FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets held a clandestine observe Sunday. There have been no media current. There have been no assistant coaches, both. It was simply coach Aaron Glenn and the gamers.
The gamers performed their very own drills and referred to as their very own performs. Quarterback Justin Fields ran the offense, center linebacker Jamien Sherwood ran the protection.
Phrase of the observe leaked Wednesday, with a handful of veterans saying they’d by no means been concerned in a player-driven observe. Technically, it was a walk-through, not a observe, in keeping with the crew, however gamers weren’t caught up within the semantics as they mentioned its uniqueness.
“It was personally totally different for me as a result of I’ve by no means skilled that — having no coaches on the market,” stated cornerback Brandon Stephens, who performed 4 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. “It was nice for us to guide the teams by ourselves.”
Middle Josh Myers, who signed with the Jets after 4 seasons with the Inexperienced Bay Packers, stated: “That was one thing that was new to me. For all intents and functions, it felt like a observe, simply player-led.”
Glenn may need pulled a web page from the handbook of his mentor, Corridor of Fame coach Invoice Parcells. Whereas teaching the Jets within the late Nineties, an indignant Parcells as soon as stormed off the sector together with his coaches, leaving the gamers to themselves — a motivational ploy, little doubt. Glenn was a member of that crew.
Glenn wasn’t pleased with the Jets’ efficiency in Saturday evening’s 31-12 loss to the New York Giants, although it sounds just like the day-after observe — er, walk-through — had been deliberate forward of time. There was a goal behind it.
“[Glenn] stated that is one thing he envisions his crew being, a player-driven crew,” stated security Andre Cisco, who performed 4 seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Nickelback Michael Carter II stated, “The nice groups are the player-led groups. … We acquired an opportunity to exit and show it for the primary time.”
Initially, the observe was on the media schedule, however it was eliminated a few week beforehand. By rule, training-camp practices have to be open to the media, however walk-throughs could be closed. Glenn made no point out of it Tuesday, his solely media availability because the sport on Saturday evening.
The Jets apparently most well-liked to maintain it below wraps, however large receiver Garrett Wilson talked about it Tuesday in an interview with social-media influencer Megan Patricia. Wilson stated they “went at it for about an hour” on the observe discipline.
Gamers stated they loved the expertise, saying it was an efficient approach for them to strategize on their very own, adapt to sport circumstances and create a way of possession. They labored on particular conditions, together with down and distance.
“It was like a daily day,” Cisco stated. “Simply no coaches.”