Joe Tippmann delivers perfect response to David Bailey’s dominant practice

New York Jets rookie edge rusher David Bailey might be going unappreciated amongst the national media, but at least Joe Tippmann has liked what he’s seen.

Bailey has earned rave reviews to begin his first training camp, including from onsite reporters and those participating in the practices. That includes Tippmann, the veteran center who signed a four-year, $66.4 million extension last month.

Tippmann called Bailey a “pain in the ass” and admitted he was impressed by what he’s seen from the No. 2 pick.

“I think he’s somebody who’s going to make the tackles better, and the tackles are going to make him better,” Tippmann told reporters.

Jets fans should love Joe Tippmann’s early praise for rookie David Bailey

Look, training camp quotes are a dime a dozen, and nothing says the preseason like the repetitive quotes about why one player is primed for a breakout in their contract year or, in Bailey’s case, how great a rookie looks.

But the coach and quarterback cliches are one thing. When you have a respected offensive lineman publicly speaking up about Bailey, even if it’s also to promote tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, it carries significant weight.

“They've been phenomenal,” Tippmann said. “Just the way they carry themselves, the way they attack every day, it's impressive, especially for such a young group of tackles.”

The lack of external attention paid to Bailey throughout the summer is still baffling. Rarely has a No. 2 pick, even those who haven’t been quarterbacks, gone so underdiscussed by the pundits and talking heads.

And, as I’ve previously pointed out, it’s not Bailey’s fault. NFL offseasons tend to be strange like that. 

In fairness, though, we were all waiting for training camp for the analysis to really matter. As the kids once said, the tape don’t lie. When reporters are posting videos to social media showing Bailey tearing through the offensive line, that’s naturally when we truly start to pay attention.

The Jets are over two weeks out from their preseason opener against the Buccaneers, and Aaron Glenn hasn’t yet disclosed how much Bailey will play during the three-game exhibition slate. 

So to recap, we’re hearing great things about Bailey, the Jets’ offensive line, and quarterbacks Cade Klubnik and Geno Smith, among others. Training camp is always a time for optimism, even in Jets Nation.

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