(On why the Jets’ defense struggled) “I think some of our execution wasn’t there today. We let up two big, explosive plays early, and that’s not who we are. We’ve got to change our best and improve because explosive plays, that hurts the team and a lot of times, if you let too many of those up, the statistics show you’re going to lose the game. We’ve got to be better there. We’ve got to clean up a lot of the little details and with communication between guys; we can be a lot better.”
(On if the Jets can improve their defense with something as simple as better communication) “I mean, right now, in my opinion, it can be a little of everything. There isn’t any major problem going on with the defense. I think it’s just a bunch of little things and it’s going to take all of us to just look in the mirror and ask ourselves what we can be better at. You’ve got to own it, come to work and be better about it.”
(On his thoughts of the Jets holding the Jaguars to field goals several times) “Like you said, I think it’s important to hold teams to field goals, especially if they get down in the red zone. That’s something we take pride in, our defense does, in not letting up touchdowns. That was able to keep us in the game a little bit longer, but it wasn’t good enough. I guess you could say we broke down a little bit. There are a few plays in the second half that stick out. It’s a team effort and we’ve got to be overall better. It simply comes down to executing on our assignments.”
(On his assessment of the Jets’ healthy players with so many injured players unable to play) “We talk about next man up all the time, and it’s something that I think is understood, even around the league with other teams as well. We’ve got to execute. I think the scheme is there. I think the talent is there. I just think everyone needs to take ownership in their assignment. When it comes to game time, with 110 percent confidence, go out there and do their job. That starts with me, everyone else on defense and the rest of the team. I think we’re close, we just need to clean up the little mistakes. It takes 11 guys on this side of the ball to do their job perfectly to get that done.”
