After dominant opener, Jets’ defense aims to ‘step it up’ NFL NOTES
Florham Park, N.J. — The New York Jets were dominant on defense in their season opener, with one player after another coming up with highlight-reel plays.
Five interceptions, big tackles and lots of pressure on the quarterback marked the 48-17 victory in Detroit last Monday night.
“I couldn't stop smiling, man,” linebacker Avery Williamson said, “for like the whole night.”
Despite all that, though, the Jets see plenty of room for improvement.
“Our mission this week is to step it up,” cornerback Morris Claiborne said. “Our feeling is we're not taking this game as something we're going to be stuck on. No, we're trying to be better than that game. So, this week, we're coming out and trying to be better than last week. We're not playing like we're stuck in the past or anything like that.
“We're going to go win this game, just like last week.”
The Miami Dolphins certainly know what's coming Sunday at MetLife Stadium, and that's a Jets unit noticeably faster than it was last season — and even in previous years, for that matter.
Improving the overall speed on defense was a focus for coach Todd Bowles and general manager Mike Maccagnan, and that was on full display against the Lions .
“That was fun,” said Williamson, in his first season with New York after four with Tennessee. “You see everybody making plays, it's just a great time.”
Linebacker Darron Lee had two interceptions, while Claiborne, cornerback Trumaine Johnson and safety Jamal Adams also had picks. It was the most by the Jets in a game since Oct. 3, 1999, when they also had five against Denver.
Lee returned the first of his INTs 36 yards for a touchdown that gave New York a 31-17 lead in the third quarter. It was the Jets' first defensive score since 2013 — a span of 73 games, which had been the longest drought in NFL history.
“It's definitely a good stepping stone in the right direction,” Lee said, “and we definitely want to throw some consistency with that.”
It was also the first INT of the third-year linebacker's career. He was just getting started. About 2 1/2 minutes later, Lee picked off another pass by Matthew Stafford.
“I feel like he played a phenomenal game,” Williamson said of Lee. “He was everywhere, flying around and making tackles and two interceptions.”
Lee might be the biggest wild-card on the Jets' defense. The 2016 firstround pick out of Ohio State had two solid but unspectacular seasons to start his NFL career. While he finished second in tackles both seasons, his lack of big plays has been a major knock.
Even former Jets linebacker and current sports radio host Bart Scott called for the athletic Lee to be more physical and come up with game-changing plays.
Well, one game into this season and Lee is looking much-improved in both areas.
“I'm never satisfied,” he said. “I'm just going to keep pushing and trying to get better every single day . ... I feel pretty comfortable with what we're doing, so I guess that enabled me to play fast.”
Both Lee and Adams spoke after the game about how they were able to predict the play calls by the Lions, and the players credited the coaching staff for thoroughly preparing them.
“They're going to come to us if we're in the right spots,” Claiborne said. “Our coaches put together a great game plan to have us in those spots to be able to make those plays. So, you're in those spots, but ultimately, it's up to you make the play.” The Atlanta Falcons will be missing another key starter for Sunday’s game against Carolina. Two-time Pro Bowl running back Devonta Freeman was ruled out after missing the entire week of practice with a knee injury, another blow to a team that was already reeling from injuries to defensive stalwarts Keanu Neal and Deion Jones. Coach Dan Quinn said he’s hopeful that Freeman’s injury isn’t too serious. The Seattle Seahawks are hoping Mychal Kendricks can provide a short-term boost on the field that overshadows the issues of signing a player with a pending jail sentencing in his future. The Seahawks announced the signing of Kendricks on Friday to a oneyear deal despite his recent guilty plea on insider trading charges. It’s an odd situation for all parties involved, but fills a need for Seattle even if it’s just for a short time. Kendricks could make his Seattle debut on Monday night when it plays at Chicago, and the finalization of his deal came after visiting the team on Thursday.