Just two position battles, but they're both close
Jets safety Dane Belton celebrates with teammates after a stop during the first half of an NFL preseason game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Friday in Pittsburgh. Credit: AP/Justin Berl
Minkah Fitzpatrick will start at one safety. The other spot is up for grabs.
Dane Belton started in Friday’s preseason game in Pittsburgh. Andre Cisco played with the backups. This is one of the only position battles in this camp, along with kicker.
Belton, a former Giant signed in the offseason, has been a playmaker in camp and is a good special teams player. Cisco, a Valley Stream product, was a starter for the Jets last season and had an interception on Friday.
It’s fair to say both will play in some capacity with Fitzpatrick expected to be a Swiss Army knife who can line up at different spots, including nickel corner.
“We've said it was a competition from the very beginning, and those guys know it,” Aaron Glenn said. “It's always good when you have those guys fighting it out, guys making play after play, because we have to make tough decisions. … We're going to let it play out and see what happens.”
As for the kicking job, it’s between Jason Sanders and Cade York and should be decided this week. Initial 53-man rosters are due next Sunday. The Jets play their final preseason game Friday against the Giants.
Sanders is 4-for-4 on field goals and extra points in the preseason and York 3-for-4. He missed a 59-yard try on Friday.
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
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