Patriots CB J.C. Jackson stars in joint practice with Titans
NASHVILLE >> As a rookie, J.C. Jackson pulled off some incredible interceptions.
In a Week 7 game at the Bears, Jackson lunged forward as Bears receiver Josh Bellamy came back for the ball along the sideline. Jackson pinned it against Bellamy’s chest with his right hand, and somehow snatched the ball away from Bellamy as both players tumbled to the ground. Even in slow motion, it was difficult to fathom exactly how Jackson secured possession.
Then there was the pick of Bills quarterback Josh Allen in Week 16. Jackson abandoned his man in the flat, read Allen’s eyes, and instinctively drifted back to take away the corner route to Robert Foster.
And of course there was his first career interception, a leaping grab on a Ryan Tannehill deep ball in Week 4.
Tannehill made it a bit eas
ier this time.
Jackson was one of the best players on the field on Wednesday, the first of two joint practices with the Titans. Jackson’s highlight was a pick-six of Tannehill, who is now Tennessee’s backup quarterback, in 11-on-11 drills. Jackson jumped the out route by Titans receiver Papi White, caught Tannehill’s pass in stride, and continued down the left sideline for what would have been an easy touchdown.
He also added an interception in 1-on-1 drills.
Blessed with natural ball skills and instincts, Jackson is trying to build on a highly successful rookie campaign. And so far, so good. Jackson has made plays on the ball all summer.
“(The game) has definitely slowed down,” Jackson said. “Just having that first year under your belt, you know what to expect, you know what’s going on…The first camp was hectic. I didn’t know what to expect. Things are moving a lot faster. I was a rookie. I was new to the game. It’s just how it is.”
Patriots All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore is well aware of Jackson’s potential.
“If he keeps working he’s going to be good,” Gilmore said. “We’re all out here working, and J.C. is going to put the work in and make plays for us. I do whatever I can to help him. I’m glad he’s on our team.”
If Jackson can make the all-important second-year jump — in other words, if he can limit penalties and mental miscues while staying aggressive — the Patriots should have one of the league’s premier cornerback duos. Like Gilmore, Jackson excels against tall, physical receivers. He put the clamps on Pittsburgh’s JuJu Smith Schuster, who caught just four passes for 40 yards on 10 targets while primarily facing Jackson in Week 15 last season. According to Pro Football Focus, Jackson allowed a passer rating of 42.0 for the season, the best mark by any cornerback in the NFL (it should be noted that Jackson didn’t become a regular in the New England defense until an early December game against the Vikings).
Jackson has enjoyed a strong camp, but it hasn’t been perfect. On Wednesday, Jackson gave up a deep pass to speedy Titans wideout Taywan Taylor down the left sideline.
After practice, Jackon was quick to point out that he doesn’t feel his role on the team is solidified in Year 2.
“You never get complacent, especially here,” Jackson said. “You know how it is here.”
So how is it? Extremely competitive, for starters. Even though Jackson has stood out all summer, he continues to run with the second-team defense. Jason McCourty has received the majority of reps opposite Gilmore. The Pats could rotate the No. 2 corner based on matchup, as they did in the playoffs a season ago; for example, Jackson was assigned to covering tight ends in Super Bowl LIII. Or one player could emerge as the consistent No. 2 opposite Gilmore. The pecking order remains to be seen.
“I just come out and compete, give it all I got,” Jackson said. “Hey, when the season starts we’re going to see where I end up.”