The Jets defense started practice fast, but the offense reversed course in the final two periods of Tuesday's session -- a move-the-ball period and a situational period.
In the move-the-ball drill that started on the offense's 15-yard line, Aaron Rodgers led two drives, Tyrod Taylor orchestrated one and Andrew Peasley and Adrian Martinez split the final reps.
Rodgers and the starters first methodically marched down the field on 12 plays but could not find the end zone. Garrett Wilson changed that on the 11th play of the unit's second possession. Wilson also converted on third down earlier in the drive on a perfect pass from Rodgers on the sideline with Sauce Gardner in coverage.
Taylor drove the offense nine plays before he connected with WR Irv Charles, who had his best practice of the summer, for a touchdown. Peasley led his group across midfield before Martinez took over and nearly connected with Jason Brownlee for a short score a few plays later.
"It was really good," HC Robert Saleh said after practice. "The first unit did such a good job of just getting positive yards and chopping wood, Tyrod did a great job creating some explosives, so it's different ways to move the ball. All it takes is one play, but the first unit did a really nice job just chopping wood, second unit did a great job of creating explosives."
In the situational period, the offense was at its own 28 down by 20-12 with 1:02 remaining in regulation and no timeouts. Rodgers fired a ball down the sideline to Allen Lazard on the first play for a 37-yard gain that took eight seconds. The two later converted on third down to keep the drive alive.
Five plays after that, lining up on the 13, Rodgers hoisted a ball into the back left corner of the end zone for Breece Hall, who brought in the pass for the score with C.J. Mosley in coverage. The group then successfully converted on the 2-point attempt as Rodgers found a wide open Malachi Corley.
Following Rodgers' 10-play drive, Taylor's group only needed three plays to score. Taylor connected with Charles for 20 yards, then hustled up to the line and spiked the ball with 38 seconds left. The veteran signal-caller dialed up a deep pass the next play to Charles, who hauled in the pass with two defenders in coverage and barreled his way in for the score.
"Tyrod gave me a route that was unscripted for sure," Charles said. "So just off what he said, I knew there was a high opportunity to get the ball. I just did the best I could to spread the field, stay open. He did what he did, I did what I did.
"We feed off each other, honestly. First group, they kind of set the tone and then when we come and pride ourselves of not falling off a cliff. Keep the intensity high, keep the momentum high, keep the same level of execution."
Practice Format Shakeup
The Jets changed their approach to practice with the regular season in mind. They scripted the equivalent of three quarters in Tuesday's practice and "didn't flinch," according to fourth-year head coach Robert Saleh.
"It's all progression," he said. "We've been stair-stepping and trying to add all of the mindfulness to be ready for Week 1 so we just keep adding the load on top of our players, so we can get them ready to play a full game. Right now, I feel confident we can play a full game even though we repped it to the equivalent of about three quarters. But we'll have another long one coming up."
Jetcetera
TE Jeremy Ruckert has a concussion and did not practice. … DT Javon Kinlaw was active in the backfield. … DT Leonard Taylor had a tackle for loss. … RB Xazavian Valladay had a big reception down the seam and a chunk gain on the ground later in practice. … WR Jason Brownlee continues to ascend and had a nice reception on the sideline from Tyrod Taylor. … Aaron Rodgers connected with Garrett Wilson for a long TD on a free play after the defense jumped offside. … TE Zack Kuntz converted on third down in the move-the-ball period that put the group in goal-to-go territory. … Rookie S Jaylen Key broke up a pass intended for WR Malachi Corley.
