Elijah Moore continues to be a highlight waiting to happen in Jets practice.
The latest star turn for the rookie wide receiver came early in Friday’s session, on Zach Wilson’s first throw during 11-on-11 drills. There was a hard play-action fake and then Wilson unloaded a 40-yard throw down the middle of the field. It was not the best throw, sailing to the right of Moore, who was running a post pattern. Moore stopped his route and adjusted to the ball, somehow pulling it in as he landed on his back.
It was just the latest evidence the Jets’ second-round pick out of Mississippi looks like the real deal.
“The coaches put us in the right position to be us,” Moore said of the play. “We all get different plays throughout the week to see what we’re all good at. It was my turn to make the play. The ball is in the air, I’ve got to make it.”
Moore has only been a Jet for three months, but his presence is that of a veteran.
“You’d think he’d been in this building 10 years,” coach Robert Saleh said. “He asks all the right questions, he’s putting in the work. He is an impressive young man. I’m excited to see him grow.”
After a strong spring, Moore is off to a strong start in training camp. He seems to catch everything near him and has speed that stands out even on a field filled with NFL players.
“I just hold myself to a high standard,” Moore said. “I learn from the guys in front of me and whenever it’s my turn to do something I try to do it like I’ve been there before.”
One of the fun 1-on-1 battles to watch in training camp has been LT Mekhi Becton against DE Carl Lawson. It is a matchup that clearly makes both better. Unfortunately for Becton, he can stop Lawson eight out of 10 times, but the two sacks are what people are going to notice. Such is the life of an offensive lineman.
Lawson has made an early impression on the coaches.
“Traditionally, the O-line is at the disadvantage when there is no pads,” Saleh said. “They’re just at a disadvantage. There’s more to grab cloth on for a defender. So, traditionally they’re at a disadvantage. But, when it comes to Carl, he does that to everybody. I know we get caught up on sacks, but my God, all he does is win and hit the quarterback. It’s special when you look at him, you’re not expecting it, but then he just dominates. Really excited for pads to come on because then they’ll be able to get some real good work in one-on-one’s and all doing all that stuff.”
The Jets worked out free agent WR/TE Jordan Matthews this week. … The first practice open to fans is Saturday.
The Jets waived K Sam Ficken after he missed two field goals in Friday’s practice. They signed K Matt Ammendola, who was most recently with the Panthers but has not kicked in an NFL game. Ficken has been with the Jets for two seasons and been inconsistent.