Jets training camp has begun. Their quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick is signed. Defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson is signed.
The Jets’ sole focus now is to prepare for the competitive season that now confronts them: Getting the team into better shape; getting them fit, used to pads, drills; and getting vets and new players comfortable and acclimated to the Jets’ system.
Head Coach Todd Bowles, known for his defensive expertise during his playing days and as a coach, has already zeroed in on some defensive concerns.
“Communication is always a big thing we try to improve on every year,” he said. “Guys getting to know each other. We could do better in combination coverages. We need to get better in blitzing as far as understanding what we are trying to do.”
The Jets bring seven new draft picks into camp. Their first-round pick, at number 20, is Darron Lee, a 6-foot-1, 232-pound offensive linebacker from Ohio State University. He’s not the tallest OL, but he’s fast. At the combine, he completed the 40 in 4.47 seconds.
Assessing his first rounder’s pro camp debut, Bowles noted, “He’s fast. Everybody knows that, so as he learns the system, and gets more comfortable, you look for him to make more progress.” Those areas of focus would be, “run, pass, technique, fundamentals, playbook.”
“You’ve got the whole gamut,” said Bowles. “He has to focus on all of his areas. You just don’t play linebacker, and play in this league with one area to focus on.”
On the other side of the ball, Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis practiced this week for the first time since wrist surgery in March. He had a limited number of plays, but it was his first semblance of football activity since January.
“It was good to see him running around out there,” remarked Bowles. “He competed a little bit, and he did some things. We’re working him in slow … We just want to get his feet wet, and get him used to moving around out there again. As the days go by, we’ll inch him back, little by little.”
