Scrappy Skrine silences haters
He comes to fight every day. He comes with fire. He’s relentless. And he doesn’t give a rat’s derriere if you’ve given up on him because he’ll never give up on himself. Not today, tomorrow or the next day. Not here or anywhere.
Buster Skrine has heard it all during his seven-year NFL life. He’s too short. He commits too many penalties. He shouldn’t stick around.
The Jets veteran scans the cornerback rankings from the numbers geeks, laughs them off and keeps pushing forward. After all, somebody’s got to cover this bigger dude across the line of scrimmage.
The Jets’ 2017 season will officially conclude in two weeks without a playoff appearance, but Skrine won’t slow down. His competitiveness is a staple of his existence. He embodies everything good about this organizational culture shift. Play with passion, play with maximum effort and play for everyone in your locker room. Above all else, never quit. “Everybody that knows me knows that I practice hard,” Skrine told the Daily News after practice on Thursday. “Each drill. Each team period. All that matters to me. I feel like that’s why a lot of people respect me as a player: They know every down I’m coming to fight. I think that’s probably one of my top traits: I’m going to compete every down.”
Skrine, 28, has been one of the Jets’ most productive players coming off their Week 11 bye, correcting some of the missteps that plagued him midway through the season. It’s easy to call him scrappy given his stature (5-9, 185 pounds in your program), but don’t get it twisted: Skrine is one athletic S.O.B.
He has the exact right mindset for a team finally building a proper foundation aimed at sustainable success.
“He always comes ready to play,” Bowles said. “He loves a challenge. Even though he is small, he’s probably one of the strongest guys on the team. He takes care of himself. He is just one of those guys who is brighteyed and bushy-tailed every day that you love coaching because he loves to play the game.”
Bowles has tried to infuse his locker room with guys like Skrine, who truly love football. The coach wants tough-minded players, who won’t crumble in this crucible.
Skrine’s ability to overcome a mid-season swoon filled with penalties has been a bright spot in the past month. The cornerback was flagged seven of his 11 times in Week 7 at Miami (three) and Week 9 against the Bills (four). He hasn’t committed a penalty in the past four weeks entering Sunday’s home finale against the Chargers.
“After the Miami game,” Skrine said, “It was like, ‘Oh, he’s going to get cut. He gets so many penalties.’ I had three penalties that game, gave up two touchdowns, got a concussion. It was just a bad game.”
Skrine has a short-term memory at a position that requires forgetfulness unless you want to
get devoured by dynamic pass catchers.
“He’s been playing great football for us as of late….” Bowles said. “He’s seeing the ball better (the past few games). He’s looking back for the ball. Some of the penalties are questionable. Some of them he’s just looking back for the ball. But we’re happy with the way that he is playing right now.”
Skrine has been one of the league’s top corners in the past month. He’s allowed only 10 receptions for 66 yards on 18 targets in the past three games, according to Pro Football Focus. He had a pass breakup, forced fumble (and was integral in another forced fumble) and fumble recovery against the Saints last week.
Skrine’s eight passes defensed are the most in his three seasons with the Jets.
“He’s locked in,” defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said. “He’s competitive. You can tell when Buster is into it. He’s talking on the sideline (like) ‘I feel like I got this guy today.’ He’s really, really been in tune.”
Skrine doesn’t insulate himself from criticism. Besides, it’s impossible not to hear the chatter.
“Nowadays with social media, you’re going to see everything whether you like it or not,” Skrine said. “So, you do get a little angry, but I believe in myself. I’m not a big Pro Football Focus guy, because you can have a bad game and not get back up in the rankings. So, whoever made that — power to them — because a lot of people respect it, but...”
“As a player, it doesn’t matter what people say,” he continued. “But I do have a chip on my shoulder, because I feel like I’m a good player. I feel like I’ve been playing well the past few games and it’s been showing.” t remains to be seen whether Skrine, who’s scheduled to make $6 million with an $8.5 million cap charge in the final year of his contract next season, returns to the Jets under the current parameters of his deal. Regardless, he believes he has plenty to offer. “Seven years and still moving fast,” Skrine said with a smile. “I feel like I’m doing pretty good.” @MMehtaNYDN
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