Latest news with #AlijahVeraTucker
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jermaine Johnson on returning from Achilles injury, Alijah Vera-Tucker on Jets RB room
New York Jets pass rusher Jermaine Johnson explains how he feels coming off his Achilles injury and how the organization plans to take it slow with him. Plus, OT Alijah Vera-Tucker comments on the team's running back room and building chemistry with QB Justin Fields.
New York Times
30-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Why Jets players can't stop throwing shade at the last coaching staff: 10 lessons from training camp
This is not uncommon when a new regime comes in after the previous one failed to win enough games. And it's no secret that the Jets had some longstanding culture issues, not all of them tied to the coaching staff. But it would be hard to take some of the words being spoken on the practice fields of Florham Park this summer as anything other than shots at the previous coaching staff — particularly, at Robert Saleh. Advertisement Seemingly at every turn, notable players — sometimes unprompted — have criticized Saleh's approach to training camp and coaching when asked about the way Aaron Glenn has conducted camp, including a physical practice on Monday that included actual tackling. As in, tackling to the ground, a rarity around here in recent years. Which brings us to the first of the 10 lessons I've learned about this team over the first week of practices: These Jets want to be challenged. Guard Alijah Vera-Tucker, not one to throw shade at anyone, said last week that Glenn 'praises physicality but even more: accountability. That's very important for a head coach to do. That's something I haven't seen much of in my career.' Wide receiver Garrett Wilson on Tuesday said Glenn has been coaching him in a way he hasn't felt since his Ohio State days, notable considering Saleh had been his only NFL head coach before this year. 'He'll get on my a– if I put a ball on the ground or don't run with details,' Wilson said. 'That's what I miss from college. Making sure you're hyper-focused yourself is fine, but when you got someone to push you on that a little more, not let you slip up, it's valuable.' Guard John Simpson said the vibe around the team feels 'more businesslike.' Running back Breece Hall's comments might've been the harshest: 'In the past there's been a lot of instability around the whole operation. I feel like this year, everybody is bought into this coaching staff. Everybody is bought into our GM. Everybody is bought into our owner. It feels a lot better coming in here every day.' Jets players were speaking ill of the Adam Gase era when Saleh started too — and the cycle will continue if the Jets don't find a way to actually win football games when they count. But for now, at least, the roster appears to be buying into what Glenn is selling. Advertisement Throughout the spring, Glenn and his coordinators weren't keen on defining what style of offense or defense the Jets will be running, but the players have had a harder time biting their tongues. On offense, this is going to be a run-first scheme — one built around a rushing attack with three talented options at running back (Hall, Braelon Allen, Isaiah Davis), a running quarterback (Justin Fields) and an offensive line built for run-blocking. The unit has thrived in that area throughout camp so far. Last year, the Jets were last in the NFL in rushing attempts, something that irked many in their locker room on both sides of the ball. A lot of that was tied to the previous quarterback, who liked to check out of those running plays. That won't happen as much this season. 'I'm excited,' Simpson said, then leaned in closer to the mic. 'I'm really excited. I love running the ball, man. That's my strong suit. I'm excited for the opportunity to come out here and just run the ball. If we can run the ball we're gonna win a lot of games.' Added Hall: 'We're all really bought into this run scheme.' Wilson thinks a better rushing attack will open things up for him in the passing game too. 'It can be explosive,' Wilson said. 'The better we can run the ball — especially with the running backs we got and Justin's ability to run the ball — the more push we can get, the more we can run on second and short and convert, that's going to open up everything for us.' As for the defense: Expect an aggressive, blitz-heavy scheme with much more man-to-man coverage. At least once per practice, a defensive back and/or linebacker has made a play in the backfield during 11-on-11 drills. This new scheme feels like a particularly good fit for a Quincy Williams. And cornerback Sauce Gardner admitted he's ecstatic for the chance to finally travel with the league's best receivers. Advertisement This isn't so much a knock on Hall as it is praise for Allen: The Jets are going to have a hard time keeping Allen off the field in 2025. The second-year back looks bigger, faster and stronger. As a rookie, he stood out during training camp then fell by the wayside when the Jets got away from running the ball during the season. Allen has been one of the stars of camp so far, showing a level of explosiveness and downhill running ability the Jets have been lacking. He's a legit threat in the passing game too, which should allow offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand to get creative — and Glenn has made it a point to say the Jets will use Hall much more as a receiver than they have in the past. Which means Allen and Hall could wind up on the field at the same time a decent amount. 'Braelon is a 240-pound man that's always falling forward,' Glenn said. 'That's where he's going to make his money … it's going to weigh on defensive players.' It looked like this in the spring, so it shouldn't come as a surprise to say that Josh Reynolds feels pretty locked in as the No. 2 wide receiver — and based on what we've seen in camp, I'm not exactly sure what Allen Lazard's role is in this offense. The Jets like his ability to block in the running game but he doesn't contribute on special teams and I'm fairly certain Fields has only targeted Lazard once in the passing game all of camp. Tyler Johnson has jumped out more in practice, making some plays after the catch and exhibiting some athleticism that Lazard simply doesn't bring to the table. Glenn raved about Johnson's ability to feel where defensive backs are and what they're going to do — and how adept he is at exploiting that despite not being the quickest or fastest receiver on the field. 'Once we got a chance to sign him, it was a no-brainer for us,' Glenn said. I'm not convinced Lazard is a lock to make the 53-man roster — and same for second-year receiver Malachi Corley, who has mostly repped with the second- and third-string quarterbacks. Advertisement As camp has progressed, Taylor has made strides, building chemistry with Fields and making plays when he's called upon. He had one drop on Tuesday on a pass that he should've caught from Fields — but bounced back with an impressive 15-yard touchdown catch at the end of a successful move-the-ball period for the offense. He's already a head above Jeremy Ruckert and Stone Smartt and looks ready to step in as a starter in Week 1. 'He's got great hands, he finds a way to be open when he needs to be,' Wilson said. 'The ball finds him and he makes a play, which for a position like that he's as good as I've seen at making a play, finishing a play, being open. I think he's got a bright future ahead of him. He's really going to help us this year — he came in ready.' The Jets appear settled at punter with Austin McNamara, recently cutting Kai Kroeger. The kicking competition just added an interesting wrinkle, a folk hero if you will: Former Jet Nick Folk signed on Tuesday, and the team released Caden Davis. Folk will compete with Harrison Mevis for the job — and I'd bet on Folk winning it. The Jets have been seeking consistency at kicker since letting Folk walk in 2017, and he's been consistent around the league ever since, most recently converting a league-best 96.2 percent of his field goals the last two years with the Titans. He's 40 and still has something left in the tank. Another rookie who looks ready-made for game action: Fourth-round safety Malachi Moore. It's no coincidence that Moore really came into his own once the pads came on and the defense was allowed to actually hit the offense. In back-to-back practices, he made plays at or behind the line of scrimmage on the running back, broke up a pass, and earned raves from Glenn. They're making him earn the starting job next to Andre Cisco, but Moore looks the part already. It feels like a lifetime ago that the public was killing the Jets for missing out on tackle Broderick Jones in the 2023 draft and instead selecting a defensive end (McDonald) when that wasn't a need. McDonald broke out last year with 10.5 sacks, and this offseason he put on 15 pounds of muscle — a necessity for a player who was undersized and winning almost entirely with speed and agility. Advertisement In camp, he's incorporated power into his game, even running through right tackle Armand Membou at one point to get a sack. The Jets are severely lacking for depth at defensive end so they'll need McDonald to be more than just a pass rusher this year — early returns are promising. Joe Tippmann and Josh Myers are embroiled in a real competition to start at center — something that Myers said was promised to him when he signed a free agent this offseason. From what I understand, Myers expected to have a bigger market, which is why he was still sitting there to sign with the Jets for cheap (one year, $3.5 million) after the initial wave of free agency. Both centers have acquitted themselves well. Tippmann still feels like the favorite, but it's far from a lock. • S Jarius Monroe: A favorite of the previous staff, Monroe was shouted out by Glenn on Monday and has stood out in drills. He could be a top backup at safety. • LB Marcelino McCrary-Ball: He's a hard-hitting linebacker who's made more plays than his competition, like Jamin Davis, Zaire Barnes and Francisco Mauigoa. • WR Jamaal Pritchett: The undrafted rookie receiver has made some impressive downfield catches in team drills and is pushing Xavier Gipson at punt returner. • WR Brandon Smith: He's a big-bodied receiver who has played well since the spring — and has made more plays than Lazard. • DT Payton Page: The undrafted rookie defensive tackle is making a push for a depth spot on the line. He has out-played Leonard Taylor, Fatorma Mulbah and Phidarian Mathis from what I can tell.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets' Draft Pick Named To Preseason All-Rookie Team
Jets' Draft Pick Named To Preseason All-Rookie Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Entering the 2025 NFL Draft, it seemed clear that the New York Jets had one man on their mind: Armand Membou. The Jets landed Membou with the No. 7 overall selection in the draft, solidifying their offensive line. Advertisement The former Missouri Tiger joins a youthful and fortified line, flanked by young stars such as Olu Fashanu and Alijah Vera-Tucker. Membou has been highly lauded by draft and college analysts for his technique, athleticism and potential. On top of his All-Pro potential, Membou is expected to make an instant impact, already penciled in as the starting tackle opposite of Fashanu. Gennaro Filice compiled his All-Rookie team of 11 rookies who he thinks will make an instant impact on offense. The lead tackle on the lead? Membou. "Entering this past April's draft, the Jets' offensive line boasted a capable starter at four of the five slots." Filice wrote. "So, one year after the old regime used its last first-round pick on an athletic left tackle (Olu Fashanu), the new regime used its first first-rounder on a mauler to man the right edge." Filice feels confident about Membou's physical tools and technique. Membou isn't all flashy in athletic and physical tests, but he's a legit protector in the pass game. Advertisement "At a touch over 6-4 and 332 pounds, Membou put on an impressive athletic display at the NFL Scouting Combine." Filice wrote. "But the 21-year-old's no simple 'workout warrior,' as he spent the last three years making a name for himself in the SEC. Taking over as Missouri's right tackle midway through his true freshman season back in 2022, Membou ultimately played 36 games (with 30 starts) for the Tigers, giving up a grand total of three sacks, including zero this past season." Membou has high expectations as a pass protector. But that's not his only job. As a tackle, he has to be able to lay down blocks and protect his running back or a scrambling quarterback. And Filice thinks he's well equipped for the job. "And in the ground game, he was a violent road-grader who routinely climbed to the second level to bury overmatched defenders -- this undoubtedly caught the eyes of new head coach Aaron Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey, who are looking to build a stout rushing attack around quarterback Justin Fields." Filice continued, "Membou could be the final piece to an extremely promising offensive line." Related: Jets Fans React to 'Thiccer Kicker' Related: Can Jets' 'Biggest Question' Be Answered In 2025? This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jets 1st-Round Pick Starstruck At $32 Million Rookie Contract
FLORHAM PARK -- The New York Jets were thrilled when Armand Membou was left available to them with the seventh overall pick. They had a clear need at right tackle, and were able to acquire the best one from the 2025 draft. Their excitement paled in comparison to that of Membou's when he saw his first paycheck come through, though. Advertisement The Missouri product signed his normal four-year contract worth just under $32 million, which is the standard for first-round picks in accordance with the NFL's collective bargaining agreement. Speaking to reporters after his first practice with the team, Membou shared the feeling of signing a new deal with the Jets. 'I looked at all them zeroes on the page, I didn't realize how much money I was getting," Membou said laughing. The seventh overall pick is expected to be the team's starter at right tackle eventually going into the 2025 season. He'll join last year's first round pick Olu Fashanu as the two stalwart tackles on the roster. Advertisement While Membou and Fashanu just met yesterday, according to the rookie, both players have strong pedigrees to help turn the Jets' offensive line into one of the best groups in the league next season and beyond. No starting offensive linemen on New York's squad are over the age of 27. With Alijah Vera-Tucker, John Simpson, and Joe Tippmann controlling the interior, the Jets have one of the top young lines in the game. And while Membou may be starstruck over his new contract, he's ready to hit the ground running with the Jets as quickly as possible. Related: Top 3 Takeaways From Glenn's Very 1st Jets Day 1 of Camp Related: Jets Trade With Eagles Landed 'Steal of the Draft'
