T'Vondre Sweat makes his presence felt today
The Jets’ run defense got a lot heftier on Monday with 366-pound tackle T'Vondre Sweat making his training camp debut after coming off PUP.
Acquired from the Titans in the trade for Jermaine Johnson, Sweat figures to provide a huge boost to a phase of the game that has troubled the Jets for some time. Last year they ranked 29th in the league in rushing yards allowed (139.5 per game).
“Obviously he is a big man,” Aaron Glenn said. “He has the ability to take up two gaps. When you are able to do that it allows the linebackers to get a chance to run. And also he is going to take up two blockers. That means they are missing a blocker. That’s the reason why he is here.”
Jets running back Braelon Allen said he noticed the difference right away.
“Ooh yeah,” he said with a smile. “That’s a big dude. He is hard to move for sure.”
Glenn said the Jets will “take our time” getting Sweat back to speed with Week 1 as the target. He was impressed that there were times Sweat did not want to come out during drills even though the Jets made him do so.
Glenn also said he thinks Sweat can do more than just clog the rushing lanes.
“I don’t want to sit here and just look at him as this big run-stopper because he has the ability to push the pocket in the passing game also,” Glenn said. "I want to utilize that player and take advantage of everything he has.”
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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