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FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:
1. Last in the first: Let’s call it like it is: Quarterback Zach Wilson has a serious case of the first-quarter yips. Second quarter, too.
In the first quarter, the rookie has completed only 10 of 28 passes for 75 yards, with no touchdowns and three interceptions. His QBR, the ESPN-generated metric for quarterbacks, is Blutarsky-esque — 0.7 out of 100.
You’d like to chalk it up to inexperience and say it’s just part of the maturation process — and those are valid reasons — but it’s worth noting that no quarterback in recent memory has experienced this kind of funk.
Ranking the individual seasons for qualified passers since 2000, Wilson’s first-quarter QBR is 491st out of 491, according to ESPN Stats & Information. He’s also 491st in first- and second-quarter QBR (5.6, with no touchdowns and seven interceptions).
Coach Robert Saleh said it’s just a rookie thing, that Wilson is “a tick late” with his reads and that he will outgrow this phase with more reps and more time. The coaches are hammering home the importance of footwork and eye placement, making those fundamentals the central theme for the remainder of the season.
“I think it’s getting comfortable and settled in,” Wilson said. “There’s not one thing to point at. I don’t even think it needs to be a point of emphasis because the more you put on it, the harder it becomes. I just have to go out and play ball. My mindset is I’ve got to come out ripping it from the beginning.”
2. Not-so-Philly special: Do you believe in jinxes? The Jets have been around for 62 years, but they’re still chasing an elusive “first” — a victory over the Philadelphia Eagles, whom they face Sunday.
They’re 0-11 against the Eagles, which happens to be the worst record by a team against an opponent in NFL history. Among active franchises, there are only two other instances of a team being 0-5 or worse against opponent. The Houston Texans are 0-5 against the Eagles and…
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Source : espn
