WATCH: What Jets coach Adam Gase said during Day 1 of Bills week
The regular season for the New York Jets is now less than a week away, which means it's time to prepare for their AFC East rival in Game 1.
The Adam Gase era will commence when the Jets host the Buffalo Bills on Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. (EST).
Last season, the Jets posted a 4-12 record. The Jets will attempt to snap an eight-year postseason drought. With Sam Darnold, Le'Veon Bell, Jamal Adams and C.J. Mosley as anchors, the possibility is there to snap the slide.
Here's a sampling of what Gase said in his Labor Day press conference:
On the status of WR Robby Anderson (calf) and CB Trumaine Johnson (hamstring) vs. the Bills:
"Everything is trending in the right direction."
Analysis: This is excellent news on the injury front as the Jets head into the regular season. These are two integral components of the team. Having Anderson and Johnson at full strength is vital for the Jets' playoff hopes.
On any disagreement in the draft room regarding recently released rookie Jachai Polite:
"It's hard for me to remember exactly what was going on during the draft. It's not something I'm thinking about nowadays."
(Gase declined comment on a report from Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk that Polite was fined over $100k in his brief stint as a Jets)
Analysis: Gase isn't going to add any extra flames to the fire from this fallout with Polite. However, the bottom line is the Jets didn't deem Polite worthy of a roster spot despite being a third-round pick and that has to be extremely disappointing.
On his impressions of new WR/punt returner Braxton Berrios:
"He's a guy that historically coming out of college was really good at getting open in the slot. He's had good experience as far as a punt returner goes. There's a lot of confidence there...We were in a unique position because we did have a lot of guys in the wideout spot that weren't going anywhere. He was a guy that we were really interested in, so kind of the way this has worked out will be interesting because he's a guy that we wanted to work with."
Analysis: Berrios didn't make the cut with the New England Patriots but this could be a steal for the Jets. The shifty Berrios will enter the season as the team's punt returner and could see some snaps on offense at slot receiver.
On his thoughts about the cornerback position heading into the season:
"I feel better than I did 10-15 days ago. We're getting guys healthy and more experience with some of the guys we've added and some of the guys that have actually been practicing. I think the personnel guys have done a great job, Joe [Douglas] and those guys, as far as trying to find guys that can fit into what we're doing...Any time we add guys that have been a part of teams that have won is always a positive thing for us."
Analysis: The cornerback position has been labeled as one of the weak spots on the team. However the recent additions, highlighted by a trade for Nate Hairston, could provide the necessary depth to shore things up.
On the addition of Pittsburgh Steelers great Hines Ward as a full-time offensive assistant:
"I think that's a great addition for us. He's done a lot of really good things with that group, helping out with those guys. I think it was the right time for him. He's excited about the opportunity."
Analysis: Excellent hiring by the Jets. Ward is one of the all-time scrappiest receivers in NFL history. The Jets wide receivers are fortunate to be able to pick the brain of a future Hall of Famer.
