Breaking down expectations for OTAs

Organized team activities will begin this week as it’s expected a plethora of younger talent on the New York Jets will use the opportunities to showcase their talent.

After a long offseason, organized team activities are finally here. It’s a time where players work out with coaches and light work begins as everyone prepares for the road to the regular season. For many players on the New York Jets, this is the time where they want to stand out heading into training camp in just a few weeks.

For those that aren’t sure, OTAs will begin this coming Tuesday, May 23rd, 2017. OTAs are merely light practice sessions that stress noncontact drills. You won’t see anyone tackling each other as it’s most workout routines, working on footwork/awareness, and again, getting younger players mentally ready for the next step.

OTAs are voluntary so not all of the premier players of the Jets will be required to attend. Some do, but it’s not used against anyone if they don’t participate. If veterans do show up, it’s either because they truly want to do their part and set an example for the locker room or there is a nice financial bonus attached to it due to their contract.

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Mandatory minicamp will follow OTAs which is required by the Jets and taken more seriously. After it, training camp will be in full swing. For now, though, early expectations for OTAs are to set the tone across the board that the coaching staff is serious about creating a stricter culture that is built around hard work and accountability.

At rookie minicamp, the Jets made sure to be vocal, aggressive, and set the tone that despite all the rebuilding talk, they will field a competitive team. Expect to see it carry over into OTAs to get everyone aligned that coming off a 5-11 season is inexcusable and that it’s all about the attention to detail in the grand scheme of things.

The Jets need to clean up all the little things that went wrong last season and set those expectations now in OTAs. Making sure to follow assignments, tackle efficiently, and sharpen up mentally to execute are just a few of the expectations that will be stressed during OTAs for all those in attendance.