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He wouldn’t get too much into specifics, but the answer was nonetheless enlightening and important.
During the Joe Douglas/Robert Saleh presser. I asked this question of the coach:
What do you look for in corners? Can you describe the skill set you’re looking for at the cornerback position?
Saleh: When it gets down to third down, two minute, those corners who can win in those one-on-one situations are at the front of, I think, every team in this league. The major parameter, obviously, is can you win your one-on-ones? Now where we get to with regards to arm length, size, foot speed, all that stuff is I won’t be specific on that, but can you win a one-on-one? Those are the critical times of games. Third down, two minute. That’s the biggest parameter that we look into.
While it’s a pretty basic point about what you need from corners, this is in important answer in the world of the Jets, because one of the big problems for them the last few years was corners not winning one-on-ones, and not getting off the field on third down.
You must play the sticks on third down. In other words, make sure the receiver doesn’t catch a pass long enough for a first down. But going back to high-priced cornerbacks like Darrelle Revis (the second time around) and Trumaine Johnson, too often guys weren’t doing this.
In my world view, if you aren’t playing the sticks on third down, you need to come off the field, no matter what your name is, or how much you make.
The Jets need more plays on the ball, especially in key situations. The last few years, there have been too many easy throws completed against the Jets corners. They need a ball hawk in the worst way. Bryce Hall might be one, but they need more.
That is why I’ve brought up 49ers free agent cornerback Jason Verrett. If the Jets doctors and trainers are comfortable with his medical reports, I’d sign this guy. Verrett does exactly what Saleh was describing above . . .
Something else from the presser I want to get into today was when Joe Douglas was asked about Woody Johnson returning to the picture.
“I would say both Woody and Christopher, they want to win,” said Douglas. “They want to create the best culture and support system for that to happen. They’ve both been very supportive of the processes that we’ve had in place and continue to have moving forward. It’s been great having Woody back. I feel like the communication has been outstanding. The number one thing is that they both want to win.”
In other words, in a very diplomatic way, the GM is saying, Woody and Christopher need to let their two key football men, Joe and Robert do their thing, and not meddle to much.
Christopher said a few months after hiring Douglas in 2019, that he promised that new GM he would take a “light touch.”
So we will see how “Operation Light Touch” goes.
I know Christopher is board with it. He’s not a meddler. It’s not how he’s wired.
Woody, on the other hand, has been considered more hands on in the past. This is how Newsday’s Robert “Bob” Glauber framed the question that Douglas answered above: “Woody Johnson is back in town now and he has been known to make his opinion known as far as what he’d like to do. Do you have confidence that you are going to have free reign in terms of making decisions or will there be some cooperation or input from Woody?”
My sense, reading the tea leaves, is that Woody is on board with Christopher’s plan to take a “light touch.” I really do, but time will tell.
March 4, 2020
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