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A heaping helping . . .
I was not at his press conference, but somebody asked Kacy Rodgers the following question – “How has the defense adapted without Darron Lee?”
I don’t want to be disrespectful, but this is one of the biggest non-stories of the year.
But some people actually believe that this was a big loss.
There is no drop-off to Neville Hewitt with a little Kevin Pierre-Louis mixed in. None. In fact, I view the Hewitt/Pierre-Louis entry as an upgrade because both of them are more stout against the run than Lee, and play more of a down-hill game.
The people making a big deal about this suspension either aren’t paying attention, or are just trying to make a big deal out of nothing . . .
Kacy Rodgers was asked how he feels about his good friend Todd Bowles taking so much criticism.
“One thing I take my hat off to coach is, he’s the same guy every day,” Rodgers said. “He really is. We just go in and he correct the problems and move on. Regardless, I hate because we hadn’t had the success that we all wanted. But he is the same guy every day and that’s the best thing.”
Whether you think Todd Bowles is the answer for the Jets or not, you have to tip you hat to him for the professionalism he’s displayed as a coach whose job is probably in jeopardy.
While I won’t call for the firing of coaches in print or on the radio, as I have mentioned before I heard that blowout loss to Buffalo at home was “the final straw” and the Jets intend to move on after the season.
Think about it. That game was November 11, so he’s coaching the last two months of the season as perhaps a lame-duck coach.
But nothing has changed, he’s gone about his business like a pro with the players and media – just doing his job. You could not tell any difference in the man his first three-and-half seasons compared to the second half of 2018.
The same guy.
Now you might not like him as a coach, but he’s certainly has conducted himself with dignity during a time frame where he probably knows he’s a goner . . .
Perhaps it’s the same people who think the Jets’ loss of Lee is a big story.
There are some people absolutely obsessed with Leonard Williams sack total. Obsessed.
Like so many other weeks, Rodgers was asked today about Williams’ sack total. He has three sacks this year, and 15 for his career.
Q)How strange is it to you that Williams is not getting to the quarterback?
“We look at it in hits. Is he where he’s supposed to be? I’m looking at his grade sheet. Is he (posting) losing grades? He has winning grades. Sometimes the plays just aren’t there. But sometimes, when you have the opportunity, I’ll bet on him,” Rodgers said.
I would ask, in turn, “How strange is it that some people who cover football don’t understand so much of what they are looking at?”
Williams is actually having a good season. I’m not saying a “great season,” but a good season.
He makes so many plays where he disrupts the action, and somebody else makes the tackle or sack.
He’s also had a ton of QB pressures and hits.
He is a 3-4 end. Not a big sack position. The big sack numbers, in this defense, should come from the outside linebackers, like in Denver and Kansas City.
Also, keep in mind, Williams wasn’t a big sack guy during his three years at USC, averaging 6.7 sacks per season.
People need to get off this sack angle with Williams.
The guy is a good player, and is doing a solid job this year.
This constant obsession with his sack total needs to be sacked.
December 20, 2018
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