On Saturday the Jets conducted a Green & White scrimmage with fans in attendance at 1 Jets Drive, and with Tyron Smith out on a veteran rest day, Jets' rookie Olu Fashanu got the "start" at left tackle with QB Aaron Rodgers and the first team.
"It was definitely a little different because we were scrimmaging the whole time," Fashanu said. "We tried to make it as game-like as possible and we were able to get a lot of reps in. I know for me specifically, I have some stuff that I need to clean up, but I was all good reps."
Fashanu, the No. 11 overall selection in April's draft, has played exclusively left tackle in camp as he continues to transition from the college to the pros. At Penn State, he played 1,284 snaps at left and none at right. He said that is not opposed to swinging to the right side.
"I just want to do whatever is needed to help this team win," Fashanu said. "If that is swinging to right tackle, I will be ready."
While playing for the Nittany Lions, Fashanu went against several future NFL pass rushers and Pro Bowlers in the Big Ten. And this past season he battled teammate DE Chop Robinson, the No. 21 overall pick by Miami in the this year's draft, every day in practice.
Despite the looks Fashanu got in college, adjusting to pass blocking against more versatile professional edge rushers has been the biggest challenge.
"There is a very big difference between the college and pros," Fashanu said. "I would say in the Big Ten you are going against pass rushers that are one dimensional, so it is a lot easier to scout them. Then here, with our D-line, all the edge rushers have both speed and power and are really good with their hands, so it is really challenging."
In spite of the challenges trials and tribulations, Fashanu has held up well over his first 10 professional training camp practices.
During Saturday's scrimmage he went up against Pro Bowl pass rusher Jermaine Johnson, DE Will McDonald IV and DE Michael Clemons, and showed the ability to anchor and protect QB Aaron Rodgers's blindside.
"The biggest place of transition for him will be the skill in which the D-line can rush the passer at this level," Saleh said. "These D-lines today are the best of the best in term of skills, athleticism, power and speed. Even the best ones in college aren't as refined as the ones here. The run game is the run game, some things are different but not nearly as drastic as defending an edge rusher in this league."
Fashanu added: "Things have definitely been challenging at times, but I am learning on every rep, and I just feel like we are getting each other better."
The Jets will host the Commanders for joint practice at the Atlantic Health Jets Training Center on Thursday before their first preseason game, at MetLife Stadium Saturday afternoon. The Commanders have a veteran group on the defensive line, led by their Pro Bowl pair of DT Jonathon Allen and DT Daron Payne. Saleh is looking forward to seeing Fashanu block an opponent not wearing green and white.
"I am really exited to see how he holds up," Saleh said. "He is very strong in his lower half and an absolute sponge. He is a technician, very smart and very willing in every definition of the word. We definitely did not miss on that kid."
