Jets center Joe Tippmann has a nice black eye around his left eye.
That’s fitting, because Tippmann got beat up during that training camp.
Tippmann, the second-year player from Wisconsin, struggled with shotgun snaps during training camp and was the Jets’ only starter entering Saturday’s season opener with the Commanders.
Tippmann played two series and had no bad snaps in the Jets’ 20-17 win.
He worked with backup quarterback Tyrod Taylor.
It was a small victory for Tippmann, who said he has struggled with a heavier workload this year than in his rookie training camp when he was not the starter.
“I feel good now,” Tippmann said after the game. “There were a few initial difficulties when I had to take on the bigger load at the beginning of training camp compared to last year. I was eased into it slowly. I think they’ve gotten a lot better. I’ve been able to really keep them under control now and get them back to the (quarterbacks). That was a result of hard work, working with the quarterbacks and working with my coaches in the O-line room. I think we’re in a good place.”
Tippmann had several training sessions where he didn’t like the snaps.
During a practice, starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers was visibly upset with him.
Then, during the team’s practice game, Tippmann threw the ball over Rodgers’ head, causing a loss of 22 yards.
Rodgers said he knew he could stand up to Tippmann, and the young center said he understood if Rodgers rode him.
Tippmann did not want to reveal how he got the black eye, he only said it happened during training.
Don’t worry, Rodgers didn’t give it to him.
“It’s a great relationship,” Tippmann said. “Aaron is always trying to improve me. I really appreciate that about him. I know it’s out of love. He’s always trying to improve me because he knows I can be better. Any criticism that comes from him I take well.”
On Saturday, Tippmann spoke to the media for the first time since his snapping problems surfaced a few weeks ago.
Tippmann began his rookie year as a reserve player, but became the starting center midway through the year.
There were no obvious issues with his snaps, but it was one of the biggest stories of camp this year.
Tippmann said he had to fight against the conflicts affecting him psychologically.
“It’s hard,” Tippmann said. “It’s hard because it’s the first thing you do. I usually do it subconsciously. I don’t even think about it. I had to work on really having to think about it every play. I couldn’t bounce the ball properly because I had to think about the snaps. I’ve worked through that and I feel like I’m in a good place.”
Jets coach Robert Saleh said Tippmann’s problems were not the main reason he was the lone starter on Saturday.
“He’s a second-grader,” Saleh said. “I’m just trying to get him to solve some problems that he needs to solve. And since Tyrod is there, I just wanted him to mimic Tyrod’s snap count.”
When Tippmann and Taylor were in the game, the offense couldn’t do much.
They failed to achieve a first down.
It wasn’t until the second quarter that the Jets made their breakthrough.
Long runs of 24 and 16 yards by rookie running back Braelon Allen and a 24-yard pass reception by rookie back Isaiah Davis enabled a 12-yard touchdown pass from Andrew Peasley to Jason Brownlee.
The Jets had no regular players on defense.
Commanders rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels masterminded an 11-play touchdown drive that included a 42-yard pass and ended with a three-yard run by Daniels.
The Jets scored 10 points in the fourth quarter and won the game.
Running back Israel Abanikanda scored a two-yard touchdown to tie the game at 17-17.
Substitute kicker Austin Seibert scored a 37-yard field goal with 21 seconds left to secure the win for the Jets.
