It may have been another hot summer day in Florham Park, but the regular season air made its way to the team's Atlantic Health Training Center.
"The focus is a little better. It's game week," said head coach Todd Bowles. "We got everything out the way preseason, getting healthier. The guys are focused and looking forward to Week 1."
"Definitely excited to get it going. It's good to come in and get a sweat and practice in today, but you can tell the intensity, the energy, the focus - everything has shifted," added QB Ryan Fitzpatrick. "We're into the real deal now and we can kind of put the preseason and all the BS behind us with that and move forward. Now we have a real opponent coming up soon and we're here to go to work."
A slimmed down Brandon Marshall, who says he lost 10 pounds on a 21-Day Fix following OTAs, said the first day of Browns week was crisp.
"I thought practice was sharp for us - actually starting this morning in meetings," he said. "The veterans had a week off and I thought this was one of the better practices we've had."
The Jets are a healthy group. While rookie Devin Smith (ribs) probably won't play Sunday, head coach Todd Bowles expects WR Jeremy Kerley (head) and OLBs Calvin Pace (groin) and Lorenzo Mauldin (knee) to be ready for game action.
"I'm excited. It's about time," said RG Willie Colon. "We had a real tough camp. I think right we're together, we're unified. Now it's time to get after the Browns."
Rookie DL Leonard Williams wore No. 62 at practice for the final time. The Big Cat, who said his knee feels fine, will don No. 92 when the Jets return to the field on Wednesday.
"Why 92? Well there's only three numbers available right now in the 90s and I chose 92 because I was kind of getting used to 62. So it was just like 62, but you just switch the six upside down," he said. "And also Shaun Ellis used to have that number and his nickname was Big Katt as well, so I feel like it's pretty fitting."
The 32-year-old Fitzpatrick, starting 11th NFL season, has fit in well with the Jets since arriving in March. And after almost an entire month leading the first-team offense, Fitz is ready for the next step.
"That's why we play the game – do it on Sundays," he said. "The offseason can be long and tedious and all that, but it's necessary. All the work we put in was necessary, but now to have a specific game plan going in versus a specific opponent and to go out there and get the opportunity to execute and put our focus into that this week is exciting."
