Cade Klubnik gave the Jets exactly the kind of opening they wanted in their preseason debut against the Buccaneers.
In East Rutherford, N.J., New York took a 13-10 halftime lead after 30 minutes, and the rookie quarterback was right in the middle of it. Klubnik started in place of Geno Smith, who was held out with foot soreness as a precaution, and he guided the Jets to points on both of his first two drives. By the time he left the game, New York was up 10-0.
Klubnik’s final line was steady: 5 of 7 for 56 yards, with no touchdowns and no interceptions.
The biggest punch of the half came from Braelon Allen, who ripped off a 31-yard touchdown run for the Jets’ only score of the opening two quarters.
Once Klubnik handed things over, Bailey Zappe got his shot at the backup job - and the first two drives were rough. Zappe threw interceptions on each of his first two possessions.
The first came on a poor read. The second was a throw on the run after he escaped pressure, but Arian Smith couldn’t hang on and the ball slipped through his hands.
There were other bright spots around the roster, too. Undrafted rookie cornerback Moray Bamba made his presence felt with three passes defended before halftime, a big number any time a young defensive back is trying to stick.
Garrett Wilson also flashed before exiting, hauling in two impressive catches for 31 yards. On defense, Will McDonald logged a sack, and second overall pick David Bailey finished with one tackle while helping create the pressure that led to McDonald’s sack from the inside.
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