The 55th preseason meeting between the Jets and the Giants, on Saturday night at MetLife Stadium, won by the Green & White, 10-6, was the final opportunity for HC Robert Saleh to assess the players who will fill out the 53-man roster. For the third game, Saleh gave his front-line players the night off. They watched from the sideline as the team's potential reserves helped the Jets to an undefeated preseason.
Tight end Tyler Conklin, who last season tied a career high with 61 pass receptions for a career-best 621 yards (10.2 a catch), was among the players who sat out the preseason finale. He said he's looking forward to a banner year with Aaron Rodgers back under center.
"There's nothing like having Aaron Rodgers back there," Conklin told CBS-TV, Channel 2 sideline reporter Otis Livingston during a break early in the second quarter. "It's a terrible thing that happened last year [Rodgers' season-ending Achilles tendon tear in Week 1], but the silver lining is that we had last season, OTAs and camp and we were able to learn the system and learn from him [Rodgers] and really dive in and understand how he does things -- all the unique things he does. We had another offseason with him and it's exciting to be out there with him, a future hall of famer."
Entering his third season in Green & White, Conklin spoke about a personal goal he plans to chase.
"For me, I want to take the next step in my career and chase the Pro Bowl," he said. "And having someone like Aaron back there gives me a great opportunity. Also, to have Garrett [Wilson], Allen [Lazard] and Breece [Hall], you can't guard everybody."
Late in the third quarter, team captain and veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley was asked by Livingston during a sideline interview how he coaches up players potentially on the bubble in the final preseason game ahead of cutdown day, on Tuesday, when all NFL teams must unveil their 53-man regular-season rosters.
"The same way I've been doing it the first two preseason games, we're all still a team and we have to represent each other when we come out here," Mosley said. "We have one standard when we step on the field. What we're doing out there, a product of all the hard work and dedication, we're here to show support for our teammates and stay in the moment. Let's enjoy the moment, it's our last chance for us all to be out here just to go out and make some plays.
"For me, the main thing is to stay healthy, stay on the field, bringing the mentality and leadership every single day, understanding this team is special, the opportunity we have is special, the things that we've built and the way we are heading. Live in the moment and enjoy the season."
With time winding down in the game, wide receiver Mike Williams, signed in free agency, said earlier this week he hopes to begin team drills in the coming week as he works his way back from a season-ending ACL injury.
"I'm one step closer to where I want to be, where I want to be with the team, making plays," Williams told Livingston. "I'm looking forward to it. I'm another offensive threat, I want to be a force like I've been in this league for a long time."
Speaking about third-year star WR Garrett Wilson, his new teammate, he said: "He's a dog, one of the top receivers in the league. He shows up and shows it every day. With not knowing much about him coming here, I'm seeing how hard he works."
