Elijah Moore, Denzel Mims putting differences with Jets aside
Jets wide receiver Denzel Mims is tackled by Giants cornerback Zyon Gilbert during the second quarter of a preseason game at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Sunday. Credit: Brad Penner
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The NFL trade deadline passed on Tuesday, and with it went any chance of Denzel Mims or Elijah Moore being dealt by the Jets this season.
With the two young wide receivers frustrated by their limited action, Mims requested a trade before the season and Moore sought one last month.
But here we are in Week 9, and Mims and Moore not only are still on the roster but might play key roles against the Bills on Sunday as receiver Corey Davis continues to recover from a knee injury.
After practice on Friday, both receivers spoke to reporters for the first time since the deadline, looking to move on and make the best of their situations.
In Mims’ case, his comments followed some gushing words from coach Robert Saleh, who said before practice, “His attitude’s been awesome. I feel like three weeks ago something flipped, from just his daily approach to coachability.
“All of it is just really amplified for him and he’s really taking the bull by the horns and really showing a lot of maturity. Not that he wasn’t mature before, but I really like where he is mentally. Like his mindset. So hopefully it continues.”
Mims saw his first action two weeks ago in Denver and had one catch for four yards. Last Sunday against the Patriots, he had two catches for 76 yards, including a 63-yard play that he admitted tired him out.
Asked what changed about his approach, Mims told Newsday, “Things are a lot different. I’m preparing a lot more.
“Early in the season, I knew I wasn’t playing, so I just did everything I could to help the team in practice and in meeting rooms.
“Now I’m going over the top. I was already doing it over the top, but I was working on trying to help the team [in a non-playing role]. I’ve been preparing myself a lot these past couple of weeks.”
Mims said his mood has improved. “Being able to showcase what you can do, it makes you happy; it makes you excited,” he said. “Just going out there every week and showing what I can do, it feels great.”
The Jets did not have Moore make the trip to Denver after Saleh sent him home from practice on Thursday of that week. He was in uniform against the Patriots but had one target and zero catches.
Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur said on Thursday that he plans to continue working Moore into the offense.
Moore smiled when asked what that might entail and said simply, “You [reporters] are going to have to see.”
He conceded being unhappy last month. “Definitely, I’m human,” he said. “I have my moments. Every day I wake up, it starts over. It’s a new day. So I feel good.”
Moore said it does take time to adjust one’s attitude in the aftermath of something as bold as a trade request, but again, he added, “Being the man that I am, I always try to reset my mind every time I go home.”
As for not being traded, he said, “I’m with the Jets. I play for the Jets. So I’m ready to see what I can do on Sunday against the Bills.”
Neil Best first worked at Newsday in 1982, returned in 1985 after a detour to Alaska and has been here since, specializing in high schools, college basketball, the NFL and most recently sports media and business.
