Joe Caporoso with a Turn On The Jets 12 pack of thoughts on the New York Jets preseason game against the New Orleans Saints…

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Great red zone work from Darnold to Montgomery for the TD #Jets pic.twitter.com/y8S7sYunE9 — Joe Caporoso (@JCaporoso) August 25, 2019

This wasn’t Sam Darnold’s best outing of the preseason but considering the makeshift offensive line in front of him, he put together a solid game. On the preseason, he wrapped up 17/25, 211 yards (68%, 8.4 YPA) with 2 touchdowns and 0 turnovers. Out of those stats, Darnold had at least three dropped passes from his receivers although he did also have one dropped interception against the Giants. The most impressive traits displayed were his improved accuracy and arm strength while being able to run an uptempo offense .

2 – For Robby Anderson on the preseason, 5 targets for 5 catches for 92 yards. I don’t think there is any doubt on him being the safest bet to lead the Jets in receiving yards the season. It will be disappointing if he can’t crack the 1,000 yard mark in this offense.

3 – Always good to see Marcus Maye out there with Jamal Adams, although he appeared to be a step slow over the top on Michael Thomas touchdown against Tevaughn Campbell (?!?). Maye playing 30 yards off the line of scrimmage in Gregg Williams defense is going to be an irritating thing but he is the best traditional free safety on the roster to put alongside Adams by a substantial amount, as Rontez Miles and Derrick Kindred are closer to linebackers. As for Adams, I don’t think there is any doubt he is ready for the regular season.

4 – Greg Dortch needs to be both the punt returner and the kick returner. I don’t understand the fascination with Trenton Cannon on special teams (although he had a nice night on offense, finally). It does seem the Jets will keep him at least as a gunner but that doesn’t mean he is a better fit deep on kicks than Dortch who has earned a roster spot.

Alex Brown looked like the best of the backup, random corner bunch last night. You’d feel good about him being your 4th or 5th corner, potentially…not starting, which unless Trumaine Johnson gets healthy would be the case right now. The Jets are unquestionably going to add multiple veterans at corner through the waiver wire period, if not make a trade. The depth is abhorrent right now.

6 – Fumble aside, it was a nice preseason for Ty Montgomery who didn’t just cement himself as Le’Veon Bell’s primary backup but somebody who will regularly be integrated into the offense when Bell is out there. Montgomery seems like a player who should be good for 7-10 touches per game…maybe a bit more early in the season.

7 – The Jets starting offensive line didn’t receive any reps together this preseason. On paper, it is a league average unit but there is going to be rough patches early in the year as they figure out their chemistry. Expect the Jets to keep Darnold playing uptempo, moving the pocket and utilizing quick releases to help protect him.

8 – My hope is by next preseason we are never seeing Sam Darnold in the second quarter of any preseason game.

9 – Random Preseason Winners: Anthony Wint, Alex Brown, Frankie Luvu, Bronson Kaufusi, Foley Fatukasi

10 – Random Preseason Losers: Elijah McGuire, Nathan Shepherd, Tim White, Eric Tomlinson, Davis Webb

11 – Quinnen Williams has been particularly active the past two games and looks like he will be an immediate impact player in both the pass and run game. Outside of him, the rest of the 2019 Jets draft class has been disappointing this preseason. Jachai Polite will make the roster but is going to be inactive to start the season and looked lost all summer. Blake Cashman looks behind Neville Hewitt and Anthony Wint on the depth chart at inside linebacker and has been outplayed by James Burgess. Trevon Wesco isn’t pushing Ryan Griffin in any way for playing time at tight end. Blessaun Austin is going to red shirt this season. Chuma Edoga has been uneven and is likely to be the top backup at tackle.

12 – Updated 53 man prediction (with the qualifier that the Jets are absolutely going to turn over 5-8 spots on the waiver wire)

QB: Sam Darnold, Trevor Siemian

Sam Darnold, Trevor Siemian RB: Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell, Trenton Cannon

Le’Veon Bell, Ty Montgomery, Bilal Powell, Trenton Cannon TE: Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco, Daniel Brown

Ryan Griffin, Trevon Wesco, Daniel Brown WR: Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Quincy Enunwa, Josh Bellamy, Greg Dortch, TBD Veteran

Robby Anderson, Jamison Crowder, Quincy Enunwa, Josh Bellamy, Greg Dortch, OL: Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell, Brian Winters, Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Kalil, Jonotthan Harrison, Tom Compton, Chuma Edoga, Alex Lewis

Kelvin Beachum, Brandon Shell, Brian Winters, Kelechi Osemele, Ryan Kalil, Jonotthan Harrison, Tom Compton, Chuma Edoga, Alex Lewis DL: Steve McLendon, Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson, Foley Fatukasi, Bronson Kaufusi

Steve McLendon, Leonard Williams, Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson, Foley Fatukasi, Bronson Kaufusi ILB: CJ Mosley, Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman, Anthony Wint, Albert McClellan

CJ Mosley, Neville Hewitt, Blake Cashman, Anthony Wint, Albert McClellan Edge: Jordan Jenkins, Frankie Luvu, Jachai Polite, Tarell Basham, Harvey Langai

Jordan Jenkins, Frankie Luvu, Jachai Polite, Tarell Basham, Harvey Langai CB: Trumaine Johnson, Daryl Roberts, Brian Poole, Alex Brown, TBD Veteran, TBD Veteran

Trumaine Johnson, Daryl Roberts, Brian Poole, Alex Brown, S: Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Rontez Miles, Derrick Kindred

Jamal Adams, Marcus Maye, Rontez Miles, Derrick Kindred ST: Thomas Hennessy, Lachlan Edwards, Taylor Bertolet

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