Frank Reich hasn’t forgotten about Garrett Wilson.
He’s just failing him.
“We really are trying to get the ball to him early and often,” Jets offensive coordinator Frank Reich said Thursday. “We want to get it to him even more. … There are other ways we can create touches and scheme him open. And we are, all the time.
“I want him to be the best in the NFL because I think that’s what we think of him. But I think he’s been productive, and we’ll keep trying to get him the ball.”
The Jets’ best player ultimately has been a decoy for most of this month. In the loss at Chicago, Wilson had three receptions for 27 yards. In the loss at New England, he made four catches for 44 yards before leaving the field visibly upset. In last week’s loss to Miami, Wilson was targeted three times — making two catches for 26 yards — and was seen screaming at passing game coordinator Seth Ryan on the sideline.
“I think there’s a healthy tension,” Reich said. “But I’d also give the context of that healthy tension. Last week, for example, on the first play of the game … both defenders bust the coverage because it’s Garrett Wilson. They both jump on Garrett. [Omar Cooper Jr.] comes wide open, and it goes for [52] yards. Later in the game … the free safety uncharacteristically goes way over the top to double Garrett, and Geno [Smith] makes a laser throw right down the center of the field … So Garrett doesn’t touch it there, but there are 100[-plus] yards of offense that Garrett Wilson created.”
Wilson ranks 11th in the NFL in receptions (37), 19th in receiving yards (444), and is tied for 17th in targets (51), with three touchdowns.
Reich did admit he should have used the No. 1 receiver on a game-tying opportunity in the fourth quarter, which resulted in Smith being sacked for a 12-yard loss on third down.
“That’s the one call I’d want back in that game,” Reich said. “Try to get it to Garrett. Do something different to try to get it to Garrett with the game on the line like that. Those are the kinds of situations I know he’s talking about, and I get it. I’ve got to do better there.”
No. 2 overall pick David Bailey (groin) missed practice for the second straight day, along with T’Vondre Sweat (knee), Joseph Ossai (ankle) and Max Mitchell (concussion).
Running back Breece Hall (quad) and offensive lineman Dylan Parham (knee) remained limited participants, while running back Braelon Allen (ankle) was a full participant after being limited the previous day.
Cooper was named the NFL Rookie of the Week for the second straight week after recording five catches for 115 yards and a touchdown against the Dolphins. Jets rookies — including Bailey and Kenyon Sadiq — have claimed the award in four of the past five weeks.
