Rodgers solid in Green-White scrimmage, but mistakes stall Jets offense

On a sweltering day in Florham Park, N.J., the New York Jets held their annual Green and White scrimmage.

Although there were some exciting moments, Gang Green’s first-team offense could not find the end zone. Aaron Rodgers led the Jets to three field goals on four offensive drives.

Between a few miscues and some chippiness at the end of practice, though, the Jets have some work to do before their joint practice against the Washington Commanders on Thursday ahead of their preseason opener two days later.

“Offense had a couple of really good drives to start,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said. “Stalled with a bad snap, then a fumble that ended a drive, but regrouped in the second half and took advantage of every scoring opportunity.

“I think to show resolve in that matter, there’s a lot of different situations that we were able to hit naturally in the game overall. I know you guys don’t know the scoring system, but it came down to that two-minute drive to win it, but the guys got a lot of good work in.

“We came out healthy. Some guys cramped, but it’s a good day or really, really good day.”

The good news for the Jets was how they moved the ball down the field. Nearly a year after suffering a season-ending Achilles tear, Rodgers completed 19-of-30 passes for 210 yards during the scrimmage.

Rodgers displayed the same trademark accuracy and skills he had before the devastating Achilles injury during the season opener against the Buffalo Bills last September.

“He looks like he never missed any time,” Saleh said about Rodgers’ performance during the scrimmage.

Throughout the day, Rodgers continued to build his chemistry with wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and the two hooked up on five occasions. Running back Breece Hall and wide receiver Allen Lazard were also heavy contributors to the passing attack.

“It’s just how many opportunities that an offense has to look at, get to the sideline, make adjustments and come back again,” Saleh said. “And we would always just be dumbfounded at why Green Bay would always have eight or nine drives in a game.

“Today was an example, just so methodical down the field. Like I said, 11 [play drive], 18-play drive, 11-play drive, a 7-play drive Just long methodical drives that eat up clock and get the game moving, so he’s an impressive dude and he’s a Hall of Famer for a reason.”

Rodgers did lead the offense to a 30-yard game-winning field goal by Austin Selbert during the final two minutes.

“I feel really good,” Saleh said about the Jets. “We’re relatively healthy, knock on wood.

“Like today, I knew it was going to kind of be a grinder, which it was for all of them, but really like where we’re at and it’ll be exciting to get another team in here next week.”

One area of concern, though, is the high snaps coming from center Joe Tippmann.

Throughout the first nine training camp practices, Tippmann had delivered way too many high snaps to Rodgers and Saturday wasn’t any different. The second-year player had a handful of miscues, including one that killed a drive on the eight-yard line. Rodgers chased the ball down, and it was eventually recovered on the 27-yard line.

During Monday’s first padded practice of training camp, Rodgers was livid and began yelling at Tippmann after he had half a dozen high snaps. Afterward, Saleh didn’t seem concerned about Tippmann’s snap issues and stated that he snapped for the team last year and that he would “be fine.”

“There’s some technical stuff in there,” Saleh said about Tippmann’s issue. “It’s not mental. He’s not flustered.

“Like I said, we’re trying to maximize his athleticism which is asking him to do some things from an athletic standpoint. We’re pushing him and he’s just got to learn the timing and the rhythm and all that stuff and he’ll get under control.

“It’s one of the least things I’m worried about.”

Another miscue came when rookie running back Isaiah Davis fumbled the ball on a 3rd-and-2 play in enemy territory.

The only touchdown of the day came when Tyrod Taylor found Jason Brownlee in the back of the end zone from 23 yards out.

At the end of practice, during a two-minute drill, the player’s temperature matched the 90-plus-degree day. Lazard and Brandin Echols had a verbal altercation and had to be separated. Saleh got in the middle to ensure the situation didn’t escalate further.

“They get competitive,” Saleh said. “They know those 20 pushups are a big deal.”

Injury update

Jets cornerback Michael Carter II injured his ankle during Wednesday’s practice and has missed the last two days. He is expected to miss a week or two. However, according to Saleh, his ankle is not broken and the injury isn’t expected to be long term.

Sauce Gardner had an excused absence on Friday due to personal reasons. He didn’t fly back until early Saturday morning, and the team held him out of the scrimmage after traveling.

Jets wide receiver Malik Taylor is dealing with a shoulder injury and also did not participate in the scrimmage.

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