What We Learned From Saleh's August 21st Press Conference

 Important Information From The August 21st Press Conference

Video from: New York Jets Youtube

Robert Saleh spoke to the media on Wednesday before the joint practice with the Giants. Here's what we learned.

Olu Fashanu minor elbow strain: Jets are gonna Jet

Our first round pick Olu Fashanu is hurt with an elbow strain and is being held out for the near future. Now Saleh and the team don't seem concerned with this injury but frankly it makes me mad. We saw the same thing with Alijah Vera-Tucker last season when he was being moved around constantly, if you move rookies around in the offensive line, chances are they're going to be hurt because they aren't comfortable with the position. I get it, if Morgan Moses or Tyron Smith get hurt Fashanu is slated to be the next in line, BUT, we have a third year guy in Max Mitchell who started seven games last season. Olu obviously has more potential and will ultimately be the better tackle, but he needs time to get comfortable in one position rather than switching from one to the other constantly. Develop him slowly, we have enough offensive line depth, his time will come. I just don't want to see what happened to AVT happen to him.

Aaron Rodgers extra reps, fighting the "Country Club" style of football

Rodgers expressed to the media that he has taken around 300 extra reps then usual and Saleh supported this claim. Saleh is putting an emphasis on the fact that training this year is harder than in the past. I think this is because Saleh realizes that if he drops the ball this year he's done and he wants to make sure his players get as much work in as they can. Saleh tells the media that the more you practice football the better you get. While I like this mentality, I don't want our players to be overworked because that is how injuries happen, but Saleh addressed this by saying sports as a whole are developing a "Country Club" style of football, and he is trying to fight that narrative. I agree with him on that I think sports are becoming softer in general including football but that being said, I will be so angry if an important piece of the team gets injured in a practice that Saleh is trying to make extra rigorous, it's just not worth it. I'll trust Saleh here though and hope he knows what he's doing, he claims that his players have to be ready to play and I like that, just approach it cautiously. 

Will starters play in preseason?

In the Jets last preseason game against the Giants this Saturday, we may have an opportunity to see the starters. When asked though, Saleh was super cryptic for whatever reason and said that he hasn't shared his thoughts for Saturday with the team yet but he has made a decision. 

Robet Saleh. PLEASE DON'T PLAY THE STARTERS. I can't deal with another season of pain, if Rodgers somehow gets hurt in preseason, or if Breece or Garrett get hurt I will never forgive the Jets. We've seen the team in joint camp, they're clicking well they don't need a preseason game, save it for a tough week 1 matchup against the 49ers. Now later in the press conference he did say that the internal argument for playing the starters in preseason is what's more beneficial? Having them play 10 plays or so in the preseason to get reps in, or, 40 rigorous plays in practice when a stellar defense plays what should be an elite offense. Judging by what Saleh said I think he values the practices a bit more and because of that,  I don't think he's playing the starters, I hope so.

Rodgers is ready

Saleh expressed that Rodgers is absolutely ready to go and that his arm is "still 30" which is a promising sign for us Jets fan. What I found interesting is that despite his age, Saleh said that Rodgers still has plenty of mobility and that he shows it in practice. Do I believe this? I want to but at the same time it scares me. All it takes is one roll out and Fred Warner or God forbid Leonard Floyd hit sticking Rodgers to bring our team right back to where it was. However, Rodgers is a smart football player and I think he'll avoid the contact for the most part. But Saleh seems to be confident in Rodgers ability to play younger than he is this season. That'll be immediately put to the test against the 49ers defense.

The guys are excited to compete

Saleh told the media that guys are excited to compete in thee joint practices. Not much to say here I just hope they keep that same energy when the regular season begins. The motivation comes from competition and I love that for this team, it'll be special this year.

That's about all we learned from Wednesday's press conference and the Rodgers news just has me amped for this season. Feel free to check back regularly here for more Jets content. J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS

-Braydon