Inside the Jets (12/17)

Jonathan Harrison. But the Jets fall to four and ten on the season with a twenty nine to twenty two loss to the Houston Texans. I don't want to talk about score right now. I want to lead by talking about the twenty one year old quarterback who is leading this offense right now. We're watching him develop in front of our own eyes. He became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to lead a game winning drive in Buffalo.

He followed that up against a good Houston Texans defense, and you can make the argument that was his best performance as a pro. Twenty four thirty eight two fifty three yards, two touchdowns through the air. He also used his feet e six rushes thirty five yards and he earned a lot of praise for that performance. Yeah. I mean he's he's really grown these last two weeks. You know, you've seen Sam Donald uh sit back and grow as

a quarterback. He's being more efficient, he's more precise, that he's decisive with his throws, and uh really attacking the field vertically and which I think is loosening things up underneath for him. Uh. I think those those couple of weeks with the injury, we're a big step for him. He was able to sit back, watch Josh McCown or run things, watch watch how defenses are attacking him. Uh, just to understand the small nuances of the game. I think it really helped him to step back because he's

come back a different player. To win long term in the National Football League, you have to have good play at the quarterback position. This guy has all the tools. I've been here since two thousand one. Is a New York Jets employee. The guy that I think of when I watched Donald, not from a plane perspective in terms of the way they play their styles, but is Chad Pennington. In two thousand two that was his first year starting.

Actually after sitting and watching Vinny Testaverdi for a couple of years, Sam Donald has been put into the fire here early in his rookie season. We didn't know how he was going to respond when he went down with the strained right foot against the Miami Dolphins November four. Then he had a month off and he has come back and like you said, he really benefited from watching Josh mccowney. Talked about that today on the conference call.

How a veteran quarterback at thirty nine year old like McCown orchestrates the practice, goes through the game week, the preparation, and how decisive he was with the reads even though the offense really wasn't working very efficiently as far as how much how many points there were. School warn Eric he learned a lot by watching McCollum. Yeah. I mean, and you can see, you know, from the way he's he's playing the game, he's making great decisions. He and

Robby Anderson seemed to have reconnected. Uh. He's taking a lot of shots with him and I think he's gained some of the he's gained more trust from the coaching staff because now they're just starting to attack the field vertically. They're starting to take more shots. It's not just checkcounts, it's not just quick screens. They're opening things up for it for Sam and he's proven that he can handle the load. You know, leading that that two minute drive

to come back against Buffalo was a huge step. You know, that's not easy. You know, when you talk about elite quarterbacks, I always consider listen, it's two minutes left, you need a touchdown. Does this quarterback strike fearing you? And Sam Donald showed that he can be that quarterback that can lead his team down the field, no matter how far it is, no matter what the circumstance, and get a

touchdown for this team. There were three instances against the Houston Texans Saturday night where Donald used his feet and you were wondering, is he just gonna talk it and run it. Number one was the touchdown asked to Robbie Anderson right before the end of the half. He the presence of mind to go right up to the line of scrimmage and then find his crossing receiver for a touchdown. Then there were a couple of connections with Chris Herndon where he rolled left. One time rolled right in other

time and again kept his eyes down the field. That's what you see veteran quarterbacks do because you know it better than anybody. You as a former guy who played in the back end. A lot of young quarterbacks who feel the pressure their eyes go down. His eyes are staying off, yeah, you know. And that's what's so impressive about Sam. When I was a rookie, I came into the league with Ben Roethlisberger, and he was known for having one read. If if his initial read wasn't open,

he was gonna tuck it and run. And what Sam has done, He's able to scramble, keep the play alive, keep his eyes down the field, and it makes things so difficult for for a guy covering the receivers. You know, you have to cover the initial route, but then once those receivers uncover and things start to just you know,

go go, go off the script, so to speak. It makes it very tough, especially with the guy with the big arm like Sam, who can throw the ball vertically on the run inside the jets is supported by selective insurance responses everything. How about some of the designs we're seeing with Donald Now, there was a play early on I believe in the second half where you saw him spin, move to his left and then throw a dart to Robbie Anderson for twenty yards. That's a big time throw. Yeah,

it is a big time throw. Typically, as a defense, you're expecting that quarterback to roll out to your left and to see Sam roll out the opposite way to have a design play. Uh, it just speaks to to what he can do. You know, there's not a lot of quarterbacks who can throw the ball as accurate as he does running to his left. It takes a lot of skill set. You know. You have to get your shoulders across, you have to get your feet set, drive the ball at the right velocity. And Sam has all

those tools. And it's exciting to see what he's doing right now because he's showing glimpses of being great and I think his potential, you know, the sky's the limit. I think he's gonna be a great quarterback in this league as long as he continues to progress. And that's something exciting. If you're a Jets fan, Hi, what does it mean to you when your peers are talking about you the way they did this week? Uh? The week

proceeding in the game. And then after the game when J. J. Watt goes up to Sam Donald says, you're gonna be a great player in this league. When Bill O'Brien talks about you the way he did, what what does that say about the respect he's getting around the National Football League? Now? That speaks volumes because they don't have to say that, They don't have to say anything to him. They can tell him good game, keep it moving, talk about what

they did as a team. But for them to take time out and talk about Sam Donald and his progress and how his skill set has continued to grow and how he's going to be a star. That that goes that goes far, you know, especially from a guy like J. J. Watt. You know, he's a three time Defensive Player of the Year, uh, you know, multiple Pro Bowls and just probably one of the best players to play D line in the league in some time. For him to go out of his way and to give praise to Sam Donald, he has

to be doing something right. Inside the Jets is presented by e Y Building a Better Working World, Eric Ellen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel will be joined by Jonathan Harrison later tonight. Um he went down fighting too. There was a fourth and fifteen play where the Jets had to have it and again he's scrambling and he threw

a dart up the Robbie Anderson that was nearly completed. Yeah, I mean that was an impressive throw, you know, to throw that ball on the run again, to give Robby Anderson a chance to make that play and to extend the drive. If he makes that catch, who knows what would have happened. But at the same time, Sam made the smart play. He made an accurate pass, and you know, you would like to have seen Robbie come up with it, but I understand why he couldn't because that was a

very difficult play. And it seems fool hardy now to think about. There were some people actually externally, some fans, and why even put him in there with the Jets offense. He's gonna get killed out there down the stretch. Look at what is happening and the way these guys are developing because we much and Robbie Anderson, well, they're developing rhythm and chemistry that they can carry over to two thousand nineteen and oh, by the way, number eighty nine,

Chris Hernon, a fourth round pick out of Miami. He's gonna be a big time player in the National Football League. And watch that connection between fourteen and eighty nine, not only for the final two games and two thousand and eighteen, but for years to come. Yeah, I mean Chris Herndon is leading all rookie tight ends and receiving, you know, and that just shows that this kid has a lot of talent to grow. Uh. He has a great rapport

with with Sam Donald. You know, we had him on the show earlier in the year and he was talking about how they were roommates and how there wasn't a lot of talking between them, but on the field they started to understand one another. And I think it takes that, you know, taking takes a quarterback getting to know his receivers, getting to know his tight ends to gain that trust and and it really is going to be exciting. What you're watching right now is this team grow. It's a

young team. They need as many reps as possible. So why you say, oh, they're not going to the playoffs. These reps are aren't valuable. You know, they need to get his many reps together to continue to grow, learn how to win those close games, learn how to how to fight through tough times. I think that's what you're seeing in this team, and they're getting better for it. What are you seeing as a guy inside the locker

room when you watch him play? Because I asked Ramain Johnson about him after the game and the media scrum, he said he's special. Jamal Adams was asked about him in the media scrum, he said he's a bad man. Yeah. I mean listen, as a as a safety in the NFL, I'm not gonna lie. There's weeks where you go into the defensive back meetings, you watch film on the quarterback, and everybody as a group says, listen this week at this quarterback goes over a hundred fifty yards. Everybody in

here is getting fined. There are times where you look at quarterbacks and you just see that they can't get it done with Sam Donald. This guy, I'm telling you, he strikes fear in the defense. He makes it so you have to respect every every route run, um, every time he gets out of the pocket. You have to play it from the top down and respect what he can do. As a player. Yes, at the beginning of the season, he was one into a couple of mistakes, but he's learned from his mistakes and he every week

you're seeing him continue to get better. And that's that's saying a lot for a rookie who started every game. And the Jets have a lot of financial flexibility in the off season to add some more pieces around Sam Thornald and we'll see how they address those moves in the spring. But in the meantime, they had two games to play. This is their final home game this weekend.

As Aaron Rodgers comes to town. What do you think that's gonna be like for the rookie quarterback when he stares across the sideline and sees one of the best who's ever played the game. And it's funny. People in Green Bear saying Aaron Rodgers are struggling this season. Well, I'd like to struggle with those kind of numbers completing about his passes. But he's got twenty three touchdowns in

two interceptions. Yeah, I mean, he's playing lights out. He doesn't have the talent that he used to have, you know, back in the day, but Aaron Rodgers is very dangerous. You know I faced him in Atlanta in the playoffs when you know we were were division chaps. We had the first round by they were a wild, hard team. Aaron Rodgers caught fired. They ran through the league and won the Super Bowl. So he can catch fire at anytime.

But for Sam Donald to sit and watch on the other side of the sideline and see a guy like Aaron Rodgers, I'm sure it has to get him excited. He probably grew up watching him throughout high school through college as one of those great quarterbacks. Probably molded a little bit of his game after him because he does throw a well on the run, just like Sam does. And it's it's probably gonna get those competitive uses going, because if you can outplay Sam Donald, you're doing it right. Yeah.

Aaron Rodgers, Yeah, both California kids, And obviously Sam Donald watched a lot of Aaron Rodgers coming up. But oh, by the way, look at what happened Aaron Rodgers. He sat behind Brett Farv for a couple of seasons. Again, Donald's coming in at He's seen a lot of things. He's progressing in front of our eyes. There is reason to be excited. Nobody in the organizations happy about the four and ten record, nor should they be, But it looks like you found your long term answer at the

most important position and professional sports. Yeah, you know when when Sam, when you when you start him from week one, you understand that you're gonna go through your lumps as a team. You know they're gonna be some good days and some bad days. But at the same time, are you continuing to get better as a team? You know, I think you're seeing it on the defense. They're playing

great football. Uh. You see it offensively, starting to find their identity running the football, throwing play action, taking shots down the field, starting to find out who we are as a team. And that's great to see because, Uh, a lot of young players, a lot of youth, a lot of a lot of free agent money to spend and add additions to this team. And I think it's gonna be a good thing. Um, let's flip to the defensive side of the ball real quick. Uh. The good

in the bed, the pass rush. Uh, the Jets really brought it against DeShawn Watson. We thought they might be able to exploit the Texans offensive line, and they sure did. Uh. The week before Deshaun Watson sacked five times. When any any Indianapolis colts again in the New York Jets, he sacked six times. And Henry Anderson, who you got for a seventh round pick on draft weekend, picks up three sacks and now he has six on the two thousand eighteen season. Yeah, I mean, and I was excited to

watch Henry get after Deshaun Watson. And when he was on the show, he was talking about how he's just now learning how to pass rush. He's learning the techniques, he's getting his bag of goods, bag of tricks ready for for the pass rush. You're starting to see a show on the field. He's mixing things up. He's always had a great motor. He's always been strong at the

point of attack. But now he's starting to to to use his his different moves and it's great to see because he's taking some of the pressure off of Leonard Williams, He's taking some of the pressure off McClinton and uh and this defensive line can be good, you know, if they continue to grow like this and these guys start to make plays that he designed. Jordan Jenkins, because you got a sack against the Texans and you increased your team lead to seven, but Henry Anderson is right behind

you with six. So that's gonna be an interesting battle to watch the sack race inside the Jets locker room. But DeAndre Hopkins, he got off against the Jets. Uh, Todd Bowl set it on Sunday that listen, we didn't want to move corner across the field in this case, probably Tremaine Johnson because the Texans move DeAndre Hopkins all over the place. Yeah, you know, it's tough to to match up a receiver with a corner with the receiver

because one you give up your disguise. You know, if if DeAndre Hopkins is lined up in the slot and Tremaine Johnson follows him in the slot, guess what they know? You're playing man to man. Uh, you know, it depends on wherever he goes, you know. And plus I think Chris Morris Clayborne has a tremendous skill set. You know, there's a couple of plays that Hopkins made where I don't care who you are at corner, he was making the catch and that's what kind of He's an unbelievable

ball player. We're often running here on inside the Jets. We will be right back from Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits. Donald and the Shotgun McGuire too was right, takes the snap, three man rush, looks left, fires left, ends up for Roberts. He's got it. That's a Jet touchdown. Sam Turtle comes back soon and Andrea Roberts hauls it in for the score. Jets Reward members, don't forget to enter the code neutral in your Jets Rewards portal during this show to earn

a hundred points. Eric Allen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt Sports and Series Spirits inside and Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel um E. What is in store for Sam Donald this weekend against the Packers in terms of uh, Mike Petton led defense. This is a pupil of Rex Ryan and Petton was here for a number of years as well. Yeah. Well, you know you're gonna see a lot of pressures. And I think that's a good thing. I think Sam he excels when team's pressure room. You know, it makes things.

I think it simplifies things for him. He's athletic enough to break the pocket whenever he does get that pressure, and that's when you see him improvising. When you can see that pressure, so it's gonna be a good matchup for him. I like, you know, the matchups with Robby Haderson on the perimeter. I like the matchups at the skill positions. And I think there are some weaknesses that

the Jets can expose. I was talking to Bart Scott about this today and he said that, hey, put a lot of screens into the game plan this week, and that's this defense. Why would that be effective? Well, you know when when the team pressures a lot when they blitz, there's not a lot of help. You know that when when you're in the all out blitz, the corners the safeties have to play from eight nine yards off just because they don't have any help. So that sets up

a screen very well. Well, if you can get a hat on the hat on the screen, you have an opportunity to have a lot of big plays. When you match up a screen versus all out blitz, you anticipate some cloud formations where the defense is that it looks like they're just standing up and everybody like and we've seen this from Rext and Putting before, where you don't know how to identify times or it might confuse you a little bit because of what they're what they're doing

up front. Yeah, you know, we did that as well with with Mangini. And the great thing about that is sometimes when you bring all out blitz from that look or you back out into his own you can confuse the quarterback. But the negative side is if that offensive line points out the center of the of the of the blitz and they're able to pick it up, you

expose yourself to some big place. So you know, I don't expect to see a lot of it, because again the Jets have shown they will take a deep shot, they will take throw the ball down the field, and if they do that and hit the Packers a few times, that will get them out of that defense. Quick. What do you expect from the Packers now five eight and one, this is unfamiliar territory and they let Mike McCarthy go in season. Joe Philbin right now the interim head coach.

They just lost the games the Chicago Bears. The Bears just clinched the NFC North. So uh, it's gonna be a very interesting how this Packers team comes out over these final two games. Yeah, I mean they should be motivated. You know the fact that the organization fired their head coach shows them that you aren't playing well, we will get rid of you. So guys are gonna be playing for their jobs. It's gonna I expect some trick plays. I expect them to leave no stone unturned trying to

defeat the Jets. You know, you may see an onside kick, you may see some gadget plays, but you are gonna get their best effort. You're gonna see their You're gonna get their best punch early if they if the Jets can weather that storm, then they're gonna be fine. They're gonna be if they can continue to run the ball, stick to the run, hit the open receivers in the passing game. I think things will be good because this defense matchup wise, can cover the receivers of the Packers. Okay,

we'll get in the matchup more in a second. UH Pro Bowl rosters will be released Tuesday night. Is second year safety Jamal Adams deserving of the NOD this year. Absolutely absolutely. When you when you watch Jamal play, when you watch the Jets defense play, he's playing at another level then everyone on the field and both defenses. Uh, you know, he plays a high intensity. He plays the game the right way. He makes great tackles, he's been getting after the quarterback. He's really doing it all as

a safety. Everything you could ask for in the safety Jamal is doing it. He's leading the team. Uh. And I think he is a special player and and one of those one of those guys that that no matter what team you're watching, you're gonna notice thirty three on the field. So I definitely think that he deserves the Pro Bowl nod. If not, I understand why the team hasn't been winning. You know, typically these these awards go to teams that are successful and they're having winning seasons.

But he's gonna be a Pro Bowler for a very long time playing the way he does. As a guy who played the position in the National Football League, what stands out to you most athletically about what he can do on the field, Well, you know, he's he's he has it all. You know, he's a he's a very physical safety, but he can cover, he can support in

the run game. He's an excellent blitzer. Um. He makes great open field tackles and when the tough part about the open field tackle, the enemy of any tackle is space, and Jamal closes space than any safety that I've seen in a long time. You know, it's seldom that you see him get shook in the middle of the field. And if he does miss the tackle, guess what that runner is going back to the cavalry, where that defensive line is coming, where the linebackers are coming from. And

you seldom see him give up a big play. He's so wonderfully gifted. But where does the NonStop motor come from? They think, because even in the facility, he never stops talking, he never stops moving. It's always go and people sometimes you're wondering, what is this fabricated? No, this this is who the guy is. Yeah, T T G. He's trained to go. You know that that's a guy who you know, you can tell he takes this game very seriously. You know,

it's it's more than than about the money. It's it's more than than a lot of the material things that come with this game. Jamal plays the game like he loves it. You know, he has a passion for it. He bleeds it, and you can tell by the way he plays. He didn't have to say anything about his feelings towards a game. You can see it when you turn on that tape. He's high intensity, he cares. You can see him holding his teammates accountable when they make mistakes.

You can see him pray us in him great leader, and he definitely leaves by example. He took a lot of pride entering this season about his coverage ability because there are a few plays that happened as rookie season where maybe he was an inch off or maybe a Gronkowski made a catch right over him. He went into this season, I think on a mission to say I can cover, I can I can play in the back end.

Because he talked after the New England game, when again he neutralized Gronkowski for a second consecutive game, he said that, you know, people aren't respecting me out here, you know, and like he took a personal yeah, as he should. You know, he's a privaful player. He takes his game serious. And I love that he came out and played particularly well against Gronkowski. I matched up that that they were exposing last last year as a rookie. You know, as a rookie, you see a lot of things that you

that you've never seen before. The different wrinkles and routes. Uh, the coverage is different. You can't contact the receivers down the field, and these big, strong tight ends that can run, they can expose you a little bit. And I think it took that year to to make Jamal focus on his cover skills. I think he's a better player because of it. And uh and he's going to continue to grow from all of his weaknesses this year. Okay, so all the guys say, and this is the coaching term,

his eyes are better. What does that mean? Well, as a safety, you know, there's a rule you can if you see too much, then you see nothing. You have to focus on your your particular keys and that will take you to the ball every time. You know, as the middle of the field safety, you know, I'm looking at the uncovered lineman, you know, to get my run pass read initially, then you have to look at your threats, your vertical threats, and those things kind of take you

to those plays. That was one thing that helped me play as many years as I did because I wasn't the biggest, I wasn't the fastest, but I could read my keys. I had good eyes and then enabled me to get to the play. Jamal being a superior player, being a great athlete with those great with that great eye, discipline, sky's a limit. He seems to be naturally strong too. I'm not saying he doesn't put it in the work

and the way him, but you just mentioned it. He's such a sure tackler and when he hits people, he makes him feel it. Yeah. He he has a great uh six in punch, you know. That's that's what we call it is when you get up to that ball carrier and you roll your hips through the player. You can't teach that. That's something that's natural. That's something that that he was born with. He he takes space well and once he gets to the point of contact, he

rolls those hips and explodes through every tackle. And that's what makes it fun to see. You know, every once in a while he may miss one, but nine times out of ten he's gonna make that ball carrier pay. So the hope is from a jet perspective, that you get Marcus May back next year. He was just limited to six games in two thousand and eighteen. Because he's a guy who I think can really flourish with Adams and we should not forget about him when we're thinking

about the future of this Jets team. Yeah, he's that. He's that solid player that you can depend on to be in the middle of the field, to be in the right place to cover that post, to make that open field tackle. You know, when I look at Jamal that Marcus May, I get a little bit glimpse of Troy Paulamalu and Ryan Clark. Ryan Clark is a sure tackler who's always gonna be where he's supposed to be make those open field tackles. Troy Paulamalo is gonna be

all over the field making splash plays. That's what I see out of Jamal. Well, how much freedom does the coaching staff give Jamal, like you said, because in Pittsburgh, I remember we go there and sometimes you'd wonder how much was Troy going within the game plan and how much was paula Mala just doing his deal? And we're gonna cover for what he does because he's such a great player. Yeah, well, Troy, Troy circumstances different than any

other safety that I've ever seen. You know, I played against Troy Polamala when I was I was a true freshman in college and there was a time where he was at SC he was moving around. He lined up at nose tackle and actually rushed the passer and there was nobody in the middle of the field, but they got through the down. He's one of those players that that's special. I don't think Jamal has that much freedom.

I don't think he needs that much freedom. He's just he makes big plays within the defense and that's what's important. But do you give him more freedom because he is a freak athlete and he's such a productive player for you, and he can do more things than other people in the football. Yeah, he does. He can do more. And you can tell that he studies a film, so if he's going to break on something, it's because he saw

a tendency in that film. Study is because they gave up a play or that they showed their hand in a play where he's going to make the play. I think the more he plays, the more he gets experienced, the more you give him freedom. You know, he's got to be pumped up about this one because it's Aaron Rodgers coming. Yeah, you know, yeah, but he plays Tom Brady twice a year and he's gotten his feet wet with him now. But Aaron Rodgers another one that he

can check off. The list. Yeah, when when you're when you're a great player, you want to play against the best and see how you match up with the best players. Playing against Tom Brady, playing against Aaron Rodgers, you get to see where you are as a player. You know, if you can make some plays against Aaron Rodgers, if you can limit him to to you know, not going off and throwing a bunch of touchdowns, then it shows

you that you are a very good player. And I think the best players want to play against those best competitions. So the Pro Bowl rosters will be revealed tomorrow night. We'll see if Jamal Adams gets the NOD for the first time in his NFL career. I want to anticipate he'll be going to the NFL Pro Bowl a number of times throughout his career. I think Jason Myers, who had a tough night the other night, missing a couple of extra points, but he has had a great season

as worthy as well. And Andre Roberts has had the best return season anybody in the National Football League bar not. We will be right back after this. On Inside the Jets, Darnald of the Shotgun takes the snap, drops back, looks right scrambles, gets to the five yard blond pop passed back at the end zone that's caught for a Jet touchdown by Robbie Anderson. Sam Darnald improvising in the pocket

a little chump pass to Robbie Anderson. Thirty seconds to go before halftime and the Jets have their first touchdown of the night. Welcome back to Inside the Jets. We are broadcasting live from Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the

Windham Hamilton Hamilton's Park Hotel. Eric Allen alongside Eric Coleman, and we talked a little bit about it earlier in the show about the Jets decision to play size against DeAndre Hopkins, who you couldn't make the argument right now that Hopkins is as good as any receiver in the National Football League. But this week they have a decision to make with Davante Adams because he is Aaron Rodgers number one target. He all already hit thirt dred yards receiving.

Do you do the same thing or do you consider moving because maybe Green Bay plays him to a certain side and doesn't move him as much as DeAndre Hopkins. I don't know. I haven't looked at the game film it just yet. Yeah, you know, uh, he's a great player, Davante Adams and you know he's a very good player. And Aaron Rodgers, you know, makes receivers I think a little better than that they are just because of his

skill set. I don't think he's of the caliber of the DeAndre yea so so I think the Jets will play it true. You know, Tremaine Johnson and Moclaymore are are more than capable of covering receivers. Yes, I when you play a guy like DeAndre Hopkins, he's gonna get his He's gonna get you know, his close to a hundred yards and you just have to contain him and limit try to limit everybody else, which I think that

Jets did a pretty good job of. When it comes to Davante Adams, I think I think these corners more Claiborn, Tremaine Johnson, buster, if he's in the slot, can can hold him down. Let's talk about the holding car Moul Claiborne. A lot was discussed about that after the game. That was the eventual game winning drive for the Houston Texans where they cashed in with the DeAndre Hopkins touchdown. But is the third down play, the Shawn Watson throws it up and threw the ball out of bounds. There was

some hand fighting more Claiborne called for holding. I didn't see it. I don't like it. You know. Obviously, I'm a defensive back, so I'm gonna fight a lot of plays. But there has to be a point where you have to be able to keep your ground. If he hits me, I can hit you back, just to maintain your position. And for them to call that play at that junction of the game, you have to have it, just like you guys on the field when you were a player. I think you have to have a feel for the game.

And I know these guys have tough jobs. I just thought that was a tough point of the ball. You're gonna call that. If you're gonna call it, then why not call the sent the tone early and let let the corners know we're gonna call those plays. We're gonna call those Tiki tech fouls. You see it in basketball all the time when when the referees to be in the game, all right, we're gonna blow those. You know, we're gonna blow the whistle on that one that didn't happen.

All game and then all of a sudden it's a it's a third down to five at a crucial point in the game. And you told the fact, it's a tough call. And d Hop is a physical receiver himself, so a lot of times when he's running routes, it's not just him receiving contact, he's dishiving, right, Yeah, a lot of looks. I mean, they're pushing off, they're grabbing jerseys, they're trying to do whatever they can to get their leverage,

to get the advantage. And for a defensive back who's already at the disadvantage playing backwards, running backwards, reacting off the receiver, you know, it's it makes it very difficult to play that because Asian and you know, you kind of feel for the corners nowadays. You know, they definitely

earned their money out there playing that position. Is there anything you can do differently inside the red zone the game when he touched Morris Claiborne hits remendous coverage, do you try to scheme it up differently in terms they have making sure that you got a safety over or it's it's tough, you know, because I mean you could say that, you know, let's double team him down there. But then you leave the middle of the field wide over. You know, then you leave you're susceptible to Watson and

running the football, extending the plays. I thought Mo claiborne played that textbook, you know, I watched it from the beginning. His technique from from that press coverage. He shadowed him, got hands on him, was running with him, was in perfect phase. DeAndre Hopkins just as a big boy, you know. And they call that theft ball, you know. And DeAndre Hopkins has such strong hands and he's such a great athlete that that he's gonna make those plays more than

fifty percent of the time. How is Aaron Rodgers gonna put stress on the defense? He put stress on the defense similar to what Sam is doing. That he can break the once the initial players oken. He improvises probably the best out of any quarterback in the league. You know, when he gets out of the pocket, he's not just throwing deep comebacks. He's not throwing crossing routes. He can throw go routes. He can throw post routes while on

the run. Because he has such a big arm, he is limited a little bit with that knee injury that's been nagging him all season. But Aaron Rodgers has a huge arm, He's very confident, and he has that he has that that cockiness where he's gonna throw and try to get into a side space. So we talked about

Jamal for a long time tonight. What do the Jets safeties have to do against a guy like a rod Because Darryl Roberts went out with a sprain toe against the Houston Texans, we'll have to see about his availability later in the week. That was run test mile, so he's finishing the game for the Jets. But um, what do they have to do? What are the points of emphasis against a guy like that? Because he's so athletic and he can make any throw. Uh, one of the

most unique players we've ever seen. Yeah, you know, in my opinion, you have to play things from the top down. Can't give up big plays to and Rodgers. You have to make him beat you methodically down the field because as great as he is, he does make mistakes and he'll throw you a few if given the opportunity. So you have to play him from top down, don't give up the big plays, allow him to throw those those

short ones. Make the tackle. You know, the Green Bay offense has been you know, based on catching run, catching run for all these years, Randall cob Jordy Nelson, catching slant routes and running. If they can tackle well in the open field, limit the big plays. I think that's the game plan for the jett But do you think he's taking the less shots in the past, because, like we muched before, guy is only three interceptions. Yeah, he's definitely uh, you know, not taking as many chances as

he did in the past. And I think that's because his confidence in his receivers. You know, he doesn't have a full confidence in the whole crew. You know. Before you know, he had a you didn't know these guys a couple of years back. But then Jordy Nelson started to develop, Randall Cobbs started to develop, and you started seeing these players great EXCUMEI Jennings started to develop. He how don't think he has that rapport, you know, and I think he's a little nervous with the injuries he's had.

He doesn't want to take the shots like he did in the past, and so you're not seeing them take

as many chances as he used to. What does it mean to you as a player, the final home game in the season, and and and and wanting to go out on a high note in front of the home faithful as a guy who was in that position, like a lot of those guys who are gonna exit the tunnel of that life this weekend, well it means a lot, because, first of all, you want to reward your fans for their dedication, for for coming through the tough weather, sticking

sticking with you through thick and thin. Uh. And you always want to go into the off season on a positive note, you know, leaving leaving a good taste in your fans mouth, leaving a good taste in your mouth. You know you you gained that momentum going into the off season, and it gives you something to work for. You know, yes, you know we want our last two games.

You know we we have the momentum. You know, if we can just continue to put that together not beat ourselves, who knows what happens then the off season you go with your goals. You know you you you play smart football. You don't beat yourself. You know you make big play and you and you have something to work on going into the off season. So I think it's very important that the Jets in their in their season at home

on a high note. Inside the Jets is supported by M and T Bank, the official community bank of your New York Jets. Eric Allen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilts Sports and Spirits. As a defensive back, when you look at the schedule and you see that you're ending with Aaron Rodgers and then Tom Brady, what do you feel? You love? You love the challenge. You know you gotta end the season on a high note. You're playing against

the best of the best. Let's show the world what I can do against them of the great quarterbacks of the game. You know, if you're a defensive lineman, let me get let me get my staffs, let me get a sack against Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers. Let's go out and beat these giants. Let's slay these giants at the end of the year, ruining their season. You know, I know that Tom Brady is trying to fight for a home field advantage right now. I'm trying to ruin whatever

I can for the Patriots if I'm the Jets. Uh. You know Aaron Rodgers, you know he's been the best, probably the best quarterback the game has seen in the last ten years. You know, been playing great football. You know, show show the league that you can compete against these guys. You if you play as a team, don't make mistakes, don't beat yourself, you play with anybody. Donald has been

one of the primary reasons, no doubt about that. But what has been the difference of the New York Jets since after Buffalo came to MetLife Stadium in Week ten and one forty one to ten, because it's been a different team who went to Tennessee, was a different team in Buffalo, and most recently they didn't get to win against the Houston Texans. But I thought the effort was tremendous throughout. You know, I think you have to give a lot of the credit to the offensive line play.

They've been very consistent. They set the tone running the football, They protected Sam in the passing game, and also when you look out in the perimeter, Robby Anderson to start to step up. You know, he had eleven targets last week. The beginning of the year, he wasn't getting those targets. He wasn't getting open like he is now. He's starting to find his rhythm. He's starting to catch those difficult

passes and has given Sam more confidence in him. That's very impressive what you're saying about the offensive line, because you've got Jonathan Harrison who's playing center. He was a reserve. Were you a former Indianapolis colt who's come in and take over for Spencer Long. Spencer Long, he takes over for James Carpenter, a fine interior player for you, one of your team captains. And then really tough break for

one of the nicest guys on his roster. Brandon Shell goes down with an injury against the Houston Texans and he was carted off the field. So now the Jets might be lining up with Brent Quality at right tackle for these final two games. Yeah, you know, it shows. It shows a lot. First of all, you have a great offensive line coach, you know, and then second, you have great chemistry in that room where everyone has a

good relationship with one another. There's trust in the man next to you and that you're on the same page when it comes to making those calls for the protection. Uh, you're setting the tone offensively running the football. I think it's a credit to the chemistry of that group, and you need your offensive line to set the tone if you're gonna have a successful game. I like Harrison's athleticism has long opened your eyes. What he's been able to

do with guard. Yeah, I mean, his versatility is great. You know, I know that he did start his career off at guard, but he's brought here to play center and to show his versatility and be able to move to slide over to the next position is a tough task. You know, you get used to. We're all creatures of habit. You know. If you're a left corner, you used to

playing on the left side. If you're a center, used to snapping the ball and then blocking, you know, to go over there and play the left guard, have to communicate you're playing in more space. It's difficult and you have to give a lot of credit to Spencer Long from making that adjust And I'll tell you what, he's done a nice job and that's where he started his career. But he was brought here to be this team's center. But when KRP went down, he moves over and Jonathan

Harrison has done a real fine job at the center position. Well, we got one more segment, but we gotta take one final break. Will be right back here on inside the Jets. Fourth and one at the Texans Yards. Sam Donald in the shotgun into its right, take the snap, drop the throp looks right, bros. Right, Robbie Anderson hold out of the football. He rolled off sil that makes the first down catch. Remember, Jets fans, you can stream inside the Jets live through the Jets app presented by M and

T Bank. Go to the app store or a Google Play Now and search Official New York Jets. Eric Allen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt's Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel. Do you have all your holiday shopping taking care of? E? Coleman? You know what? For the most part, I do. I got got my wife for a couple of gifts. I can maybe get her another one. But my kids are taken care of thanks to Amazon. Oh yeah, it makes it easy. And you took care of the kids shopping. I took care

of most of it. I'm proud this year because typically my wife doesn't. She went and got the clothes and outfits and everything like that. But but I got the toys. Santa got the toys I'm sorry, did your wife know? I mean, do you know what your wife wanted? Or you did that on your own? You know what I keep I have. I have notes on my phone. So whenever during the year she like mentions, Oh I like that, I'll take a little note and try to, you know,

try to surprise her with some of the gifts. All right, you are a good man, and you look sharp tonight. I like the coach handkerchief. It's solid as well. Yeah, the best dress duo on radio and on all the Jets platforms. Which, uh, it is the holiday season. So next week we are going to be here at Vannerable Sports and Spirits on December, so mark your calendars. That

is Wednesday night. Eke Coleman and I will be back here, will be breaking down the Jets and the Green Bay Packers, and we'll preview the jets final game in the two thousand eighteen season against the New England Patriots. Uh. What do you see as far as the FC landscape right now? Um? Who is the best team in this conference? Because I watched some games Sunday after we got a little bit of a break after the Jets and the Texans played Saturday night, and I can't get off feel for any

of this right now. Yeah, I mean, the playoffs scenario is gonna be crazy, you know once the playoffs start, because you know, any given Sunday, as they say, but when you look at you know, the records, you look at the Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, you gotta throw the Patriots in there, and all these teams have shown that they can be beat any given Sunday. You know, you look at the Chiefs, their defense slacks a lot.

You look at the Chargers, they're inconsistent. And the Patriots have shown that they can get beatn you know, they got shut out by the Jacksonville Jaguars, So uh, everything is up for graphs. And there's such a fine line between the teams that don't make the playoffs and the teams that are winning divisions. Listen, the Patriots are the king of the FCS. There's no doubt about that. Now they've wanted ten consecutive years, and all the power to them.

They should get all the praise and acculates. But with that being set, are you seeing the Patriots in a different lens than you've had in the past, Because when I watched the Patriots, I say, not a lot of explosion in terms of offensive plays. Sometimes they struggled this This guy is an all time great at the quarterback position. And I've taken nothing away from the Patriots, but defensively they seem middle of the pack right now. This doesn't

look like the same team that we've seen in the past. Yeah, they're not. You know, they're not the big bullies anymore. You know, people aren't afraid of him. It's kind of like when when Mike Tyson, Buster Douglas and and Buster Douglas hit him in the mouth. Yeah, and it changed, It changed the way his career went. You know, I think you're starting to see that with the Patriots. You know Tom Brady, Yes, he's a great quarterback, you know, arguably one of the best to do it. Um, he's

starting to sew down a little bit. You're starting to see some inaccuracies. He's starting to overthrow receivers. He doesn't have the talent around him as he used to in the past and the run games, so I think that their time is limited. They've had a heck of a run, you know, done a great job of being consistent throughout the years, but at the end. At the end of the day, it's got to end at some point, and I think you're starting to see the other teams in the a f C East gear up to take over

that spot. Do you think the Jets and the Buffalo Bills and the Miami Dolphins. Miami is kind of in a different kind of uh. I look at them in a different kind of perspective. I see a lot of parallels between the Jets and the Bills. Right now, they had their young quarterbacks in place. You've got Sam Donald, You've got Josh Allen, you got some defensive pieces in place, and you have a lot of money to spend in the off season. Do you see both of those teams

potentially taking a step forward next year? Yeah? Well, you know, the first thing that you have to have to to win a division is a great quarterback. And I think both teams have young quarterbacks who are showing a lot of promise. I like I like the Jets quarterback personally. You know, I think Josh Allen has a lot of you know, athleticism and some but he has some things to work on. Sam Donald is a very complete quarterback. He's gonna I feel like he's gonna be there, He's

gonna be available. He's not gonna put his body on the line as much as Josh Allen. So I think that he's the quarterback to lead the Jets to the top of the a f C East. And when you look at when you look at the playoffs scenario, when you see the a f C, the championship in the NFC Championship is typically four great quarterbacks playing against one another. You've got to have a great quarterback to to be in the competition, and the Jets have it along with

a very good defense. They can put some more pieces around it. Who knows what's gonna happen. Yeah, because it proved to be anomaly last year with the Jacksonville Jaguars because Blake bols He played pretty well down the stretch and a lot of people were thinking, oh, Jacksonville is gonna be in the mix again. Well, every once in a while, a team with a great defense makes that step. You see with the Baltimore Ravens. You know, you've seen

it throughout the years. Every couple of years. A great defense helps propel that quarterback and and a good running game helps out as well. But I like what I see with the Jets because they do have a great defense, they're gonna add on that and they have a great quarterback. So you know, that's why you have to be confident. You have to be patient with the process. I think the Jets are shown taking strides to become that great team and it's just gonna be a matter of time before.

And listen, you should go to Mountlife Stadium on Sunday because it's the Jets and the Packers. They don't come here very often. That's Aaron Rodgers, and you get a chance to see Sam Donald for the final time in two thousand eighteen at home anyway, and he continues to send we do as well here on inside the Jets. Thanks to everybody for coming out tonight. Remember next week. We'll be back in December.