The first practice for the 2022 NY Jets training camp was completed earlier today. The team was on the field in Florham Park but padded practices won’t start until Monday. One big item was the announcement that Mekhi Becton would be playing right tackle, while George Fant would stay at left tackle. Head coach Robert Saleh was asked how things went when he told Becton about the move.<\/p>\n
He was good. George is good. They\u2019re fine. We just sat down and just talked about it. We don\u2019t want those guys jumping back and forth. We made a decision that\u2019s best for the team. George had a fantastic year last year at left tackle. Mekhi is a gifted young man who can do both. Doesn\u2019t mean Mekhi\u2019s left tackle days are over, but right now he\u2019s young enough to \u2013 just like AVT (Alijah Vera-Tucker) \u2013 to make that transition. We really like those two next to each other. We got a really cool group.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Saleh was also asked about the financial aspects for Becton, since Left Tackles get paid more.<\/p>\n
He\u2019s got a long way, he\u2019s still on his rookie deal. It\u2019s going to take care of itself. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s a big difference between left tackle and right tackle because Von Miller doesn\u2019t care. Von Miller can work both ways. All the great pass rushers, being with the group that we had in San Francisco, same thing with Carl (Lawson). If they feel like there\u2019s a weak link in the offensive line, I promise that\u2019s where they\u2019re going to go. Whether you\u2019re left, right, it doesn\u2019t matter. You\u2019re right, in the old days it was always right is the defensive end, left is the offense looks at it. They\u2019re so gifted as pass rushers that they\u2019re everywhere. So, having two bookends like we do, we\u2019re very fortunate.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Why was this move made?<\/p>\n
George just fills. He\u2019s very, very comfortable and feels much more comfortable on the left side and performed much better on the left side. He\u2019s got the athleticism to play the left side \u2013 as does Becton. It was just a matter of what was a better combination in terms of offensive line and just grouping the guys together. The veterans, Laken Tomlinson being at left guard, working with George, and AVT at right guard working with Mekhi and piecing all of that together felt like that was the best combination and place for all of them.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Other thoughts from Coach Saleh<\/h2>\n
Carl Lawson<\/h3>\n
Oh, man. It feels awesome to get the d-line working again. D-line and o-line competing. Carl \u2013 he\u2019s a freak. I\u2019m telling you he was ready to practice at OTAs, it\u2019s just we have to protect Carl from Carl in terms of the amount of work he has to do because he won\u2019t stop unless we tell him to stop. So, were excited to have him back.<\/p>\n
Adding a 4th QB<\/h3>\n
They throw the ball so darn much. Giving another man an opportunity to play in those fourth quarter preseason games and showcase what they got. It\u2019s just another opportunity to get a gentleman in here and give him a chance to compete.<\/p>\n