Jets' Allen Lazard out to 'prove myself right'
New York Jets wide receiver Allen Lazard during the training camp on Monday. Credit: Ed Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Allen Lazard called last season the “hardest” of his career. He’s expecting this one to be the best.
Lazard struggled after signing a four-year, $44 million contract with the Jets. He caught just 23 passes for 311 yards and one touchdown, and was benched twice.
The sixth-year pro knew some things had to change. Lazard said he learned a lot about himself, what he needed to improve and “how to handle my business better.” Ultimately, Lazard knew he had to be better overall. He returned in a much different place mentally and has had a good start to training camp.
“The biggest thing is to prove myself right,” Lazard said after practice Monday. “There’s always a lot of external pressure that you receive in this field of work that we’re in, but I think the biggest thing is focusing on proving myself right.
“I know what I’m capable of doing. I’ve done it before multiple times for continuous years. I know there’s still new heights out there for me to reach. I’m coming into this season expecting this to be my best year as a professional. That’s my mindset.”
Having his old quarterback Aaron Rodgers back on the field with Lazard has made a big difference. Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon four snaps into last season.
Lazard caught three touchdown passes in the first four days of camp. On Monday, a Rodgers pass bounced off of Lazard’s hands and was picked off by Chuck Clark. Other than that, Lazard has looked like someone who will be important on third downs and in the red zone. He also could also make his mark in special teams.
After not playing any special teams snaps last year, the Jets have been using Lazard on kickoffs, punts and kickoff returns. Lazard said he’s doing it so he doesn’t get fined -- but he is embracing it. Robert Saleh is impressed with Lazard’s attitude.
“He’s the first one up in every special teams drill, trying to reconnect to that, which is a big deal,” Saleh said. “His head’s in the right spot.
“Last year I would argue that special teams was not something that he would have thought of doing, where now he wants to be a part of it. He’s reconnecting to what I think he knows got him the contract in the first place, which is grind-it-out, do-it-all, dominate the run game, big body catcher, big red zone target, ultimate teammate. You don’t need the quarterback to do all those things. I think the direction Allen’s going is self-imposed.”
The Jets signed big receiver Mike Williams to complement Garrett Wilson after getting little from Lazard last season and also drafted Malachi Corley. Lazard still could be an important part of the Jets’ offense, especially with his knowledge of the system and the trust Rodgers has in him.
“I still expect to be a valuable starter on this team,” Lazard said.
Over his last two seasons with Green Bay, Lazard caught 100 passes for 1,301 yards and 14 touchdowns. His first season as a Jet was littered with drops and penalties. Lazard said “a multitude of factors” led to last season’s struggles, and there’s no need to look back or worry about shutting up his critics.
“I’m not here to prove anyone wrong, but to prove myself right,” Lazard said. “I have high expectations for myself this season and for the team as well. At the end of the day wherever this team ends up going is where I’ll be as well. Whatever I can do to contribute to that is something that I’ll be very satisfied with.”
Aaron Rodgers upset
The offense had a rough practice and Rodgers was not happy about it. After falling to the ground because he stepped on an offensive lineman’s foot, Rodgers got up and was screaming at his teammates.
“That’s the beauty of playing with a great like that,” tight end Tyler Conklin said. “You have somebody who is going to at all times hold everybody accountable, no matter who you are. Not every team has that.”
Center Joe Tippmann had three high snaps, which has been a concerning trend thus far. On the first day the Jets were in pads, the defense “sacked” Rodgers for the first time – on back-to-back plays. Another first: Rodgers did not throw a touchdown pass.
Still no Haason Reddick
The fines are increasing for holdout Haason Reddick. In addition to the $50,000 he’s docked each day, Reddick became subject to a 15% fine of his prorated signing bonus, according to the CBA. Saleh said he assumes the Jets will impose that roughly $300,000 fine. There was hope that Reddick would join the Jets on Monday.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
