Despite hurting Jets in Raider loss, Darron still confident
Darron Lee has spoken, and the Jets linebacker believes any criticism of his run defense is overstated.
“I’m confident in what I do,” Lee said Friday in Florham Park. “I’m not sitting here and saying I’m worried. I mean, if you’re going to sit here and say I get worried over one play, that’s not smart. So I’m not concerned whatsoever.”
Lee, however, did admit to his struggles in Sunday’s loss to the Raiders.
The 22-year-old former first-round pick played a major role in two of Oakland’s long touchdown runs. He overran running back Jalen Richard on a 52-yard score in the fourth quarter. And in the third quarter, he was blocked back seven yards off the line of scrimmage by Raiders guard Kelechi Osemele, opening a gaping hole for Cordarrelle Patterson on an eventual 43-yard touchdown.
“I should have been able to make a couple more run plays here and there,” Lee said. “Other than that, just really getting to the ball, just making sure I’m there to get the guy down. Tackling was a huge emphasis for everybody as a defense. So I guess for me, just getting to the ball, for sure.”
The Daily News requested an interview with Lee on Thursday. He responded by spelling out “N-O” and walking out of the locker room.
Lee spoke with a group of reporters on Friday as the Jets prepare to take on the Dolphins in their home opener Sunday at MetLife Stadium.
Lee said in order to improve at shedding bigger linemen and tight ends, he needs to focus on “keeping my eyes on the blocker for sure and just be more aggressive at the point of attack.”
On a run in the first quarter Sunday in Oakland, Lee was bent over backwards by Raiders tight end Lee Smith on a Marshawn Lynch run. Lee claims he “slipped” on the play. He said he had a “laugh” with Smith about the block after the game.
The Jets have allowed 370 rushing yards through two games. When asked to assess the defense’s overall play, Lee said, “Not good, just like you know.”
The 6-1, 236-pound Ohio State product was adamant his size is not a factor in his underwhelming performance against the run. “I feel like I’m perfectly fine,” Lee said. Todd Bowles, meanwhile, continued to support his young linebacker.
“My assessment of Darron is fine. He’s a linebacker for us,” Bowles said. “He plays well. He has some mistakes he can correct just like everybody else on defense, and you go from there.”
Winters’ absence means either Dakota Dozier or Brent Qvale will be tasked with lining up across from star Miami defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh.
At his news conference Friday afternoon, Todd Bowles had not yet decided if Dozier or Qvale would start at right guard. They split reps in practice, according to Bowles. Dozier replaced Winters in Oakland.
Tight end Eric Tomlinson (elbow) is also out. Tight end Jordan Leggett (knee) and safety Rontez Miles (fractured eye socket) are “very doubtful,” according to Bowles.
After missing practice Wednesday and Thursday, Muhammad Wilkerson was limited Friday and is questionable to play Sunday. Will Tye (illness) is questionable, as well.