In a new city, playing for a new team, Eric Decker is making the most of training camp with the New York Jets.
After spending the previous two seasons catching passes from Peyton Manning in Denver, Decker now finds himself in an offense that looks drastically different.
Decker’s skillful route-running ability was a perfect fit for Manning’s pinpoint precision. In New York, though, catching passes from quarterbacks who don’t possess Manning’s precision, Decker’s skill set becomes ever more valuable. Finding space where there isn’t much space to find is something Jets’ quarterbacks will love.
Through the first three training camp practices, Decker hasn’t dropped a pass. Though, Decker still is finding challenges within the new system he finds himself in.
“Whatever we did in the offseason, it doesn’t prepare you as much as people think to get to this point,” Decker said Saturday, via NJ.com.
Moving from the Broncos’ spread attack to the Jets’ West Coast Offense would be a difficult transition for any receiver in the league. The Jets’ offense doesn’t feature the most experienced group of pass catchers, either. It does, however, inexperienced or not, offer more flexibility, according to Decker.
“You understand that it can be kind of a strength of the offense if you master it, where you can make those subtle adjustments and really get open versus any coverage,” Decker said. “It allows you that freedom as a receiver, that you’re not so systematic.”
If there’s one thing Jets’ receivers could use right now it’s the freedom to find a groove within the system.
With a veteran like Decker now in the mix and more answers at quarterback than questions, the 2014 Jets’ offense likely will look — and fare — much different than it did last season. Considering where the unit finished last season, 31st in the league in passing, odds are it’s only up from here.
Take 55 seconds and check out the best of the first 4 days of #JetsCamp – http://t.co/Pr4YWpNSgF pic.twitter.com/hYW5Jck6GG
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 29, 2014