Pro Bowl talk leads to Rookie of the Year chatter, which has also begun about the honor presented by The Associated Press before the Super Bowl.
Should Gardner be Defensive Rookie of the Year? “I don’t even think it should be a question,” he said. Several coaches, his own and others, agree.
“I know there are a lot of guys out there that are having fantastic years, but he does things that don’t show up on tape or the statistics,” Jets head coach Robert Saleh said. “The way he is blanketing receivers — and not just receivers, the best of the best. From Ja’Marr Chase to Tyreek Hill to Jaylen Waddle to Justin Jefferson to Stefon Diggs twice. That’s elite company he has had to go against, and he’s been doing just as good a job as anyone, not just rookies but players all around.”
“He has the ability to challenge, play man, zone, scrap and claw, bring that dog mentality every Sunday,” defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “What people don’t see is the human being, the way he holds people accountable. He gets these extra meetings, extra time with players. For me as a playcaller, he’s a gift.”
Even Detroit HC Dan Campbell got in on the acting, telling the Detroit Free Press that Gardner “came in believing in himself, and you could just tell, man, he believes he can compete and he’ s not worried about anything. … He’s got the skillset, but he’s got the right demeanor and the right attitude, and that shows up.”
Gardner’s next test will be Sunday at home against Campbell’s Lions and the offense that’s been electrifying on Jared Goff’s passes to the likes of speedsters Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Chark, Josh Reynolds and others. Sauce isn’t dwelling on the comments that have been made or the awards to come. But what Saleh said the young man from Detroit who’s equal parts confident and humble.
“Of course, it boosts my confidence, hearing that from my head coach, a guy I admire, a guy I watch be a leader here. It definitely means a lot,” Gardner said. “But like he always says, 60…
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