Tony Adams was an unknown entering the 2023 season.
He played in 15 games as a safety in his second season.
Now he goes into the tournament with even higher expectations and even more belief in himself.
“I think my confidence is a lot better,” Adams said Friday. “I think confidence comes from preparation and experience is the best thing and I have that now. I’ve played a full season as a starter. I understand what’s going on with this defense. It’s my third year with this defense and I trust the guys around me so the best is yet to come.”
Adams had some good and some bad moments in his first season as a starter.
He ended up with three interceptions and five passes defended.
When asked what he would like to improve, Adams said playing more football.
“I definitely see myself getting the ball in my hands a lot more,” Adams said. “I went back and looked at the film and saw how many plays I actually missed and I felt like I missed a lot of plays last year, so I definitely think my best is yet to come. I’m just going to be in the right place at the right time and do my job. You’re going to see me get a lot more touches on the ball this year.”
He wants to start by intercepting teammate Aaron Rodgers in practice.
Adams praised Rodgers for how he has raised the level of everyone on the practice field, but he plans to overtake him.
“He’s not,” Adams said. “He’s a wizard. I call him ‘The Wizard.’ But I’m going to bring him to this training camp, which starts soon.”
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker had his first full practice of camp.
Vera-Tucker is just returning from a torn Achilles last season.
“He’s an elite player at his position, so it was good to get him,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said.
Saleh said Vera-Tucker will be limited in camp and will have rest days built into his schedule.
Friday was Lt. Tyron Smith’s designated day off.
Part of the Jets’ plan to keep him healthy is to limit his practice time.
A side benefit of resting Smith is that first-round draft pick Olu Fashanu will be able to practice with the first team in Smith’s place.
Saleh called the benefits “enormous.”
“Oru is going to be a really good football player in this league and the experience he has has been invaluable,” Saleh said.
