3 things to watch for as the Jets move on from Jawmagaddon and face Lions

Well that escalated quickly.

The New York Jets are no longer Geno Smith’s team, at least not for the time being, and the team is left to move on without their presumptive starter at quarterback. But there is actual football ahead for this team with Thursday night’s preseason opener at the Detroit Lions.

Which means that the Jets will be able to actually hit themselves and not each other. Zing.

Three Things to Watch in the Jets Preseason Opener:

Jace Not the Ace

How will tight end Jace Amaro respond now that he has fallen to third on the team’s depth chart? Amaro, a second round pick last year who led all rookie tight ends in receptions, is now behind Kellen Davis and Jeff Cumberland on the pecking order. It is a fast and furious fall from grace for a player who was being hyped this time last year. If he can show solid blocking and make a catch or two (with no drops) against the Lions, it would go a long ways towards alleviating his preciptious drop. Amaro has talent but has lacked consistency so far in the league.

Guard Play

Right now, Willie Colon is the starting left guard as the incumbent starter (Colon was cut this offseason and then re-signed with the team in March) is getting the majority of first team reps. But it will be interesting to see how this thing plays out. Colon is coming off the PUP list and had injuries as well as far too many penalties last year. Perhaps Brent Qvale or Dakota Dozier can step up and claim the spot with a good preseason.

Play Ball

This is it. No more talk about Geno Smith, $600, a glass jaw, a sucker punch, whatever. No more Sheldon Richardson and his arrest. This is football. Time to see if the team can put the backpages and the headlines behind them and come together as a unit. It isn’t an easy test for a first-year head coach in Todd Bowles but he’ll get thrown right into the fire. He noted that Tuesday’s practice was good in the immediate aftermath of ‘Genogate.’ Let’s see if he can bring this locker room together.