The cracks in the offensive line were already apparent when the Jets and Giants met at MetLife Stadium last October.
Duane Brown was on the injured list. Alijah Vera-Tucker had torn his Achilles tendon. And the Giants’ pass rush took advantage of those injuries. Kayvon Thibodeaux finished with three sacks and Dexter Lawrence added another.
When the Jets and Giants meet for a joint practice at Florham Park on Wednesday, however, it will once again be evident how much the unit that is supposed to protect Aaron Rodgers has transformed from a glaring weakness to a strength.
This time, the Giants are trying to assemble five starters before Week 1.
This time, the Jets know who – barring any injuries – will be in front of Rodgers when he takes the first snap on September 9.
“It’s a really good group,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said, “and … we’ve been healthy so far and we’ve done a lot of things differently this year as far as reps and training and all that. And I think we’re in a really good position. We just need to finish strong.”
There were still adjustments to be made. Vera-Tucker needed time before she could participate in team practices. The same was true for right tackle Morgan Moses, who was recovering from chest surgery.
Center Joe Tippmann overcame the growing pains with snaps.
Even with the newly formed unit, it will be a challenge when Rodgers and the Jets face the Giants, Thibodeaux, Lawrence and offseason signing and two-time Pro Bowler Brian Burns.
The Giants have invested in their pass rush over the past two offseasons – first with Lawrence’s four-year, $90 million contract extension, then with the trade and Burns’ five-year, $150 million contract extension. Thibodeaux also nearly tripled his sacks last year.
“He plays with a lot of effort,” Saleh said of Thibodeaux. “He has a great football IQ and is relentless in passing. So if you give guys like him the opportunity to pressure the passer, he’s going to be successful at some point.”
Rodgers had not heard from Saleh about whether he would play in Saturday’s preseason game, but had no preference.
“I’m happy with my body and what I’ve accomplished so far,” Rodgers said.
Even when Xavier Gipson was sidelined with a hamstring injury at the start of training camp, he still had to familiarize himself with the league’s new kickoff rules.
So he wrote down everything the coaches mentioned and then watched the Hall of Fame game between the Bears and Texans on August 1 to see how the teams adjusted.
The speedy returner – who is also vying for the starting slot receiver position – said he likes the rule change, but acknowledged it may take part of the season for teams to fully adjust to it.
“I feel like it’s a repetitive thing,” Gipson said. “Once everyone sees the new rule, how we can plan plays and big wins, I think that will come with time.”
Rodgers and linebacker CJ Mosley were rested on Tuesday and did not practice. No notable starters were present during the team period repetitions before the joint practice. … TE Jeremy Ruckert (concussion) did not wear a red no-contact jersey.
