What the tied-for first-place Jets are saying about the Patriots this week
"For us, that’s definitely giving us something to look forward to, getting after the quarterback."
The Patriots travel to MetLife Stadium on Sunday to face the Jets for the first time in the 2017 season. The two teams are unexpectedly deadlocked in the AFC East, as each holds a 3-2 record.
Given some of the drama produced by the rivalry over the years, it’s worth noting what the Jets are saying about their counterparts before kickoff. Here’s what the New York team had to say about their New England opponents:
Todd Bowles, head coach
On what he’s seen from Stephon Gilmore since joining the Patriots:
I see the same things. He’s an outstanding corner. He can run, he can cover, he’s very athletic, outstanding in press coverage. People pick out a play or two, but everybody has a play or two that you can pick out in the league that made a bad play, and I see two great corners.
On former Jet and current Patriots David Harris:
David is one of the hardest workers, and he’s one of the steadiest workers that I’ve seen every day from the two years that I had him. He prepared every day, he took notes every day like he was rookie, he never cut any corners, he was a class act off the field, he was a class act on the field, never took any plays off. If you needed him for scout team or special teams, he was there. And he was a hard-nosed player and he played very smart and it’s tough to find those kinds of guys these days.
On the Patriots’ defense:
We see the same players. They’ve got talent over there. They’ve got a lot of talent. There may be a bust in the coverage here or there, but, like you said, they settled down against Tampa (last week), and I think they’re getting back to their roots of what they do best.
On facing Tom Brady and the Patriots’ offense:
We’ve got to be disciplined, and we’ve got to really play. And we’ve got to try and make some plays. There’s nothing he hasn’t seen. He’s seen everything. You’re not going to fool him, and he’s got a bunch of pieces in (Brandin) Cooks and Gronk (Rob Gronkowski) and (Danny) Amendola and (Chris) Hogan and the three running backs and everything else. He’s got a bunch of pieces. We’ve just got to play sound football and not worry about who we’re playing and just do our job.
Jermaine Kearse, wide receiver
On his Super Bowl catch against the Patriots in 2015:
I guess the only time I would reflect back on that game is if somebody asked me about it. As far as the catch, it’s just my competitive nature, just the ability to be opportunistic and make the most of each opportunity that I had and in that play, Russell (Wilson) gave me the opportunity and I did whatever I could in my will to come down with the ball and I was able to.
Jamal Adams, safety
On playing in his first game against the Patriots:
It’ll be the opportunity of a lifetime.
On facing Rob Gronkowski:
It’s definitely going to be a wonderful matchup, man. But it’s not about the matchup. It’s about the team. It’s never about an individual. So we’re just looking forward to the matchup with the Patriots.
Marcus Maye, safety
On facing Tom Brady:
I’ve been watching him all my life.
On facing Rob Gronkowski:
You’ve got one of the best tight ends in the game that you’re going up against. He does it all. … He’s big and physical. He has a great catch radius.
On facing the Patriots’ offense:
This is my first opportunity to go against them. It has to be just another game. It just happens to be against Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. You have to be ready for it.
Leonard Williams, defensive line
On the Patriots’ offense:
We have noticed Tom Brady holds on to the ball a little bit longer than he usually does. For us, that’s definitely giving us something to look forward to, getting after the quarterback. We know that he’s the head of the offense, so if we can get to him and affect him as much as possible, we can affect the game.
On stopping the run against the Patriots:
The more we let them run, the more Tom Brady is going to be able to stand back there when it’s time to pass. We have to make them one dimensional and make them pass. If you let them run and pass, it will be a long day for the defense.
