Gang’s D-linemen have eyes on prize

They all had their eyes on Kyle Phillips’ prize, a bunch of buddies competing for the weekly reward in their small universe. For all the turbulence that has defined this Jets season, the most reliable group has quietly gone about its business with great success.

Gang Green’s defensive linemen live in a place where efficiency has its privileges. They play hard, they play hurt and they never complain. Then, they get recognized amongst themselves in a unique way.

The most productive lineman every game receives a prize from defensive line coach Andre Carter, a show of gratitude for a job well done.

It’s a literally a weapon of some sort. An ax, a sword, a club, a spear.

It’s also a symbol for what this group tries to be every day.

Phillips, the undrafted rookie who materialized out of thin air this season, won the most coveted weapon for his performance against the Raiders last month: A replica machete from the science-fiction thriller The Book of Eli.

“It’s definitely some friendly competition every week,” Phillips said. “We strive for greatness. We want to be the leaders of the defense as far as our style of play. Getting to the ball. Being the most physical. We definitely pride ourselves on being warriorminded. And just hunting.”

Gregg Williams’ defensive line has done just that this season. The guys up front have been the backbone for an overachieving defense that has been one of the few bright spots of this season. The Jets are tied with the Buccaneers for the fewest yards per rush attempt (3.3). Gang Green is second in the league in rushing yards allowed per game (87.9).

A deeper dive reveals just how effective these guys have been this season. The Jets have stuffed runs for no gain or a loss on a league-best 30% of the 397 attempts against them. The NFL average is 19 percent.

And they’ve come up biggest in highleverage moments. Opponents have converted runs on third or fourth down and two yards or less a league-low 50% of the time. They thrive in short-yardage and goalto-go situations. The league average is 64%.

Carter, a martial arts enthusiast, decided to give everyone in his room an added incentive this year. In the preseason, the player with the most productive performance would receive a club from Africa. However, it was a rental only to be kept in the defensive line meeting room.

The stakes were raised when the games actually counted: A new weapon every week for the player that affected the game the most. Pure stats weren’t enough to get the prize, though.

Here’s how it worked: The player with the most “production points” got the gear. Make a great play, get a point. Make a boneheaded play like missing your assignment, subtract a point. The goal for each player each game was to get 6-8 “factors,” or smart plays to benefit the entire group.

Carter sometimes gave weapons to multiple players if the efficiency was comparable.

“It’s a reward,” veteran leader and captain Steve McLendon said. “He’s into weapons. He’s always been a giver. That’s what type of coach he is. So, it’s just a little bit of extra motivation to make the guys compete against each other. Just some friendly competition.”

The idea had an unintended consequence. It gave each lineman a better appreciation for what the man next to him was doing every day, not just on Sundays. McLendon won a spear one week that he gave to Bronson Kaufusi as a token of his gratitude for helping the group every day at practice.

“He looks at practice every single day regardless of circumstance and situation,” McLendon said of Kaufusi. “He still comes with the right mindset and attitude. So, I passed mine to him.”

The gift was welcomed by Kaufusi, who has only played 70 snaps this season.

“Anything you can get from your peers is huge,” Kaufusi said. “Steve just gave it to me, because he sees the hard work I put in day in and day out. No matter what your role is, I feel like you should always do your best and try to help the team. That’s what I’m about.”

The group has been unflappable. Some wondered how they would respond when Leonard Williams was traded away during the season. They didn’t miss a beat.

Gregg Williams has maximized their production using scheme and talent. None of the linemen’s stats jump off the page, but they excel as a unit.

Phillips has logged the most snaps among the group at only 50%. Quinnen Williams, Henry Anderson, Foley Fatukasi, McLendon and Phillips have comparable statistics and playing time. Nathan Shepherd has been a solid contributor after returning from suspension too.

Each has received a weapon of some sort. Fatukasi, who has emerged in his second season, has earned an ax and spear.

Anderson pulls a sword out of its case to show off one of the gifts he’s received.

“We try to have a warrior mentality,” Anderson said. “That’s something that you try to work toward.”

Look up and down the row of lockers and you’ll see evidence of each man’s achievement.Phillipskeepsanaxheearned in there, but the Book of Eli machete that everyone wanted remains out of sight.

“I have it at home,” Phillips said with a laugh. “Maybe I’ll just hang it up. It’s something cool I can have forever.”

It’s a reminder that the defensive line held up its end of the bargain this season.