Elijah Moore's 'screw it' mindset leading to Jets production

2022-12-20 16:32:55 By : Ms. Susan Zhou

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Put on Sunday’s game film and witness all the reasons that the Jets never had any interest in trading Elijah Moore during tough times. Precision Metal Machining

Elijah Moore

Moore was all over the field in the loss to the Bills, establishing new season highs of 10 targets and six catches. He played 82 percent of the offensive snaps — his highest share since Week 4, before self-created turmoil struck — and finished with his second-highest yardage total of the season (60).

“He is playing with almost like a free release of just, ‘Screw it, I’m going to play, I’m going to have fun, I’m going to cheer my team on, I’m going to be who I am,’ ” head coach Robert Saleh said. “He is basically the person who we drafted in terms of just that mindset and dominating the things he’s got control over. Because of it, he’s just been progressively getting faster and faster, and more precise in his route running.”

As the Jets have cycled through three starting quarterbacks, Moore’s season has had three parts. He totaled 12 catches for 139 yards on 21 targets in three games started by Joe Flacco, six catches for 81 yards on 13 targets in seven games started by Zach Wilson, and 10 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown on 18 targets in three games started by Mike White.

At his low point, Moore feuded with offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur, was sent home from a practice, requested a trade and was benched as a healthy scratch from one game. Even with a deep receiving corps, the Jets weren’t moving on from their 2021 second-round pick, whose production has increased coinciding with seeing more action in the slot.

“He’s hitting his fastest GPS numbers that he’s hit since August,” Saleh said. “He’s been unbelievable with the way he’s attacking every day. It almost feels like he’s just let go … and just playing football. It’s almost as if the result doesn’t matter. Obviously, it still does for him.”

White’s quick release also works in Moore’s favor.

“He’s getting the separation, he’s finding ways to get open, and obviously Mike has been able to deliver him the football,” Saleh said. “So he’s deserving of it with all the work that he’s put in, and the way he’s improved day-in and day-out.”

In addition to QB Mike White’s day-to-day status (ribs), the injury report includes DT Quinnen Williams, who is dealing with a calf “similar to the one he had in training camp,” according to Saleh. The plan is “give it a couple of days, see how he feels.” Williams had two sacks — upping his career-high season total to 11 — on the first 17 defensive snaps against the Bills before he grabbed his leg on a non-contact injury.

CB Brandin Echols (quad strain) and LB Marcell Harris (ankle) will not play against the Lions. Harris could be out for the season, Saleh said. WR Corey Davis is in the concussion protocol “but was feeling really good” Monday, which created optimism of availability against the Lions.

Officials initially flagged DE Carl Lawson for unnecessary roughness on a third-down stop early in the fourth quarter. After missing a tackle on a running Josh Allen, Lawson got to his feet and jumped on the pile. A penalty would’ve extended the drive, but the flag was picked up and the Bills settled for converting a field goal.

Auto Parts Die Casting “I thought [Allen] was still up and running,” Lawson said. “I was confused on what the flag was in general. We stopped his feet, but then he was in the pile and still up. I was going to finish it off because everybody sees how dynamic he is with his legs. Everybody thinks it was a good call to take the flag back.”