Listen: Inside the Jets with Sam Darnold (12/30)

Park Hotel. Eric Allen alongside Eric Coleman, and we have a player guest segment right off the top of the show, and we're presented by MT Bank, the official community bank of your New York Jets. Without further ado, let's welcome in. Jets quarterback Sam Donald, thanks for coming all. Sound what's going on? Guys? Does it feel like it was yesterday you walked in across the street one jet stride number three overall selection in the two thousand and eighteen draft,

and already you're three two years it's flying by man. Uh. It's funny, you know, after the game, after the good win that we had in Buffalo. Uh, with all the travel in between, we're all talking about how how crazy it is, how fast everything's flying by Uh. Talking with Jonathan Harrison and Trevor sont you know some of the guys that, um, we're next to me on the plane and in the bus. It was just crazy, you know, talking about how many years they've all been in the

league and what year they're going into. I'm going into year three. It's uh, it's pretty crazy to think about. But uh, it's been a fun journey so far. You know, hopefully UM, more wins to come, for sure, but um, it's been fun so far. Yeah, I mean, and it does go by fast. Can you talk about the transition from the difference between year one and going into year two? What was the difference? Obviously you have more time to prepare and get acclimated to the league. What was that like?

For sure? Yeah, it was it was awesome to be able to I mean, first of all, coming in as a rookie, it was it was tough, you know, trying to get acclimated and um, but the Jets made it super easy in terms of finding a place to live, UM, feeling comfortable there. Um had a great guy, Joshua Cown to be able to help me with a ton of stuff, UM in the off season and get ready to play football in the NFL. UM and then coming into year two, UM felt like it was just my whole off season

was filled with learning the new offense. That was really it. Um. I didn't have to worry about anything else. So that was nice. Um, you know, felt like we took steps in the right direction, uh, towards the off season in terms of getting ready for the season. Obviously, the beginning of the season didn't go exactly the way that everyone thought it was gonna go. Uh, you know, getting sick and everything that happened in between, so uh, you know, it was it was a rough start to the season,

but I thought we finished strong. So many things to get to with the Jets quarterbacks, Sam Donalds, who's joining us right off the top here on inside the Jets. You just mentioned the turnaround. Prior to yesterday's games, a hundred and eleven teams since nineteen seventy eight, not including the two strice shortened season had started one and seven. Only six teams had rebounded to finish at least seven and nine. Now you guys are one of them because

you win six out of eight down the stretch. What was the key to the turnaround in the second half, Uh, I mean, it's just resiliency you know throughout our whole team. That was really the key, um, great guys on the locker room to to be able to just keep our heads down every single you know, win or lose on Sunday, to just keep our heads down and go to work on Monday. Uh. You know, it can be tough when you start the season one and seven. Uh, you know,

some guys going to tank, other guys don't. You know, our whole team didn't. That wasn't the case with any of our guys. We all stayed up and um, locker rooms stayed positive. Um, you know, and you know there are those days though when you know, when you're one and seven, it's, uh, it's not easy, you know. But our guys, you know, the guys that we have in the locker room, it made it more fun than it should be. And with that being said, I think that

had a lot to do with the turnaround. Um. You know it's uh again, it's hard to come back from one and seven season. We almost did it. Um, but hopefully you know, we get we get off to a little bit faster start next year and guys always talk about you know, winning and ended the season on a high note. To carry on into the off season. What does that do for you going six in two of your last eight games, what does that do for your off season goals and moving on in the future. UM, yeah,

it definitely. You know, there there's something to be said for momentum going into the off season. UM. I think we we have found UM really, like I keep mentioning, I mean, there's great guys in the locker room, and

that's what you want to continue to drive for. I mean, the more good guys you have in the locker room, the more you can deal with in terms of, um, just everything you know, because playing football, I mean, you know, there's so many things that you go through, whether it's injuries, UM, things happening off the field with guys. UM, there's so many different you know, UM things in different different adversity

that you deal with. UM. And I think you know, just the guys in the locker room to be able to deal with it. UM. You know, can't speak highly enough of those guys. Where were your most significant improvements.

I'm looking at your rookie numbers right now, twenty eight more than yards pass and seventeen touchdowns, fifteen interceptions, thirty six year two New City Tom again sixty pass or over three thousand yards for the first time in your career, nineteen touchdown passes, thirteen interceptions, and you were sacked thirty three times. Now, mind you you at nine different offensive

line combinations in front of you, at eleven offensive line starters. Yeah, you know, I think, uh, this year again, there was a lot of adversity that we dealt with as a team. Um, but I thought our guys dealt with it well. Um. You know. For me personally, UM, I don't get too caught up in the numbers. I mean, the only thing that really matters to me is wins and losses. Um, you know. But just uh with this offense, I mean, I feel like it is super easy to find completions,

which is huge. You know, the more you can spit the ball out in the NFL and find guys um in the flats or um. Obviously, you want to take your shots. You want to be able to score touchdowns in this league and create explosive plays, but um, you gotta take them when they come to you. And that's the big thing in this offense is just um finding the completions. And you know, as long as you find completions,

get the ball out of your hands fast. It creates um, you know, the defensive line doesn't play as fast, the dbs don't know what's going on when the ball is getting out so fast. So, um, there's a lot of different things and and you know, it's just again, it's just really fun to play in this offense with with how fast I can get the ball out. I love what you just said about stats and so our Jets fans, And he said, don't I think that matters wins the losses?

What are you taking an account here that you were four and nine as the starter as a rookie. But Sam Donald when he was leading the Jets thirteen starts in two thousand, nineteen seven and six, Yeah, I mean it's uh again, there's there's uh, there's some ways. You know, there's a long way to go. I think you know, um, we're not far off at the same time, but um, we would like to win more games in the future, obviously, but you know we're going in the right direction. That's

what matters most. And Sam, you talked about getting getting the ball out quick, having that chemistry with your wide receivers. Um, what what the team? What is it like to build chemistry. You know, they always talk about it and how it takes time and how you have to get used to it. What is that process like, getting chemistry with all your receivers. Yeah,

it does take time. I mean it's it's built throughout the off season too, you know, inviting the guys out, Um, whenever I get the chance, wherever we are, you know, as long as we can meet up, hang out. Um, you know, just I think that's the biggest thing, is just hanging out. You know, the more you get to know someone, the more chemistry you have with them. So um, on and off the field. So there's definitely a correlation there.

But um, you know, we have a I think we have a ton of chemistry on offense, not just with the receivers, but tight ends, running backs, offensive line. I mean, um, we have a really good core unit right now. And um, you know, who knows if it's gonna change or not, but we have a really good thing going. I felt like we got really comfortable as the season went on. Um, and that's what matters the most. I Mean, we all love playing for one another. I think that's one of

the biggest things in the NFL. If if you love playing for one another, it makes it easy to go out there every Sunday and put your body on the line. You have natural leadership qualities, There's no doubt about that. We've seen that from the Get. But did it become more of your team a little bit here in your two because Levian Belt was talking about it today he said you could see that Sam, he was taking more ownership and he was seeing things better Like you've talked

about that. You know, the way Get defenses are trying to attack you a little bit more you were sliding protections. Did you just feel like naturally it became more of hey, this is this is my this is my team, and I'm gonna lead us. Well, the more I think, the more football that you see or more football that I see,

the more comfortable I'm gonna get. The more you know, with more experience, you know, Um, the better I feel like I'm gonna play in the faster I'm gonna play than the quicker I'm gonna be able to just um uncovered defenses. So um, that's really it for me, is just understanding what a defense is doing before the play even happens. Um. But again, I think the more that you know I hang out or the more that you know we were talk in the locker room and all

that stuff. I feel like the more UM comfortable I am to be able to make checks at the line of scrimmage and UM, even if I'm wrong, you know, we're all gonna be wrong together. And I think that's

the biggest thing that UM. You know, I think during the last half of the season, I felt like, you know, we were all just really on the same page with everything, UM, even if someone was wrong, but if we're if we're gonna be wrong, that's the huge That's the the big thing is you know, making sure that we're all wrong together and that I get the ball out and make sure that I know where my problems are. UM. I felt like I had a really good job of that

in the back half of the season. I felt like our offensive line UH did a great job in the back half with UM getting used to playing different positions than some guys UH weren't used to playing in the past. And again, can't can't speak highly enough of, you know, the attitude that everyone on the entire team had really um throughout the entire year with with all the different Adversely that we had to deal with, and you know, in the secondary we had this saying is if you're

all wrong, then we're all right. You know, you can get through that down That communication is important. But going into this offseason, are there are some things that you already had figured out that you're gonna go work on for for the next year to try to improve on your game. Yeah, I think, you know, I can always continue to watch tape and myself understand what I need to work on. I think, uh, there's definitely some little

fundamental things that I need to continue to work on. Um. You know, with the thumb injury, I wasn't able to um keep the ball as tight as I would have liked in some situations. Uh. But you know, I think always keeping two hands in the pocket is always going to be an emphasis for me moving forward. And there's a there's a bunch of different drills for that again. But you know, there's there's nothing like you can't really

simulate live football. And that's the one thing is, you know with different sports like basketball, I mean, you can go up and play pick up basketball you want, but you can't really go out and play pick up football at any time. So uh, it can be tough, but at the same time, uh, just continue to get experience and whether it's practice, UM, preseason and regular see and games. You know, the more experience that I get, I feel like the better that I'll play. You're listening inside the Jets.

We are supported by Selective Insurance, be uniquely ensured. Eric Ellen alongside Eric Coleman and our special guests on our season finale today, Sam Donald, Sam, why did you guys make? Why was our instant chemistry there between you and Jamison Crowder? Game one coming out fourteen catches against the Buffalo Bills and you end it yesterday in Buffalo ironically eight catches sixty six yards in a game winning score. Yeah, I

mean there's a baller. He's a good player, MANU. Just his ability, his suddenness to be able to get open and find a find uh, you know, just you know, just the openness in the defense, especially in zones. I mean, he knows it's exactly where to sit he does. I mean, he's he's incredible with that. And even in man he's got a suddenness to be able to um pull apart from guys so create separation. So he's just a really good player, and um, glad we got him and Sam I got I would be wrong if I didn't ask

about the defense. What what was it like watching that defense and the things that they were doing, the different blitz packages, the different looks Greg Williams created, and this this the overall dominant performance they put on in the second half of the season. Yeah, I mean they were dominant. Like you said, I mean, you can't credit those guys

enough for what you know. Uh again, and they had their own adversity that they dealt with on defense too, So uh man, I can't can't say enough about those guys out there. Um, just the guys that were able to come in mid season and be able to learn Greg's uh scheme and be able to put it to put it to work, and and uh it was just fun. I mean going against him in training camp was crazy. Uh, those all those different looks and it was tough. Uh So you know it was a tough, tough training camp,

but you know, it definitely made us better. And you know, I can see why some teams struggle against you know, that scheme looking back now and you'll have time to reflect in the my it's ahead, But can you believe the way the year opened for you, and you know, so much expectation you had that could um you you were in sync with your signal caller Adam Gaze, had a great training camp, and then the day before the

season opener against the Bills, you're not feeling well. You still go out complete one, you lose a tough ballgame. You guys lose C J. Mosley in the process. A couple of days later, you're diagnosed with mono and you missed games two through four. Yeah, uh, it's uh, it was a little bit different, you know, a little bit different year than I'm used to. But we battled back from it. I mean we uh, you know, there was a there was a few games where we strugg I

struggled personally, Uh, you know, New England, Miami, Jacksonville. Uh felt like, you know, I didn't play my best football. Um. But the Miami game, did you think when you turn in the corner there, because even though you had the red zone interception where maybe you were trying to make too much happen on on that play. And after that game, that's when you guys started turning the single around. Yeah, I mean you know again, I think the more opportunities

that we got to play in the offense. You know, the more games that we actually experienced that I experienced, um, speaking for myself, the more comfortable that I felt with everything. Uh, you know, I love this offense. I know the guys do. And um, it's just really fun to play in two and especially when we get rolling and we start going up tempo and all that kind of stuff. So uh, again, it's just it's a fun offense to play in when we're rolling, and you know, we're just looking forward to

more of that, uh in the coming year. Why have you Why did you guys have so much success in your opening drives this year? It seemed like would be a letdown if you're not most of the time you scoring touchdowns for a while there, but getting points on the board. Because yeah, yeah, even yesterday in Buffalo, you moved down to field. Unfortunately Levian can't get the third one, but he didn't have anywhere to go, and then you

missed the field goal. But by and large, when you guys get the ball in that opening drive, you know you're gonna go right down the field. Yeah, I mean, uh, you know that's a credit to the game plan. Man. I mean what, uh what Adam and Dowell and you know, all of our our whole offensive staff what they're able to do throughout the week to get ready for that you know, opening series and uh really the whole entire game.

But I mean it's it's incredible, you know what what what they're able to do there, and um us as players, we just gotta go out there and execute and uh man, it's uh, it was fun. You know. I feel like there were a lot of games in a row where we just scored every single time on the first drive,

and uh, it was a fun stretch. There was a tough getting in that locker room yesterday, kind of bitter sweet you guys win another one, but at the same time, you're not playing another week because you guys had this thing going in the right direction. Yeah, um yeah, I kind of felt the same at the end of last year. Uh yeah, I just felt like we were kind of moving in the right direction. Um felt really felt a good rhythm. And then that's it. You know, we're seventeen.

You're done. It is, um it is and so uh you know, hopefully this time next year we're getting ready to play um in the playoffs. But at the same time it really starts, Uh, it really does start, No t A s and then training camp. You really got to continue to uh continue with the process. You gotta be you gotta love the process in the NFL, because if if you, if you try to skip steps and uh try to move on to week one and really start thinking about the next season right now, Um, you

can get caught up a little bit. So UM, it's been fun though. I mean I had to blast this year. Great teammates obviously, great coaches, Um, just the organization. I feel like it's really heading in the right direction and we couldn't be more excited. I'll tell you what, Eric, this guy does love the process. We take the Adam Gaye Show Tuesday mornings. In the Quarterbacks from room. Guy was always in the background trying to get in the door.

That was Sam Donald, first guy in the building like that. You know they say that and people are wondering, Wall is that true. No, Sam's always trying to knock down in the door. But when we're taping hint the quarterbacks, right, yeah, I mean and talking about that, you and Adam case have a different relationship than most quarterbacks and head coaches. You're you're really a big part of that the offense

and in the progression. Can you talk about how much input he actually takes of yours and implementing into the game plan? How does that mean it? Uh? You know, it kind of just depends, you know, how I'm feeling in practice. Uh, if practices are running smooth, if I feel like, um, certain players aren't working you know, necessarily

the way that I felt like they should be. And it's it's funny too, because usually whenever I would go with him, uh, or whenever I would talk to him about a certain play, um, he'd be like, wait ahead, you you know that play is already out. So um, it's funny how that usually worked. But UM, I'm definitely super open to him about what I like, what I don't like. Again, because you know, we're playing on the

same team. We're all trying to win on Sunday. So um, the more that we can communicate together, um, the better we're gonna be. As Marty Lyons called Southern California, dude, yes, your day. But how much have you enjoyed playing in this area? The New York area and also the Jets fans because they're passionate they're out here in full force waiting for you to get off the set tonight. But New York and then your connection with these folks. Yeah,

these people are awesome. I mean just uh from southern California coming in here and making you know, New Jersey, New York. Uh second home. It's been awesome, great food, great people. Uh. So I'm just I'm excited to be here and uh all the fans should be excited for years to come. Yeah, well said, uh about thirty seconds left here, Sam, what's your offseason shaping up? Like I'm not telling I'm not asking you to tell us. Yeah, exactly the plans. But what do you think now as

you look ahead? Yeah, um, I'm just gonna hang out for a little bit, you know, kind decompress, Uh, just relax for for at least a couple of weeks here. Um, I'm staying here for the most part, uh, you know, for a solid month, just to hang out and then uh definitely gonna go home for a good while and hang out in southern California. Um. So yeah, that's pretty much. It won't get into too much detail, but uh yeah, it's gonna be a good offseason of just relaxing, but

also getting better and continuing to get better with this offense. Well, we thank you so much for stopping by tonight. That is Jets quarterback Sam Donald. We will be right back here for Inside the Jets at ESPN New York Dot Gun for Bartley takes the snap, Keats bring a bliss. Bartley under pressure pocket come up, the ball pops out. The Jets force a bumble, then it's scooped up by New York. The Jets with Nathan Shephard, Jamal Adams, Jordan Jenkins,

they were all over Matt Barkley. They knocked the ball out at Terrell Bashop. He was able to recover the fumble. The Jets get a takeaway with their three upping league Welcome back, then said the Jets were broadcasting live from Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamiltons Park Hotel. Remember Jets fans Againstream Inside the Jets live through the Jets app presented by m in t Bank. Go to the app store or Google Play Now and search Official

New York Jets. Eric Allen alongside Eric Coleman. We started the show with the bang per se uh. Jets quarterbacks Sam Donald who I thought played awfully well over the season's final eight games. And you think about the adversity this team faced in two thousand nineteen, look no further than their quarterback diagnosed with mono after the season opener.

Mrs those three and mrs three games, not just three games in the middle of the season or towards the end of the season, at the beginning of the season in a new system, with the new coach and a new play caller. So, um, he really beat this year. And and and he talked about his thumb. He took a beating at times behind an offensive line that was continually shuffled because of injuries. Uh, he worked with different people on the outside. And I'll tell you what he

showed me a lot. And I think the futures, yeah, I think it's bright as well. And you talk about the start to that season, and you know, he comes, he plays the first game against Buffalo and it isn't feeling well, goes out with mono, and who knows how long it took for him to get his footing back. You know, I always know when you come off an injury and you they say that you're healthy enough to play, You're never a so uh, you know, I can only imagine how long that took him to get back to

feeling like his old self. But he definitely got back to it towards the end of that season, you know, end of the season six and two leading the Jets. Uh, the defense played well, he played well, The team really started to click, and he become he became a better decision maker because he is so athletic that there are a few plays he can't make. With that being said, sometimes he can it yourself in trouble if you're trying

to force the action, per se. And I thought he did a better job throughout the year of Okay, I'm gonna live the fight another day. Yeah, I mean he did make a lot better decisions, you know, instead of you know, putting himself in harm's way trying to force a pass. He started to learn at the end of the year, let me just throw this away, let me get to the next down. And that really helped the team and uh, you know, continue to help the defense as well. You know, when it's when it's a drive

that that's not there, you know, put it away. Let's defense dominate, you know, That's how it works. Yeah, and this is our last show of two thousand nineteen. So I want to get to some calls and I'm gonna bring in Ira from Staten Island here just momentarily. It's one nine three seven seven six, so get your jets calls in inside. The jets will be here for about another half an hour. But I re was on hold already,

so let's get him off. What's up? Ira? Hey, happy to Erica and Erica happy immediately, you guys, yeah, yeah, yeah, you know. It's amazing. Another season in the books. The guy did a great job and I totally agree with both me on Sam. I thought that he definitely showed improvement in many ways in his game. Um, I'm not sure if he was protecting himself or the coaches told him not to run, but a couple of times he

did have some open spots. But you know, whatever the reason is, but you're right, the futures looked right with him. But you know you mentioned crowd earlier. I tell you man to me, no disrespect to anybody's He was the m v P on the offense. I mean, this guy was he flew onto the radar. He you know, he was like the catch machine where you end up with

a close eighty catches about eight dred yards. So yeah, and you know they had, you know, whatever they're gonna do with Anderson, maybe he had something else to the outside. But the thing that I take out of this team, and Eric, you know I told you, is, um, I'm glad I turned out to guess way I thought they had a chance to finish seven and nine. They did the job, and you know, to go six and to the second hand for the year, I think that's a really good thing. You get to think back as a fan,

you could do it. Um, what might happen if he didn't get sick. What might have happened if this guy did you get hurt? You know. But you know, going into next year, you know, you have to feel good and you have to have an optimistic view of where this team is headed. And now Joe Douglas is on the clock, and I think once he gets to work, and you know, he got the draft, you got free agency, he got some you know guys that are unsigned. He

who who's going to bring back? Um, I think this team is gonna be a funkia to watch that year, and it's a good future going forward. Well said Listen. Joe Douglas is on the clock. But I want to remind people that, yes, the Jets haven't made the postseason in nine years, but Joe Douglas was hired in June, so now he is gonna put his imprint on the roster and he has plenty of decisions to make. I looked at the Jets unrestricted free agent lists is a

long list. So not only do you have to take a look at what's out there on the free agent market, guys potentially springing free, but who fits here? Who do you want part of the program as you continue to build this thing? Yeah, I mean that's gonna be the interesting part is you know who stays here? Who who do they let go into free agency? And they have some tough decisions to make. I mean you look at guys like Jordan Jenkins, who had eight sacks this year

and and played well in spurts. Uh really it was really really a steadfast player who developed here. He missed three games. He missed three games. So you know, there are a ton of players on this team that that have question marks about and there's guys out in free agency. There's a draft. There's so many things that Joe Douglas has to handle in this offseason. It's gonna be a big one. Yeah, it is. And he's going to address the media at One Jet Drive tomorrow, so we'll get

an opportunity to hear from him. But when we get back, I'll actually read you hit list of unrestricted free agents. We're gonna take a look at what's in store for the Jets. In after the least amount of miles traveled in their franchise history, they're gonna have one of the most. They have their frequent yeah most most mileage trips. Uh trucks, I should say. In But we're gonna come right back

for another segment on Inside Jets. You're listening to YESPN New York sucking down in Golden Side the one yard line. Donald play action again puts it in the end zone. Jamison Potter has got it. That's a Jet touchdown. Off the play action fake Sam Donald called little flip over the middle to Jamison Crowder. He makes the touchdown catch and the Jets take the lead back and they have scored the first touchdown of the game. About nineties seconds

gone by on the fourth quarter. Welcome back the Inside the Jet. We're broadcasting Live and Vanderbilt Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside to win him in Hambletonton Park, Cotel Erica alongside Eric Coleman. Well, yeah, Jamison Crowder. What a year for the Green and White signing free agency um and he was as good as advertised. People talk about, Okay, he's slot receiver, but he also can make plays down

the field, and we we saw that continually this season. Explosive, can beat guys man to man, but also had that natural feel against his zone of finding that right spot. Yeah, it was great. You know in the offseason and training camp, all you heard about was Jamison Crowder. You know how he and Sam have this great chemistry and he's making

plays catches that you wouldn't believe. And and you watch him in the preseason, you watch him throughout the regular season, and one of the most intelligent guys that I've seen play the game. Because you have to be crafty, you have to understand leverage, you have to understand coverage when you play that slot physician, and he's one of the best I've seen at it and had to spectacle of

a year for it. You were listening inside the Jets, you can call in eight, three, seven, seven six, Eric Allen alongside Eric Coleman, one of the jets notable unrestricted free agents, Robbie Anderson Robbie again for a second consecutive year with Sam Donald. He started getting going in December. It seems like every year once the weather gets cool, Robbie gets really warm. Uh. He's a unique ball player because I think a lot of people he thought for

a while that he was just a vertical threat. He became more of a complete receiver this year, There's no doubt about that. We saw the Jets and Adam Gates use him more on crossing patterns than we've ever seen before, deep ends. He worked the middle of the field and became a more complete player. Yeah. I mean, and you have to give Robbie a ton of credit for polishing his game, you know, not being a one dimensional player who just comes in and runs deep routes. Robbie really

worked on it, worked on it. He worked on his hands. He's making some spectacular catches, showed his toughness. He's not the biggest guy, but showed a lot of toughness and grit this year. And he's trying to make his case, was making his case all year that he is the number one receiver and he deserves to get paid that way. It's gonna be interesting when you get into free agency to see do the Jets value and his one? Uh? Do other teams value him as a one? And where

does he fit along those lines. He's gonna get paid by somebody, no doubt about that. Listen, undrafted free agent to reach three thousand yards receiving in the first four yards of four years of his career. Excuse me, Robbie Anderson. Unbelievable, I mean, and that just just shows you that he's working on his craft, he's trying to get better, and he's a true pro. And you know, I give him

all the credit in the world. You love to see guys like that who are underdogs, who come in undrafted free agents come in and work their tails off because you know it wasn't given to him, So you gotta give Robbie a lot of credit. Yeah, that's gonna be an interesting decision. You mentioned one of the guys I wanted to highlight as well, outside linebacker Jordan Jenkins, the Jets number two in the National Football League against the run,

number seven overall in terms of yards per game. Jordan Jenkins missed three games, he still had eight sacks and he plays that all important position of edge center. So a lot of times Jordan Jenkins isn't making a tackle, but he might be turning that running back inside. Oh yeah, Jordan is playing a lot of selfless football, you know, as you mentioned set in the edge, uh, you know,

dominating getting that penetration. And he may not be getting the sacks, he may not be getting the tackles for losses, but he is making a big impact. You know, you don't become the first overall run defense in the NFL by not having a bunch of selfless guys who are willing to sacrifice. And his guys like Jordan Jenkins that helped his defense elevate. Throughout all the injuries, all the all the key players that were out during this season,

they still were amongst the best in the league. What about Brian Pool, you know he became available, Atlanta moved on, Jets picked him up, and Greg Williams needs a certain player to play that all important nickel position and he filled it quite well. Physical dude who matched up well with guys on the inside. That's very difficult, but uh, he really brought an element of physicality like I talked about, because he'll come up and play the run and he

gets after those receivers work in the middle of the field. Yeah, you know, I talked about Jamison Crowder and how intelligent you have to be to play in that slot. Well, to cover him, you have to be equally as intelligent. You have to be able to cover. You have to be able to play, come up and hit like a safety. You have to be able to feel gaps like a linebacker. So you know, it's a really a special player who

can play that nickel position. And in Pool really did a great job of stepping up this year, but when he was healthy, made a huge impact on this defense. Yeah. How about Nevil Hewitt. We talked about the injuries at the inside linebacker position. There's another unrestricted free agent and he's a guy who you thought might be a special team's contributor and backup in Avery Williamson or C. J. Moseley, But injuries across the board, Neville Hewitt uh pushed into

a very important role and I thought he took a jump. Yeah, I mean Nevill, I mean, you talk about the injuries that happened in the team and his next man up. But you seldom talk about the guys who weren't gonna have the opportunity, who are going to be special teams players and role players on the team, having to step into that middle linebacker position, that inside linebacker called the defense, make the checks, be a leader. Nevill did a great

job this year. He was consistent, he was physical, and it made it to where you didn't really miss the other players. You know, and there's no discredit to c. J. Mosley or Avery Williamson, but Nevill Hewitt did a great job of stepping up this year and being that impact player in the middle. You know what, something bothered me. People have been talking about the Jets using injuries as an excuse. But if you you were around the locker room at all this year and you talked to the guys,

all the he said was next man up. It happens in the National Football League. The facts are twenty guys want on injury reserve. Funny thing is I'm in Buffalo in the press box talking to a couple of reporters yesterday and they're talking about the health of the Bills. Sam Donald started thirteen games this year for the New York Jets. Josh Allen, Yes, the Bills are going playing on wild Card weekend. He started sixteen games. C J. Mosley, big time linebacker, culture changer. He was limited to a

couple of games. Tremaine Edmonds playing inside linebacker. He's a no c J. Mosley yet, but he plays in a very important position for the Buffalo Bills. He played sixteen games. Take a trade Avias White out of that lineup. They're saying, the point is, listen, you endured not only injuries, but a key positions at certain times. Yeah, I mean the guys down the middle of your your your team, you know, whether it be the quarterback, center, in middle, linebacker safe

those are the talkers. They're the communicators and the leaders of that offense or defense. And not having them uh implemented on your team when you've been relying on them in the off season, when you've gone through training camp and really built your team around these players, to have them taken out of the lineup is a huge hit. And for the simple fact that the Jets were able to recover from that and continue to have success is a tremendous credit to the coaching staff. Greg Williams did

a great job. Gains did a great job, Royer did a great job. In special teams. I mean, they were dominant this year as well. So you gotta give a ton of credit to these players as well as the coaches. Yeah, and the key point here and all this too, is this is year one of the system. A lot of these teams that are playing in the playoffs right now, or we see repeated times in the playoffs, they got

continuity up top. And that's that's what I keep telling people about the organizations that are staples in the playoffs. You know, when you look at some of the other franchises, they've had their coach there for several years and they stay with them, and they have to give the coach an opportunity to to bring in those players that are that fit their scheme, that fit their character, and continue to build in mature players, free agents, undrafted free agents.

You know, you you have to develop talent and have time to do that as a coach. All right, we're gonna come right back. You're listening to Inside the Jets and the ESPN New York Park props. Back to front HI and it's intercepted the airmailed as intended receiver and it's picked off by Molett and Molette returns it to the Buffalo forty two. He lopped it over the head of T. J. Yelden right into the arms of Arthur Mollett and the Jets get a takeaway that was a gift.

Inside the Jets is presented by e Y Building a Better Working World. Eric Gillen alongside Eric Coleman. We are Vanderbilt's Sports and Spirits inside the Wyndham Hamilton's Park Hotel. This is our final segment of the year here on inside the Jets and Jets this seven and nine a thirteen to six victory over the Buffalo Bills. Uh, closing the season out in style. Uh listen, sometimes it's ugly, but you'll take the victory. And I was there. Conditions

weren't good. I don't care what anybody says downpour. Um. Yes, the Bills played their backups. They get paid to Um. Yeah, Uh, you don't apologize for one of the National Football League. I don't care when it comes no, absolutely not, you know, and anytime you can get a win, I don't care who it is. You know, these guys are all capable of stepping in and making an impact and uh and

being key contributors to their team. And it was great to see the Jets win one of those ugly games, you know, one of one of those nasty games where the defense had to step up and make plays, you know, the offense had to be gritty and figure it out. It shows a lot about their characters. They actually did in the last two weeks. If you go back to the Pittsburgh game when they took down the Steelers sixteen

to ten. You know, defense dominates Greg Williams and in the offense does not have the killer mistake and they make enough plays happen to gain that victory. Yeah, I mean, and that's why you always talk about, um, you know, kicking at the end of a drive, whether it be an extra point, whether it be a field goal or a punt. Just making sure that you don't hurt your

team by turning over the football. Uh, taking care of that ball is so much more important, uh you winning that that time of possession, use me, not the time in possession. Winning that turnover battle is a huge thing for teams, and the Jets are one that they are going to take advantage of it. On defense, They're gonna force them on offense. If they can take care of the ball, they're gonna be in good hand. I think yesterday was a microcosm from what, uh, from what we've

seen from this defense here throughout the entire season. James Burgess, inside linebacker, one of the team's leading tacklers. Another guy who came out of nowhere. This here comes up with this first career in reception, Arthur Mallett first career interception as well. We just heard Terrell Basham coming up with the phonal recovery on Jordan Jenkins, team leading eight sack and all. By the way, I don't know what the National Football League was thinking about that overturned call, because

Basham should have had a strip sack. I don't know. I don't know how the heck they took that one off the board. Jets happ three takeaways and all but contributors that you would have never picked before the season had started, that you would have said, these guys were coming up with the takeaways. Yeah, I mean, let's go back to that James Burdens interception, because that was phenomenal on several different levels. When I looked at the team,

when I looked at the tape. It showed at the beginning of the snap, they had six guys that were blitzing. It looked like you have you have the cornerback blitzing off the side. It looked like six guys were blitzing. The two defensive tackles Quinnin Williams and Basham dropped back into coverage. You end up only rushing four. Burgess buzzes out to the flat. The quarterback throws it right to him. I've never seen a cornerback blitz uh that complicated and

that in depth. And they only brought four and then brought and then showed, and one of the four was the cornerback outside, not the nickel corps. Kennedy came and Berkeley It's like, oh boy, I gotta get rid of the football. Yeah, you see the cornerback blitzing off the side. You're gonna go to your hot route. You're gonna go

quick pass to your ex receiver. James Burgess buzzed out to the flat anticipating that, snapped his head around Condy interception, and then later in that game, the Mulette interception came again when Berkeley saying, I gotta get the football. T J Yelton is not looking for it. Well, that's right there. That's what happens when you get pressure. That's what happens when you get hits on the quarterback. When you're getting

after them, they start to to to see things. They start to force the issue and start to throw the ball before receivers already. That's how you get turnovers with with those mistakes. And that's why Greg Williams is such a special coach and that's why these players have had success. And that's why guys love playing for Greg Williams. Because you just mentioned it looked like the Jets were sentenced X and the Burgess interception, but they're only sending for

You never know where the pressure is coming from. We talked about fire zones all the time, and when we speak of Jamal Adams, and he was such an effective blitzer for this team, got it out the last couple of games. Because he's not a hundred percent whole, have a chance to heal himself up in the off season. But second consecutive team MVP for this guy. And I talked to a couple of people yesterday. They believe he should not only be yes a pro bowler, which he

is he should be an All Pro. And he absolutely should be an All Pro, and I expect him to be. You know, he had a dominant year this year. You know, with the sacks, with the coverage, with with the open field tackles. He made big time impact plays, whether it be a turnover, forced fumbles. He was that guy who was a special player. Everyone, every team that played him understood where number thirty three was and he still was

able to make an impact. That says a lot. Yeah, And how about again, I keep on going back to the depth that we saw develop here, um even along the defensive line. Kyle Phillips, an undrafted free agent out at Tennessee. We saw Quinnon Williams, the number three overall pick in the draft. He started flashing down the stretch. Steve mcclennon old, reliable. Don't call him old because he's probably thrown around a six pound squad across the street

right now. Off full Ofronzo Fatakasi, who joined us a couple of weeks ago, was such a great story for this team. We talked about Jordan Jenkins, UH, Brandon Copeland got back into the mix UH this year as well. UH coming back off of that the suspension, and then we we mentioned the folks, all the guys they used it inside linebacker most notably at the end of the season and Burgess and Neville Hewitt and then what he

was doing at the quarterback position. Uh. Credit cost de Marcus Mayad safety for becoming the first defensive back this season, the only defensive back this season start sixteen games at all. But you didn't know I was playing cornerback for this team. And they just plugged in and we're able to go out and get the job done. Absolutely, and you gotta get credit to these guys for their their uh persistence. You know, they continue to prepare. They never looked down

on each other. They could have they could have went the tank at one in seven. You know, that's a that's a tough hole to come out of, and it's tough to stay positive and focus on your task. But the coaches did a great job of preparing guys. The players did a great job of stepping up and really they did it. They kept a tight locker room and that shows a lot moving forward. Here's the Jets truck

road games against everybody in the division. We know that also Kansas City, the lah Chargers, Indianapolis, the l A rams in Seattle. So you're going out to California twice to play both l A teams. You're going out to Seattle and you're gonna see Patrick Mahomes at his home. Yeah, that's gonna be a lot of traveling next year. Hopefully some of those are back to back when they can, you know, have a trip where they stay over in California, they don't have to make that back and forth trip

to the East coast. But I always had a lot of fun go out west. You know, maybe it's because I'm from out west, but whenever we went to traveled out West, we had a lot of success, whether it be Oakland, San Diego, it was a lot of fun. And I think the Jets will have some success out there. It's gonna be tough playing in Arrowhead. That's one of the loudest stadiums I've ever played in. And uh, and they're gonna be routy with where the team is playing.

And Sam Donald year three, and you gotta be excited after watching him what he was able to do here in the later stages of his second professional campaign. But uh, we're awfully thankful as we head into the new year. Kyrie has been helping us back at the station throughout the year, justin here, Um, Charles and Noah making sure that people are seeing us in New York, Jets dot Com, in the Jets app E. Coleman's family was in attendance tonight.

We've had so many people, so much support throughout the two thousand nineteen season. It's been a pleasure. Happy New Year. Pleasure was online. Happy New Year, brother. That's it for us, another year inside that. That's Happy New Year.