Jets training camp observations, Day 3: Sauce Gardner making progress, George Fant nearing a return and Zach – NJ.com

The Jets still are still a few days away from putting on the pads for the first time. But even without contact, things are starting to intensify at training camp.

That was clear Friday at the end of the Jets third camp practice when the trash talking from the defense and celebrating by the offense which found the end zone on back-to-back plays to end the day could be heard more than 100 yards away.

Anytime you can get into a competitive nature, they love it and coaches love it, Jets coach Robert Saleh said. You always want that purpose. But it gets heated, especially when it goes the fourth day in a row. You get sick of seeing each other, its going to get heated, its going to get competitive, which is fine.

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Things will only get more intense Saturday when fans return to Florham Park for the first open practice of the summer. And everyone is looking forward to Monday when the Jets are scheduled to put on the pads and start hitting each other for the first time.

But Friday was still an eventful day, on the field and in the interview area. Heres everything that stood out.

Sauce must earn it

It still seems very likely that Sauce Gardner, the No. 4 overall pick in Aprils NFL Draft, will be starting at cornerback when the Jets open the season against the Ravens on Sept. 11. But the early days of training camp have shown that the Jets arent going to allow him to coast into that role.

Gardner has been splitting first-team reps with cornerback Bryce Hall. After practice, Saleh was asked after practice when he would know that Gardner is ready to be a starter.

Thats a good question. I think its one of those, youll know when you know, Saleh said. But him and Bryce are alternating days in terms of getting the reps and getting a feel going against different receivers, and theyre both getting those opportunities so both are doing a really nice job competing and helping one another out. So hes doing a good job and well know when we know.

And Saleh made it clear that after a few days of training camp, there are still way too many unknowns commit to Gardner as the starter at this point.

He is a rookie, Saleh said. It is mental. There [are] a lot of things [we want to see]. You still want to see him in pads. You still want to see how he holds up when the back hits the corner. First game against Baltimore theyre not going to be shy looking for a corner and contact. So theres a lot of things that weve got to see that are different than the college game where its more spread out, throw the ball.

With several weeks of training camp remaining and three preseason games remaining there is plenty of time for Gardner to show those things. And given his accomplishments in college and his physical tools, there is every reason to believe he will pass the eye test before Week 1 the rookie had a nice breakup of a Wilson pass on Friday. But it sure sounds like the job wont be his until he does.

Fant nearing return, but what about a contract?

Starting left tackle George Fant has watched team drills from the sideline to start training camp as he recovers from a knee injury. But Saleh said Friday that Fant should be practicing fully in the very near future.

Well see, Saleh said. Its day by day. Im not going to put a number on it. Hopefully sometime next week. Once we get pads on, [well] start mixing him in there a little bit. He looks good, hes going through everything, hes getting treatment and hes doing basically everything except for the team stuff which will come.

Fant was activated from the physically unable to perform list before Wednesdays opening practice and after going through individual drills Friday he spent time working with a trainer on a side field.

Im feeling good, man, Fant said after practice. Just working back. Just moving, getting there every day.

Fant was named the starting left tackle earlier this week and Mekhi Becton was shifted to right. Fant said there has been no awkwardness between the two players, theyre both just excited for the opportunity to be back on the field after their respective injuries. Fant also said he was excited and grateful for the chance to continue playing at left tackle because its where he feels most comfortable.

His position is established for the season, but theres still one issue that could hang over the remainder of camp for Fant: his contract situation. Fant is due to make $11.1 million this season on the final year of his contract. He reiterated Friday that hes going to let his agent handle any potential negotiations.

Im staying out of that, man, Fant said. My job is to play football at a high level. And thats what Im going to do.

But Fant was a little more revealing when he was asked if it had crossed his mind earlier this week when he was named the starter that it pays better to play left tackle.

No, not really, Fant said. " I just want to be taken care of. And thats about it.

How Zach Wilson fared

It was an up-and-down day for Zach Wilson, who seemed more comfortable dealing with pressure from the defensive line than he did on Thursday. Wion completed 10-of-13 passes during 11-on-11 drills, and he also showed notable improvement in the red zone where he struggled on the first day of practice.

The problem was that two of his three incompletions were interceptions. Wilsons first throw of practice was picked off by Hall on a pass that was way off the mark.

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Wilson bounced back with a strong third-down period on the next set of reps. And in the next set of reps, a red-zone 11-on-11 drill, he threw an impressive touchdown pass to Corey Davis. Wilson recognized that he had time, got through his reads and fired a well-placed bullet pass through a tight window. Davis made a nice diving catch to secure the touchdown in the back of the end zone.

Wilson nearly ended practice with a thud: on the final drill, another red-zone 11-on-11, he threw a bad interception. There appeared to be some sort of miscommunication because Wilson lofted the ball into traffic without a receiver looking for it and safety Jordan Whitehead came down with an easy interception. On the next play, Wilson nearly threw a pick trying to find Corey Davis.

But Wilson ended practice with two touchdown passes. He made the right read and found rookie Garrett Wilson open on the far right side of the end zone with a perfect pass, and then he connected with Cory Davis to set off a celebration for the offense. It was a finish that surely made his lunch taste a little better.

Also of note

- Corey Davis had a strong practice, catching two touchdown passes in the red zone drills and another long-gainer from Wilson over the middle during third down drills. It wasnt a perfect practice though, because late in the session he hauled in a long pass from backup quarterback Joe Flacco and had it punched out of his hand. It looked more like a fumble than a drop, but either way it was bad and Davis put his hands on his helmet. But thats probably the only bad moment in camp for Davis, who is off to a strong start.

- It appears that Carl Lawson will be on the field when the Jets practice in pads next week. Lawson, who ruptured his Achilles last August, has participated in team drills in each of the first three practices. And the early returns are good.

He looks good, Saleh said. Excited for pads. Hes stout. Hes powerful. Hes got all his movement. I think hes got full confidence in his lower half. Hes Carl.

Although, not everything has gone exactly how Lawson would have liked it to in practice as the Jets have been watching his workload carefully.

We reeled it back a little bit today for him, which he was not happy about, Saleh said with a grin. But he looks good.

- Mekhi Becton is still getting his wind back as he returns to the field for the first time in nearly a year, but Saleh said hes been impressed with the big left tackle so far.

He looks good, Saleh said. [Friday] was a really good day for him. We just had a small talk as we were walking off [the field] and its not getting easier, hes just getting stronger. Hes just got to continue to strain himself and push himself to the brink of exhaustion and trust that that discomfort is whats going to help him get better.

- Saleh said that returner/receiver Braxton Berrios could be a full participant in practice as early as next week as he deals with an undisclosed issue. Saleh didnt reveal what was keeping Berrios off the field during team drills but the backup slot receiver was working on a side field with a sleeve on his left leg Friday.

- Rookie tight end Jeremy Ruckert could be making his practice debut soon. Saleh said the training staff was pleased with his progress after a mini-breakthrough this week.

He is getting closer, Saleh said. So well see how things progress through the remainder of the weekend.

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Andy Vasquez may be reached at avasquez@njadvancemedia.com.

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Jets training camp observations, Day 3: Sauce Gardner making progress, George Fant nearing a return and Zach - NJ.com