Running back Matt Forte is not fond of the suggestion the Jets are tanking this season.
The veteran was asked what he thought about the belief many fans have that the Jets are writing off this season in order to get a top draft pick in 2018.
“It’s a good thing we don’t operate off of what the fans think and what everybody on the outside thinks,” Forte said. “What we think as a team, that’s what’s going to happen. And none of us on the team think that we’re going to tank. So all I have to say about that is: Bring it.”
The recent cuts of David Harris and Eric Decker, on top of what the Jets already did this offseason, has led to lots of talk about the team tanking this year. Forte said he believes the Jets’ roster is fine.
“In the league, it’s not about the team that has the most talent on the roster,” Forte said. “It’s about the guys who have a brotherhood together. They play on the field, not next to each other. They play for each other. That’s the kind of culture that we’ve been creating throughout the offseason here.”
Forte, 31, is one of just four players over 30 years old left on the roster. He has $4 million guaranteed coming to him this year, so he is not in any jeopardy of losing his roster spot.
Coach Todd Bowles said wide receiver ArDarius Stewart recently had two surgeries — one on his thumb and one on his groin. The Jets drafted Stewart in the third round in April. He has sat out most, it not all, of organized team activities and minicamp. Bowles said he expects Stewart to be ready for training camp.
Rookie safety Jamal Adams had a strong practice Wednesday. He was all over the place — breaking up passes, flying off the edge on blitzes and intercepting back-to-back Josh McCown passes.
“He had a good day today,” Bowles said. “He did some things that he’s shown on film, so he was one of the guys who stood out today.”
Bowles said Adams does not just rely on his natural ability, but has done well in the classroom, too.
“He’s an instinctive guy,” Bowles said. “He got drafted in the first round. He’s pretty instinctive to begin with. He’s just a football player. He studies a lot, obviously. You just don’t get that way without studying.”
Decker, who officially became a free agent on Tuesday, visited the Titans on Wednesday. Decker and his family live in Nashville, Tenn., so the Titans could be a match. … Rookie WR Chad Hansen (knee) and CB Morris Claiborne (hamstring) did not practice.