Jets fire Williams after loss to Raiders
‘D’ coordinator Williams ordered maximum blitz on game-winning play to Ruggs
Gregg Williams paid for his decision to blitz Derek Carr with his job Monday morning.
The New York Jets defensive coordinator was fired according to multiple outlets including the NFL Network, ESPN and The Athletic in the aftermath of the Raiders 31-28 win at the Meadowlands. The Raiders won when quarterback Derek Carr correctly read a maximum blitz, changed the pass protection, and found a crease in the pocket to throw a 46-yard touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs III with five seconds remaining.
To call a blitz with seven or eight men (it’s been reported both ways) is exceedingly rare when all the Jets needed was to play deep over the top and keep the Raiders inbounds to win.
Williams, as well as head coach Adam Gase, is likely out the door following a season in which the Jets could finish as the second 0-16 team in in NFL history.
The call was a hot topic on social and mainstream media, with even some extreme speculation that the Jets lost on purpose to help make sure they were in position to take Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft.
Raiders coach Jon Gruden said he thought the Jets blitzed because an earlier loss against New England resulted when they played softer coverage and got beat that way.
“They didn’t blitz, Cam Newton made a throw, and I’m sure they got criticized for no pass rush. And then you blitz and get beat over the top,” Gruden said. “We’re in this business together as coaches. We’re never going to be right when we lose.”
The play left Ruggs, a rookie and the fastest wide receiver in the 2020 NFL draft, in one- onone coverage with undrafted rookie cornerback Lamar Jackson. Ruggs gave Jackson a double-move where he faked going inside, then released outside, breaking into the clear.
Carr, after changing protection at the line of scrimmage that included keeping red-hot tight end Darren Waller in to block, hit Ruggs in stride for the game-winning touchdown.
“All I was thinking was ‘Don’t get beat,’” Jackson told reporters. “I don’t want to be the reason. But I was. I got beat. I’ll get better.”
After the game, there was grumbling from Jets players, including safety Marcus Maye.
“We have to execute, but you have to help us out at the same time,” Maye said.