Adams is apple of Jets mates’ eyes
On back-to-back plays in the second quarter of Sunday’s 20-6 Jets victory over the Dolphins, rookie safety Jamal Adams offered fans an example of what he’ll provide their franchise for years to come.
First, with Miami facing a 2ndand-8 from its own 17-yard line, Dolphins quarterback Jay Cutler aired out a deep throw down the right sideline intended for talented second-year receiver DeVante Parker. Adams read the pass, raced to the sideline and batted the ball away out of bounds to prevent a long gain.
Then on the very next play, Adams came on a safety blitz and dropped Cutler to the turf for his first-career sack and a 10-yard loss. The Dolphins were forced to punt, and the Jets scored the game’s opening touchdown on the ensuing possession when Josh McCown found Robby Anderson for a 69-yard score.
“He played great today,” defensive lineman Leonard Williams said of Adams. “He was making plays all over the field. He was making plays in the back. He was coming down like a linebacker. He was getting sacks even. It’s great to have a player like that on your side.”
The Jets fed off Adams’ infectious personality in their best defensive performance of the season.
At one point early in the first quarter, the Dolphins committed two straight false start penalties. After each one, Adams sprinted through the backfield and started waving his arms in the air to fire up the crowd.
“I definitely want to keep that energy when I’m on the field, set the tone,” Adams said. “The fans feed off of us as much as we feed off of them. When we got excited, we started making plays.”
“He’s an exciting player,” coach Todd Bowles added of Adams. “He brings a lot of emotion with him. He got the team behind him and got us into it.”
THOMAS THE TANK
In a new and creative offensive wrinkle, the Jets featured defensive lineman Lawrence Thomas as a fullback on seven snaps in Sunday’s victory. On one of the plays, Thomas caught a pass in the right flat on 3rd-and-1 and rumbled 15 yards for a first down, setting up an eventual Bilal Powell touchdown run.
Thomas played fullback in college at Michigan State, where he blocked for Steelers star Le’Veon Bell.
“That was amazing right there. Just pretty exciting to have the ball back in my hand again,” Thomas said. “I wish I could have scored, but we still came out with the touchdown, so it was pretty cool.”
JENKINS JUMPS IN
Tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins made his 2017 debut Sunday after missing the first two games of the season because of a leaguemandated suspension. He caught five passes on six targets for 31 yards.
“Obviously I’m not as good of shape as everyone else,” Seferian-Jenkins said. “But I think I did good enough to where I could make an impact on the game.”
TOE NO!
Running back Matt Forte left the game with a toe injury and didn’t return. He underwent an X-ray after the win. His right big toe was noticeably bruised and black and blue.