“He needs to play better!” Jeff Ulbrich demands accountability from Sauce Gardner ahead of Jets’ do-or-die game against Colts
The New York Jets drafted the cornerback Sauce Gardner as fourth overall in 2022 NFL Draft to bolster their defences.
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Sauce Gardner, Jeff Ulbrich (Images via Imago/X)
The New York Jets had a forgetful outing against the Arizona Cardinals and sank to 3-7 after ten weeks into the season. The team based in East Rutherford, New Jersey, has the longest active playoff drought in the league, with 13 seasons of no post-season play.
Sauce Gardner invited media attention with his sarcastic tweet following the humiliating loss. He retweeted a post blaming him for the loss with his added comments arguing that single play couldn’t be the same. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers has admitted responsibility for the team’s struggles.
In light of the situation, Jeff Ulbrich has addressed the same in a press appearance through SNY. The issue at hand could derail Ulbrich’s plans at the Jets even further as their defensive skills worsen every week. Despite having a defensive head coach, the Jets allowed 230 yards in the first half of the game against the Cardinals.
Everybody in this building needs to play at a higher level, coach at a higher level, and be more accountable so we all need to improve in that way. Sauce recognizes the fact that he has a very high standard for himself as we have a very high standard for him. He needs to and he wants to play better and he’s working his butt off to get that accomplished.
Jeff Ulbrich said
Jeff Ulbrich on Sauce Gardner:
— Jets Videos (@snyjets) November 13, 2024
"Everybody in this building needs to be at a higher level. Sauce recognizes the fact that he has a very high standard for himself."
Ulbrich adds that Gardner's lack of interceptions are due to a lack of targets in his direction pic.twitter.com/5rIjHoCr6w
The controversial cornerback is one of the many parts where the Jets need a dusting off as soon as possible. The 2022 NFL DROY has been haunted by missed tackles and penalties all season long. In fact, as per Pro Football Talk, he has more penalties and missed tackles than interceptions and pass breakups.
There was one such incident where Sauce Gardner could have saved some face for the Jets in the last game. In the second quarter, amid a third down, Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray connected with tight end Trey McBride on a short pass. Albeit being in a position to tackle and force a punt, Gardner’s attempt failed to force any such result. McBride powered through Gardner’s tackle attempt, extending the drive and eventually leading to a touchdown.
The Jets are at critical juncture playing Indianapolis Colts in Week 11
The New York Jets are clinging to the season on their final straw. Although, on paper, their return to the playoffs to end the 13-year drought seems near impossible after 3-7, they still keep hope.
They are yet to be mathematically eliminated. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers announced the same in Pat McAfee Show stating that there’s still pride to play for. They have a 15% chance of making the playoffs as per the NFL post-season predictions ahead of the Indianapolis Colts game.
They are 11th in the conference sitting behind the Colts and Cincinnati Bengals. A win could marginally make their chances to make the playoff better, considering they get a week off in Week 12 to analyse and deep dive. However, a loss could less their chances to barely >3%.
If the Jets don’t want to write the eulogies to an already lost season, they need improvements in all sections. As a former defensive fortress, reclaiming the defense would be the first step to staging a comeback.
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Mohammed Bazim
(405 Articles Published)