Heading into Week 2, the Jets' offense feels like it laid a solid foundation against the 49ers and is a few corrections away from taking a step toward becoming the unit they players believe it can be.
"We were just a step off," said RB Breece Hall, who had 54 rushing yards on 16 carries (3.4 average). "Like the first play, I think we miss ID'ed it. We just have to communicate better, get on the same page.
"I feel like, for us, it's just about still getting on the same page, which we feel like we're just getting better and better at just making sure that we're doing our little things right, so we could hit the big ones when they're given to us."
Third-year WR Garrett Wilson is expecting progress from last Monday to this Sunday. What does that look like?
"Score points, be efficient, not go three-and-out," he said. "Just play good football. You know it when you see it, you know it when you're out there. I know we felt like we weren't playing good ball for a little bit there. That's how I felt on the field. You have a great idea of it when it feels right and when it doesn't. As fans watching, I feel like they know the same. You'll know when we see it. We'll know when we're doing it."
He added: "I feel like we're close. I feel like we're here. Let's just go do it."
D.J. Reed's Status in Doubt
Veteran CB D.J. Reed (knee) did not practice Friday, and he's listed as questionable for Sunday's game vs. the Titans. Reed, who had 9 tackles in Monday night's loss to the 49ers, was a limited participant in Wednesday and Thursday's workouts. If Reed is a gameday inactive, the Jets' options on the outside across from Sauce Gardner include Brandin Echols, Jarrick Bernard-Converse and Qwan'tez Stiggers. DL Michael Clemons (triceps) is also listed as questionable, but the veteran DL was a full participant on Friday.
Titans Have Strong Receiving Corps
The Titans made a splash this offseason signing a pair of receivers to join All-Pro DeAndre Hopkins, who took 17 snaps in Week 1 as he returns from injury. Tennessee added Calvin Ridley, who had more than over 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns with the Jaguars last season ,and Tyler Boyd, who had at least 600 yards in seven of his eight seasons with the Bengals including two of more than 1,000.
And though Titans QB Will Levis threw 2 interceptions in a Week 1 loss to the Bears, All-Pro CB Sauce Gardner anticipates a substantial challenge from Tennessee's pass game in Week 2.
"They have a group of really good receivers that all pose their very own problems," Gardner said. "Calvin Ridley was my favorite receiver in high school when I used to play receiver. They have D-Hop and Treylon Burks and Tyler Boyd and [Nick] Westbrook. They have a ton of weapons around Levis that he can throw too and that can really elevate him."
HC Robert Saleh added of Ridley: "He's a true No. 1. He has an elite skillset as a receiver. Obviously, a guy that can make you pay. He can run the entire route tree, he's tremendous out of his breaks. He's got great burst out of his breaks to get separation. He's very strong at the line of scrimmage with his releases, so he's pretty damn good."
Rookie Protecting the Blind Side
Robert Saleh complimented of Titans O-line coach Bill Callahan, who is regarded as one of, if not the best OL coach in NFL history. His unit is anchored on the left side by rookie J.C. Latham, the No. 7 overall pick in 2024.
"We are really fond of his game," said Saleh, who scouted Latham prior to the draft, and then the Green & White selected Olu Fashanu No. 11 overall. "He was part of the discussion when we were looking at the tackles in the draft. He is an absolute mauler and a massive human being. He moves well for a guy his size. He is every bit deserving of his draft status, and after the preseason and 1 game, he looks the part."
Latham, according to Pro Football Focus, allowed 1 sack and 2 pressures in his debut last week against the Bears. He may not have a lot of film on tape, but Jets rookie UDFA DL Braiden McGregor has experience against the 6-6, 342 pounder. He lined up against the Alabama product in last season's Rose Bowl and had 2 sacks and 9 pressures in Michigan's victory.
"He's a good player," McGregor said. "It will be cool to go against him again in the pros. I know he's a big and powerful grabber when it comes to the pass rush. He will try to overwhelm you with size because he is a big dude."
