SKRINE MACHINE
Maligned CB elevating game with ‘smarter’ play
Buster Skrine isn’t running faster. He’s not in better shape. His technique hasn’t changed.
But he’s been an improved player lately, and it isn’t a coincidence.
“The difference is I’ve just become a smarter player,” the Jets cornerback said Thursday.
Jets coaches have raved about his performances recently, head coach Todd Bowles saying he has “played outstanding football” over the last three weeks, and Bowles rarely throws around compliments.
“He’s just really turned up his play,” defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. “He’s locked in.”
The versatile Skrine, in his third season with the Jets, was particularly impressive in Sunday’s loss to the Saints, notching a team-high grade of 88.2 by Pro Football Focus, forcing and recovering a fumble, notching five solo tackles, and allowing just 38 yards on nine targets. He had a 81.3 grade in the upset win over the Chiefs on Dec. 3, and has produced 52 tackles, an interception and eight passes defensed this year, the best numbers of his Jets’ career.
It’s the result of thinking the game more, reading the opposition instead of just solely reacting and relying on his physical talents. For the first time in his career, Skrine is reading offensive linemen prior to the snap — such as if they have a heavy hand in the ground, the play is frequently a run — giving him an idea of what type of play will be coming.
“I can already tell what is going to happen,” he said.
Skrine gave most of the credit to defensive backs coach Dennard Wilson, praising him for demanding more out of himself. It was Wilson who suggested Skrine think the game more and rely less on his physical talents, Wilson who believed there was more in his veteran cornerback than he was seeing on the field.
“Unless you want to go out there and get crushed, you have to read the offensive linemen,” Wilson told him.
While the praise the 28-year-old Skrine has received has centered on the last three games, he believes he’s had a strong year. Sure, there have been a lot of penalties — he has a team-high nine, the big knock on his game — but one poor performance created a negative narrative, the veteran believes. In the Oct. 22 loss to the Dolphins, Skrine had a hand in four touchdowns by Miami, beaten for three scores and committing two costly penalties. Jets fans hammered him on social media. He was the face of a blown 14-point, fourth-quarter lead.
“Living in New York City, you have a bad games, it’s maximized, and it was a division game,” Skrine said. “That’s what happens. You play bad, fans are going to be mad. You play good, fans are going to be happy. That’s the nature of the game, and I play corner. Everyone is going to see when I mess up.
“You’re out there on an island by yourself. That’s what you’re paid do. That’s why corners are paid a lot of money.”
He didn’t let it ruin the season, rebounding in a major way. Skrine said this is the most fun he’s ever had in the NFL, because of a family-like atmosphere with the Jets, the togetherness among the players and coaches. The losses have stung, but he sees a promising future.
“We’re creating something great. It just takes time sometimes,” Skrine said. “I know going into the offseason, our team is going to be willing to do what it takes to have a winning season next year.”