Jets practice gets testy with three fights breaking out
Jets players warm up during training camp, Tuesday, August 6, 2024, in Florham Park, New Jersey. Credit: Corey Sipkin
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – It was hotter than normal on the field at Jets practice on Tuesday as three fights broke out between teammates in a very short period of time.
Robert Saleh let the first two go, but after the third one he stepped in, called his players together and sent them a message.
“Getting chippy is fine, it’s just being responsible to one another,” Saleh said. “There’s two types of fights. There’s fights because you feel like the other guy is going too hard. Then you need to pick it up. And there’s fights because it looks like you’re being cheap. Those are the ones that we want to avoid.
“The overall message being that we got practice to finish, and just take care of one another, continue to compete and continue to battle.”
The first skirmish started after Marcellino McCrary-Ball tackled Xazavian Valladay. It involved a lot of players and spilled over from the field well into the sideline. Joe Tippmann was looked at by trainers, missed the next series, but returned.
Then Garrett Wilson and D.J. Reed got into it. That ended quickly. The third happened on the next play. Saleh made sure things didn’t escalate further.
“We kind of all came together in the middle of the field,” safety Chuck Clark said. “We got to protect each other at the end of the day."
This was the Jets’ 11th practice. They’re looking forward to seeing another team. On Thursday, the Jets will host the Washington Commanders for a joint practice before their Saturday preseason game. Saleh isn’t worried about things getting extra heated Thursday.
“Not at all,” Saleh said. “I don’t think anyone’s coming in here talking about fighting. We’re trying to find a way to compete, look at different schemes, lean on different bodies and just find ways to get better.”
Linebacker Quincy Williams liked the fire the Jets showed, but also said they need to play with “controlled violence,” whether it’s against each other or another team.
“What I seen today, I loved it but I also hated it too because we’re teammates,” Williams said. “But it also showed that we all have a competitive nature. We’re just not out here just trying to get through the day. There’s still a certain sense of pride about ourselves.
“We also got some people that are going to come into our house [Thursday] and try to take over. I’m not saying we’re having a fighting-type mindset, but a controlled combat-type mindset is the mindset that we want to have.”
Saleh believes having one joint practice with a team is enough. He believes more injuries occur and fights break out on the second day.
“I found that Day 2 is when guys get hurt,” Saleh said. “Traditionally that’s when all the fights start happening. At the end of the day, one team is celebrating their victory and the other team is talking about how they got their butts whooped. And then they come out fighting. … There’s just very little production because they’re just red and they’re fighting and aborting their techniques.”
When Saleh was told Giants and Lions players threw punches during their second straight joint practice Tuesday, Saleh just said, “Day 2.”
Smith remains out
Left tackle Tyron Smith went through individual drills, but not team periods. It was the third straight practice that Smith (tightness in lower extremity) was limited or out altogether.
“We’re just going to work him back in,” Saleh said.
It’s unclear if Smith will participate fully in Thursday’s joint practice. The Jets want their starting offensive line to work together, but Smith is on a maintenance plan that Saleh said they'd continue to follow.
“Whatever his schedule calls for from the doctors,” Saleh said, “whatever that schedule looks like, that’s what we’re trying to adhere to the best we can to help him get ready for Week 1."
Two-minute drill
Xavier Gipson returned to practice after suffering a leg injury on July 26. … Ashtyn Davis (ribs) left practice and will be evaluated. … Saleh said Mike Williams is “progressing” in his recovery from a torn ACL and has some doctor’s appointments upcoming but no timetable on when he would practice. …. The Jets postponed Wednesday’s public practice due to the weather forecast and will honor tickets on Aug. 20.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
