92ShaunEllis92 Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 New York Jets' gamble: Why they're rolling with NFL's youngest corners Robert Saleh, Jets confident with Zach Wilson as their QB (3:30) By Dick Semen-i The OrlandoRodent’sSports FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- From March to June, the New York Jets acquired a veteran player at every position group except two -- quarterback and cornerback -- and you certainly can't accuse them of ignoring quarterback because they took Zach Wilson with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2021 NFL draft. Cornerback is a different story. The Jets' front office made no major moves, a tacit vote of confidence for the holdover cornerbacks, all of whom are between the ages of 23 and 25 and have combined for a league-low 35 starts. "There's a reason why they didn't bring a veteran corner here," returning starter Blessuan Austin said. "Not to knock any of the veteran corners, but there's a reason why. They see something in us." The Jets like their version of Generation Z, even if you don't. It's a gamble because the NFL is a pass-happy league and an overmatched group of corners will get you beat on more Sundays than not. But the Jets coaching staff, led by the defensive-minded Robert Saleh, studied last season's tape and came away convinced it can make it work with Austin (16 career starts), Bryce Hall(seven) and a bunch of no-names. They actually got younger in the offseason by bringing in four rookies, none of whom was drafted earlier than the fifth round. How unproven are they? Consider this wild comparison: Former free-agent bust Trumaine Johnson is counting more on this year's salary cap ($8 million in "dead" money) than the 10 corners on New York's roster. That doesn't include former New Orleans Saints veteran Justin Hardee, 27, who landed a three-year, $6.75 million contract based on his special teams play. In many ways, Austin represents the group. He's brash and hungry, and plays with a "dog mentality," according to Saleh. Like Hall, Austin slid in the draft because of injuries playing at Rutgers, tumbling all the way to the sixth round in 2019. (Hall was a 2020 fifth-rounder.) It put an immediate chip on Austin's shoulder, and it remains there. Despite his modest résumé, he believes he's one of the best. "I'm the real deal," Austin said. "It ain't no secret in that. Click the tape and press play. Of course I made mistakes, but there's also a lot of plays on that field that other corners in this league aren't making." In 2020, the Jets' corners ranked in the bottom third of the league in several categories based on nearest defender, according to NFL Next Gen Stats -- 24th in passer rating (106.8), 22nd in completion percentage (66.7), 22nd in yards allowed (2,270) and 25th in "open" wide receivers (39% of targets). Where have you gone, Darrelle Revis? Free agency wasn't loaded with cornerbacks, but a few fetched significant deals -- Shaquill Griffin (Jacksonville Jaguars, $29 million guaranteed), Adoree' Jackson (New York Giants, $26.5 million) and William Jackson III (Washington Football Team, $26 million). The Jets, with plenty of salary-cap room, decided to sit it out. Adam Hunger/AP Photo In the draft, they waited until the fifth round before picking Michael Carter II and Jason Pinnock, grabbing Brandin Echolsin the sixth and Isaiah Dunn as a free agent. Echols and Dunn have impressed the most, although Dunn is now nursing a knee injury. In the end, the incumbents -- Austin and Hall -- probably will emerge as the Jets' starters. Carter is battling Javelin Guidry for the nickel job. The Jets are the only team in the AFC East without a lockdown corner. The Buffalo Bills have Tre'Davious White, the Miami Dolphins have Xavien Howard and the New England Patriots have Stephon Gilmore and J.C. Jackson. It puts the Jets at a distinct disadvantage at one of the most important positions, but say this for Saleh: He's willing to put green on green -- money on his inexperienced players. The belief is Austin and Hall are underrated talents, and that the new, zone-based scheme will be able to camouflage the group's weaknesses. They also hope the rookie class will yield one or two contributors. They will have a better idea where they stand after facing the Giants, Green Bay Packers and Philadelphia Eagles in the preseason, with joint practices against the Packers and Eagles. If they're concerned about depth, they could try to acquire a veteran, but let's be realistic. Quality corners don't shake free too often. The Jaguars' CJ Henderson, a 2020 first-round pick, could wind up on the trading block, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported. Unless it's a fire sale, it's buyer beware when a high pick is available the year after he's drafted. Saleh said he's cool with playing so many young players, and he sounds confident in his Kiddie Corps. He knows what he wants. "Can you win on third down? That's pretty much it. It's that simple," he said. Saleh has coached big corners (Richard Sherman, 6-foot-3) and small corners (Jason Verrett, 5-foot-10), so size doesn't matter to him. "They come in all shapes and sizes," he said, "but the dog mentality -- the ability to win in man coverage, the fearlessness to get up there in press and win one-on-ones -- that's what matters." 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Bungaman Posted August 13, 2021 Popular Post Share Posted August 13, 2021 I'm fine with it. This year is an investment in future years: the first year of the offensive and defensive schemes, coaching, QB, and CB's. Don't spread out the growing pains. Don't waste minutes on vets that won't be around in two years, or that won't be worth reinvesting in at that point. As a side note, I wonder if specials will be slightly ahead of the other two groups, since Boyer and some of his ST players are holdovers from last year. Might be interesting to watch as well. It's Friday! 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
92ShaunEllis92 Posted August 13, 2021 Author Share Posted August 13, 2021 33 minutes ago, 92ShaunEllis92 said: "They come in all shapes and sizes," he said, "but the dog mentality -- the ability to win in man coverage, the fearlessness to get up there in press and win one-on-ones -- that's what matters." That is very true. Mickens was only 5’8” but was the biggest DAWG in the Jets’ secondary along with V. Green. The OG #24 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Defense Wins Championships Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 FIRST EVER NFL START: I don't know much about Bless Austin because he went to Rutgers but as an FSU fan down here in Florida who's crazed for my ACC football I absolutely love Bryce Hall and that's because he was our ACC's #1 overall CB (before injury) and was also a guaranteed 1st round draft pick because 2018 this kid led the entire COUNTRY in pass breakups! Remember this kids name. He's already a #1 CB during only his 2nd NFL season and he'll become a future NFL Superstar CB with Pro Bowl and All-Pro accolades and he will develop into our greatest coverage CB since dating back to #24. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saul Goodman Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Bryce Hall might be capable of developing into a #1 cornerback but I don’t think he’s ready for that role now, despite his strong camp. Bless Austin is a #2 corner or depth guy, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t see our secondary holding up well this season. We’ll likely be looking at drafting a stud CB with our 1st round pick next year. And while I’m not a huge Joe Douglas fan, it’s not reasonable to have expected him to upgrade every position group. He devoted the draft to offense, which is always good in my book. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beerfish Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 If our dline stays healthy the other teams qbs will be running for their lives or dumping it off short. I am actually not too worried about our CBs. safety is more of concern to me. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rangerous Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 the only way teams can afford paying big money to certain players/positions is to be to field a whole bunch of young guys. the jets are set up for pass pressure for once so a lock down corner isn't a real high priority. and they'll be playing a lot of nickel so unless the secondary players don't understand their positional duties, they'll be okay. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TokyoJetsFan Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 1 hour ago, 92ShaunEllis92 said: How unproven are they? Consider this wild comparison: Former free-agent bust Trumaine Johnson is counting more on this year's salary cap ($8 million in "dead" money) than the 10 corners on New York's roster. That stat is mind boggling 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebuzzardman Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 By "Dick Semen" Yes, I lol'd 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jet Nut Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 22 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said: Bryce Hall might be capable of developing into a #1 cornerback but I don’t think he’s ready for that role now, despite his strong camp. Bless Austin is a #2 corner or depth guy, and there’s nothing wrong with that. I don’t see our secondary holding up well this season. We’ll likely be looking at drafting a stud CB with our 1st round pick next year. And while I’m not a huge Joe Douglas fan, it’s not reasonable to have expected him to upgrade every position group. He devoted the draft to offense, which is always good in my book. If we generate pressure on the front end, the way this D is designed, we'll be fine. If not could be a major issue. 2 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larz Posted August 13, 2021 Share Posted August 13, 2021 Do not need special glasses to read the op? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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