Management Pranks
Every year the last episode of Hard Knocks, is always the most looked forward to. In addition, the most upsetting and drama-filled. After spending the majority of the summer with one team, they now see themselves trying to survive cut day and make the 53-man roster.
Two of the more interesting players to watch out for were the bromance of Jason Brownlee and Xavier Gipson. Brownlee was called into head coach Robert Saleh’s office where Saleh was joined with head coach with general manager Joe Douglas. The conversation started out with Douglas mentioning Brownlee is an undrafted free agent and it would take a lot to make the roster alluding to his release. However, Saleh and Brownlee pull a not so funny prank and then tell Brownlee he made the team and he is a New York Jet.
Now, it was time to see if Brownlee’s friend would also make the team. It is even tougher for Gipson as he is also a wide receiver but mainly a special teams guy. Gipson was also called in and dealt with the same not funny prank. Gipson then left the room in excitement dapping up his friend.
Hard Knocks Star Cut
One of the other stars on the show was veteran defensive end Tanzel Smart. He is entering his sixth season in the NFL. Unfortunately for Smart, he is in a loaded defensive lineman group with Quinnen Williams, Solomon Thomas, and others.
Smart was released by the Jets. However, he was brought back by the Jets as a member of the practice squad and wanted to stay with the team he spent the last two seasons with and he already knows what is expected of the coaches and the playoffs.
Building Chemistry On New Connection
After spending six seasons as division rivals, Dalvin Cook and Aaron Rodgers are now teammates with the Jets. They are working on building their chemistry for the upcoming season and also just getting to know each other. Both are easily top-10 at their position and looking to get the Jets back in the playoffs.
Tough Rookie
In a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, rookie running back Israel Abinikanda suffered a thigh contusion. He was supposed to be out for a month but he showed his toughness and only missed a week or two.
Birthday Sauce
Reigning defensive rookie of the year Sauce Gardner was at Buffalo Wild Wings celebrating his 23rd birthday. Gardner was also there filming a commercial while many Jets fans sang and wished him a happy birthday.
Jets Take On Broadway
Once the 53-man roster was finalized and they got through cut day, the team decided to take on Broadway and go see MJ: The Musical. Many of the players were entertained such as Rodgers, CJ. Uzomah, Zach Wilson, and many others.
Robert Saleh Motivates The Team
The episode also featured Saleh motivating the team in a team meeting as he told them to ignore and block out all the noise and attention they have been getting and to just do their job. He no longer wants to hear from opposing losses that they played hard after a loss.
Stay Tuned For Season Opener
With the end of Hard Knocks, the Jets next action will be on September 11 for Monday Night Football against the Buffalo Bills.
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Brian Ramos is a contributor on Back Sports Page. Along with receiving his B.A. in Sports Communications, he has over a year of experience in the sports industry and has interviewed a variety of people in the sports industry, such as Julius Randle, Bobby Portis, Don La Greca, Adam Schefter, and others. In addition, to writing, Ramos has called women’s lacrosse and baseball on ESPN+. Ramos has a podcast on YouTube called Cut The Nets, along with his co-host Jeremy Gretzer. You can find Brian on Instagram at @Brian.ramos0219 and Twitter at @brianramos0219.
