Engstrand’s Ambitious Goals for Jets’ Offense
Tanner Engstrand, the Jets’ offensive coordinator, has set his sights high for the team’s offense this season.
He aims for eight explosive plays per game, a benchmark he considers crucial. In the first week, the Jets managed to exceed that aim, showcasing 11 explosive plays.
For the Jets, explosive plays are defined as passes that travel 16 yards or more, and runs that gain at least 12 yards. Engstrand commented, “We’re always filming with eight people. The more explosives, the higher the numbers. We always hunt those explosives because they correlate with scoring drives. The more explosive plays you can capture in a game, the better your chances are to score.” It’s something he’s emphasized since he first joined the team.
Although the Jets lost their season opener, the offense demonstrated promise, putting up 32 points and accumulating 394 total yards. Notably, they only reached 32 points twice last season.
This game marked a strong season beginning for Engstrand, who previously worked as a passing game coordinator with the Lions after his stint at the University of San Diego in 2019.
“Restarting under game pressure felt really good,” he said, recalling the excitement of calling plays again. “Being able to get a play call to Justin [Fields] a bit faster was thrilling.” It’s that kind of quick thinking that can change the course of a game.
However, the Jets are facing challenges with their wide receiver lineup, which is already thin. Veteran Josh Reynolds was held out of practice due to a hamstring injury, raising concerns about his availability for the upcoming game.
This situation could open the door for Allen Lazard to make his debut this season. Lazard was a healthy scratch in the opener after recovering from a shoulder injury sustained during preseason training.
Additionally, star cornerback Sauce Gardner appeared on the injury list on Thursday due to a groin issue, though he was only limited in practice. Michael Carter II is also dealing with a shoulder problem.
Meanwhile, running back/kick returner Kene Nwangwu remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, as does defensive lineman Jay Tufele due to illness. Tight end Mason Taylor, limited by an ankle issue, expressed hope that he would be able to play on Sunday.
On a different note, Bills’ standout defensive tackle Ed Oliver is dealing with his own injury, as he showed up at practice in a walking boot due to an ankle issue. Despite this setback, he had a remarkable performance in Week 1 against the Ravens, recording six tackles, including a sack, a forced fumble, two quarterback hits, and three tackles.
