FLORHAM PARK, NJ — Some pundits questioned the signing of Joseph Ossai.
But not Jets coach Aaron Glenn, who said he “loved” the edge rusher and called him a “damn good player” after the veteran had a huge day at training camp.
Gang Green’s defense imposed its will in a particularly physical day out at practice during the red-zone team period and goal-line work. And no player was all over the field more than Ossai.
“Yeah,” Glenn said. “Yeah, I mean he’s been pretty consistent since he has been here, since he’s been practicing from OTAs to the training camp when he did get out there. So, it’s everything that I expect from him.
“Listen, I love that player. I think he’s a damn good player. We know there’s some things he’s got to work on, and we will continue to work on those things, but the energy that he brings just being out there, man, it’s good to see him out there. And the other guys, they feed on that too, because of his energy.”
Ossai had just returned to practice last week and was termed “full-go” by Glenn. Monday, he had multiple sacks — one on quarterback Cade Klubnik — and stuffed a couple of runs behind the line of scrimmage.
His motor had an infectious impact on the rest of the defense.
“Oh, yeah. For sure,” edge rusher Kingsley Enagbare said. “Every time Ossai steps on the field, he brings great energy, great juice, and he’s going to fly to the football. So, I think that’s kind of expected with him.”
Ossai showed that high motor in one red zone drill. He shed a block and came up with a tackle for loss on starting quarterback Geno Smith’s pitch to running back Braelon Allen.
It was overall a solid day for one of the Jets’ big offseason acquisitions, having handed him a three-year, $34.5 million contract.
Considering he’d had a modest 14 ½ sacks and 16 tackles for loss in four years with the Cincinnati Bengals — starting just a dozen times in that entire span — the signing was questioned by some. But Monday, Ossai flashed some of the motor and potential that sold Gang Green.
