Tony Adams was an unknown entering the 2023 season.
He ended up starting 15 games at safety in his second season.
Now, he enters with more expectations and more belief in himself.
“I think I have a lot more confidence,” Adams said Friday. “I feel like confidence comes from preparation and the best thing you can have is experience and I’ve got it now. I played a full season as a starter. I understand what’s going on in this defense. It’s Year 3 for me in this defense and I trust everybody around me, so the best is yet to come.”
Adams had some good moments and some bad moments in his first year as a starter.
He ended up with three interceptions and five passes defended.
When asked where he wants to improve, Adams pointed to making more plays on the football.
“Definitely getting the ball more,” Adams said. “I went back and watched film and seen how many plays I actually left on the table and I felt like I left a lot on the table last year. That’s why I feel that definitely the best is yet to come. I’m going to be at the right places at the right time, doing my job. You’re going to see my hand on the ball a lot more this year.”
He wants to start by intercepting teammate Aaron Rodgers in practice.
Adams praised how much Rodgers raises the level of everyone on the practice field, but he plans on picking him off.
“He’s different,” Adams said. “He’s a wizard. I call him “The Wizard.” But I’m going to get him this training camp. It’s coming soon.”
RG Alijah Vera-Tucker practiced fully for the first time in camp.
Vera-Tucker is coming back from an Achilles tear last season.
“He’s an elite player at that position, so it’s good to have him,” Jets coach Robert Saleh said.
Saleh said Vera-Tucker will be restricted in camp, so he will have rest days built into his schedule.
Friday was a designated rest day for LT Tyron Smith.
Part of the Jets plan to keep him healthy is to limit his practice time.
The side benefit from resting Smith is allowing first-round pick Olu Fashanu to get first-team reps in Smith’s place.
Saleh called the benefit “enormous.”
“Olu is going to be a really good football player in this league and all those reps are extremely valuable,” Saleh said.