Like many NFL players, Jets veteran defensive tackle Harrison Phillips noticed the grass field being used at MetLife Stadium this summer for the World Cup.
Phillips, who is active in the NFL Players Association, said he hopes NFL teams can find a way to use grass in all the stadiums.
MetLife will go back to turf for the football season.
“It’s a very complicated argument. but I want to stand firm that players prefer good, natural grass,” Phillips said.
Phillips said he believes team owner Woody Johnson is open to discussing changing the field to grass, but it is complicated since both the Jets and Giants use the stadium, and it is hard to maintain grass fields in the colder months.
Phillips acknowledged some players will not want to play on a poor grass surface if that is the alternative.
“I think that there is an answer,” Phillips said. “I do believe that we can try to make players happier and get closer to what they want.”
Phillips pointed to the Jets getting a remodeled training center as evidence that Johnson will spend money to help players.
“I’ve been blown away by how much our owner wants to support our players,” Phillips said. “We’re going to have one of the best facilities not just in the National Football League, but in all of professional sports. That’s an owner that says, I want to win and I want to do whatever the players need for that.
“If there is a way to get the players what we want and natural grass is feasible and we can show that that’s going to make us a healthier team, I believe our owner would definitely hear that out.”
QB Geno Smith had a strong performance Saturday, throwing no incompletions during the team drills or in seven-on-sevens.
He went 11-for-11 in team drills with four touchdowns during a red zone-heavy practice.
“It’s good to see that from your starter,” coach Aaron Glenn said. “Listen, he’s worked his butt off, from the offseason going to the beginning of training camp, of understanding exactly what we’re doing. I think him and Frank [Reich, offensive coordinator] are on the same page.
“I think our quarterback coaches are doing a hell of a job of teaching him and actually expanding his knowledge as far as what we’re trying to do. The one good thing about Geno is as long as he’s been in this league, he’s still learning.”
The Jets have an off day Sunday. They have their first padded practice Monday. … The team signed DL Ben Barten and waived LS Garrison Grimes.
