Al Iannazzone
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I cover the Jets for @NewsdaySports . I used to cover the Knicks and the NBA.
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Articles by Al Iannazzone
Jets already facing a must-win situation in Week 5 vs. the Browns. How are they handling the pressure?
1-3 Jets 'need a win badly' It’s not even Columbus Day and Aaron Glenn and the Jets are playing a must-win game Sunday against the Browns. The Jets put themselves in this position by losing three straight games and exacerbated the situation with a dismal performance last week in Chicago. Garrett Wilson said the “urgency” has to be at an all-time high now. “We need a win badly,” he said. “We need it bad.
Jets' David Bailey has had an impact but needs to be much better
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The Jets need more from David Bailey, as well as everyone else across the defensive line. That group hasn’t generated much of a pass rush. It’s a collective thing, but Bailey was the No. 2 pick in the draft. He was expected to elevate the Jets’ pass rush and make them a more disruptive defense. Whether it's fair or not to put those expectations on a rookie, they’re there - and Bailey has yet to make an impact as an edge rusher. However, the Jets have no doubt he will.
Jets' Nick Dawkins, son of NBA legend Darryl Dawkins, pursues NFL dream
Nick Dawkins was in his home in Allentown, Pennsylvania, recently, hoping an NFL team would call when he found something he wasn’t looking for but definitely needed. It was an old Pennsylvania Pick-4 Lottery ticket that belonged to his father, former NBA legend Darryl Dawkins. Nick, a rookie offensive lineman on the Jets' practice squad, was only 13 when Darryl died of a heart attack in 2015. Darryl played the lottery every week. He won sometimes, but not enough to break even, Nick said.
Al Iannazzone: Maybe the 'bored' and 'easiest' comments from Bears' Devin Bush can motivate the Jets
Bears linebacker Devin Bush fired a shot after Sunday’s win over the Jets that added further insult to a performance that already reflected poorly on Aaron Glenn, his coaches and every Jets player who stepped on the field. Bush said it was “one of the easiest NFL games” he’s played in, that he’s not “sore” and that he “got bored” watching from the sideline. The Bears defense spent an absurd amount of time on the sideline in their 23-12 win over the Jets. They barely broke a sweat.
Jets need to fight off negative mentality after 1-3 start, or season could nosedive
Garrett Wilson said negative thoughts and a here-we-go-again mentality found its way into the Jets’ locker room in the past. He doesn’t expect that to be a problem with this group. “Not too worried about that,” Wilson said after the Jets' 23-12 loss to the Chicago Bears on Sunday. “We’re trying to weed all that out. We’ll see how that goes this week. That shouldn’t happen.
Al Iannazzone: Good feelings from their 1-0 start are gone as Jets' season threatens to spiral away
The Jets don’t have to worry about their interception drought anymore. They have more pressing matters that they need to address anyway. The Bears dominated the Jets on both sides of the football, on the sidelines, and in the boxes upstairs where some of the play-calling is done. For all the talk about how close the Jets were to turning the corner after two narrow losses, they went backward in Sunday’s 23-12 humbling defeat to the Bears.
Jets grades
OFFENSE: This was a dud for coordinator Frank Reich’s group. Geno Smith and the offense didn’t get anything going until the fourth quarter after the Jets trailed 23-6. They totaled 157 yards and possessed the football only 17:15. Smith was under pressure a lot and wasn’t very sharp when he did get a chance to throw. He came in leading the NFL in completion percentage (75.5). Smith was 8-of-15 for 199 yards and a touchdown.
Jets-Bears Week 4: What to watch in Sunday's matchup
RB = Replacing Breece Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis will carry the load with lead running back Breece Hall likely sidelined with a quadriceps injury he suffered in last week's loss at Detroit. Not having Hall for Sunday’s game in Chicago is a big loss. His 265 rushing and receiving yards on 61 touches make up 27.1% of the Jets’ offense through the first three games. Aaron Glenn is confident that Allen and Davis will step up in Hall’s absence.
Jets are wasting Geno Smith's great start to season
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - Geno Smith isn’t interested in talking about his start to the season even if his play in the Jets’ first three games has forced his critics to remain quiet. Smith didn’t care to talk about it in front of cameras during his weekly news conference or afterward in front of his locker. That brief conversation with one reporter lasted less than 20 seconds before Smith walked away. The gist of it was Smith doesn’t “hear” critics. “All my friends are my friends,” Smith told Newsday.
How Jets' Omar Cooper Jr. and D'Angelo Ponds are staying positive despite setbacks to start their NFL careers
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — They became Jets one day apart, 20 picks apart and three months removed from helping Indiana win the national championship. Receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and cornerback D’Angelo Ponds couldn’t wait to start their NFL careers. Now Cooper’s rookie year is on hold and Ponds’ season is barely off the ground. Both were expected to be in the rotation at their respective positions, if not starters. Injuries have kept them from having an impact.
With Breece Hall dealing with thigh injury, Jets may have to turn to Braelon Allen or Isaiah Davis at running back
The Jets’ rushing attack is already stuck in neutral and now they may be without their best back. Breece Hall left Sunday’s 31-24 loss to Detroit with a thigh injury and was ruled out pretty quickly. It wasn’t a good sign, nor was how dejected Hall seemed when he spoke about what happened when he took a toss from Geno Smith “I felt something when I was running and then got tackled and planted and felt something else,” Hall said. Aaron Glenn had no update on Hall during a Monday Zoom call.
Kenyon Sadiq showing he can handle a bigger role in Jets' offense
The Jets didn’t want to put too much on the plate of rookie tight end Kenyon Sadiq after he returned from an injury that kept him out all of the spring and most of the summer. Sadiq has shown he can handle it, though. “Now is the time we can throw a lot at him,” Jets coach Aaron Glenn said. “He's getting every rep possible to be able to do that.” The Jets lost to the Lions, 31-24, on Sunday, but in his third NFL game, Sadiq showed that he needs to be a focal point of Frank Reich’s offense.
Al Iannazzone: Jets narrowing the gap, but progress isn't translating to wins
Aaron Glenn held his thumb and forefinger a few inches apart and pointed to the gap between them. That’s how close the Jets are, Glenn said, to pulling out games like the one they played Sunday in Detroit. The Jets looked down and out when they trailed the Lions by 14 points in the fourth quarter. Showing a resolve and fight that Glenn’s team didn’t have last year, the Jets came back to tie the game.
Grading the Jets' Week 3 loss to the Detroit Lions
OFFENSE The Jets’ offensive line had some issues for the second consecutive game, and they played a big part in the 31-24 loss. The Jets only rushed for 58 yards on 19 carries. Geno Smith was sacked five times. The fifth one ended the game. With the Jets driving to possibly tie the score, Smith was sacked and fumbled. The Lions recovered. Smith was also sacked on back-to-back plays in the red zone, forcing the Jets to settle for a field goal.
Jets vs. Lions: What to watch in their Week 3 matchup
A Motown homecoming for Glenn Aaron Glenn returns to Detroit for the first time since becoming the Jets’ coach last season. Glenn spent four seasons as the Lions’ defensive coordinator, and they had two of their most successful seasons during Glenn’s last two years. Detroit won 12 games in 2023 and a franchise-best 15 the next year. Glenn tried to downplay his emotions about going back to Ford Field. “A place that I coached, a place that I have fond memories, a place that we want to win,” he said.
Jets OC Frank Reich uses analytics to defend controversial fourth-down play call
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – The old quarterback was prepared for this moment, prepared for what he was going to face, and Frank Reich didn’t flinch. The Jets' offensive coordinator showed up to his weekly news conference on Thursday armed with data and analytics to defend his fourth-and-1 play call in last Sunday’s overtime loss to the Packers.
Al Iannazzone: Jets need to do a better job of getting the ball in the hands of Garrett Wilson
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Frank Reich’s playbook is filled with different formations, concepts and routes collected from more than 40 years of playing and coaching at a very high level. Somewhere in that book or on Reich’s call sheet there has to be one play that when you remove all the numbers, letters and code words it simply means get the ball to Garrett Wilson. The Jets didn’t do that nearly enough in their Week 2 loss to the Packers. They can’t afford to let that happen again.
Al Iannazzone: Jets need to get the ball into Garrett Wilson's hands
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Frank Reich’s playbook is filled with different formations, concepts and routes collected from more than 40 years of playing and coaching at a very high level. Somewhere in that book or on Reich’s call sheet there has to be one play that when you remove all the numbers, letters and code words it simply means get the ball to Garrett Wilson. The Jets didn’t do that nearly enough in their Week 2 loss to the Packers. They can’t afford to let that happen again.
Aaron Glenn wants the Jets to close the door on teams, but he needs to open it for that to happen
Aaron Glenn has talked about the Jets needing to be more opportunistic. The same goes for their coach. Glenn did not answer when opportunity knocked on Sunday. It knocked again on Monday and Glenn didn’t answer then either. The Jets blew a 10-point fourth-quarter lead to Green Bay and still had an opportunity to win in regulation. Glenn chose not to call timeout and give Geno Smith and the offense the football with about a minute left. The Jets lost in overtime, 20-17.
Jets' stubborn play-calling needs to be better going forward
Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich was given his flowers for his creativity and how the offense looked at Tennessee in Week 1. The Jets faced a far better opponent on Sunday, and Reich’s offense took a step backward. The Jets lost, 20-17, in overtime to the Green Bay Packers. This was a winnable game and should have been a victory if only the Jets had executed better and maybe hadn't been so stubborn with trying to establish the running game on a day when it produced little.
Grading the Jets' Week 2 overtime loss to the Green Bay Packers
OFFENSE The Jets had an opportunity on offense to put the hammer down and win this game, but they didn’t. Their execution after an explosive Breece Hall catch-and-run and after a takeaway was poor. The offense had the ball inside the red zone after the defense forced a turnover and the Jets settled for a field goal. Overall, the run game was never established. The Jets only rushed for 67 yards and 27 carries and failed to get some critical first downs in short-yardage situations.
Jets blow 10-point fourth-quarter lead in overtime loss to Packers
The Jets gave away ponchos to their fans who filled MetLife Stadium on a rainy Sunday. Then they gave away a game. Aaron Glenn’s team squandered a 10-point fourth-quarter lead and imploded down the stretch of regulation and in overtime. The Jets suffered a 20-17 loss to Green Bay in their home opener. Trey Smack kicked a 26-yard field goal 4:37 into overtime to help the Packers escape with the victory. Optimism was high after the Jets dominated Tennessee in Week 1.
Jets place rookie receiver Omar Cooper Jr. on injured reserve, will miss at least four games
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Jets-Packers: What to watch for in Sunday's Week 2 matchup
'I expect to feel a lot of energy in that stadium' The Jets expect their fans to show up and be loud in Sunday’s home opener against the Packers. A large contingent of them made the trip to Nashville last week and saw the Jets completely dominate Tennessee. It was only the second time in the last eight years that the Jets won their season opener. MetLife Stadium should be rocking on Sunday. “I expect to feel a lot of energy in that stadium,” Garrett Wilson said.
Al Iannazzone: What a win over Packers and 2-0 start would mean for Aaron Glenn and the Jets
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – It’s been a long time since the Jets won their first two games of the season. Eleven years to be exact. That 2015 season was also the last time the Jets finished with a winning record. It’s all part of an ugly past that Aaron Glenn is trying to change. The Jets’ Week 1 performance was a good confidence builder. This week they have the opportunity to make a statement.
Jets relying more on tight ends in Frank Reich's offense, and it's paying off so far
The Jets’ opening drive of 2026 set the tone for the game and perhaps the season. Multiple tight end sets are the new normal for the Jets. They rarely used those packages last year under former coordinator Tanner Engstrand. It will be a staple with Frank Reich calling the plays this year. The Jets ran three plays in 13 personnel – three tight ends, one running back – three times on the opening drive in their win over Tennessee. They did that three times all of last season.
Why Aaron Glenn was upset with the Jets' defense at the end of Sunday's win over the Titans
Aaron Glenn was not satisfied with how the Jets' defense played on Sunday, even though they accomplished some things that they hadn’t done in years in dominating the Tennessee Titans. The Jets’ coach and defensive play-caller was upset with how the defense ended the game. “I didn't like the fact that we gave up that touchdown at the end of the game,” Glenn said Monday.
Jets' offense shows signs in Week 1 win over Titans that this could be a fun season
NASHVILLE — The loud celebratory screaming inside the Jets’ locker room was warranted after they dominated the Tennessee Titans, controlling the line of scrimmage on both sides of the football. It truly is a new season. The Jets didn’t have much to celebrate last year and didn’t dominate anything other than special teams. This was a performance that not only gives the players confidence in what Aaron Glenn and the other coaches are preaching but creates optimism about where they can go from here.
Grading the Jets' Week 1 win over the Tennessee Titans
OFFENSE: B New offensive coordinator Frank Reich called a good game and mixed things up. The Jets had a 19-play drive with 15 runs and another one in which they hit on two explosive passes. Geno Smith was efficient in his first start for the Jets in nearly 10 years. He completed 79% of his passes and didn’t throw an interception. Eight different players had catches. The Joffensive line protected Smith — who wasn’t sacked — and opened up running lanes for the backs.
Jets defeat Titans as Breece Hall carries for 102 yards, TD
NASHVILLE – Aaron Glenn’s second season as Jets coach started much better than his first. The Jets opened 2026 with a dominant 23-10 win over their former coach Robert Saleh and the Tennessee Titans on Sunday at Nissan Stadium. The Jets didn’t win their first game last year until Week 8. Many Gang Green fans made the trip here and chanted “Aaron Glenn” late in the fourth quarter. They also bellowed that familiar “J-E-T-S” chant many times. They had reason.
Jets-Titans: What to watch for in their Week 1 matchup
The return of Geno Geno Smith is back running the Jets offense for the first time in nearly 10 years. He called it “an honor” to be with the franchise again and lead this “young talented group of guys.” It didn’t go well for Smith or the Jets their first time together. He’s a different player now, a seasoned veteran who has played in many big games. Smith has the confidence and trust of his coaches and teammates, and he’s motivated to help the Jets reach the playoffs for the first time in 16 years.
Jets receiver Adonai Mitchell finally getting the chance he's always wanted
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. - The only thing Adonai Mitchell wanted was an opportunity. The receiver expressed that during his end-of-season exit meeting in January to head coach Aaron Glenn. Mitchell told the same thing to general manager Darren Mougey and to position coach Shawn Jefferson. The Jets granted Mitchell his wish. He will open up his third NFL season Sunday in Tennessee as the Jets’ No. 2 receiver behind Garrett Wilson. “It really means a lot,” Mitchell told Newsday. “I just asked for opportunity.
Jets' Breece Hall says he's ready for Week 1 vs. Titans
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – Breece Hall is back from what he called a “good little vacation” and is confident that he can handle a full workload in the Jets’ season opener on Sunday against the Titans. “I feel like I can do whatever I need to do for us to get the win,” Hall said after practice Thursday. The Jets running back suffered a groin injury in practice 3 1/2 weeks ago. He was a little nervous at first because he never injured his groin.
Jets return specialist Isaiah Williams spent the offseason chasing speed and Olympic sprinters
Isaiah Williams wasn’t close to being satisfied with being voted Jets MVP by his teammates last season. The electric returner believed he could be better and truly went the extra mile -- or 1600 meters -- over the summer. Wanting to gain an edge and some extra burst when he returned for his second season with the Jets, Williams spent a month training with Olympic sprinters and by with a coach who has worked with more than 80 Olympians.
Jets rookie Omar Cooper Jr. has learned a lot in his first NFL training camp . . . just don't ask him to sing again
Omar Cooper Jr. had to stand up in a Jets offensive meeting and try a little stand-up. Welcome to the NFL, Rook. Telling a joke in front of the room was one of Cooper’s rookie responsibilities. He remembered one that he saw on TikTok and gave it a shot. “Where does a sheep go on vacation? The Baa-aa-aa-hamas.” No one threw any tomatoes or eggs at him, but Cooper, who less than seven months earlier helped Indiana win a national championship, admitted his dad joke didn’t go well.
Aaron Glenn and the Jets are on a mission to win games — and earn some respect
Aaron Glenn and the Jets are not waiting until next year. It’s understandable that long-suffering fans are looking forward to 2027, when the Jets will have three first-round picks in a quarterback-deep draft. The more they lose this season, the better the Jets’ chances are of drafting one of the top QBs. That, however, is the furthest thing from Glenn's mind.
Demario Davis brings his leadership, professionalism, lessons to a Jets defense in need of it
Demario Davis is set to begin his 15th NFL season on Sunday in Tennessee and hasn’t lost any of his love or passion for the game. He brings that energy and fire to the Jets every day and is providing the leadership that was so glaringly absent last season. The Jets had no one who could calm everyone when things got rough — which happened often — or consistently diagnose a play pre-snap.
Fast-rising Seth Ryan
Offensive coordinator Frank Reich had a feeling that Seth Ryan would be a good fit for his staff. But Reich said Ryan, the Jets’ first-year passing game coordinator, has “exceeded expectations.” Ryan worked previously with the Chargers and Lions and under some people from Reich’s past, including Nick Sirianni and Shane Steichen.
Robert Saleh says kind things about the Jets
Robert Saleh tried to downplay how badly he wants to beat the Jets. (Sorry, Robert, everyone knows you do.) Saleh was fired as Jets coach five games into the 2024 season. He’s now the head coach of the Titans. Of course, the NFL made Jets-Titans a Week 1 game with the storyline of Saleh and the Jets facing each other. He said he has no ill will toward the Jets, but Saleh probably is not a big fan of Woody Johnson. It was Johnson’s decision to pull the plug on Saleh with the Jets holding a 2-3 record.
Tippmann embraced moving to guard
A year has made quite a difference for Joe Tippmann. One year ago today, former starting right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker suffered a season-ending triceps tear in practice. Tippmann, who had beaten out Josh Myers for the starting center job, had to slide over to right guard and has played there ever since. Tippmann has excelled in his new spot and was rewarded with a four-year, $62 million contract extension in June. “It's been a great transition,” Tippmann said.
Players feeling 'a lot more connected' this season in second year under Glenn
Aaron Glenn’s confidence is soaring as the regular season nears because he feels everyone is aligned and together in what they’re chasing. The Jets haven’t made the playoffs in 15 years and no one is projecting that drought will end this season. That’s the goal, of course. Glenn feels closer to achieving that than he was last year – his first as a head coach. “The process that we've been through this year has been really, really good,” Glenn said.
Jets wideouts going gaga over specialty goggles
Jets receivers are wearing specialized sports goggles to improve their concentration when catching passes. They feature dark lenses with a blinking strobe-light effect that have multiple settings designed to improve reaction time, hand-eye coordination and overall focus. The players are using them after practice and sometimes at home. Isaiah Williams started training with them about three weeks ago. He wears them to catch footballs, tennis balls and beanbags.
David Bailey is built differently
David Bailey has been disruptive on the field, but the rookie edge rusher is making a strong impression with his off-the-field actions. Veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips noted that many rookies and young players might use their breaks to scroll social media on their phones. Bailey spends his time during breaks on his iPad watching film.
The Mason Taylor-Geno Smith connection
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Aaron Glenn's plans for the break
This was the Jets’ last practice before a little break. Aaron Glenn said there would be a lot of team competition and situational periods. When they return on Monday, preparations for their Week 1 opponent Tennessee will begin. Glenn said it was important to “make sure that we’re dialed in on our concepts and there’s no gray area when it comes to that.” Glenn has already started watching film of the Titans.
Jets bring in 5-time All-Pro Justin Tucker for kicking tryout
The Jets held a kicking tryout, reportedly hosting Justin Tucker, Michael Badgley and Joshua Karty at their facility on Wednesday. Tucker hasn’t kicked in the NFL since 2024 after being accused of sexual misconduct by multiple massage therapists. The NFL suspended the former Raven 10 games for violating the league’s personal conduct policy. Tucker was never charged criminally or sued civilly. A five-time first-team All-Pro, Tucker served his suspension and was reinstated last November.
'They fit exactly the way I want to play defense'
Adding big bodies up front on defense was a priority after the Jets allowed the fourth-most rushing yards last season. They traded for T’Vondre Sweat – who is 6-foot-4, 366 pounds – signed David Onyemata and drafted Darrell Jackson Jr. They join a room that already featured Harrison Phillips and Jowon Briggs. “They’re big men, but they're also agile men,” Aaron Glenn said. “They fit exactly the way I want to play defense…. Just that type of size and that type of athletic ability, it only helps you.
Frank Reich: 'We got more than 11 starters' on offense
Frank Reich has nothing but high grades for Geno Smith and the other skill players he’s now leading. The Jets offensive coordinator said “because of how talented that room is, we don't have 11 starters on offense. We've got like 15, that's the way I look at it, or however many it is. It's not 11, I promise you.” There’s Smith and the five offensive linemen – Armand Membou, Joe Tippmann, Josh Myers, Dylan Parham and Olu Fashanu.
What Omar Cooper Jr. needs to do as a rookie WR
Omar Cooper Jr. had an up-and-down training camp, but he was clicking with Geno Smith at the end of it. Cooper is a strong receiver, able to rack up YAC (Yards After the Catch). He will be the Jets' WR3/4 with Isaiah Williams. The rookie’s snap counts and targets could depend on how quickly he learns the league and what to do against certain coverages. When he does, he should be able to create more opportunities for himself.
Final practice squad spot goes to QB Zappe
Bailey Zappe is back. The Jets signed him to the practice squad Tuesday, filling the one spot they had open. The Jets released Zappe on Sunday when they trimmed their roster down to 53 players. Geno Smith is the starter and Cade Klubnik is his backup, but the Jets needed a third quarterback. It was expected that Brady Cook would be the Jets' practice-squad QB, but the Dolphins claimed him off waivers.
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