ESPN NFL Nation reporter Rich Cimini covers the New York Jets. Proud Syracuse alum, member of the Suffolk County (N.Y.) and Sachem High Sports Halls of Fame.
Today is the one-year anniversary of the Aaron Rodgers trade. Joe Douglas says he’d make the deal “15 times out of 10.”
Let’s take a closer look at the blockbuster trade, one year later.
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Who needs Vegas? Highly-rated OT Tristan Wirfs invites his mom, Sarah, to walk the red carpet in front of their home in Mount Vernon, Iowa. They lived in a trailer park until Tristan was 5. In a few hours, he will be a first-round pick.
#NFLDraft
Le’Veon Bell currently plans to sign with one of three teams, per source: Dolphins, Chiefs, Bills. Barring change, Bell will decide among these teams as early as today. Steelers reunion unlikely at this point.
Zach Wilson calls this a “humbling experience.” Regrets his comments from after game. Says he didn’t realize what he said until his dad texted him. Says he feels awful and wanted to apologize to teammates. Shows accountability …
Jets CB Sauce Gardner named NFL Rookie of the Year and NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the
@PFWAwriters
. WR Garrett Wilson is named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
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BREAKING: Zach Wilson's arthroscopic knee surgery was deemed a success, source tells ESPN. There were no surprises from the original diagnosis. They won't put him on the field until he's 100%, but good news for the Jets .
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BREAKING: In a surprise, the Jets are planning to start Joe Flacco vs Miami, source tells ESPN. Zach Wilson still not 100%. Flacco’s experience likely a big factor in the decision, facing blitz-heavy D.
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Rex Ryan on the Gregg Williams call (via
@GetUpESPN
): “Dumbest call I’ve ever seen. Been around the thing for 58 years, 30 years as a coach. That’s the dumbest call ever. There’s a time and place for Cover-0. That sure ain’t it. It’s just stupid.”
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Garrett Wilson w/ a strong take on Mike White:
"He was out there, controlling the huddle, never letting the moment get too big. It was cool to see. Looking back on it now, it’s cool to think about. I know I'd go to war for that boy. He's got something special about him."
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Hearing this morning there’s a lot of raw feelings among
#Jets
defensive players. Clearly, Zach Wilson’s post-game accountability (or lack thereof) didn’t sit well.
You can't defend the record, but let me say this about Todd Bowles: I've covered a lot of coaches in 30 years -- most good guys, a couple of jerks. No one better than Bowles in terms of class and professionalism.
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Jamal Adams wanted out of NY, in part, because he didn't want to be in a rebuilding/losing situation. (Mostly, it was 💰).
Well, now he's in another rebuilding situation.
#ByeRuss
Just crazy:
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are second team in the Super Bowl era to have a winning record through six games despite being an underdog in all six of those games (2001 Cleveland).
How NOT to build a franchise: Recent
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No. 1s:
2016 — D Lee (traded)
2015 — Leo Williams (traded)
2014 — C Pryor (traded)
2013 — Dee Milliner (cut)
2013 — Sheldon Richardson (traded)
2012 — Quinton Coples (cut)
2011 — Mo Wilkerson (cut)
2010 — Kyle Wilson (cut)
If you’re going to use material from reporters who actually attended the press conference and asked the questions, kindly credit the source. It’s the right thing to do.
Joe Douglas' trade for RB James Robinson sends a message to the locker room: At 5-2, he's all-in on 2022. In past years, he would've stood pat, riding it out with young, unproven players -- i.e. rebuilding. He smells an opportunity + doesn't want to squander it.
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Quinnen Williams remembers Seahawks WR DK Metcalf from college — Alabama vs Ole Miss. Ole Miss also had Elijah Moore and AJ Brown.
Williams: “It was super fun. I think we beat them, 66-7.” Actually, 62-7.
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Wow:
From Week 9 of 2001 through Week 1 of 2022, teams had lost 2,229 consecutive games when trailing by at least 13 points in the final 2 minutes.
Until today.
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Robert Saleh on Friday: “Thinking playoffs is far fetched.”
Today: There’s a chance.
If
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win out, and NE loses once, Jets are in.
Calling all rib doctors.
The “J-E-T-S!” cheer will be back at MetLife tomorrow. Legendary Fireman Ed, who “retired” from role in 2012, tells ESPN he will dust off his helmet + 42 jersey for
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home opener. Wants provide an “old-school jump start” in a one-day cameo, starting 30 mins before kickoff.
D'Brickashaw Ferguson will be inducted into
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Ring of Honor Sunday. Given all the current OL injuries, let's take a moment to appreciate his career:
10 seasons: 160 games, 160 starts.
Never missed a practice or game due to injury. Missed only 1 snap (gadget play '08).
They cut Michael Carter … held a players-only meeting … made a couple of subtle lineup changes … moved Hackett upstairs … and …
The Jets actually got worse.
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This one is nuts....
The Jets outscored the Packers 10-0 in the 4th quarter and are now +48 in the 4th quarter. That is the 2nd-best 4th-quarter point differential by ANY team through 6 games in the last decade, only behind the 2016 Broncos (+57).
Nuts, right?
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Some day, if the Jets get Trevor Lawrence and he's a success, Gregg Williams will be remembered by
#Jets
fans as a hero. Today, he's an unemployed coach.
BREAKING: Former
#Jets
great Joe Klecko was selected as 1 of 3 senior finalists for the
@ProFootballHOF
, it was announced today. Now must receive 80% of votes from full committee in January, considered a formality. Klecko is on the doorstep to Canton. It's finally happening.
Pro Bowl voting: Rookie LT Mekhi Becton is leading the fan voting in the AFC for offensive tackles, per
@NFL
.
Also: Rookie P Braden Mann is leading the conference at his position.
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Sauce Gardner on matching up with Tyreek Hill's speed: "I went against guys that are fast, like Jameson Williams of Alabama. He was fast. I ain't saying he's Tyreek Hill fast, but I got certain things I like to do so I can handle guys like that."
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Joe Namath will get a call today from ex-teammate John Schmitt, just like he does every Jan. 12. They will reminisce about the day they made history...Happy 50th to the '68 Jets. You guys rock.
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Sauce Gardner’s comment on Aaron Rodgers’ IG post is particularly poignant. The two, despite a 16-year difference in age, have developed a close bond.
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Joe Namath, speaking on
@TMKSESPN
, says he would trade Zach Wilson: "I've seen enough of Zach Wilson." Namath says Wilson's performance was "disgusting," adding there were no positives. Wow.
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Jets 20, Bills 17
One of the biggest upsets in recent years. The Jets were the biggest home dog with a winning record since 2007.
They're 6-3.
Amazing.
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The Jets have signed fourth overall pick Sauce Gardner, the team announced. It’s a four-year contract, fully guaranteed, for $38.7M. That includes a $25.3M signing bonus. It has the standard fifth-year option.
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Aaron Rodgers delivered a wow moment today in practice: a leaping, one handed interception. He was filling in on the scout team defense. The latest on his comeback bid.
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Saleh says Flacco is like a Ford pick-up truck: May not appreciate him in September, October, etc., but you really appreciate him when the weather turns nasty.
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As new
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coach Robert Saleh assembles his staff ... a name to watch for WRs coach is Miles Austin, the former
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WR. Spent the 2019 season as
#49ers
offensive quality-control coach. Jersey guy. Monmouth U.
I was there 30 yrs ago when Dennis Byrd broke his neck at Giants Stadium. It was chilling. They continued game after he was transported via ambulance to hospital. Afterward, teammates said it was impossible to focus. Thoughts were with fallen teammate, not a game.
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If Jermaine Johnson was rated in the top 10 on the Jets’ draft board — and I think he was — the Jets got three of their top 10 players. If the evaluations prove correct, this could be a franchise-changing haul.
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You know how I feel: Don't like this move for the Jets. Should've kept Darnold and traded the No. 2 pick for a fortune. Feels like they gave up a winning lottery ticket.
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Garrett Wilson, who went out for a bit with what appeared to be a non-contact injury, said the turf is “garbage.” He emerged OK, but not happy with the surface.
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Adam Gase says record “doesn’t match up” with the way the team practices. He says “you wouldn’t know our record” based on the way they practice. To quote Parcells, don’t tell me about the labor, show me the baby.
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Moore's behavior today -- pre-trade request -- didn't sit well with
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. Wouldn't be surprised if he's inactive on Sunday. Denzel Mims, who has been practicing at the X spot (Moore's position), could get his shot.
Bryce Hall was asked to speak to the defense last night and, according to Sauce Gardner, he basically said, Don’t worry, I got this. I’ve started in the league before.
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Received a text from an NFL scout just now: "A damned disgrace! They can't slide the line to the overload blitz side? Get the OC and OL coach fired!!"
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Former Jets QB Chad Pennington coached a HS team to an undefeated season and walked off with coach-of-the-year honors. Quite an accomplishment, but not surprising.
What I’m hearing: Deebo Samuel/Jets ain’t dead yet. This sets up the possibility of the ultimate draft-night drama. Quite possible both teams waiting to see what’s available at 10 before pulling trigger.
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Overnight shakeup in Las Vegas. You can see where this is going:
New regime. Total rebuild. Sell-off of assets for draft capital.
Prediction: Davante Adams traded to the
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in March, reuniting with Aaron Rodgers.
Wow.
Breece Hall is the first rookie in Jets history with 100 Rec yds & Rush TD in the same game and the first rookie to do it in an NFL game this season.
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The Jets worked out free-agent OT La'el Collins, formerly of the Bengals and Cowboys. He tore his ACL last December and was released from Cincy's IR in September, but is now reportedly healthy and taking visits. He's 30 years old, with 86 career starts, mainly at RT.
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Opening-day ages for
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free agents:
Carl Lawson -- 26
Corey Davis -- 26
Jarrad Davis -- 26
If you're going to spend big, spend on second-contract players, not on guys pushing/passing 30.
FINAL: Jets 20, Eagles 14
Biggest win of the Saleh era. Tony Adams plays the role of hero. Gritty and opportunistic day by the defense. The Jets are 3-3 after losing their QB in the opener. Who’da thunk it?
Aaron Rodgers (in camouflage warmup) is cutting loose tonight — a couple of throws around 50 yards. Tonight marks two months from his Achilles injury. Pretty crazy.
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