Week 1 has arrived.
The Jets were still in summer preparation mode last week, and HC Aaron Glenn labeled Wednesday's practice as the "last true day of training camp." The first-year head coach did not want to cut any corners when building the team's foundation and identity, and last week's sessions were a key part of that process.
But as players arrived at 1 Jets Drive on Monday, the focus shifted to the contest just days away at MetLife Stadium.
"It's a little bit of a different feeling," guard Alijah Vera-Tucker said Monday. "Game week, Week 1 -- an opportunity to show not only ourselves and the fans, but the rest of the league what we want to be about and what our standard is. It's a little bit more energy in the building I'd say, and I think everybody's just excited for Sunday."
Vera-Tucker said game planning for Sunday's matchup against Pittsburgh began late last week, and the newly appointed team captain looks forward to facing a different opponent after competing with the Jets' defense throughout the summer. Even more important than facing a new unit, though, will be ensuring the principles Glenn preached throughout the summer translate on the field.
"For ourselves, it doesn't matter what anybody else thinks," Vera-Tucker said. "It's just a matter of proving what we know we can do. It's all about -- since OTAs and camp -- kind of building our identity as a team. And then coming in Week 1 and the rest of the season and showing that identity all year long, and then being able to keep stacking the wins and carry it forward each week."
LB Jamien Sherwood -- who is embracing his new role as a team captain and the established starting middle linebacker heading into Week 1 -- is confident the team is ready for what's ahead.
"I would say nothing changes," Sherwood said. "From the moment that AG got here, he's been preparing us for this moment. He's been preparing us for Week 1. Obviously, you know, some nerves are going to be riled up for guys whose first game it is, but at the end of the day it's football. When we started training camp, we had our little tackling periods getting ready for this moment right here. So, nothing changes. Really the mindset -- go out there, be physical, play to the end of the whistle and don't let up at all."
Several rookies could experience those first-game nerves as they aim to make their NFL regular-season debuts Sunday. The Jets' roster features eight rookies, including No. 7 overall pick OT Armand Membou.
"It's definitely a surreal feeling realizing you're in the league about to make your first start," Vera-Tucker recalled of his first NFL game. "I've been telling [Membou] just cherish the moment, that's all it is. You were picked here for a reason. Go out there, be yourself, do what you've been doing for however long you've played football. He's good. He's going to be good out there."
The first game of a new season can present unique challenges for players of all experience levels, but Sherwood emphasized that there is "an unknown every week," and the team will prepare to respond to whatever Week 1 brings.
"Every team isn't going to show all of the weapons in their arsenal every game that they have," he said. "So again, it's just going to be how diligent I work, how hard I work. We're not going to know every answer. When you go out there, there is going to be some un-scouted looks, and I feel like that's what makes NFL defenses and NFL players special. Just read and react. Whatever the offense gives you, they are going to tell you a story. The down and distance, the formation, the personnel they are in -- it all speaks to you. So, it's your job to write that into your own story and go out there and make plays."
