Sauce Gardner defends his ‘pretty decent’ Jets year after tackling criticism

Sauce Gardner has heard nan disapproval of his tackling this season, which included immoderate from Jets interim caput coach Jeff Ulbrich, who said earlier nan triumph against Houston that nan cornerback’s tackling “needs to beryllium better.”

On Thursday, Gardner was asked astir really his play has gone pinch nan Jets conscionable past nan halfway mark.

“I felt I’ve had a beautiful decent year,” he said. “Obviously, nan defense is simply a small different. Teams effort to onslaught america differently, for illustration moving nan shot to my side. I’ve sewage a fewer missed tackles, but it happens.”

Overall, though, there’s nary denying Gardner’s capacity has fallen disconnected successful his 3rd twelvemonth aft Pro Bowl appearances successful each of his first 2 years.

But Gardner defended his play.

“I consciousness for illustration what group don’t understand is I’ve had much tackle attempts than successful my past years,’’ Gardner said. “I consciousness for illustration I’m doing beautiful good successful coverage. I’m ever trying to get amended astatine everything. That’s me.”

Last week, Ulbrich said he noticed immoderate betterment successful Gardner’s tackling and he made 5 tackles against Houston, tying a play high.

His occupation won’t get easier Sunday, erstwhile nan Jets person to look Kyler Murray of nan Cardinals.

Defensive statement coach Aaron Whitecotton said Thursday that while Haason Reddick hasn’t put up galore numbers since yet arriving to nan Jets aft a lengthy holdout, his effect has been felt.

Whitecotton said Reddick has been “great” since stepping connected nan field.

“Everybody was astir apt hoping he’d travel successful present and get 10 sacks successful 2 games,’’ Whitecotton said. “That’s not realistic.”

Whitecotton added he’s been impressed astatine really Reddick hasn’t conscionable been a walk rusher, but he’s besides focused his attraction connected stopping nan run.

“He is simply a complete player,” Whitecotton said. “And he continues to activity astatine being a amended complete subordinate and learning our strategy and our strategy each day.”

Of nan tally defense arsenic a whole, which has allowed much rushing touchdowns (11) than each but 4 teams this season, Whitecotton said it hasn’t been bad overall, but they’ve made mistakes “at inopportune times” that person been costly.

“In those captious moments, you can’t person that and that’s connected each 11,” Whitecotton said.

Malachi Corley, who had a touchdown tally overturned erstwhile he dropped nan shot earlier he reached nan extremity line, will beryllium utilized successful injured Allen Lazard’s domiciled this week, according to wide receivers coach Shawn Jefferson.

Jefferson is assured Corley is up to nan task, moreover aft nan costly intelligence error.

“This week successful practice, he’s been connected nan details,’’ Jefferson said. “I’m excited to spot him play Sunday.”

Passing crippled coordinator Todd Downing, who is calling plays, said he was disappointed successful really nan discourtesy reacted initially to Corley’s miscue that opened nan 2nd quarter.

“I’d for illustration to spot america respond offensively a small spot better,’’ Downing said. “It seemed to zap our power a bit. It felt for illustration we were retired location celebrating, we had guys each complete nan spot celebrating together, and past erstwhile it sewage called backmost aliases erstwhile it sewage turned over, we benignant of mislaid that juice.’’

The portion yet recovered and scored each 21 of its points successful nan 2nd half.