Sauce Gardner has heard the criticism of his tackling this season, which included some from Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who stated earlier than the win in opposition to Houston that the cornerback’s tackling “must be higher.”
On Thursday, Gardner was requested about how his season has gone with the Jets simply previous the midway mark.
“I felt I’ve had a reasonably respectable 12 months,” he stated. “Clearly, the protection is slightly completely different. Groups attempt to assault us in another way, like operating the ball to my aspect. I’ve acquired a couple of missed tackles, however it occurs.”
Total, although, there’s no denying Gardner’s efficiency has fallen off in his third 12 months after Professional Bowl appearances in every of his first two years.
However Gardner defended his play.
“I really feel like what individuals don’t perceive is I’ve had extra deal with makes an attempt than in my previous years,’’ Gardner stated. “I really feel like I’m doing fairly effectively in protection. I’m all the time making an attempt to get higher at every little thing. That’s me.”
Final week, Ulbrich stated he observed some enchancment in Gardner’s tackling and he made 5 tackles in opposition to Houston, tying a season excessive.
His job gained’t get simpler Sunday, when the Jets must face Kyler Murray of the Cardinals.
Defensive position coach Aaron Whitecotton stated Thursday that whereas Haason Reddick hasn’t put up many numbers since lastly arriving to the Jets after a prolonged holdout, his influence has been felt.
Whitecotton stated Reddick has been “nice” since stepping on the sphere.
“Everyone was most likely hoping he’d are available right here and get 10 sacks in two video games,’’ Whitecotton stated. “That’s not lifelike.”
Whitecotton added he’s been impressed at how Reddick hasn’t simply been a go rusher, however he’s additionally targeted his consideration on stopping the run.
“He’s an entire participant,” Whitecotton stated. “And he continues to work at being a greater full participant and studying our system and our scheme day-after-day.”
Of the run protection as an entire, which has allowed extra speeding touchdowns (11) than all however 4 groups this season, Whitecotton stated it hasn’t been dangerous total, however they’ve made errors “at inopportune occasions” which have been expensive.
“In these essential moments, you’ll be able to’t have that and that’s on all 11,” Whitecotton stated.
Malachi Corley, who had a landing run overturned when he dropped the ball earlier than he reached the aim line, shall be utilized in injured Allen Lazard’s position this week, in line with vast receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.
Jefferson is assured Corley is as much as the duty, even after the expensive psychological error.
“This week in follow, he’s been on the small print,’’ Jefferson stated. “I’m excited to see him play Sunday.”
Passing sport coordinator Todd Downing, who is asking performs, stated he was disenchanted in how the offense reacted initially to Corley’s miscue that opened the second quarter.
“I’d wish to see us reply offensively slightly bit higher,’’ Downing stated. “It appeared to zap our vitality a bit. It felt like we have been on the market celebrating, we had guys in every single place celebrating collectively, after which when it acquired known as again or when it acquired turned over, we sort of misplaced that juice.’’
The unit finally recovered and scored all 21 of its factors within the second half.
