By Connor Hughes | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

The Jets put on the pads for the first time Monday, and the defense looked just as good as it has all practice.

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Adam Hunger

Day 3 observations and takeaways

FLORHAM PARK — The Jets actually played football on Monday.

Seriously!

For the first time in training camp, players were in pads and allowed to hit each other. Linebacker Darron Lee called it the "best day of the year." Which was fitting, as the defense put together another dominant outing.

Aside from quarterback Christian Hackenberg, Bryce Petty and Josh McCown struggled mightily in their reps against the defense. Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and others created regular pressure, and the secondary locked down the wideouts.

At this point, it's normal for the defense to be ahead of the offense. So there's no need to worry... yet.

Here's the detailed summary.

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INJURIES

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It looked like just one player sat out practice: Cornerback Jeremy Clark, who's on the physically unable to perform list with a knee injury. Receivers ArDarius Stewart (groin/thumb) and Chad Hansen (knee) practiced fully for the first time.

The Jets did lose two during practice: Receiver Robby Anderson and running back Matt Forte. Coach Todd Bowles said Forte tweaked his hamstring. He didn't know Anderson's injury. Neither appears serious.

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Jets fans have interesting reaction to Jamal Adams quote...

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SPECIAL TEAMS

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The Jets rotate which practice they work on punts and kicks. Yesterday they worked kicks, so Monday it was the punt returners turn. Receivers Frankie Hammond and Lucky Whitehead received the first return reps each drill. Running backs Romar Morris and Marcus Murphy worked in, too.

Chandler Catanzaro and Ross Martin each went a perfect 5-for-5 in the kicking gauntlet.

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THE QUARTERBACKS

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You could make the argument Christian Hackenberg was the best quarterback in the first two camp practices, but that doesn't mean he looked good. He struggled mightily with his read progression and accuracy. Josh McCown and Bryce Petty were just worse.

On Monday, though, Hackenberg actually looked... solid. Not great, but certainly not bad. It was the most promising practice I've seen from the second-year quarterback in his short Jets career.

Hackenberg made several wow throws in the 1-on-1 receiver/defensive back drill, and continued his strong outing in team drills. Seriously. Some of his passes were just marvelous. It was another step forward for the Penn State product. And this was an actual step. Not "baby steps" as we've been talking about.

Want more information on the quarterbacks? Darryl Slater has the complete breakdown.

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Maccagnan not giving up on 2017

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OFFENSIVE IMPRESSIONS

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Bowles said after practice the Jets have "less than a third" of their offense installed. I hope that's the case, because it would explain the boring scheme throughout organized team activities, minicamp, and now three training camp practices.

Thus far, the Jets passing attack is seemingly all underneath and mid-ranged throws. Quarterbacks dink and dunk each play. Rarely, if ever, do they stretch the field. When they do, they're uninspiring streaks or go routes.

I covered the Giants in 2014, which was Ben McAdoo's first year as offensive coordinator. The "percentage installed" was a hot topic all summer. Victor Cruz finally told me, just before the first preseason game, the entire scheme was there. Maybe the Jets have a similar timetable?

It will be interesting to see when (if?) Morton opens this thing up.

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THE STARTERS (so far)

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It's early, and things are likely to change, but here's what I can make of the Jets starting offense and defense.

OFFENSE: Josh McCown (QB), Matt Forte (RB), Anthony Firkser (FB), Quincy Enunwa (WR), Robby Anderson (WR), Jalin Marshall (WR), Austin Seferian-Jenkins (TE), Kelvin Beachum (OL), James Carpenter (OL), Wesley Johnson (OL), Brian Winters (OL), Brandon Shell/Brent Qvale (OL)

DEFENSE: Josh Martin (LB), Demario Davis (LB), Darron Lee (LB), Lorenzo Mauldin (LB), Leonard Williams (DL), Steve McLendon (DL), Muhammad Wilkerson (DL), Morris Claiborne (CB), Buster Skrine (CB), Jamal Adams (S), Marcus Maye (S)

A few sleepers to watch? Rookie outside linebacker Dylan Donahue continues to earn first-team reps in passing situations. Inside linebacker Julian Stanford is having a really nice camp so far, too. Don't be surprised if receiver ArDarius Stewart, who's finally healthy, takes over as the slot wideout.

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Roger Goodell: NFL teams don't 'tank'

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BLOCKING DRILLS

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Bowles got things started pretty early in practice with an intense blocking drill. But the linemen weren't involved. Instead, running backs and tight ends worked on blocking safeties and linebackers. With this the first time in pads, and this the first drill to feature hitting, it was fun to watch.

Julian Stanford looked particularly good here. He has a nice combination of size and speed for an inside linebacker. He made child's play of rookie fullback Anthony Firkser with a beautiful spin move.

Safety Shamarko Thomas had a nice showing, too. He beat tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. Thomas bent just outside, which got Seferian-Jenkins off balance. Once ASJ opened up, Thomas darted inside for a would-be sack.

Chris Gragg, whom the Jets claimed this week, stood out a lot here. He seems to be a tremendous blocker. He stifled quite a few attempts from various safeties and linebackers.

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1-on-1: RECEIVERS vs. DEFENSIVE BACKS

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This is, in my opinion, the most entertaining drill of practice. Anytime receivers and defensive backs go against each other, mano-e-mano, it's a spirited competition.

Here are some of the highlights:

On the first play, quarterback Christian Hackenberg threw a beautiful ball deep down the field to receiver Myles White, who beat cornerback Buster Skrine with a double move.

Off day for wideout Quincy Enunwa. He didn't create much separation, and dropped two open passes. He looked better in team drills later on.

Receiver Chris Harper continues to impress. He beat cornerback Marcus Williams on a quick out, then made a beautiful catch on a 15/20-yard back-shoulder pass from Hackenberg.

Rookie cornerback Derrick Jones is starting to make his presence felt. He broke up two passes in this drills, including one he ripped out of the hands of receiver Jalin Marshall.

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Jets impressed with Hackenberg

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Muhammad Wilkerson back to form?

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Few players endured a more difficult 2016 than Muhammad Wilkerson. Awarded an $86 million contract extension that July, he had just 4.5 sacks in 15 games, and had more off-field drama than on-field success.

Wilkerson seems determined to return to form this year, and is starting to shine in training camp. Finally allowed contact with the offensive line, Wilkerson ran over guard James Carpenter — arguably the Jets' best lineman — on his way to a would-be sack of Christian Hackenberg.

If Wilkerson is back, the Jets will have quite the defensive from with him, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams.

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Morris Claiborne looks like the real deal

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Claiborne met the media for the first time Monday. He told an interesting story about how he ended up No. 21. Apparently, when he signed with the Jets, he requested No. 24 (Darrelle Revis). The training staff wouldn't give it to him, for reasonable reasons. Whenever Revis retires, that number will likely be retired with him.

With that said, on the practice field, Claiborne has shown signs of similar lock-down ability.

His press technique is truly incredible. On the opening day of camp, he twice prevented wideouts (Robby Anderson, Charone Peake) from even getting off the line, and came away with two interceptions. Monday, it was more of the same. The guy's flying around the ball, and playing with a ton of confidence.

If he can stay healthy, the Jets may have quite the player.

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There's a new Sheldon Richardson in town

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HIGHLIGHTS

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Here are some of the highlights from the team (11-on-11) portion of practice:

Sheldon Richardson sighting: On the second play of team drills, he burst around the left side of the offensive line for a would-be sack. I don't think anyone missed Richardson. He just timed the play perfectly and got in the backfield before Josh McCown could hand off the ball. Richardson is sighting: On the second play of team drills, he burst around the left side of the offensive line for a would-be sack. I don't think anyone missed Richardson. He just timed the play perfectly and got in the backfield beforecould hand off the ball. Richardson is in tremendous shape , and looks primed for a bounce-back year.

Cornerback Juston Burris had a tremendous pass breakup on a long pass from Christian Hackenberg to Lucky Whitehead. Burris stuck with Whitehead down the field — no easy task — and timed his jump perfectly to swat it away.

Linebacker Julian Stanford had a solid day. He intercepted a pass in 1-on-1 drills, and had two would-be sacks in team work.

Second-year tight end Jason Vander Laan continues to impress. He's catching everything thrown his way, and made two nice grabs deep down the seam. He's an interesting player to watch develop. The Jets seem high on him.

An offensive line highlight! Center Wesley Johnson pancaked nose tackle Steve McLendon on a Bilal Powell run inside. Johnson got perfect body placement, then threw McLendon to the ground. Powell ran right off Johnson's butt for a long gain.

Defensive end Leonard Williams looks to have picked up right where he left off last year. On a third-and-four, the Jets tried to run a screen to running back Jordan Todman . Williams read it perfectly, split two pulling linemen, and wrapped up Todman three yards short of the first down. Safety Jamal Adams lost his mind after the play, and nearly tackled Williams to the ground in excitement.

Safety Doug Middleton was a nice story in camp last year. He's currently working with the second team, and is starting to make plays. He had the hit of practice when he came in on a safety blitz, and leveled running back Romar Morris. As in an actual tackle to the ground. The defense, understandably, went crazy after the play.

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