching Jets training camp this week, I can confidently say that this year, we’re going to the Super Bowl.