Sauce Gardner has heard the criticism of his tackling this season, which included some from Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich, who mentioned earlier than the win towards Houston that the cornerback’s tackling “needs to be better.”
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 first rate yr,” he mentioned. “Clearly, the protection is slightly totally different. Groups attempt to assault us in a different way, like working the ball to my facet. I’ve acquired a couple of missed tackles, but it surely occurs.”
General, although, there’s no denying Gardner’s efficiency has fallen off in his third yr 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 mentioned. “I really feel like I’m doing fairly nicely in protection. I’m at all times attempting to get higher at every little thing. That’s me.”
Final week, Ulbrich mentioned he observed some enchancment in Gardner’s tackling and he made 5 tackles towards Houston, tying a season excessive.
His job received’t get simpler Sunday, when the Jets should face Kyler Murray of the Cardinals.
Defensive position coach Aaron Whitecotton mentioned Thursday that whereas Haason Reddick hasn’t put up many numbers since lastly arriving to the Jets after a prolonged holdout, his affect has been felt.
Whitecotton mentioned Reddick has been “nice” since stepping on the sphere.
“All people was most likely hoping he’d are available in right here and get 10 sacks in two video games,’’ Whitecotton mentioned. “That’s not reasonable.”
Whitecotton added he’s been impressed at how Reddick hasn’t simply been a cross rusher, however he’s additionally targeted his consideration on stopping the run.
“He’s a whole participant,” Whitecotton mentioned. “And he continues to work at being a greater full participant and studying our system and our scheme day by day.”
Of the run protection as an entire, which has allowed extra dashing touchdowns (11) than all however 4 groups this season, Whitecotton mentioned it hasn’t been unhealthy general, however they’ve made errors “at inopportune occasions” which have been pricey.
“In these crucial moments, you’ll be able to’t have that and that’s on all 11,” Whitecotton mentioned.
Malachi Corley, who had a landing run overturned when he dropped the ball before he reached the goal line, might be utilized in injured Allen Lazard’s function this week, in line with broad receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.
Jefferson is assured Corley is as much as the duty, even after the pricey psychological error.
“This week in follow, he’s been on the main points,’’ Jefferson mentioned. “I’m excited to see him play Sunday.”
Passing recreation coordinator Todd Downing, who is looking performs, mentioned he was disillusioned 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 mentioned. “It appeared to zap our power a bit. It felt like we have been on the market celebrating, we had guys in all places celebrating collectively, after which when it acquired referred to as again or when it acquired turned over, we form of misplaced that juice.’’
The unit finally recovered and scored all 21 of its factors within the second half.
