JETS TAKEOFF WITH ZACH WILSON

                                JETS TAKEOFF WITH ZACH WILSON

                     Sources extrapolated from: heavy.com, nypost.com,

           The New York Jets wasted no time when they were hunting for a quarterback. Zach Wilson was in their crosshairs. With Wilson being a first-round draft pick, while in the middle of Trevor Lawrence of Jacksonville Jaguars, while Trey Lance was absorbed by the San Francisco 49ers. Justin Field of Ohio State and eventually ended up being on the Chicago Bears lineup. The New England Patriots drafted Mac Jones of Alabama.

           With weeks before the season opener against the Carolina Panthers, the Jets were mulling over who would fill the position of Quarterback. Wilson was the new kid in town, and they didn’t look twice in his direction. They drafted him as No.2 overall. He didn’t have to worry about competing with the veteran in the same position as he. It gave Wilson every chance since he reported to training camp. Not bad, for a 22-year-old on his first professional team.

           Meanwhile, other teams like The Patriots, the Bears, and the 49ers, are contemplating who will be firing the football downfield. Ideas such as this are easily overlooked. Thoughts like these spill over into the locker rooms, personnel meetings, and staff discussions. The Jets head coach Robert Saleh was trying to say, so far, so good, and that there haven’t been any conflicts yet.

           In the recent past, 2018, Sam Darnold was drafted. He had to earn the job by creating a competition between him and Josh McCown at training camp, along with Teddy Bridgewater. Darnold was the favorite. It didn’t go over well with the already veterans on the team. The odds were in his favor. Bridgewater was overlooked, and instead, they chose Darnold. The locker room was split as the opinions were diverse. Many players questioned the organizations' motives. The choice was to develop Darnold’s skills, or win games?

           This year Saleh hasn’t had those kinds of issues to deal with. Wilson hasn’t let them down. He is on the starting offense and is thriving. With each game, he seems to be more at ease demonstrated in his first two preseason games. Zach has attacked the game with zeal! A veteran won’t offer their assistance into the life of hard knocks. He is steadfast with his preparation on Monday through game day.

           One wonders if the Jets were hasty by not having a veteran backup in case Wilson gets injured. But it was clear that they made the right call in not having Wilson compete in training camp for his position. Adding a veteran quarterback to the roster had been discussed, but they aren’t crazy about the available options. Other available were opting to vie for the position, but the Jets weren’t having it. The seasoned players that were available were unlikely to win games. The last thing is that you want to harvest before its time.

           It’s in Green Bay, Wisconsin that Zach Wilson demonstrates his prowess. In his second pre-season game he completed nine passes out of 11. His stats included two touchdown passes and threw 128 yards. It was his first encounter with Aaron Rogers and the Packers at Lambeau Field. Wilson appears to be unflappable, as he made an off-balance throw similar to Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs throwing ability. Was it poor judgment by the Packers resting all of their starters? Yes, as The Jets trounced the Packers 23 to 14. Jets fans look forward to Wilson’s next game. His technique is very advanced for someone of his age. He is a quarter that thinks and reacts under pressure, by passing to Tyler Kroft's tight end and Corey Davis, top receiver.

           Though he has good days and bad days like everybody else you can rely on him. Even Aaron Rogers spoke highly of him after the game. He commented on how skilled he is already at throwing the ball. Wilson’s defining moment was when he threw his second pass of the game. Davis ran 24 yards to convert a third- and -8. This put to at 54 -yard field goal, by Matt Ammendola giving them a 3-0 lead. Although their second drive the Jets didn’t do much. Again, he found Davis to gain 14 yards. Which was then followed by his best throw of the day. He admitted that it was a bad idea to fake the running back. But he didn’t let that get the best of him. He surveyed the field and saw Davis being wide open along the right sideline. Without hesitation, he threw a 27-yard pass to reach the Packer's 16-yard line.

           Wilson is still dealing with when to leave the pocket and find the open man. He’s trying to find his balance. But he says, the more games that he’ll play, the better that he will become. It was three plays later that he found Kroft mid-field leading to an 18-yard touchdown. Earning him his first scoring pass.

           Wilson’s fourth drive was initiated with a 73-yard return kickoff return to Green Bay. Ty Johnson ran for two 6 yarders. Kroft was the target for Wilson this time for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The score was now 17 to 14, Jets favor, with only 1 minute, 53 seconds left in the first half. There was hostility between the Jets defense and the Packers veterans. Third-string Packers quarterback, Kurt Benkert handled the Jets starting defense with ease.

           He had two touchdown drives during the first half, whereas the Jets first starters stood on the field. Awaiting their next possession of the ball. Who knows? He might be the next Nameth!