There was a rumor floating around social media that the Dolphins fans planned a takeover of Metlife stadium this Sunday, The Jets had other plans. Starting from the first play from scrimmage the coaches stepped out of their conservative scheme to bring pressure, resulting in an induced safety and a hit that knocked out Teddy Bridgewater for the game. Jets fans have been rightly critical of the coaching at times but in back-to-back weeks the Jets staff has shown belief in their players to execute, in-game adjustments more than we saw all of last year and just putting players in positions to let their talent shine. Mike Lefleur at first was content in letting Zack Wilson drop back more often than not but gradually went with what was working which was the run game, making more of a balanced attack, keeping the Dolphin’s defense unnerved.
This day was more about the young core on this team and how they have taken ownership of fueling a change in culture at Floram Park. Breece Hall is turning out to be the playmaker the Jets envisioned totaling nearly two hundred yards from scrimmage. The one two punch of Hall and Michael Carter have been an issue for teams and are just scratching the surface. Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner has been showing game-changing talent from day one and with that corner blitz in the first play of the game set the tone for another great outing in which he also secured his first interception. Alijah Vera-Tucker is a phenom, he is a Guard that started at left tackle and right tackle successfully at the pro level while looking like he belonged at all three positions. I have never seen that done before and puts to bed any arguments about the value he brings to this team after the Jets traded up several spots to draft him at number 14 overall in the in 2021.
The story here is about young men who believe in themselves enough to eclipse any of the outside noise surrounding this organization. They all knew the history and if not were reminded daily by the press. They choose to revel in the opportunity to make believers out of every naysayer, Gardner pointed out that before every game and even during the seek the rookies come together to remind each other together they are stronger and the moment is not to big for them. This must have been Joe Douglas’s vision, a collective of like-minded youth who are strong-willed and talented enough to crush the unbearable dark cloud that has surrounded this team. Weekly updates of “first time in a decade” or first time in many years have become the norm in the last few weeks for the Jets. They lean on each other constantly and with the help of some well-placed veteran and sophomore leadership the young power seems to be the engine that drives this team.
