Jets rookie Sauce Gardner likes challenge of facing Dolphins' explosive receivers
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner (1) reacts after a defensive play against Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase (1) during the first half in East Rutherford, N.J., Sunday, Sept. 25, 2022. Credit: Noah K. Murray
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — Sauce Gardner and Tyreek Hill could have been teammates on the Jets. Instead, Gardner will have to try and limit the explosive Hill on Sunday.
These are the kinds of matchups Gardner craves.
The Jets’ ultra-competitive and confident rookie cornerback wants to prove himself every time he takes the field. There will be plenty of proving ground inside MetLife Stadium against the Dolphins dynamic receiving duo of Hill and Jaylen Waddle.
“It’s what I’ve dreamed about,” Gardner said after practice Wednesday. “Coming to the NFL, the goals that I have for myself, like Rookie of the Year, All Pro, Pro Bowl all that type of stuff — I’ve got to go against guys like that in order to be recognized. It’s a great opportunity.
“Me and D.J. [Reed] and the rest of the secondary was talking about it. It’s a great opportunity to show the world what we can do.”
Reed and Gardner have gotten off to good starts this season, showing their ability to stick with their man in coverage. Hill and Waddle have gotten off to really fast starts and given fits to opposing defenses.
Hill leads the NFL in receiving yards (477), is second in catches (31) and first with eight grabs of 20 yards or more. Waddle, who did not attend practice Wednesday, is averaging 18.1 yards per reception — the most for anyone with 20 catches or more — and is tied for second with three receiving touchdowns.
Most of this was done with Tua Tagovailoa as quarterback. He’s out this week because of a concussion. Veteran Teddy Bridgewater, a former Jet, will be the one throwing to Waddle and Hill Sunday,
“It’s an opportunity for the secondary to be able to show why we belong and why we’re one of the best in the NFL,” Gardner said. “I’m looking forward to it and I know the rest of my guys are.”
Gardner said he started watching film of Hill and Waddle on Sunday night and he’s continued studying their games and tendencies. Gardner said he’s covered some guys that are really fast. Few have the speed Hill possesses, though.
“I got certain things that I like to do to be able to handle guys like that,” Gardner said.
The Jets were close to acquiring Hill from Kansas City the week before the draft. There was a deal in place with the Jets, but it was up to Hill. He chose to sign an extension with Miami for lifestyle reasons and financial ones. Florida has no state taxes.
“It was very close to happening, man,” Hill said this week. “It’s just those State taxes, man. I realized I had to make a grown-up decision. Here I am in the great city of Miami. Great weather, great people. We’re beautiful people, I feel like. Here I am.”
Now the Jets have to face Hill, Waddle and Buffalo’s Stefon Diggs twice a year. That’s what made it critical for them to upgrade their cornerback room, and secondary overall.
They signed Reed in free agency and drafted Gardner with the No. 4 overall pick. Robert Saleh said having them on each side gives him and coordinator Jeff Ulbrich more freedom on defense. Gardner is already showing he belongs, but Saleh believes he can be special.
“His sky’s the limit,” Saleh said. “He’s going to be a special player, knock on wood. As the season goes and he gets more reps, he’s only going to get better.”
Gardner assessed his play thus far as “decent,” but he knows there are things he can improve. He said his comfort level is growing and he’s trying to learn everything he can. Gardner looks at Sunday as chance to see how far he’s come and what he can do better.
“Definitely,” Gardner said. “I went against a lot of guys like Amari Cooper, Ja’Marr Chase. I just want to keep stacking those weeks and keep going against the best of the best.”
Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.
