Listen: Inside the Jets with Vyncint Smith (11/4)

half of the campaign. Now eight games to go. Yeah, I mean it's you know, it was a promising looking into the uh, you know, in the off season, looking into the season, you you know, you and I talked about it. We expected seven to ten wins. You know, we expected to compete for the wild card spot, uh, barring injuries. But injuries have plagued this team. That's been a part of it. You know, perform much has been the other part. You know, you know, the Stars haven't

been playing consistent, consistently good football. And that's what you need if you're gonna have a good football team. You need the first round picks, the free agents, you need them to be contributing. You need them to be playing solid Pro bowl level football, and the Jets aren't getting that out of the top players and inconsistent in the middle as well. Yeah, and you can't make excuses because every team in the National Football League does face the

injury bug from time to time. But again, you go out in free agency, he signed c. J. Mosley because he's gonna be a culture changer and he's gonna be the dynamic playmaker. And he has played less than two games for you defensively, your offensive quarterback. Of course, the second year player out of USC, Sam Donald, goes out with Model M three games, comes back in the lineup, has made five starts and he's hit a roadbump here

over the last three games. There's no doubt about that. Yeah, I mean it's been a combination of of guys not playing up to their potential. Uh, it's been you know a lot of the Jets beating themselves and you know, and you know it's time to to start correcting those mistakes. You know, stop getting the penalties that cost you a big play. You know, stop putting other teams in position to score and and and perform. You know, the it's time for the excuses to get out of the door.

And it's time for guys to start stepping up to the plate and start playing good football like they expect. And why are the Jets in this position you mentioned before death? I thought before the season, like you mentioned that, Hey, this club the way it's constituted, could get anywhere from on the low one seven to maybe ten and challenge for a wild card spot. A lot of positive vibes throughout the summer, and then it started against the Buffalo Bills.

This team had a sixteen nothing lead in the third quarter, that mostly goes down and things kind of unraveled from there. Darn never felt like himself in that ball game, even though he completed forty one and the Bills take home a seventeen sixteen victory. And then from there the Jets, it kind of spiraled away from them. Donald goes out, Trevor Simeon goes out, and Week two against the Cleveland Browns, you play Luke Falk for a couple starts. Donald ultimately

comes back. He gives you that glimmeral hope against the Dallas Cowboys. But the last three games just hasn't been there for this club. Offensively, they scored actually on opening possessions the last two games at thirty games that they had scored in their opening possession. But after established after established establishing that, I should say that offensive rhythm early in games, it's going away. It is, it is going away.

Uh and and they gotta find a way to continue that that success of the first drive throughout the game. You know, teams are making adjustments and jets have to be able to adjust as well. But you know, with all these injuries that are happening, all the all the big players that are going out, it's opportunities for young guys to develop it and get those reps and really

prove themselves. And there are a couple of couple of young players that are really stepping out and showing that they deserve to be on this team, that they deserve to be getting big minutes out there on the field, getting reps um and that's something positive to look at. You know, this team there there, the future is bright if the guys can just stop beating themselves. You know, you you talk about going into a game, it's it's hard enough in the NFL to win because of the

talent level, and sometimes you're gonna get beat physically. The guy next across from you might just be bigger, but he might just be better than you, or he may just make a good play. But to go out there and beat yourself and not give yourself an opportunity. That's what's disappointing about watching the team when when they're the mental mistakes, when you see blown coverages, when you see penalties, Uh, can't do that too. If you win games. Winless Dolphins,

we knew there were a dangerous animal. No pun intended. You go against a team who lost a one point decision of the Washington Redskins, had a halftime lead at Buffle, had a halftime lead at Pittsburgh. You knew it was a matter of time before this team was going to get a victory. You were just hoping it didn't come against you. But ten penalties for a hundred and five yards. We talked about hidden yards in the National Football League. You can't have a hundred and five yards marked off

against you. No better, who are your playing? No, you can't, I mean, And a lot of those penalties came after great plays. You know, offensively, you get a you know, get a great play where running back make spring loose for a seventeen yard game is coming back for holding. You know that not only stops the momentum and stops that drive, but you know, if that play would have stood, maybe you would have got momentum. Ever know, you know, I always say there's three or four plays in the

game that determined the outcome of the game. If you make a big play and take that momentum and continue to build off it, the game could be a completely different game. That just may have scored a touchdown or or something may have happened where things are different. But you don't give yourself a chance like that if you keep shooting yourself in the foot. But in the National Football League you were on playoff teams. How do you change that mindset? Because on the sideline, the Jets are

in control. Early they go down to field seven nothing. Williams and number three overall selection out of Alabama picks up the first professional full sack, go three and out, get the ball back. You're right in position. You're inside the thirty yard line and scoring territory, holding penally. Two plays later, a sack, play later, miss field goal instead of fourteen nothing or ten nothing, seven nothing, But you still gotta be sitting there on the sidelines and say, hey, guys,

we're gonna be fine. But instead they couldn't handle adversity against Miami. Ryan Fitzpatrick took that game over. Yeah. I mean, you know, a great way to handle adversity is to look around, you know, look at the man next to you. You know you're you're not just doing it for yourself. Maybe things aren't going well, Well, you know what, I'm gonna give it my all. I'm gonna make sure I'm focused. I'm gonna make sure on where I'm supposed to be.

I'm gonna make sure I give it effort on this play for you, you know, for the man next to me, and he's depending on me, he has his family depending on me. And if the team looks at that, looks at each other like that, and has trust in one another and everybody gives their all, you'll stop making those mistakes and stop being selfish and having those selfish penalties hurting the team. What do you think defensively right now? Again, for a second consecutive week, we saw a team. First,

it was Jacksonville. The previous week go fifty percent. Jacksonville was fifty percent on third downs before they knelt on the ball late when the game was over. The Dolphins converted fifty percent of the time on third downs as well. We know the Jets have been relatively strong against the run all year. They got the Ryan Fitzpatrick four times in all, but Fitzpatrick had a lot of success on the outside with Preston Williams and DeVante Parker and Mike A.

Sick He got free a lot. Yeah, you know what it's it's winning one on one matchups, you know, on the perimeter. As a defense, I have to challenge that receiver when there's third down in five, third down and seven. Listen, they're not gonna be running go routes. Make them throw a deep route. That's a that's a more difficult ball to complete. The outside fade. It's tough for quarterback to to complete that challenge every other route. How about let's not give up a five yard cushion on a third

down in five, you know, tighten up that coverage. Challenge those receivers fight for everything. Make them, you know, make it a fight. You know, let somebody beat you. Don't beat your don't get yourself beat by your alignment or by your you're playing soft and playing off coverage, and they just continue to just dink and dunk and convert third downs down the field and continue drives. You have to at some point in time have some pridea and

challenge those receivers. Sometimes the receivers is gonna make a play in your Parker made that offense, fantastic one handed reception on Date Harriston in the end zone. But um, one of those plays there seems to be a miscommunication in a defensive backfield between Darryl Roberts and safety Jamal Yeah. I mean they were there on the twelve yard line. Miami was on the twelve. That's we're in a Tampa two defense. We call it read too down in the

red zone. A lot of teams played that defense. Uh, the corners playing uh the flat routes, the linebackers are playing underneath, and the middle linebackers closed in the middle. Is technically a three dep with two safeties high with the middle linebacker closed in the middle of the field. And you know, for whatever reason, Jamal thought he saw something.

There's a flat route by the running back. He got a little curious, got out of his post and they ran a post right there, right where Jamal would have been. If he would have stayed disciplined and stayed in his assignment, that would have been an interception. Or Ryan Fitzpatrick never throws it into the sack. But that's what that's what happens when when when guys start start pressing, you want to make a play for your team, you want to

do extra. You don't have to do extra, just do your job, do it to your best of your ability, and play within the scheme of the offense of the defense, and you get off the field. And that didn't happen. So we talked about depth. We have continued to talk about depth all year, and the Jets are gonna have to add to that not only this offseason, but in the off seasons after that. Joe Douglas has a lot of work on his hands. Offensive line, though has been

shuffled throughout the year. Yesterday, Jonathan Harrison played center. There's a rookie at left tackle, and Chuma Adoga. Calvin Beecham hopefully is back this week against a Crosstown Giants Sunday at Medlife Stadium. We'll talk about that game later. Uh Brandon Shell back at right tackle. Brian winners at right guard, and that Alex Lewis is your left guard, because remember you started this season with Collecchiossemmily, who you thought was gonna be your left guard. So it seems like there's

been a different lineup each and every week. What is happening between the line and the young quarterback right now to plays in the fourth quarter, Let's go over him the sack where the Jets are within the shadow of their own end zone, Miami disguising well, the corner comes over from Donald's right after it sure looked like the line shifted protection left. I mean, that's that's a great

scheme by Miami. You know, Brian Flores isn't in this position as head coach of the Miami Dolphins for no reason. He did a great job in New England scheme in different teams, and he knows as a defense there's a certain there's certain timing that the call has to be made. Speak speaking the time and I gotta I'm gonna cut you off right back, which that's wide receiver Vincent Smith.

And we have a lot of coverage stuff to get to with our guy Eric Coleman, Donald and the shotgun bunch set takes this tap drops looks my pros like Canarius Thomas easy his text FROs rust down a little pick play works to perfection. He runs right inside the twenty five inside the twenty and how to bounce up a dolphin eighteen yard line. Nick Needum bumped him out.

Inside the Jets is presented by e Y Building a Better Working World Erica Allen and Eric Coleman here at Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits inside the Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel. Or Player Guest segment is presented by M ANDT Bank, the official community bank of your New York Jets. Without further ado, let's bring in Jets wide receiver Vincent Smith. Vincent, Sometimes when you need to play, somebody's got to step up,

and you did yesterday. Miami had total control of that ball game seven right before that of the first half, and there you go. You're deep seventy eight yards almost to the house. Can you take us through the return? Uh? Yeah, they kick off they had before they had kicked it to my side deep into the end zone. So I was kind of looking for coming into that player that they probably trying to put it to my side. So I saw that ain't got the ball, and you know, really it was in the end zone. How to let

it go? But it was closer, caught it, took off on read the coverage and broke a cup of tackles and tried to beat him with the side line. I wish I would have kept my feeder. Man. You ran through that little attempted tackle, a little little cornerback trying to take out your legs. I think guys get used to, I guess smaller return man where they can just get a shot on him and knock them down. But you you were strongly had to kept your legs going. That

was a huge play man. How that feel? It felt great on you know, any player you can make in a game. It just makes you feel more established, makes you feel like you go make more Inside the Jets is supported by M ANDT bank. That fishal me bank. If you're New York, Jets fences so earlier on in the game time Montgomery's back deep because you guys have Trent and Cannon on into reserve right now. He gets banged up a little bit. I saw you line up on that first kickoff return a little bit to his

right and he was deep. How was it different on that return. It was actually exactly the same. I'm the we're both deep, but I play a little bit up. He's the main return guard to the right, so I'll play off him. And like I said, they kicked that one over my head, so I was expecting kicking to my out side of again. And you know how to make them pay? What grand boyers say to you Jet Special teams coordinator when he came over the sideline, are you say a great job? You know the way to

get his back in the game. Good run strong, you know all the stuff. Electacy now visit you went to a small school, limes Limestone College, but you you played some big time in football, you know, going to the Houston Texans being coached by guys like Andre Johnson, uh now coming to the Jets, Hines war Sean Jefferson. What is that like? What has that been like? Learning from those guys who have so much experience from from their

playing years. It's a lot to take in, but it's great because I feel like I have such a high sailing from where I'm coming from, and you know, just to see him see what they're seeing me, and it makes me more confident go through it out there on the field. What's this year been like for you? Because you started in Houston with the Texans on their practice squad and the Jets signed yet late September. I believe

the Uh, it's been crazy. You know, there's a lot of change over, but you know, it just helps you grow. I think, um, it's another way to further my career and become the player I want to be. Have you

had that moment you know? I mean, obviously I hate to keep going back and I'm not trying to disrespect your school, but coming from a small school and then coming to the NFL, was there a moment where you I mean, obviously you're nervous, probably coming into your first training camp, like, man, can I play against these guys? Was there a moment when you're like, Oh, this is it? You know what I mean, this is all I have to do is go out here and show my talents.

Was there a moment like that for you? Yeah, I'll say even before I even was picked up undrafted, going into the Pro day South Carolina and having a really good pro dam and proven that I can, you know, just compete with guys coming from that level, you know, that was questions as fast as you think we are a game move as well, it's as big as we think you are. And you know, comparing um to those guys just in the Pro Day and then having that momentum on me, and that's why I think I was like, Okay,

I can do this. Did you have any kickoff return duties in Houston at all? Even going back to practice? Uh? Last season I didn't. Well, I was back up, and in this preseason I had it, and I had I think I had almost I think a thirty eight almost fifty yard return. So that's one of the things I was looking to try to take over in Houston. So I'm glad I can kind of bring it here. This is big for you now. Earlier on the season, I believe it was Week five against the Philadelphia Eagles. The

Jets get on the board by calling your number. Can you take us through that end around? Um? You know what they call my formation? The formation I'm in, go line up and you know, Sam calls to play and Tie is talking to me. He was like, oh, you know, you just secute the ball getting around the corner on serial score. You know, That's exactly how it happened. It's probably the easiest touched on our score. That was a great play call in that area. Uh, sudden change, Um,

And that's exactly what you did yesterday. You needed momentum play. You gave it. That fouled a turnover takeaway on special teams, Um, Eagles per suing everybody. The whole stadium was pursuing this way here, you're coming that way. But that was one of the fastest runs in the National Football League this season in terms of getting in the end zone. Yeah. Actually I was surprised. I felt like I got up to a good speed, but I didn't think I hit

my top speed on the run. So you're one of these guys I think, who runs gracefully and you don't know how fast you're going because you are a tall guy about six three, a long long strider. Sorry, yeah, I think I look up a lot to Uh you same boat. You know, he's a big, fast guy. So I used to run track and love it. And that's one of guys look up to in terms of running and being that big receiver, being six ft three. What

are some things that you had to work on? Uh, you know, being that big, that having that big size because I know, you know, it's a defensive back with the big receivers, that's a big target to get your hands on them and press coverage. What are some things that you had to work on and continue to work on as a wide receiver. I would say just getting my shoulders lower on the line and playing more of

my hands. Uh, you know, since I can run and a lot of times I want to give a move and take off and say I gotta take more time at the line, get him off the spot. Kind of spending more time there and getting comfortable with doing that. How much is dt to marryous time is helping you out? Because he was in Houston with yeah, and now you come over to the Jets and there he is in that wide receiving room. Uh. He's a big help. He's

the reason I came over to the Jets. You know, when they were um scouting my film, they asked him about He's like, yeah, bring him in. He's gonna be big. And like I said, he helped me out in Houston. I helped him a little bit, you know, with the players, and held him with everything else. Uh, you know, things like just being a professional on and off the field. He's helped at How would you describe the way he

goes about his leadership style. But he's, like you mentioned, guy has been in the National Football League for a long time and awfully productive receiver. Yeah, he's one of the guys I like, I said, that takes again very seriously. You know. You know some guys, some older guys in the league. You know, they're kind of like chill, relaxed, you know, I've done my job. But he takes it very seriously. You know, he he's in the building a long time, takes share of his body. Like I said,

he's a real professional. And that's what things I like to remember from him. And they always talk about the bonds and in different position groups. You know, offensive line is supposed to be have all this chemistry, defensive backs. What is it like in the wide receiver room and what and how much how important is it for you all to be on the same page and have that bond. All of us have a really different skill set for

the most parting receiver room. I think all of us can like do our jobs and know what our job is, and I think we all respect that a lot. You know, we want to get the ball spread around more and we all want more touches, of course, but you know, we all respect each other in their jobs and we

want to see each other be successful. How different is this offensive system then what you were playing in with the Texans for a couple of seasons and in terms of in terms of terminology, how difficult is that to pick it up on the run because you're coming here with your backpack on in September twenty three and they're saying come on. That said, Uh, there's some things that are exactly the same and a lot of it is different.

So you know, some things work the same, like formation, their exact same names, some players are exact same names. All playbooks have that. But for the most part it is different. You know, how they run rouse is different. Um, how you think of things and do things is different. So visit. What is it gonna take for the Jets to turn things around, to start ending games with with victories and instead of disappointing losses. Is it gonna take? You know what? In your opinion? What do you what

do you think it's gonna take. Just attention to detail, not being ourselves and critical moments. I think that's something we did in the past two weeks is beat ourselves in critical moments, but attention to detail. Uh, we practice very hard. I think we just need to get some more of these situations in our practice and kind of focused on on that. We talked about the skill set, we talked about the system before. Why do you think you're a good fit in terms of your skill set?

And hopefully moving forward you continue to see yourself, Uh have an evolution in this offense. I think I'm a good fit just because I'm learning from God's like DT and even Robbie, you know Crowder, you know, learned to play. Just trying to pick up the playbook. Um, so we can move faster, Uh, at least while I'm on the field. They can move pritty and fast when they're on the field, but move faster when I'm on the field. The routes, you know, they're actually hard. You know, you just gotta

get good repetition. So it's second nature. I think I can do that very well and take it to the next level. And how how hard is it coming in, you know, not having an off season with this team and then you know, being thrown into the lineup. Are you trying to find time with Sam to be like, yo, you know I'm still here, you know what I mean? Let me know. You know, we can have a bond too. I mean, like, what is that like, gaining that chemistry

with your quarterback. I think it's more than just getting chemistry with him as gaming chemistry with him. Shivers coach, O c Head coach. You know, just because I didn't have that time and you know preseason and training camp, you know, to kind of build and show them everything I can do and that. Okay, I know there's like the back of my hand. I think that's the hardest part, you know, But weeks as weeks go, it'll be you just mentioned your wide receiver coach Shawn Jefferson. He really

gets after you guys, a fiery, passionate soul. And then you also have one of the most productive receivers in the history in the National Football League in Hines Ward helping you out. How have those guys went about coaching you up? Uh? They love our room, to take care of our room. Uh. Like I said, they're both very keen un attention to detail. I mean, you can make

a big play, but you know they'll let you know. Okay, you know, you gotta get another yard on this or you know, you gotta do this, and then sometimes like it's it's a great play is nothing. You know, this might be how it's supposed to be done, but you're just playing football, and that's what they love. I love to see us getting after there and and you know, just playing all hard. Did you know you're you're you're a young dude. Did you know about Hinze you watch

him growing up a little bit? Definitely? Yeah. He he played with an edge, and that's the way Sean coaches as well. For a former I believe he's an undrafted free agent who made everything out of his opportunities in the National Football Leader and his sons doing very well at the University of Florida. Vana Jefferson he's gonna be playing on Sundays to pretty Does he talk to you guys about him at all? Yeah, of course he He loves the sign. You know, he'll be like, oh yeah,

very week. I know he's coached up. I played with Sean Jefferson when I was in Detroit. He was a wide receivers coaching and he was very intense. He was hard on guys like Calvin Johnson, Nate Burrowson, and they were at the top of their games. And you know that's one thing about coach Jefferson. He's not gonna let you slack off. He's gonna ask for the best of you, you know, every single practice, and that's only gonna make you better player. Well, Vincent, we thank you so much

for coming on and continued success to you. You're off to a good start with your new club. And uh listen, man, you can run like the wind, so keep on getting that ball in your hands making things happen. And you are listening to uh inside, did you have on ESPN New York roll tuch snap drops back, looks like the open Jamison Crowder prods got a kiss for a touchdown and there was a flag down in the offensive back,

said Jets. We were broadcasting live from Vanderbilt Sports of Spirits and Sudden Windham Hamilton Park Hotel, Remember Jets fancy and stream Inside the Jets Live through the Jets app presented by M and T Bank. Go to the app store or a Google play Now and search Official New York Jets. Well, we started this show talking about opportunities for young players, and our last guest, Vincent Smith, is

a prime example of that. He's an interesting I don't want to call him a project because this is second year in the National Football League, but he's got a lot of tools that you like. And let's see if the Jets can continue to mold him and also give him more opportunities because he's big, he can fly, he's smart, and I think he's got a good future. Yeah, he does. He has all the tools that you can ask for in a wide receiver, and he's passionate about the game.

And they have two great coaches that are really going to help him develop and mold into you know, our promising receiver. You know, depending on the work that he puts in, there's some great things that can happen from him. You know, a guy who played from a small school. He's getting coached up behind his ward Sean Jefferson to the guys who have coached and played with some of the best and been some of the best to play

the game. So if he can learn from them, learn those ins and outs, you know that he canna have a long career ahead of him. Yeah. Vincent Smith is a four three guy. He's six three over two pounds. Coach speed, no, you can't. And he also can go up and get it with that with that height. So he is a guy I'm excited to watch down the stretch because every time he makes a play, Adam Gaze, who is the Jets head coach but also the teams offensive signal caller, is going to be more app to

get him in the football. Yeah. I mean, that's how you get more opportunities. You keep producing. You know, they throw the ball to you one time, you catch it, uh, and pretty soon you start doing that and they're saying, listen, this guy is consistent. We can trust this guy. He's where he's supposed to be. He makes the catches. Then you start getting more reps, and then you start to gain a role in the offense and you can become a star. Good chemistry. Eric Coleman between Sam Donald and

Jamison Crowder. I believe Crowder's at forty three receptions, So if you average that out over the course the sixteen games, guy could have eighty six receptions. Yeah. I mean, he's he's on pace to have a great year. And you know, he's been an impact player since he arrived here in Floren Parking and the off season. You know, through training camp, he was a guy that everyone said, listen, you gotta keep your eye out on number eighty two. You know,

he's a big time playmaker. And uh, it's been great to see Sam how that security blanket, that guy who can move the chains, keep drives going. He's been trustworthy, he's he's it's open, and he's a physical runner for a wide receivers. So I cut you off before that in the first segment is we had to go to the break and pay some bills here. But the two instances between Donald and offensive line and stood out to me. We're in the fourth quarter, there was a sack by

a cornerback. Uh, they did a great job disguise. And you said, give Brian Flores credit, but it looked like the Jets that shifted protection to the left and then that cornerback came free to the right. So take me through the play. Whose responsibility is that without you being in the meeting room. Well, you know, as a defense, you're always waiting for for cues, and you watch film and you study. You know, for instance, when we play Peyton Manning, we knew that at the clock got under

seven eight seconds, he wasn't able to audible. So you would hold one coverage and show it and try to be patient and diligent in that coverage, and once it hit eight seconds, you can roll into the coverage that you were gonna initially play because it was too late for him to change everything. And I think what what the Dolphins did on that They loaded the left side of the Jets offense. They loaded, They showed that they were going that way, so the offensive line slid that way.

Leban went that way to add the extra protection, and then at the last second they bailed and a corner came from the right side after Lebian had scanned to the left. No one saw him. Sam Donald didn't even see him, and you have a big play. So, uh that that's great scheme by Miami. We once Leban goes over, should somebody be picking up that corner? Or is that responsibility on the quarterback? Well, I mean it's technically listen, it was it was the running backs guy. I would

guess you know what I mean. But once he saw that defensive loaded, Uh, the defense loaded on his left side. They made that adjustment, didn't snap the ball. So yeah, you know, you would like to say, see Sam have awareness and know that he's there. But if his eyes are down the field. It's hard to see that that corner coming. Okay, so the next Jets possession right there in the shadow of their own end zone. Again, you don't want to be there. But that's a separate story.

You're in shotgun. The crowd, even though it was a sparse place. I was there in South Florida on Sunday, it got loud. It's as soon as the Dolphins took control. They stayed in it that whole game. But this can't happen either. Jonathan Harrison is snapping the Donald and shotgun Brian Winters is a right guard. He gives him a tap and the darrier to tell him when Donald is ready for the football, gives him the tap, snaps the ball. Donald didn't know what was coming, and you got a safety,

you know. And in that instance, the quarterback is trying to figure out he's trying to find the snitch in the defense. So what he's gonna do. He's gonna make everything look the same. Callus Caden's do that leg kick and make it look like he's about to snap the ball. And now all of a sudden, what you see is you start to see that safety drop and the other one go to the middle of the field, and now he's like, okay, now they're in cover one. We can audible to this defense. And I think on that play,

Sam was counting for it to be on two. He wanted to give that fake, that fake leg kick. Scan the defense to understand what, you know, what play he wants to put him in. Do it again, let them get set, and then you know, having to be on two. But Brian Winters, I don't know that. I don't know the snap coout. I don't know who's fault it was. But Brian Wincher saw that leg kick. He signaled to Harrison to snap the ball. Donald's looking at the secondary to see which way they roll in. The ball snapped

and and you have a disaster. So you know, that's one of those things where in week eight, week nine, you can't have those mistakes, just like the busted coverage on defense, you can't beat yourself. You can't have those those mental mistakes. Everyone has to be on the same page. You know, that stuff that you get rid of and O T A S and training camp, those are those things that you iron now back then, not during week

eight week nine. Well it's been quite a season, a lot of adversity, and as of right now, while we're taping at Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits, Levian Bell was scheduled to getting an m r I today on his knee. Bell touches in all for a hundred twenty one yards against the Dolphins. Is if he was schedule to miss any amount of time, how big of a loss would that be for them? It would be a huge loss,

you know, Levan. Listen, he hasn't had the number production, he hasn't been running for a hundred yards plus, but he's that He's that one player that you look at every time he gets the ball, he's fighting and he's scrapping for any extra yardage that he can get, and he's been a great motivator for for the rest of the team. You know, he's the best player on the field and he's out here busting his butt through thick and thin. Has a positive attitude about things. The exact

guy you want in your locker room right now. You know, when when the adversity strikes, when things aren't going your way, you look at a guy like Levy on to see how he reacts and if he's positive, he's still working hard. He's still putting in that extra work. Everyone else is gonna follow suit. But to have a guy like that possibly be injured, it's gonna be it's gonna be tough on the team, you know, to miss that leadership, to miss that hard work and that just that that overall

confidence that he brings to the team. Yeah, that would be a big time blow. You do have capable guys in the back too, that might be more Blapal time, Montgomery time. I'm I don't want to get ahead of myself here, but you know, if you are a Jets fan, you're kind of like, what's happening next. It's been kind of our Murphy's Law season for their team. It has been, you know, and it's unfortunate. You know, the best players in the team, a lot of them are are injured.

You know, they've been battling injuries and haven't been up to full speed. And it's not an excuse, it's just a fact, you know. And it happens to a lot of teams where you guys are getting big minutes, they're they're playing a lot of playing a lot of reps, and injuries are inevitable in football. Everybody at the end of the year, a percent of the guys out there are hurt. They're playing through some type of pain. So it's just it's unfortunate that these injuries have happened to

the team. They've really decimated the team and kind of, uh put a stop on everything that you you work for in the off season, the preseason, what you game planning for to have these guys out on the field contributing. All Right, we're gonna take a break, but then when we come back and talk about the Crosstown Battle. Jets Science at MetLife Stadium Sunday, Sam Donald and Daniel Jones for the Giant Giants, of course, playing tonight against the

Dallas Cowboys. You are listening to Inside the Jets on ESPN Radio with Ryan Fitzpatrick at quarterback. In the shotguns got back to his left and Martin Walton and a slot left play actions. Fitzpatrick gon durs pressure and he goes down. He had no chance. Quinn and Williams comes untouched off the right side and he gets his first full solo sack. Has Jets Rewards members don't forget to enter the code pass and your Jets Rewards portal. During

the show to earn a hundred points. That's pass inside the Jets is supported by selective Insurance, be uniquely Insured. Eric Ellen and Eric Coleman here inside Vanderbilt Sports and Spirits in side of Windham Hamilton's Park Hotel. Come on by, join us, get a bite to eat, have a beverage. We'll be here next week after the Jets and Giants

at MetLife. What do you think about the quarterback match up, the most important position in the National Football A Sam Donald in his second season, the former third pick in the draft, and of course the Giants come back this year after taking Sa Kwan Barkley one spot. I had a Donald two thousand and eighteen, and last April they take Daniel Jones out of Duke and a lot of people raised their eyebrows after they took him with the number six pick. But he's at his moments, his rookie year.

He has, you know, and I like what Daniel Jones has been doing. Of course, he's gonna have some inconsistencies because he's young. We've seen that with Sam Donald. But you know, really a glimpse of the future uh the NFL and a glimpse of New York football I think both players have a lot to you know, a lot, a lot of to grow. It's a lot to learn, and I think that they'll have fantastic careers and it's gonna be something special to see them compete against each other.

It's funny because the organizations are always gonna be linked, but especially with their futures now because that two thousand and eighteen draft, if the Giants don't go Barkley, that maybe Donald's not there at three and the Jets take them, of course, and the Giants got criticized big time for that, but at the same time, they draft an unbelievable talent in Sae Kwon Barkley, who became the third running back in NFL history, third rookie running back in NFL history

to reach two thousand yards from scrimmage his first season. Yeah, you know what, It's just a part of the process, and I commend the Giants for from making that making that draft pick with sa Kwon Barkley, when everyone said, you don't draft the running back in the first round,

you don't draft him a number two. I mean, he's a fantastic player and he's got a bright future ahead of him, but he's one of those those foundations for this Giants team moving board, and I think the Jets are trying to do the same thing with with Quinnin Williams and Sam Donald, grow that foundation, have have those players, those pillars that are always gonna be here and make

it make an impact for your team. So it's exciting that, you know, to see these teams, you know, not follow trends, not follow all the draft gurus and whatever they say, and bring in players that are gonna bring value to the Yeah. So we talked, and we started this show talking about the Jets failure and drafting, and that's part of the reason they're sitting here at one and seven and also have depth problems. They have to draft better. We know that. That's why Joe Douglas is in that

seat as the general manager. How many draft picks has he made is GM and the New York Jets zero zero. So we have to give this man a chance to put his stamp on this roster. Another storyline that will be following this week, of course, is the Big Cat is over across town with the Giants and August made the move. Hoby judged on that in the future. I think it was a wise decision, because we talked about it last week. If the Jets don't trade Leonard Williams and don't get a pair of draft picks back at

this time, then he probably goes in free agency. You're getting compensatory picked on the line, but you don't get to draft picks. Yeah, you know, it was a decision that had to be made, whether you agree with it or not. You know, the Jets, if they're not gonna keep Leonard Williams for the future, they have to get something in return, something that they can they can help them moving forward. And I think for Leonard Williams, I

think it's a good thing. You know, it's a right across the street, you know, the same stadium, but it's a new environment. I think something new maybe may have been needed for Leonard Williams. And it's gonna be exciting to see them play against each other. Uh. You know, of course he's gonna be fired up to be playing against his old team. You know, there's nothing like playing against your your old team. I remember my first time coming down to MetLife and playing against the Jets when

I was in Atlanta. I was fired up. You couldn't tell me anything you know, it was like it meant the world to me, you know, to to prove to my old team that that I should have been here still, I could have been helping your team. So he's gonna be motivated, but it's gonna be up to the Jets to whether that storm and encounter his energy. But another reason why that trade had to happen is you drafted

Quinn and Williams. You need this guy to be on the field, and I know he's part of the rotation and Greg Williams is doing a tremendous job with that defensive line. We can talk, we can talk for a long time about all the contributions are getting from the young kids up front, but predominantly earlier in the season he was working in that rotation. Now he's gonna be a fixture because he had the three guys in the middle where you were looking at Steve McClendon, Leonard Williams,

Quinn and Williams. Now you're looking at McClendon, Quinnon, Williams and occasionally he's coming out for a breather. Yeah, I mean, that's gonna be exciting to see quinnin featured. You know, in the middle of that defense with uh, you know, with all the talent that the Jets defensive line has. You know, he showed some signs of you know, making big plays. He had a sack last week. Uh. You know,

he's very active on that defensive line. And given that opportunity to take the lead role and to be that three technique is going to be exciting because he's he's one of those players that he's young. He's very young, but he's he's learning and he's growing and he's getting better. And I think it's important for everybody you know, watching you listen. He may not be a guy who goes out there and get you ten sacks. He may not

be Aaron Donald from from year one. Everybody grows differently and he's as a young player that's going to develop into something special. And the Jets linebackers will have a phenomenal challenge on their hands in se Kwon Berkeley, because we talked about Berkeley. Before you can run the football, you also can catch it out of the back field, no doubt about that. And the Jets continue to get

tested at the inside linebacker position. C J. Molesley We're mentioned him, but out with the growing he's not gonna play this week. Blake Cashman, the rookie who was impressive in a small sampling here early in his career. He's on and to reserve Albert mclallen on injured reserve, um nevill Hewitt trying to work back in the lineup. So against let's not forget Avery Williams. Yeah. Yeah, So so you're talking about James Burgess and um who am I

forgetting here? Burgess and Brandon Copeland where you're inside linebackers. That Cope is a guy who's been playing outside linebacker for it. Yeah, I mean, you know against Miami. Yeah, I mean it's easy to say, like, oh, he's a linebacker, he could just put go in there, But listen, it's it's similar to losing your quarterback. You know, he's a quarterback of your defense. That inside linebacker. He runs the show, He gets the defensive line of Justin, he makes all

the audibles. To not have that player, to not have consistency at that position, is gonna hurt your defense, and it has hurt the Jets defense in their run defense and their past defense. You need that that that steadfast, that that player in the middle of your defense. That's gonna set the tone. Yeah, it's been amazing the number of injuries at that position inside linebacker and a big challenge on their hands and Barkley. Uh. One thing you'd like to see the Jets get back to here this

week is taking the football away. Um we haven't seen that of late, but the rooky quarterback Dana Jones winn he gets himself in trouble, he will turn the football over. Yeah, you know, and that's gonna be you know, the defensive back challenging receivers, applying pressure up front. You know, it's a it's a team unit, you know what I mean.

Everyone has to work together to force turnovers. It's gonna take someone hitting Daniel Jones as he throws the football or maybe getting a couple of shots on him and forcing him to rush the pass. And Jamal Adams and company are gonna have to start jumping routes and taking some chances within the scheme of the defense. I don't want you leaving guys wide open, but it's time to start taking some chances and getting the ball back to

your offense, giving them opportunities to create some scores. And get up and listen. In about thirty seconds or less. Jets are one and seven. But these guys are playing their professionals, they're playing for their jobs, are playing for next season, to trying to get on a streak. And does it matter that crosstown rivalry. I mean, you look at the you know, the Jets playing in New York. Whether you're for the Jets or the Giants, the media has a lot to do with, you know, the perception

of your team. And if you win that crosstown rivalry, you play some good football and you know, while everyone in New York is watching, it definitely means something. We'll be back right here next week for Inside the Jets.