Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner sees the chatter on social media from fans who want to see the organization make a coaching change.
But Gardner said Tuesday he does not believe the Jets’ 5-9 record is due to poor coaching.
“I don’t think we are where we are right now because of coaching,” Gardner said. “I’m a young player. It could be easy for me to say, ‘Yeah, it’s all on the coaching.’ But when I really thought about everything, it’s really like, bro, we’ve just been unfortunate. Injuries, penalties, so many things that could be avoided. It is what it is.”
Gardner said he believes things would be different right now had Aaron Rodgers and others stayed healthy.
“I see a lot of things about how certain coaches should be fired and everything,” Gardner said. “I don’t think that’s the case. Coming into it, the coaches, Joe [Douglas], [Robert] Saleh, they did a great job at bringing a lot of important pieces in. We were just unfortunate with injuries and everything. I wish Aaron was able to be on that field throughout the season. I wish our O-line was able to be healthy — [Alijah Vera-Tucker]. It’s just unlucky, unfortunate.”
The second-year cornerback was promoting “Verizon Run The Playlist” on Tuesday. It is a new series featuring conversations with NFL stars and musicians. Gardner talks about what the Jets players listen to and Jets fans in his episode.
The 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year is having another strong season for the Jets.
He remains one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. But teams are staying away from him.
Gardner was not targeted once in Sunday’s 30-0 loss to the Dolphins.
Gardner does not have an interception this season and one he dropped against the Cowboys still haunts him.
“I feel like I’ve had a pretty good season, so far. It’s not over yet,” Gardner said. “So far, I feel like I’ve had a pretty good year. I still wish I could get the interception from Dallas back because I didn’t know I wasn’t going to be having that many targets later in the season. Besides that, I had a pretty good year going against the top dogs. I feel like in my first two years, I feel like I’ve gone up against the best receivers — me, D.J. [Reed], Michael Carter. I feel like we’ve been going up against the best receivers game after game, week after week.”
The lack of targets is a sign of how much respect Gardner garners but it also can be tough on the young corner.
“It’s a little bit of both, for sure,” Gardner said. “When I get on my phone and go on Instagram or something, I see DBs around the league catching the easiest picks. I wish I could get some freebies like that.”
Gardner said he recently looked up Hall of Famer and former Jets star Darrelle Revis’ statistics.
One year jumped out to him.
In 2010, Revis had zero interceptions and only 10 passes defended, but he still made the Pro Bowl and was named All-Pro.
“Nobody was throwing his way like that. I’m really having one of those types of years,” Gardner said. “I’m not really getting that much action. Every play that I’m on the field I can make a highlight whether the ball comes my way or not. Just putting the teach tape out there for the guys around the league to see. I’m just going to keep doing my job. I feel like I’ve been a pretty good piece for the defense. I look forward to finding ways to keep getting better.”
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