‘Hard Knocks’ episode 2: Quinnen Williams’ leads Jets’ defense, offensive line flops

Within the eyes of head coach Robert Saleh, the Jets’ first joint follow in opposition to the Panthers ended with the thought — nevertheless far-fetched, given preseason expectations for his membership — that perhaps they haven’t been capable of “change the stink” simply but. 

The flashiness of Aaron Rodgers wore off at Wofford College.

Carolina rushers began weaving across the Jets’ offensive line, forcing the veteran quarterback to scramble whereas passes fell incomplete.

It ate at Saleh whereas he was strolling off the sector, too.

After Saleh was seen earlier throughout Episode 2 of HBO’s “Onerous Knocks” telling Panthers coach Frank Reich that the Jets will go so far as their defensive position takes them, in a while the present, he echoed the same phrase about their different line — simply with a unique connotation. 

“You’ll be able to have a Corridor of Fame quarterback,” Saleh was seen telling the Jets in a gathering. “You’ll be able to have two $10 million-plus receivers. You’ll be able to have a reigning offensive rookie of the 12 months. You’ll be able to have every kind of talent within the operating again room. None of it f–king issues till the large boys up entrance change who the f–ok we’re.” 

The dichotomy between the Jets’ two strains turned apparent within the episode’s segments regarding their joint follow final week in opposition to the Panthers. 

Saleh was seen calling the defensive position the Jets’ “child.”

Quinnen Williams took a bow after one snap and referred to as himself a “f–king beast” after one other.

Earlier than checking if Rodgers was sporting a microphone, Williams claimed he’d already produced 10 sacks that day — prompting the quarterback to carry up 10 fingers for the digicam. 

When Williams plunged via the road and reached quarterback Bryce Young again (sacking the Panthers rookie carried over into the preseason recreation for others on the defensive position, as a result of Williams didn’t play), Rodgers adjusted.

He held up one finger on his left hand and one other finger on his proper hand. 

“Eleven sacks,” Rodgers stated. 

After compiling 12 sacks final 12 months and making the Professional Bowl for the primary time, Williams signed a four-year, $96 million contract in July, solidifying his place as a key a part of a defensive unit that emerged as one of many league’s greatest in 2022. 

And in the course of the first two episodes of “Onerous Knocks,” Williams has change into one of many underrated stars, alongside Rodgers and Saleh — even at one time jokingly drawing the ire of offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, who recreation the defensive participant the center finger. 

When scuffles and fights broke out at a training camp session earlier than the Jets traveled to Spartanburg, S.C., Williams stated that he at all times enjoys when the tight ends confront the defensive linemen as a result of “some days you want a slap within the mouth.”

He gave Rodgers a shout-out within the first episode, and that prolonged to his spouse, his daughter, his agent and others within the second episode. 

“95’s main the cost right here,” Jets proprietor Woody Johnson was proven saying of Williams. 

“Joe [Douglas, the general manager] and I’d not have advocated to pay him if he wasn’t the kind of particular person he’s,” Saleh, standing subsequent to Johnson, replied. 

“It’s some huge cash,” Johnson continued.

But when Williams’ efficiency in opposition to the Panthers in follow interprets into the common season, the value shall be value it. 

The Jets nonetheless have some work to do with their offensive line, although.

Even with Rodgers and offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, even with all the expertise scattered all through their positional rooms.

It appeared that their 27-0 preseason victory over the Panthers may need been a optimistic growth, given their success operating the ball with Israel Abanikanda (12 carries, 59 yards).

Rodgers was seen talking with offensive deal with Mekhi Becton on the sideline, too, and instructed the pair meet for lunch — or one thing else — in the course of the upcoming week. 

The defensive position has emerged because the Jets’ overarching energy.

However the offensive line might mess all the pieces up.

Saleh didn’t hesitate to tell the Jets about that looming menace, both. 

“As a result of we’ll go as you go,” Saleh continued in his speech to the Jets. “We proved final 12 months that we’re a 7-10 soccer workforce with a extremely f–-king good protection and a mediocre offense.

“That’s about what we proved. Flip that f–-king s–-t. We don’t get any extra second possibilities.”

Extra magic tips

One of many clips launched from the second episode earlier than its launch centered round a magic trick that Oz Pearlman, a mentalist the Jets introduced into camp, played on Rodgers — the place he appropriately guessed a card Rodgers chosen whereas remodeling the deck right into a goldfish.

However earlier than that trick, Pearlman additionally appropriately guessed the jersey quantity (No. 10) that operating again Michael Carter would change his quantity to, and in addition constructed a puzzle that was solely lacking the piece that wideout Mecole Hardman had chosen.

Pearlman predicted Hardman’s Tremendous Bowl guess — with the Jets one of many groups — earlier than the trick was over, too: They’ll play the 49ers and win, 31-21.

Rodgers’ obsession with grass

Rodgers’ behavior of selecting grass in between performs has began to draw consideration from teammates.

It’s a behavior that dates again to his tenure with the Packers, he stated, and helps him get a greater grip on the ball whereas sensing the wind’s course — since that might alter the play, or the place he must throw the ball.

Receiver Allen Lazard, Rodgers’ teammate in Inexperienced Bay, joked that he’d purchase grass for Rodgers to choose if that’s what the quarterback must hold throwing like he has all through his profession.

Rodgers’ relationship with James Campen

Campen, who labored with Rodgers in Inexperienced Bay via the 2018 season because the offensive line coach and run recreation coordinator, amongst different positions, joined the Panthers as their offensive line coach, and Rodgers made positive to catch up — and have some enjoyable — together with his outdated coach in the course of the joint follow.

“You look fats as s–t,” Rodgers stated, referencing an obvious settlement the place Campen would have his weight at 260 kilos. 

Campen then denied that was the quantity they’d agreed upon, although.

“You guys don’t f–king watch this man?” Rodgers requested a bunch of Panthers gamers, whereas persevering with to joke with Campen.

The rookie present … failed

In the course of the Jets’ journey for the joint follow and preseason recreation, the rookies placed on a present for the veterans, but it surely ended with gadgets getting thrown on the gamers as they have been booed off the stage.

Linebacker C.J. Mosley demanded that the rookies attempt once more in every week, too.

Their present appeared to incorporate introductions that concerned a dance, in addition to a guessing recreation the place teammates might submit their solutions they usually’d seem on a display screen.