Listen: Inside the Jets with Jonotthan Harrison (12/23)

Eric Ellen alongside Eric Coleman. It is rather quiet in here tonight, everybody away with their families, I think, starting to celebrate the holiday season. Merry Christmas and happy Holidays to you and yours. E The Jets are hot here in the holiday season. Left for dead one and seven at midway point, the Jets have suddenly won five and seven, have a chance to finish the second half of the two thousand n team campaign with the six and two records.

So what does that say about Adam Gayson company, the way they've rebounded and played down a stretch. Well, I mean, I think it speaks to the great job of coaching that they've done. Listen, this is a new program, a new way of doing things on offense, on defense, new coordinators and things took a while to catch on. You know, they had fought through a lot of injuries. I think

they're developing a lot of young talent and it's really showing. Uh, you know, the camaraderie, the schemes, everything is coming together right now. At the end of the inside, the Jets is supported by selective insurance, be uniquely ensured. Later on here we will be joined by Jets center Jonathan Harrison. What do you think about the Green and White's latest victory is sixteen ten, gritty, tough effort against the Pittsbury Steelers.

That game was the outcome hung in the balance until the final seconds when you saw Marcus May come up big. And we're gonna talk about Marcus here momentarily, but what do you think overall of that ball game? You're facing a team who has playoff aspirations and Steelers they come into your building, had a lot of fans. We saw the terrible tiles and the Jets turned them away. Well, you know, it was kind of what I expected. We talked about it in the pregame show about it being

a smash mouth football game. You know, a game where you know you have the Steelers who want to run the football against the Jets, who do a great job of defending the run. Uh, same thing on the other side of the ball. I thought the Jets did a great job of coming out scoring on the first drive, kind of you know, first punch down and letting them know,

and then the defense took off from there. I thought they did a great job of getting three and ounce, forcing turnovers and getting the offensive ball back in great field position. I don't know if the Jets would have been able to overcame what happened earlier in the season, meaning there in control of that ball game. They got a ten nothing lead, then all of a sudden, Pittsburgh

gets a field goal. It's ten three. T J. Watt gets in there, strip sack if Sam Donald and before you know it, there's a touchdown pass for Mason Rudolph and it's ten ten at halftime and you're going in and a lot of teams would have been deflated after that. The Jets took it in a stride and they came out and they shut out the Steelers in the second half. Yeah, I was very impressed by the way they went in

the halftime. Listen that you got tied up. They scored with eight seconds left in the first half, which is very disappointing. You want to hold him to a field goal in that position. But uh, Nonetheless, they came out second half fighting, They came out with a lot of energy. The defense got better, you know, as the game went on, and they did show a lot of maturity and finishing

that game doing a shutout. You know, defense completed a shut out in the second half, and I thought it was an excellent job by Greg Williams and the defense. So we've talked often on this show, and rightfully so about two time Pro bowler now Jamal Adams. What about his safety partner Marcus May takes points off the board there in the first half interception in the end zone that late in the game he makes like a cornerback.

There's not many safeties in National Football League we can make that play the p D that takes a chance away of a James Washington touchdown, and that would have been a tough loss. Yeah, Marcus May had a fantastic game and he's been playing great all year. But the problem is when you're when you're free safety doing your job, you're not getting a lot of the accolades. You're not

getting a lot of hoop law. You're preventing plays from happening, you're preventing touchdowns, which he deserves a lot of the credit for the success of the Jets defense. But yesterday he was able to get keep points off the board by defending it, getting an interception in the red zone. And then that play at the end of the game, the one handed pass breakup. He showed a lot of composure on that play. He you know, he high pointed the ball. It was patient, he didn't he didn't panic

at the end. A lot of safeties would would panic in that situation, and Marcus May was all over the field all game yesterday. You know what, I I don't want to take anything away from it, because we're gonna rightfully sold give Marcus May the praise here. But what was the coverage in that situation, because typically you're not gonna see in that situation where a receiver is running free free safety last line of defense, where you don't

have somebody else with him. Yeah, you know, you know what I want to say, It was his own coverage. I'm I just remember him making the play on the ball and just being in position, getting in phase, getting his eyes back on the ball, and then shooting through

the receiver's hands and knocking that pass down. How about the back pedal, you know, for those watching the New York Just dot Com in the Jets app right now, he's faced this way, then he turns this way going back and then uses the left arm to make the p D. Yeah. You know, as a defensive back, you know, especially in the middle of the field, you always want to be coming down on the football and sometimes you get stuck in a position where you have to kind

of scramble and panic and go back. But Marcus kept his composure. He did a great job of keeping his eyes on the ball and fighting through and knocking that down and it was a game saving pass break up. Jamal and Up said after the game that Marcus May is an underrated ball player and for a person who played the position like yourself, do you think that was one of the finer plays that Marcus May has had so far in his National Football League career? Absolutely? I

mean you look at you know the circumstances. It was down in the red zone, the games on the line there up by six. Pittsburgh needs a touchdown and they have a receiver open and Marcus to show that range, you know, to to cover as much ground as he did to come knock that ball down. That was a fantastic play and it's something that he's been doing all year, but it just hasn't been in that that situation. You know, Marcus has done a great job of running the defense.

There's been no communications errors on the back end, and you got to give that credit to market. How about the interception in the first half that we talked about a little bit. Listen, they're there inside the red zone. They're at least gonna get a field goal, that's a chip shot field goal, and Devil doc Hodges gets a little Greedy's trying to pass to Jalen Samuel's is running back there in the corner of the end zone. Look

to me, there's Marcus playing that post safety. He's reading the quarterback and he makes like a receiver because he high pointed the ball there and then got his feet down. Yeah, he did a great job, you know. And when when you're that close to the to the to the end zone as a free safety, you don't have the backpedal, you get enough depth and you just read the eyes of the quarterback, and he was playing against a young quarterback who was staring down his receiver didn't go through

his progression. And you know when you have an opportunistic safety like Marcus May, he's gonna read those eyes. He's gonna show his range and go make that play on the sideline and it was great to see him get those feet down. You get to get that toe swagwag. I was in the film room with Bart Scott today, former Jets linebacker, and he talked about the first takeaway.

The Jets had fire zone. They send five Jamal Adams coming again and then we see Terrell bash Him take a couple of steps forward, drops makes the athletic play and the interception again taking advantage of a rookie quarterback. Yeah, you know, it was a third down intent situation. They called a three dep fire zone and Terrell Basham has that three receiver hook And when I when I watched that again, the whole defense knew that play was coming because Marcus Mays in the center of the field. Of

course he's going to be helping Terrell Basham. He's covering a wide receiver in that situation. But Marcus was in the in the post. He was he had his hair on fire coming down to try to make that play. Basham was able to set it up by acting like he was gonna rush and then dropping back. Duck Hodges never saw him coming from the back side, and the big feather went up and made a great catch. What

do you make of what the Jets did offensively? We were wondering what kind of performance that we're gonna get out of Levan, But I thought he set the tone for the entire game on that first drive that culminated on the touchdown pass from Sam Donald and Robby Anderson twenty three yards, which was a tremendous catch from Robbie and Sam put in a play where only Anderson could go up and get the football. But a lot of seven yard runs on that first drive from Levian Bell

and the Jets established themselves that the line of scrimmage. Yeah, they did. You know, the Jets really did do a great job of establishing that that tempo. You know, just taking the fight to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They're known as a bully defense. You know, they've been getting a lot of takeaways. They're intimidating as a defense, but the offensive line, Levian Bell, they came out and punched him in the mount.

You know, Levian getting seven yard carries, you know, continuing that drive and then to go down and finish it like they did with a great throw and catch by Sam Donald and Robby Anderson. It was a great drive and I wish they would have wished they could have continued that momentum through You mentioned tempo. Did you like the fourth and one where Adam Gaze had him get up right up to the line. Levian BELLI gets seven yards, but there were pair of penalties on the play from

Pittsburgh that you ultimately decline. But with that being said, the pace guy, Pittsburgh completely on their heels. Yeah, I thought that was great. You know, Pittsburgh's the team that doesn't send a lot of pressure, and it's hard to to blitz and to not show your hand when there's a no huddle situation. You know, you have to. You know, if I'm a safety, I want to I want to sit there and disguise my coverage. I want to you know, beat ten yards back and you know, maybe I'll show

a blitz or something. But if you know there's a no huddle situation. You have to get to your work right now, and that really does a great job of showing the quarterback what how this defense is attacking you so they can play off. I thought one of the key drives were one of the Jets had a thirteen a ten lead there in the fourth quarter, and Donald had some key completions. Bell again another critical third down conversion. He told me after the game he wanted to get

the third and twelve. He only got like ten yards. But that's set up a field goal in in that case, in most games, you're thinking, listen, you gotta score a touchdown here. I think Adam Gaze is playing his card right there because he knows what he has defensively. We get a six point lead here, They're not scoring a touchdown on us. I'm betting on my defense. That's why that was such a key field goal. Yeah, you know, Adam Gates had had a lot of reason to have

confidence in his defense. You know, Pittsburgh had their third string, second string quarterback who weren't having a lot of success. Uh, This defense and you, led by Jamal Adams and company have been doing a great job all game of setting the tone that they eliminated the run game. They were eliminating big plays after that first half play, and uh, you know they gave him all the reason to be

confident in what they could do. All right, So we're gonna come right back and bringing a Jets center Jonathan Harrison, one of Sunday's heroes. And uh, we're also gonna dive into the Jets final game of the season. Who would have thought that the two thousand nineteen it's already coming to an end, but we're gonna come right back. You're listening Inside the Jets on ESPN New York. Donald takes the snap drops by, looks over the middle, fires went

up the scene end. So Robby Anderson cons the ladder. Hey's got it down. Who want to throw by Tarnald a rightful shot up the scene to Robbie Anderson. Inside the Jets is presented by e Y Building a Better Working World, Eric Allen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamilton Park Hotel or Player Guest segment is presented by M ANDT Bank, the

official community bank of your New York Jets. Let's bring in Jonathan Harrison, who's not only the starting center for the Green and White, but also the team's nominee for Walter Payton Man in the Year, Jonathan Hey, Uh, so many things to get to, um, but let's start on the field. What's spend the difference in the second half of the season for this team? I think just um, you know, everyone realizing that, you know, most of the league was counting us out. So it was like it

was like a respect thing. It was like a you know, we're not gonna quit. We're not just gonna you know, fold over. We're gonna keep working, keep burning and uh, you know, in the season with some wins and then move into the off season on a positive note and then build from there. Yeah, there was a lot of There are a lot of questions that people ask me, like ending the season on a on a good note, winning a bunch of games, does that carry over to

the off season? How how do you feel like that will help you guys moving into the off season, Because that's a building chemistry, that's building team chemistry, and and for the players who are fortunate enough to be on the team again next year, you know, that's that's already like a step that you've you've eliminated. You already have the chemistry. You don't even worry about building that chemistry.

And um, of course, you know the you know, coaches in front office bringing in new pieces to add to to what we have going and then that's just how a team builds over time. How have you been able to sustain or maintain or actually get offensive line chemistry ten old line combinations? Jeez, I have not seen a

year like uh man, I'm gonna I'm gonna say. You know, we've been joking around and we've been calling it like the you know Year of the Yuck just because it's been just like it's been yucky in there, you know, that guys getting danged up and in and out the lineup and whatever it may be. And like we just joke about it, but it just you know, it's actually bringing us a lot closer, you know, because guys are able to plug into any position and and you know

without skipping a beat. You know, we can continue on without skipping a beat. And and the guys are really buying in. You know, no one's being selfish. Everyone's being completely selfless and just doing whatever they can to help the help the offense and How does that help? Yeah,

the team moving forward. Everybody's getting experienced. You know, you got guys from practice squad, guys who are who are backups, getting starting, getting getting major minutes in these games, including defense, offense, any position. How does that help you guys moving forward? Is it? Is it gonna? How does it? How does

that help jell the team? It just, um, it shows that you know, show some of the weapons, you know, the hidden gems that we have on the team, and that you know, guys performing you know, well late in the season. That's just giving coaches something else to look at, like, Okay, you know this guy's coming out of the show. You know this guy, this guy's potential whatever it is. So so you know, it's just one of those things. Um, you know, guys, guys have really been busting their tail,

you know, getting after it and and not quitting. You know, it's end this season. It's easy. You know, I'm not going to playoffs or whatever. It's easy. It's easy just to kind of give up and get lazy. But guys have really been competing. I mean at practice we're still full tilt. It was still full tilt, like we have something to prove. So well, how would you describe this year for you? Because in the spring, you're thinking, hey, I want to be the guy. I'm gonna be the

starting center of this team. Then the Jets go out and sign Ryan Klio on August one, Um, he starts the first six or seven games, ends up on I R And here you are gonna be in the starting lineup Sunday against the Buffalo Bills. And I think you're gonna match your career high in terms of starts. This is You're gonna be your tenth. I believe so. Yeah, I believe so. I really I really try not to pay attention to any of that, but um, yeah, you know,

it's been a it's been an emotional roller coaster for sure. Um. You know, like like you said, you know entered you know, entered spring thinking, you know, hey, you know I have a shot this. You know, this can be my job. And you know Ryan coming in, you know, Brandon, Ryan came in and he was he was super cool, super respectful about everything. He's like, man, I know this is awkward, but but hey, like let's let's make the best of it. You know, maybe I can teach you a thing or

two or whatever. And we end up becoming really cool with each other. So, um, you know, I just took that as a as a learning, learning experience, and you know, of course, you know, initially I was super frustrated, Like like, initially when it happened, I was super frustrated. But then I was like, I can't let that, I can't let that affect you know, this journey I've been on in my career, so you know, it has been the prettiest journey.

But but but I'm always here to work and given my all, and um, I'm pretty sure the guys in the locker room know that. So it's truly, is truly just a blessing to have this much respect for the way that you handled yourself in that situation, because it sounds like it's an easy situation, but it's tough because everyone you know you, you work hard, you have your pride, uh, you know you you put in this work and then

all of a sudden, but everything works out in the end. Well, there's one word that works the best when describing Jonathan Harrison as far as you're NFL career professional, consummate professional, always been able to roll with it and come to work with the right attitude. You know, no, thank you really. Um, yeah, it's it's not always easy. It's not always easy to have my good and bad days and everything like that.

But but yeah, you know, you know, many many people, whether it's coaches, players, mentors, many people have told me, you know, if you get you get overly frustrated with the things you can't control, then you can drive yourself insane and control what you can control. And there's times, you know what, I may you know, deviate from that just a little bit, but then I always try to bring myself back to that and control what I can control. Yeah, well,

let's get back to Sunday. You know, great winning against the Steelers. You guys really came out and took the fight to that Steelers defense. Was it were you motivated by Levan playing against this old team? Were you motivated by feeling disrespected? What was the motivation going into that game? You know everyone had their little, you know, different motivation. You know, Um, that's Beaches first team, you know, Beach them the first team as well, and Levyan with all

that of course, and everyone had their different motivations. But um, you know, for me personally, for me personally, I was just like this. You know, this is a team that thinks that they're just gonna, you know, come out here and get a win. You know, like like I don't think many people outside of the building thought we were gonna we're gonna win that game outside this organization, and

you know, it is what it is. So you know, all we can do is go out there and fight and and you know it, it was a it was a dogfight of a game, dogfight of a game. But those are the ones you remember, and those are those are satisfying victories right there. Yeah, you mentioned the dogfight of a game. Just two d fifty nine yards a total offense, I believe for a fifteen on third down.

But you guys found a way you knew it was that you knew it was gonna be that in the game because the Pittsburgh Steelers bottom line, we got eight victories this year and that defense you got a lead players at all. Oh yeah, that defense was was stout. That's a very good defensive go against. And uh we knew that. We knew that entering the weekend. You know, hats off to to all the guys that went out

there and battled. You know, there's a couple of drives that I know we wish we could have finished, but you know, at the end of the day, and win is a win, and sometimes wins are gonna be you know, dig scratch claw kind of win, you know, And we really fought and it was it was a team effort. All three phases performed there and great team win for sure. Is there something about playing at home? You know, five

and three at home? You know, even though there was a ton of Steelers fans at that stadium, what is it about playing at MetLife Stadium that motivates you as a team. Uh, you know, it's just it's your home. It's your home crowd. You know. You see Jetman up in the stands, you know, getting after it and see all the green everywhere. And yes, there were a lot of Steelers fans. Our fans are our die hard fans, were they and they were showing all the love and support.

Um DJ was letting the tunes go this time around, like you're just letting the music plays. All of us were extra hyight before the game, and uh yeah, it's just something about you know, having some of your friends and family there, you knowing that they're they're changing on and everything, and that's just what home field advantage is, and that's what you know. I'm glad that we were able to end, you know, on a on a winning note, on a good note, because you want to be able

to protect your house. You want to have a winning regular. Listen, you're talking about four in a row at home, five and three overall, like you just mentioned, but five or six overall because you lost your first two games. They're when you endured so much adversity here earlier this season. So what's going on out of the gate man? Because I'm almost disappointed if you guys don't scoring that first drive.

You've had so much success on these first drives this year, which is great moving forward when you look ahead and beyond and hopefully that takes place in Buffalo, But what does that say about the preparation? And then also, why have you been able to find an early groove that doesn't happen often in the National Football League? You know, it's just guys buying into buying into the game plan.

You know, Um, you know, Gays is like, hey, I just trust me, you know, just trust me this week and you know I got you just you know he'll break it. Down to us why he's doing this, and and then it's our job to go out there and execute.

And then you know, when we go out there as an offense and we fire on all cylinders, were able to execute, We're able to score on that first drive, and I know that as an offense we're trying to make that are are like signature almost, you know, like we're coming out, we're swinging that that long sustain first drive and scoring at the end of it. And it was disappointing when we don't get it, but you know, all the guys are working their tails off to try

and make that. So what do you think about that replay when you saw it on the board, because obviously you're taking care of your blocking responsibilities. But there's Donald thrown a rope to Robby Anderson, it goes up and gets it, gets his feet down, and then afterwards celebrates with a hug with fireman at boy has hands, many has hands, and Sam has a hell of a arm. And it's ridiculous. I had no clue what was going on,

like you said, I really didn't. I just heard the crowd grow crazy, and I look like when you know what's going down down there, so I started jogging down see the replay, and then yeah, I just got so excited, you know, Robbie with the inspector gadget arms and snagging that ball, and you know, that was really exciting. Is it always like that for you as offensive lineman? I mean, you're handling your responsibility, a play breaks free and then all of a sudden is a touchdown that most of

the time do you not know what happened. There's a lot of times you have no idea what happened. You know, if it's like a big run play, you'll hear the crowd, but you're trying to finish your block or whatever it is. Pass pro you're shielding your guy off and you just go off the crowd. Like every once in a while you catch a touchdown, like you actually see it every once in a while, but a lot of times, you know, yeah,

I never thought about it from that perspective. Do you think, first off, this is your six year in the league by so fast? Yeah, don't remind me. That's great getting paychecked for six years now but undrafted on the University of Florida. Three years with the Colts, now three years with the Jets. Already why are we seeing the best Jonathan Harrison right now? Because if you watch your play, Um, I know people are talking about and Joe Douglas is

definitely gonna dress off. It's a line in the off season. You know that. With that being said, you are putting your best foot forward right now at that center position. That's all I can do. That's all I can do. You know, I was giving an opportunity and and you know, I just have to make the best of it. And you know, I just always told myself, I'm like, you know, next time I get that opportunity, like really try and

take advantage of it. And there's been times in my career where you know, I didn't take full advantage of it, and of course I regret that. But what you know, I can't I can't focus on that. Can only just focus on the next you know, the next day. So, um, you know, it's it's a health of an opportunity and and I'm gonna give them all each time, and you know,

hopefully it pays off in the long run. But how different are you in terms of even maybe stepping into the door at one jets Drive a couple of years ago in terms of what you brought to the game as far as being a technician and also that athleticism and the nastiness and you put it all together. You know, that's just that's just you know, Um, the best way to explained, that's just that you know the style of play.

You know that that that I that I offer and you know, um, if you need something more athletic, I got that. Um. You know, I may seem a little bit smaller than typical linement, by makeup for it in strength and and you know I'm scrappy. You know I'm willing to get after a little bit like that. Um. You know, never perfect, nobody's ever perfect. I'm not perfect. But but I work, you know, work, and I love to compete. That's one thing I love to compete. And

that's one thing about that room. All the guys in there love to compete and and has brought us that much closer. So do you like it that your general manager is a former offensive lineman, Joe Douglas? And when you have conversations with them, what what it's been? What has it been like? Because the other thing that I appreciate about Joe is he said he talked to you when they were gonna sign Khalil, so he didn't have to do that, but that speaks to who he is.

But also he's a always raved about you as well. So what's it like having a GM with a former offensive lineman who knows the position because again, not a lot of gms and that in the NFL, we're offensive line. No, No, it's great because you know you just naturally have that that kind of connection with him being a former offensive linement because they always say in the locker room offensive line or a different breed, completely different breed, and we're

like a pack. You know, we always rolled together. But you know it's great. You know it's great because communication wise, he understands it's easier to communicate with him, and uh, and he can see what like you know, a statue sheet, you know can't see. You know, he's able to look at this play and be like, all right, well you know, X, Y and Z aren't matching up. You know, Okay, his hands might not be you forty or whatever it is, but you got another segment. I can do a little bit,

I can do a little bit. Okay, great, Uh, we're gonna come right back with some more. Jonathan Harrison on ESPN New York, third and ten at the Jet forty five again the Jet Show Blitz. They've got a bunch of players up near the line and here they come back to throw Hodgers fires one high on the middle. Pets Gonna sail Basham Basham, China clang and clap her forward out to the Chick thirty six yard block. Ju Jue Smith Schuster, the intended receiver, Craig Williams brought pressure

and he kept Torrell Basham back off the line. Then Torrell Basham picks up the interception. Jets Reward members, don't forget to edenter the code week sixteen. That's week once six and your Jets Rewards portal during the show to earn a hundred points. Eric Ellen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel. Jonathan Harrison, who was so good we kept him on for another segment. Jets nominee for Walter Peyton

Man of the Year. Uh, you have tackled the only in crisis had on congratulations on honor and why and we talked about it multiple times before. But for people listening on ESPN New York or watching New York Touch dot com or the Jets app. Right now, why was this so important to you? And what has your interaction been like with kids continually during these school visits. You know, this is it's really important to me because growing up, I was you know, I was bullied. I was bully

growing up, and it wasn't fun. It wasn't fun. And I thought, you know, the more I can endure, eventually everyone would like become my friends all that stuff, and then it ends up just you know, you know, having to suffer through that for for many crucial years of you know, my my own breaking. So you know, you know, being able to play football has kind of been an outlet. You know. I joke around saying, no, I'm able to

like legally bully people on the field. And and you know, a couple of years ago, I was giving an opportunity to you know, kind of share my story, share a part of my story with a local school, and um, I did it. In the first time, I was super nervous doing it, but afterwards I was like, man, like, I need to do this again, you know, like I

need to it more involved. And that's kind of how like my you know, involvement was not about bullying, uh kicked off and uh, you know, every every couple of weeks or so, uh, you know, I may go to a school and and I talk to you know, do like an assembly, talk to a couple of hundred kids and telling my story and kind of share ways that they can help look out for their friends or if they're being bullied, the way the way that they can

address it and um. And then every once in a while, there might be like a student that you know, a teacher, the guyan's counselor may feel you know, could use a

little special extra attention. And then we'll try to to meet with that that student, bring him his favorite lunch, you know, and have lunch with him, and you know, just or him or her sorry, and you know, just spend time with them and kind of make them feel special and give them something to build a little confidence that they can talk about with their peers and and you know hopefully that would like lessen you know, the stuff that they're going through and you just kind of

put smile on their face. So so when people think about kids getting bullied, they don't They look at you and they're like, man, you're the biggest man I've probably ever seen. What is it like getting bullied? I understand that, you know, it doesn't matter how big you are. You know, how do you how do you without diving too deep into your story, what was your experience like getting bullied?

I was just you know, I was different. I didn't really fit in, you know, I was bigger than everyone and I was in like a real small country town growing up. So it was just I was different, and uh and you know, people thought it was funny and I was I was an easy target, you know, and then I wasn't. I wasn't violent, trying not to fight back or anything like that. And you know, my mom was like, no, you know, we don't promote violence in the household, and just made me for an easy target.

So so yeah, I was just one of those things, one of those things that that you know, I thought would never end, but of course eventually ended. And now that I look back, you know, it's terrible that that, you know, I actually went through all that, And how were you able to live with that? Maybe in a positive manner, where Damn, I'm going through some things right now, But this is how I'm gonna overcome it when you were going to high school, when you were in grade school,

when you were in middle school. So what what do you tell the kids today? I tell them that, you know, this is only temporary and it will end. You know, the people are doing that just aren't aren't nice people? You know, it's it's not cool. Everyone in the world's entitled to do what they do as they please as long as it's not offending anybody else. And and you know everyone, everyone has the right to their opinion and all that stuff. But it's yeah, it's only it's only temporary.

It's only temporary. And and just know that one day you'll look back and you'll kind of chuckle at it. To east point. Does it help the kids, you think, Jonathan, that they can look at you and say, oh, man, if this guy was bothered, now he's in the national football I know I'm gonna be all right. Oh no,

for sure, for sure. And and I also like, like, I try not to use the whole, you know, football thing, just because they're like, not everyone is, you know, whatever three pounds, you know, So I'm just like, whatever, whatever it is that you enjoy, whatever it is that that's

your forte just be fully confident in that. So you may be a musician, you know, you know, go be go be an amazing guitarist you know, or a pianist, whatever it may be, and make that your confidence so whenever whenever anyone has something negative to say about you, like hey, look, can you can you play this song you know on piano whatever it may be, And and just find find that inner confidence through something that you're good at. I mean, I commend you on what you've done.

And I especially especially think it's cool that you know, as an NFL player, you go back because kids, you know, the teachers, the parents that can tell them whatever they want. When the NFL player walks in, I'm sure you have everyone's attention when you walk. What do you think about social media? Social media, that's that's one of the that's the biggest outlet to bullying right now. It's every bullying.

And I can't imagine going to school with social media. Obviously, I got a couple of years after say I'm gonna say, like, I know, I'm younger than YouTube, but I didn't even have social media growing up. That's the thing, Like, I I don't get like my Space until those I think like the in the high school is when my Space started become the thing. So growing up elementary, middle school, like all these kids have Instagrams, now, all of them have Twitters. Now they can see whatever they need to

on social media. Like there's no restricting what they can explore and see on social media. So there's so much more access and then there's so much more opportunity for people to to reach out and say what they want or comment how they want from you know, from the safety of their home. You know, they're they're they're behind the keyboard, they're on their phone, laying in bed, like

making someone feel terrible about themselves. And that's that's miserable that people have to endure that nowadays, it truly is, Yeah, we get into this world to suck. I don't I don't know how to best explain it, but people get so negative sometimes and you gotta do your best to avoid that because the bottom line is and that can happen,

can infiltrate kids, schools and things like that. And we see that social media where I say it is allowed minority because sometimes you question what's happening with the world right now, and then you have to you you got to take into account. Okay, not everybody is like this. This is this is allowed minority and we need more positive people. Yes you have. You guys, come up with any kind of solution for uh dealing with social media as a young kid. Is it to stay often into

your a certain age? You know what are you know? I have young kids, so social media scares the heck out of me having my my eleven year old have to face those problems. What is the best kind of situation for it for a young kid is honestly just there's so much access, So like trying to say no, you can't get on social media is almost worse because all of your kids peers are gonna be on social media. But the best thing you can do is just explain to them like, hey, look this, this and this may happen.

You know, someone may reach out or all make comment on your pictures, say something you don't like. Just know that that's them being mean and you have to ignore that, deleteed block that person, and move on. Like it's it's easier said than done, and it makes people feel bad

about themselves. But at the end of the day, you know you're always going to have a critic so that's all you can do and just keep moving on and know that, like if this person isn't of any importance to you, just let it go and look at you now. The Jets nominee for Walter Payton Man and the Year, Jonathan Harrison, well deserved. I gotta ask you about your quarterback? Well about him? What about him? So Jets fans getting

excited starting to think about long term. He's twenty two, he's got he's got a great relationship with the center. Uh what have you seen from him in terms or progress? And why is he the guy's going to take this team and promised land week to week you just see you see growth, You see growth, and and he's a he's a natural competitor, natural competitor, and quarterback is easy to him, you know. And and you know, transitioning from college to the NFL, of course of speed is gonna

be different. That takes a little time to adjust. And then once he figured that out, then he started taking your next steps and you know, becoming you know, you know, a better quarterback, to to becoming more and more productive you know, in the backfield. And it's just impressive, you know, it's impressive. The work he puts into it, the the extra time he puts into it, and he can tell that he wants it. How how good is he with you guys in the room, because I think he's got

natural leadership ability. No, definitely, definitely, he's great with us in the room. And and the thing is that we have is is we're able to you know, we're able to have a conversation about it. Like he won't ever come in the room and be like, hey, you guys are doing X, Y and Z. You know, Like no, he's like, hey, what what do you guys think about this? Like how can we address this? Or you know what calls me make for this will come to like a group you know, you know, consensus and go from there.

So that's how you know, that's how you know a wealth functioning offense works. You know, it's communication rather than just commands. And so what is it like with with coach Gays? You know, obviously he's calling the plays on offense, he's a big part of the game planning and everything like that. And obviously he and Sam have a great relationship. What does that relationship like with you as the offensive lineman? Oh, it's great, it's great. You know between gays, you know,

Sam and the offensive line. You know, all of us communicate all the time. Um Gates will always check with us, you know, check with us. He'll check with uh, with beach of our captain and he's like, hey, you know, what do you guys think about this game plan? He's like, you know, what what do you think about you know this runner? You know whatever, Like well, you know if we get in this formation that we don't like it, Okay, okay, let's switch it up, you know. And and it's just

real open open communication, very open communication. And then it's great ways. It makes for a great work atmosphere and you can tell, like later on like we've trying of gotten in this flow, you know and winning some ballgames. And that's all because of this open communication. That's that's

always been you know, as a player. For me, it's always been great to to play for a coach that understands and will take your input, you know, as a player, because you play for some coaches where we're gonna do

it like this and this is how it's done. And then you're out there you're getting beat and you're like, coach, we need to adjust this, and they don't want to hear it, and it doesn't lead to a lot of success or confidence in It's great to hear that Adam Gateses is listening and taking your input as a player. What do you finally, what do you think about this matchup this weekend? He started the year out against the Bills and now you're ending the year against Buffalo and

Western New York. They're locked into the number five seed. Who knows who's playing because they got to look ahead to the following week. But this game means a lot to you guys, right, definitely means a lot to us. Um, you know, despite you know the circumstance of our season. Uh, you know, it is still a divisional opponent, and um, you know it is Buffalo. You know, these are guys that we see twice a year. So it's our last game,

it's Buffalo. Let's you know, it's end it with the bang, sending with the bang, and you know, we know it's gonna be you know, tough conditions. We're we're up in their territory and a lot colder than down here. And hey, all we can do is you'll strap up and go out there and go go battle. A great job by you tonight on for a couple of segments. Uh, you know, and that's what we expect from Florida Gator around here. It's always great to get oats. That's right, Jonathan, Thank

you so much for stopping by. Good luck this weekend, and we'll be talking you soon. We'll be right back. We'll preview Jets bills this weekend, and you're listening Inside the Jets on ESPN New York. Three ten to go, lock Edwards will hold snaps. The placement cleaning to kick on the way has the distance and it is good inside the right up right, Remember, Jets fans, you can stream Inside the Jets live through the Jets app presented by mt Bank. Go to the app store or Google

Play Now and search Official New York Jets. Eric Ellen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel. We will be right back here next Monday night, So folks say listen, Howiday season pulenty seats available. I think we're gonna have a couple guests that you might want to check out next week. Uh E great to hear from Jonathan Harrison. Here's a

guy kept his hat up. Joe Douglas signed Ryan Khalil in August August first, I believe, and Harrison could have put his head down, said that was my chance, man. I could have been the starter, uh to open the season. But he kept that head up, kept grinding. Khalil went out unfortunately, and Harrison has picked up. And I think he's done a fine job at the center position. I know everybody talking about Joe Douglas, he's got to improve the offensive line position. He's going to improve the offensive

line position, that's not even a question. But I think Harrison has really taken advantage of his opportunity. Yeah, I mean you talked about earlier and you said one word and professional. You know, he really has handled his business. He came into this this this season as a starter, and then they signed Ryan Khalil. He's a backup now. But then obviously he got that opportunity and he was ready for it. You know, he stayed ready so he

didn't have to get ready. And he's done a great job of leading an offensive line that they've had a terrific run at the end of the season, and I think he's really making a statement and letting these coaches know that I am your center for the future and not the biggest guy. And he's talked about it before, but he'll get nasty. He's also athletic. And the other thing is he's got a very good relationship with the quarterback,

Sam Donald. A lot of respect on both ends there. Yeah, and it's very important for them to have that relationship, that trust, that chemistry between the center and the and the quarterback. They touched the ball every single play and they need to be on the same page. So it's important that they grow together. And I think that he's a guy that that can be around here for a very long time. Okay, So Jamal Adams got uh nominated or sent to is uh second Pro Bowl last week.

We found that out of course, and he came back into the lineup after two games off, played very well at the tackles couple stops behind the line. After the Jets took down the Pittsburgh Steelers, he said, we're not that far away. Sam Donald said, I think we're not too far away. Leavan Bell added, it's going to take time to get the ships selling in the right direction. Now we're starting to see the ship turn a little bit your thoughts. I agree with them. You know that

they're not far away. They're they're getting things pointed in the right direction. And yes, it did take a little longer than we wanted to, but if you look at it, you know, the Jets are in a position to win seven games at the end of this season. At the beginning of the year, we talked about this, how many games do you expected Jets to win? It was six, seven games and if they can steal one and probably eight and that's just being realistic, is not being said.

I sat in between seven and ten. I thought, okay, yeah, well, I mean I expected, you know, seven wins, seven eight wins. You know, that's what I expected from this team. But with it being a new coaching staff, young quarterback, young team. But with all the injuries being you know that that occurred to this team, it's amazing that they fought through and played so well at the end of the season. And they really do have a lot to learn, achieve me a lot to build off of going into the

off season. How much, if any carry over is there, You're gonna finish strong to this year no matter what happens in Buffalo. Let's say, even if you lose the game, you're five and three in the season second half. Henry Anderson said it today that listen, I think I don't know how much you can carry over, but you want to have momentum, positive feeling of positivity headed into the

off season. Yeah. I mean it's different when you're just a losing team and you go into the off season and you know, you come back from offseason workouts and you're like, man, what is it gonna be? Like? Are they gonna crush us? But it's different when you're winning. You know, when you're in the season on a high note. You know, six seven wins, that's nothing that that's not anything to push over. And the NFL, everyone's confident. They come into the season under coming too the off season

understanding that we're gonna put in some work. We were a couple of plays away from being a successful playoff team and then that's all gonna take. And we're gonna discuss this next week here on inside the Jets. But I know fans are gonna be looking at it. I just wrote this down as you're talking. Cincinnati Miami Jacksonville sixteen point lead over the Buffalo Bills Week one, So you're probably gonna be at that end of the season.

If you're a fan, you're looking back at those games and say, man, if we had to do over because because the Jets are a better team than Cincinnati Bengals, and they are a better team than Miami Dolphins, they are a better team than the Jacksonville Jaguars at this point. It just they had to go through a lot of bumps early this season. Yeah, I mean, that's part of maturing. That's a part that's part of maturing as a as a program. You know, they're gonna be games that you

should win, that you that you leave out there. But when you're a successful team, when you understand that, when you have a veteran presence, you win those games. And now all of a sudden, you have ten wins at the end of the year. And I think that's the step that they're gonna take next year. They got a lot of young guys who gained a ton of experience out there on the field, and you have a lot

to depth. Uh, you know, some some players who they didn't really expect to blossom really got the opportunity this year and did And we're gonna make a big impact next year when all these guys are helping. Yeah, I can't wait to watch Joe Douglas attacked offseason because I don't expect him necessarily to go out there and sign the number one free agent on the market. I think that he is going to attack this with a calculated approach.

He's got hot spend some money. But they're gonna try to build this thing through the draft and you have to plug multiple holes where maybe in the past the Jets were going at the top of the top and maybe that there's different philosophies as far as building a roster. So, uh, we can get into all that next week. But about forty seconds left, Jets Bills, what do you expect from Buffalo and how does that into um, how does that

impact your operation here for the Jets? Well, I mean, I think if you're the Jets, you're you're always just concerned about yourself. You're worried about your game plan, the way that you come out here and set the tone, and I don't think that they will play a lot of their starters. I think the Jets have a great opportunity to in the season on a positive note and to beat a division opponent. Well, said thanks so much to Justin for helping us out. Kayrie back in the studio.

H Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays. Remember Inside the Jets season finale next Monday night. You're listening to ESPN New York