The New York Jets can point to severalpositive developments from training camp. Head coach Aaron Glenn's defense continues to generate takeaways, rookie edge rusher David Bailey has looked every bit the part of a high draft pick, and quarterback Geno Smith has generally receivedfavorable reviews for his command of the offense.
Yet as the Jets wrapped up the first phase of training camp with Saturday's controlled scrimmage, one issue surfaced again: Penalties...
Per various sources likeESPN, the offense struggled to maintain consistency throughout the session, committing five penalties and managing only one touchdown drive in nine possessions. While Smith opened the day by leading a 65-yard touchdown march and completing his first five passes,
the offense failed to sustain that momentum as the scrimmage progressed.
Glennspoke with media members afterward. He acknowledged that many of the mistakes occurred late in the workout when fatigue began to set in.
"It's the part that we get tired, and once you get fatigued, mentally things start to get jumbled. So we have to do a better job of that," Glenn said.
His explanation offers insight into what the coaching staff may view as the larger problem. The issue isn't simply flags. It's maintaining discipline when players are physically and mentally taxed.
That challenge isn't unique to the Jets, but it becomes magnified during the regular season when games are often decided in the fourth quarter. Coaches can live with occasional mistakes during camp. What they don't want to see are recurring lapses in concentration that derail otherwise productive drives.
The scrimmage offered examples of both the Jets' potential and their shortcomings. Per Cimini, Smith finished 12-of-20 for 157 yards, while the offense repeatedly found itself behind schedule because of self-inflicted errors. Meanwhile, the defense capitalized, producing sacks, pressures, and an interception as it continued an impressive camp.
The encouraging news for New York is that these issues have surfaced in August rather than September. Training camp is designed to expose weaknesses before games begin to count.
Still, the penalties are becoming a trend worth monitoring. As the Jets prepare for joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and their preseason opener, Glenn will likely place an increased emphasis on execution under pressure. The talent is evident throughout the roster. The next challenge is ensuring that mental mistakes don't undermine it when fatigue sets in.
This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: Jets have one recurring problem Aaron Glenn can't ignore
