Jets secondary faces its toughest test yet
New Jack City is going to be tested like never before when a couple of bad dudes roll into town on Sunday.
Message to the Jets secondary: Good luck against Adam Thielen and Stefon Diggs.
Todd Bowles is fully aware at all the annoying challenges the Vikings’ potent pass-catching duo will present for a defensive backfield that might be without three starters.
“It’s a huge challenge,” Bowles said Wednesday. “Obviously we get a challenge every week, but these two guys do everything well. Usually you get a speed guy or a deep guy or a short guy. Both of these guys can do everything.”
Vikings fifth-year wide receiver Adam Thielen has been on a recordsetting pace with new quarterback Kirk Cousins. Thielen, the NFL leader in receptions (58) and receiving yards (712), is the first player in the Super Bowl era to start a season with six consecutive 100-plus receiving yard games. He’s on pace to shatter Marvin Harrison’s single-season receptions record of 143 set in 2002.
“You can see that he’s tough,” Bowles said. “He’s extremely smart. He’s seen every coverage that you can throw at him. He has outstanding hands. You can tell that he’s a competitor of the highest level. Whether you double him, triple him, single him or play zone, he finds a way to get open and get it done…. He doesn’t quit. He gets open. He has that special gift.”
Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer commended Thielen’s inner drive for thriving despite being undrafted five years ago.
“I don’t think people give him enough credit for his athleticism, but his heart is probably the biggest reason,” Zimmer said. “He’s a great competitor and thinks he can do anything on the football field. That part is really what’s made him into a good player.”
It’ll be a pick-your-poison scenario for the Jets thanks to Diggs’ ability to torch defenses too. Diggs (40 catches, 435 yards, 3 TDs) is also a menace of the highest order.
Thielen and Diggs are on pace for a combined 262 receptions for 3,059 yards and 19 touchdowns. The duo has already combined for eight 100-yard games and 14 catches of at least 20 yards.
“They’re outstanding,” Bowles said of the Vikings’ pair of wideouts. “They’re two of the best. They got to be at least in the top two or three in the league from a tandem standpoint (with) the way they produce every week.”
It’ll be a massive test for a secondary that won’t have safety Marcus Maye (broken thumb) and perhaps cornerbacks Trumaine Johnson (quad) and Buster Skrine (concussion). Rookie Parry Nickerson, who had some hiccups in his first career start last week, including a blown assignment on a touchdown, will likely get a healthy dose of Thielen in the slot.
“He’ll be ready to play,” Bowles said of Nickerson. “He’s just going to have to carry out his assignment.”
ODDS AND ENDS
Nine players didn’t practice on Wednesday, including seven starters. The guys who didn’t participate included RB Isaiah Crowell (foot), WR Robby Anderson (hamstring), DL Leonard Williams (back), LB Kevin Pierre-Louis (foot), CB Trumaine Johnson (quad), CB Buster Skrine (concussion), WR Terrelle Pryor (groin), WR Quincy Enunwa (high ankle sprain), S Marcus Maye (thumb). Center Spencer Long (knee/ finger) was limited. As expected, Bowles has already ruled out Enunwa and Maye. Both are expected to miss at least a few weeks . ... Jason Myers was named AFC Special Teams Player of the Week after making a franchise-record seven field goals and accounting for 24 points in Gang Green’s 42-34 win over the Colts.