“It’s only the beginning, only just the start.”
Wilson clearly has enormous potential, but it’s important for the QB himself, everyone in the organization and Jets fans, not to get too far ahead of themselves, and expect him to walk on water. He’s only been here a couple of months.
To paraphrase John Lennon: “You got to let him grow.”
The job he’s undertaking is the hardest in all of sports — being an NFL quarterback.
And a few months ago he was playing the likes of North Texas, Texas San-Antonio, Troy and Western Kentucky.
So the kid not only has a thick playbook to learn, but also has an enormous jump in competition. It’s not like he’s going from the SEC to the NFL.
But by all accounts he has a learning appetite to devour everything on his overflowing plate.
“Ever since he’s been here, he’s a junkie — I mean he just wants film,” said Jets offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur. “Talking to my brother (Matt), he’s like, ‘You better not burn this guy out. You’ve been (reviewing) a lot of film with him.’ But he’s the one that wants to watch this film. So, it’s unique and it’s cool to watch him be able to sit there and stay focused and process all the information we’re trying to give him.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
FIRST DOWN- A lot of potential, but a lot to learn
There is a lyric in an old song by the rock group Chicago that sums up where Zach Wilson is right now:
IN HIS OWN WORDS WITH DEFENSIVE COORDINATOR JEFF ULBRICH - Ulbrich breaks down Jets' defensive personnel
(Marcus Maye) can do it all. I would feel comfortable with him (at free or strong safety). He’s a guy that, to me, he can play deep, he can play the half field, he can play the middle third, he can do that and you feel comfortable with it. I think he’s got range, speed and athleticism. I think he’s got ball skills and instincts to be a deep safety. But I think he’s got enough size and girth and want-to and courage to play in the box. It’ll be fun to utilize all the things that he does. He can cover tight ends; he can cover some of the wide receivers in this league.
Dan's Minicamp Diary
Becton bombarded with weighty questions
Saleh calls Wilson ‘relentless' as a worker
QUESTION SESSION WITH QB ZACH WILSON
Jets hope initiatives will increase winning edge
Aside from adding as many good players as possible to help the Jets improve, coach Robert Saleh and GM Joe Douglas are trying to turn over every stone to find extra ways to give their team a winning edge, and two examples of this were announced over the course of the offseason, with the additions of a game management coach (Matt Burke) and the installation of an Athletic Care and Performance Department. Let’s take a closer look at these two moves and how they might help the Jets:
Dan's Spring Camp Diary
This time of year for learning, experimenting, not stats
AUDIBLES-Saleh doesn't cave on offseason work
Tom Brady might be wrong about this one.
SAFETIES
Justin Simmons, Broncos 6-2 • 202 pounds • 27 years old
OFFENSIVE TACKLES
Trent Williams, 49ers 6-5 • 320 pounds • 32 years old
LINEBACKERS
Lavonte David, Buccaneers 6-0 • 226 pounds • 26 years old