Cade Klubnik draws high praise from Jets veterans after preseason opener

When it was announced that Geno Smith would be out for the New York Jets' preseason opener against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, there was likely one thought that permeated through fans' minds: it's Cade Klubnik time.

With Smith sidelined, Klubnik was going to get his first chance to run with the Jets' starters, and although he likely wasn't on the field as long as people were hoping for, he still made the most of his opportunity.

Klubnik completed 5 of 7 pass attempts for 56 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions. He led the Jets on two scoring drives to open the game, the first ending with a field goal and the second on a 31-yard touchdown scamper by running back Braelon Allen.

The rookie quarterback didn't knock anybody's socks off, but he looked calm, cool, and collected in his first taste of NFL action, and that's exactly what you want from your first-year quarterback. It may have been a surprise to some fans to see him so confident, but it wasn't a shock to his veteran teammates.

New York Jets veterans praise Cade Klubnik's confidence

Following Klubnik's preseason debut, Jets veterans were asked about the rookie quarterback's presence so far throughout training camp and had nothing but positive things to say about the 22-year-old signal caller.

Tight end Jeremy Ruckert praised the fourth-round picks' confidence, despite being such an inexperienced NFL player.

"Yeah, he's super confident. It's fun to be around. I think he does a good job of carrying himself the right way... And like I said, being in command of a huddle, I think that's important as a quarterback. "

Ruckert has had plenty of time working with Klubnik throughout training camp, as both receive the bulk (or, in Klubnik's case, all) of their reps with the second-team offense. If anyone knows how the rookie quarterback has been handling himself behind closed doors, it's Ruckert.

But the veteran tight end wasn't the only one to praise Klubnik, as starting center Josh Myers couldn't help but wax poetic about the young quarterback.

"I've been super impressed with Cade. I've gotten a lot of walkthrough reps with him... Operation went really well while I was in there, and I thought he slung it a little bit, so I thought he looked good."

This is only the beginning for Klubnik, and he'll surely have more opportunities to prove himself as the preseason rolls along. He may even get some extra reps this week in practice with the starters if Geno Smith isn't ready to return from his foot injury.

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