Jets interim coach Jeff Ulbrich is trying to tackle the team’s biggest defensive issue — tackling.
Ulbrich saw his team miss 20 tackles in Sunday’s 31-6 loss to the Cardinals.
He is trying to get things fixed with some changes in practice this week.
The team wore pads during their positional drills in practice Wednesday and will wear pads for the whole practice Thursday.
Teams have a limited number of practices during the season when they are allowed to wear full pads, per the collective bargaining agreement.
“If there’s 15 minutes in [positional drills], it’s going to be 14 ½ minutes of tackling,” Ulbrich said. “We’re going to get back to fundamentals and basics. I did a tackling presentation for the team today, not just the defense, so everybody knows exactly what we’re doing, how we’re attacking it, how we’re going to get it fixed.”
Ulbrich said while it can be challenging to teach tackling without actually tackling, they can go over technique with players and fundamentals.
Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner, who had a critical missed tackle against the Cardinals, said he appreciated Ulbrich’s presentation but it is on the players to make tackles.
“We know how to tackle,” Gardner said. “We’ve got to make the tackles. That’s really it. We really don’t need no presentation. I know where he was coming from when he did it, but us as professional athletes, we’ve got to be able to make tackles, me included for sure.”
LT Tyron Smith missed Wednesday’s practice with the neck injury he suffered in Sunday’s loss.
It sounds like Smith could miss Sunday’s game with the Colts.
“They’re still assessing,” Ulbrich said. “They’re gathering information and getting more images and more treatment. Hopefully by the end of the week we’ll have a better picture of more clarity as far as him going forward.”
Rookie Olu Fashanu filled in for Smith in the second half against the Cardinals and would start if Smith is out.
“I thought he played well,” Ulbrich said. “He had his rookie moments, for sure. He’s going to have some bumps in the road here and there. I thought he showed a ton of promise. He’s a guy that thank god we got him because we knew we were going to potentially need him this year. The way he has filled in has been amazing for a rookie. The more he gets to play, the better he’ll be.”
WR Davante Adams did not practice due to an illness.
He also has a wrist injury, but Ulbrich indicated it is just soreness.
The other Jets who did not practice were G Jake Hanson (hamstring), LB C.J. Mosley (neck), DT Solomon Thomas (knee) and CB Brandin Echols (concussion).
The following players were limited: RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle), RT Morgan Moses (knee), CB D.J. Reed (hip), LB Chazz Surratt (heel) and CB Michael Carter (back).
Safety Chuck Clark had his practice window opened and is eligible to return from injured reserve.
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