Jets
Jets LT Mekhi Becton said he has been doing “extra conditioning” as he recovers from a foot injury and is on track with his rehab.
“I’ve just been doing extra conditioning, biking on my own, running on my own, jogging on my own, walking on my own, just doing the little things that matter like abs and everything. Just doing the extra stuff that I need to do,” said Becton.
Becton said he has lost weight over the offseason thanks to his conditioning and hiring a personal chef to adjust his diet.
“I feel like I’m at a good weight right now,” Becton said. “I’m doing extra things on my own to keep it that way, eating the right things. I got a chef, doing everything right to maintain my weight, I wouldn’t say problem, but weight concerns that people have with me. I would say I’m doing everything in my power to keep it down.”
Jets HC Robert Saleh said that they are “very confident” that Becton will be ready for training camp next month.
“We’re very confident he’ll be ready to go [for camp],” Saleh said. “He’s just got a little nagging foot injury. It’s not worth it to put him out there and make something so small a lot worse. We’re not worried about his availability for training camp.”
Becton admits that dealing with his injury has been “a little frustrating” but is confident that he’ll be ready for the regular season.
“It’s been a little frustrating but, at the end of the day, I’m just trying to get myself right, get myself ready,” Becton said. “So, I know I’m going to be ready by the season. It’s been a little frustrating but I’ve been getting the mental reps, been getting the plays mentally down, so that’s the good part.”
Patriots DE Chase Winovich mentioned he has been practicing at multiple positions so far in the offseason.
“I’ve been working a variety of different positions, I’d say. Right now I’m just doing whatever the coaches ask me to do,” Winovich said, via Pats Pulpit. “All I can say is that I feel great overall — the best mentally, physically, emotionally, spiritually, you name it, that I’ve ever been. I’m really excited for the opportunities that present themselves this year.”
Winovich is also happy with being able to connect with all of his teammates, especially LB Dont’a Hightower who opted out last year.
“It’s awesome to be around my teammates, having this whole time the past few months to really get to know everybody. It has been a great opportunity for myself, just trying to build that camaraderie,” Winovich said.“Dont’a, I haven’t had the opportunity to get reacquainted with him in person, unfortunately. But I’m excited for that to happen. It’s going to be great, honestly. I really am enjoying everybody that’s been here. This team is really starting to shape up, I think, and I am excited for those guys to all be around again. The Patriots have some awesome players on their team, awesome teammates.”
Raiders
Raiders QB Derek Carr said second-year WR Henry Ruggs has “been impressive” in camp thus far and praised his improved route-running.
“Man, he’s been impressive. The way he’s running routes. He’s being violent in his cuts. I think something clicked in his head. Just like with everybody, you play a season in the NFL, you go back and watch the tape and you’re like “Wow, I know what it takes now.” And you either do it or you don’t. And he’s showing already that he said, “Nah, I’m going to do it.” And it’s been so impressive,” said Carr, via Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Carr thinks Ruggs had a good rookie season in 2020 despite not being a “breakout” campaign, describing that he was impressive after last year’s OTAs were conducted virtually
“Even what he did last year, with no OTAs, was impressive. Maybe he didn’t have a breakout season, a thousand-yard season or anything like that. But things he did for us in certain moments, it was impressive. So now he knows the offense, he knows the quarterback, he knows who’s around him, all those things. He’s working with me after practice. I’m very excited for Henry. Now he’s gotta go do it,” said Carr.
As for the Raiders’ offensive line after parting ways with G Gabe Jackson, C Rodney Hudson, and RT Trent Brown, Carr said they must move on from their former offensive line and issued a vote of confidence in C Andre James.
“The guys that are stepping into these roles, you see them on the practice field and you’re like “Ah, yeah, we’re going to be alright.” I’ll say it this way: Andre isn’t Rodney, but that doesn’t mean he’s not a good football player. It doesn’t mean he can’t be one of the best. We don’t know. But Andre is a good football player,” said Carr. “Anyone who isn’t Gabe Jackson, they’re not Gabe Jackson. He’s gone. OK, someone new has to take his spot. Can he play better? Can he be a better fit? We’ll see. I love the guys who left, but I love the guys who are here.”
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