Ian Eagle Talks Haason Reddick, New York Jets Defense, and 2024 Expectations

Ian Eagle of CBS Sports is back for part two of our 2024 jet season preview our Focus today is on the defense we're going to talk Hassan reck Quincy Williams potential future starters and more on lockon Jets you are locked on Jets your daily New York Jets podcast part of the locked on podcast Network your team every day welcome this is the lockon Jets podcast part of the lockon podcast Network you are Team every day it's Saturday September 7th 2024 and I'm your host John B from Gang Green nation.com thank you so much for making the show your first listener first watch every day subscribe to the show for free on YouTube or wherever you get your podcast so you'll get new episodes as soon as they're posted if you enjoy the show and are listening on a podcast Wars please give it a festar review if you're watching on YouTube and enjoy the show give this episode big thumbs up it helps us out and helps other Jets fans find the podcast today's episode is brought to you by priz piix go to prix.com lockon NFL and use code all lowercase lockd on NFL to win $50 instantly when you play $5 well this is a special Saturday edition of lock on Jets We are continuing our 2024 Jets season preview with I Eagle of CBS Sports Ian stops by this time every year so we're doing a special Saturday show to conclude our Ian Eagle season preview let's jump to our discussion we're here with Ian Eagle of CBS Sports um Ian let's let's talk about Hassan reic right now at the time we are recording this episode he is still holding out um how confident where do you think the Jets are with him do you how big of a deal do you think it would be if he does not report do do you think the Jets feel like they can withstand his absence and if so for how long I do think the Jets are bit perplexed I think they felt it would be worked out and they thought they were on the same page with him and his representation taking care of him this year and goosing that deal a little bit to get him some extra money some easy incentives to hit and then dealing with a long-term deal based on what happens this year now clearly that's not how reic saw it and his agent so that's why we are where we are with this situation they made some other Personnel decisions based on the fact that Assan reic was going to be a part of it and not only that it's based on the finances they weren't going to pay Bryce Huff three years 51 million doar he went to Philadelphia ironically enough who's he replacing Assan reic in addition they pray Jonathan Franklin Meyers to Denver if they could do that all over again I think they might have rethought that do they believe that Michael Clemens can take a major step I think privately they do but got to see it it can't just be a flash here and there Germaine Johnson there there's no doubt they think he has a chance to be a premier player at that position Will McDonald whether or not he can put it all together not just as a pass rusher because I don't think there's any Den Ling that he has a lot of natural ability coming off the edge the issue with him is simply can you play him on Downs where they're going to run the football right at him and I don't know if they have that answer yet everything they've said during the preseason was nope we're we're starting to see it uh the lights turning on for him Germaine Johnson who we did talk to we talked to will as well Johnson said uh you know he's working with him a lot with reic you would absolutely say that this is among the deepest fronts in the NFL without him you don't quite have the same threat and ferocity that you would with him in the lineup attack McKinley great story super that that he's found a new home and he's in year eight he's he's a former first round pick who's bounced around but there's also a reason why he had not been in the league and had not been a dominant figure so he'll get his opportunity they actually went with a bunch of young guys people were shocked at the undrafted free agents three of them that made the team with Eric watts and Leonard Taylor III and Braden McGregor how this all sorts out when reic or if reic comes back or if someone else pops up on the waiver wire that is more experience that remains to be seen but they feel like they're very deep in that area I don't think that they're outwardly concerned but the proof is going to be in the pudding whether or not they can consistently put pressure on the quarterback without reic now one area where I do have some concerns is the run defense and some of it goes back to the team trading John Franklin Meyers because I felt like one of the areas where the Jets could kind of compensate for maybe playing I I think this Jets defense the back seven they they really emphasize speed which sometimes means you go with smaller guys I mean you see them play a lot of big nickel with uh three safeties and I thought having Franklin Myers play defensive end helped compensate for that because you have three he's essentially he's like a 290 pound guy so essenti have three big guys on the defensive line um How concerned do you think they are about their run defense this year yeah it's funny as good as they were last year defensively they were fourth in team defense they were fourth in scoring defense they were third against pass uh the run I don't want to tell you that that was a serious issue last year you nailed it they they definitely had players that took pride in stopping the run and Franklin Myers was was one of those guys I wouldn't call it a strength though and I certainly wouldn't go into to 2024 saying this is a lock down defense in that area it's something that Robert solid take seriously obviously that been his bread and butter is having a a defense that attacks and an area he's mentioned it and rightfully so you taking the ball away s Gardner as gifted as he is one of the best corners if not the best in the NFL some of those now have to turn into anes and he doesn't get as many opportunities as guys because they just don't look his way but I guarantee you there were a bunch on film last year where they said hey that that could have been a pick and that could change the game uh so it it's a combination of what you laid out stopping the run and then turning teams over and really taking advantage on that front becoming that type of Defense where teams are scared to uh to throw against you or to be physical at the point of attack running the football quinon Williams is everything that they hoped he would be coming out of Alabama and he can make up for a lot of issues just taking on double teams I think they believe that kin law is going to be a really good fit going back to San Francisco days with Salah and the fact that he knew him I believe that played a key role he was considered someone that underperformed based on his draft position but they gave him pretty good money on a pro it deal one year $7.25 million and I think they believe he's going to be a great fit for them and it's a major opportunity brings a lot of bulk he's 320 pounds so you you're pairing him with quinnon Williams up the middle they they think they're going to be better handling that part of the field today's episode of lockdown Jets is brought to you by LinkedIn when you're hiring for your small business you want to find quality professionals that are right for the role that's why you have to check out LinkedIn jobs LinkedIn jobs has the tools to help you find the right Professionals for your team faster and for free LinkedIn is not just a jobs board LinkedIn hire helps you hire professionals you can't find anywhere else even those who are not actively searching for a new job but might be open into the perfect role in a given month over 70% of LinkedIn users don't visit other leading job sites so if you're not looking on LinkedIn you're looking in the wrong place and on LinkedIn 86% of small businesses get a qualified candidate within 24 hours hire professionals like a professional on LinkedIn the Jets don't really need LinkedIn because they have a front office they have a coaching staff they can figure out who they want to bring into their team well LinkedIn can be your front office and coaching staff because LinkedIn knows that small businesses are wearing so many hats and may not have the time and resources to hire LinkedIn is constantly finding new ways to make process easier they even just launched a feature that helps you write job descriptions making the process even easier and quicker two and a half million small businesses use LinkedIn for hiring so post your job for free at linkedin.com lockdown NFL that's linkedin.com lockdown NFL to post your job for free terms and conditions apply last year Quincy Williams had a breakout season it's such an amazing Story the fact I the fact they got him off waivers from Jacksonville back in 2021 the fact he's quinnon Williams's brother uh First Team all proo last year not not that he was a bad player before last year but last year was really his breakout season um do you think it's fair to expect him to continue on that path do you think it was like a career year maybe he goes back to playing playing at a more normal level no I I think he's one of those guys that turned the corner and realized that he can do this as a sideline of sideline guy is a huge hitter he's got excellent range As We Know know there there's a real confidence to him now I think there might have been a time where you looked at him and said all right he's fast and and he he can go knock the snot out of somebody as as a tackler but he takes chances and sometimes the angles are are a bit questionable last year he he answered all of those and you know it's funny I remember having this conversation with you last year maybe even two years ago their their love for guys that played Safety at some point that now play linebacker and he's not the only one they they have seen that with with others Jamie and Sherwood of course being the other one that comes to mind so there is something that they look for in this Salah system that they believe fits and it did uncork the best season of Quincy Williams career he's now in year six he's 27 years old there is no indicator to me that this was just a one hit wonder and he's going to fall back to to what he was I I think he's he's figured some things out and U there there might be a case that this guy is is a pro bowl level linebacker this year that's the way that the Jets are are viewing it that's what I wanted to hear I agree with you I am very Quincy Williams is now one of my favorite players um you just mentioned Sherwood and there was a lot of Buzz out of him coming from training camp and look he's not going to be a starter you know Williams and CJ Mosley are obviously the two starters but do you get the sense that jets are expecting Sherwood to take a step forward this year I think so I've asked Salah about him I ask him about him basically every year because I I just don't know that much about him he's he's someone that they've been high on clearly now in in year or they expect him to be a contributor and he also Raves about zier Barnes by the way anytime his name comes up they obviously love him on special teams but they think he has really good cover skills and brings good speed as well I don't know I I I'm not sure the toriles in 2021 for sure would obviously played a role in in his career and trying to get himself back and just the scheme they run you you said it it's Quincy Williams and CJ Mosley those are the guys that they rely upon but there are sub packages where you get some some shots and you get some chances I would like to believe that they have had a real conviction on on Sherwood and it's just not based on the fact that he's a draft pick and and someone who Joe Douglas really liked coming out of college coming out of Auburn but that they they really see something in him but at some point the fans and the media have to see it as well just have not seen it yet talking about Jets Corners which is you know one of the biggest strengths of the team and you know you can make a very strong case the Jets have the top Corner Trio in the league you know s Gardner has been outstanding since he set foot on the in the league um Michael Carter II I'm still up flooding the Jets because I in one of my biggest complaints with the Jets is that they aren't proactive enough resigning uh their young player who produce so they gave him a contract extension this week so I'm very happy with the jet extending Carter uh but third guy who kind of flies under the radar a bit is as DJ Reid who's entering the final year of his contract um Reed I think has been an outstanding free agent signing for the Jets in fact I I I've called DJ Reed I I think you're looking back I may be forgetting somebody I think he's the best free agent signing the Jets have made in the 21st century when you talk about his positional value his contract is level of play um but he is in the final year of his contract um where do you think the Jets are right now on DJ Reed yeah interesting you bring him up we we did speak with him that week of the Giant game and he just is a bundle of energy a great guy to to chat with he said it was the hardest camp that he's had since he's been in the league just not only the physical part but getting deeper into the play book The Green White scrimmage they ran 89 plays he said that's not normal to run that many plays the funny part for him is where he is currently in his career he's 29 years old they were calling him OG and uncle in the DB room asked him about the contract and he just said look things are going to work out the way they're going to work out he said It reminds me a bit of 2019 San Francisco defense similar situation guys had their contracts up everybody came together became a dominant group and he said everybody on that defense was truly committed to being great and he echoed the same sentiments for the 2024 Jets everybody's got one another's back uh they they just feel a connection and and he recognizes it's a business and this might be the last time this group of players are together and that includes him he's not assuming anything but the conversation we had with him I just found very refreshing very honest in how he's approaching all this not bitter at all and he just dealt with the question had on and and said it's all going to work itself out now a couple of uh Cor ERS who I thought had strong preseason Jerick Bernard Converse quantz stiggers um they're not probably not going to have a big role this year for the Jets unless there are injuries but how high do you think the Jets are on either of these guys long term do you think they view either of these guys as somebody who could potentially develop into a starting level player in the event read walks in a year quote from Robert Salah quantz stigers will be a starter in the NFL so that answers that uh they're really high on him and then anytime we mention Bernard Converse similar sentiments uh in the development that they've seen from year one to year two the speed I think initially everyone looked at him oh he's a versatile piece he he could fit in in a couple of different spots he's a full-time corner now look they've addressed their slot Corner future in Michael Carter II they gave him serious money and as you mentioned the fact that they rewarded someone that's proven themselves on this team he's done everything asked of him and then some this is a fifth round pick who has turned into a star at his position they clearly have a good sense of fit and they clearly have a good sense of scouting from the Collegiate level for these spots um everything has been positive on any conversations in regard to those guys Salah has also been very positive in talking about Tony Adams and what he thinks that he can be in his career only in his third year they obviously believe in him undrafted free agent they think he's GNA add to what he did last year and be even better the Chuck Clark situation is a really interesting one in that he's just someone that made a name for himself in in Baltimore for being an outstanding tackler and having great instincts the fact that he's got to come back from a torn ACL he's highly motivated he's on a a very reasonable contract to show that that he's back he's 29 years old veteran that that brings leadership to the position I I think they believe that they're well covered at that spot as far as the future of Reed and whether or not they think that stiggers or Bernard convers can step in as fast as next year that I don't know I just know that I think both guys have a world of talent yeah and the Jets have jets are very deep at corner effect I believe one of the guys that did not make their team Shamar Bartholomew was actually they waved him he was claimed by four different teams on waivers which I think speaks to the quality of the depth the Jets built at the corner 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even if one of your picks doesn't hit download the prize picks app today and use code lockon NFL to get $50 instantly when you play $5 that's code lockon NFL it's one word with no space l o c k e d o n NFL on prize picks to get $50 instantly when you play $5 you don't even need to win to receive the $50 bonus it's guaranteed prize picks run your game let's talk about uh special teams and you know I think the Jets have pretty Rock Solid situation with their uh punter and kicker Thomas Morad and Greg zerine uh you alluded to it a little bit earlier you know who do you think are the leaders in the clubhouse to take on the return roles I think they're going to going to put a running back back there and I think they're going to put Gibson back there and force teams to make a decision they would then bring a little bit something different to the role Gibson we saw last year really speedy and um can be explosive you mentioned the Buffalo game everybody remembers of course what happened with Aaron roders four plays in but the ending of that game was among the best endings in Jets franchise history with Gibson taking at the distance for the win I don't know if Corley is the guy I don't know if Isaiah Davis is the guy but my sense would be it would be one of those two and then Gibson would be the other one butt returns I think it's Gibson there's little doubt in my mind that's that's why he's here that's why he's a part of it that's why Brandon codrington is not the team anymore who they really did like as well and made a nice name for himself and ends up uh also getting an opportunity elsewhere so I I think they believe they're well covered on that front and this is going to be trial and error with the dynamic kickoff to see how teams are approaching it and then what kind of player you need in there just the little that we talk to in regards to how the Jets are going to handle it Robert Salah he did mention at some point like you need someone who can break some arm tackles just the way things are set up the alignment with this Dynamic kickoff is different it's it's not as much about long speed as it is about being physical and getting through that first wave and creating an angle that teams might not be prepared for so that's something I would keep an eye on in week one so let me ask a question I'm interested in your take on this um for me I think the Jets are likely to have a good season and the biggest dangers for them I think are age and injuries from the standpoint that they are relying on a number of players who are either you know in their 30s pushing or pushing 30 or you know in the case of their quarterback uh 40 years old they're also depending on a number of players with fairly extensive injury histories or guys coming back from serious injuries and some cases you know there are some players who fit both categories do you see any other potential pitfalls for this team as they you they try and break this 13-year playoff drought no I think you hit on it I think that's where the concerns would be if you go man for man I do think their roster is highly competitive obviously with the NFL there are unforeseen Circ that can weather the storm deal with adversity handle injuries and find the right mix to get to the playoffs and and then go on a run what Jets franchise has dealt with for all these years is the idea that the worst thing that can happen does seem to happen and they have to get past that I don't think this current group is buying into it I don't think Aaron roders thinks of life that way so the idea that the fan base might say same old Jets I don't think that's something that pops up a whole lot in that facility but it will be talked about and you do have to deal with questions and you do have to deal with perceptions so I guess if that was going to be one another challenge it would just be that handling and navigating those themes and those storylines that that'll pop up you know in New York you you get a whole bunch of reporters you get a whole bunch of cameras you get a whole bunch of microphones and don't allow that to filter in to your culture don't let that become a recurring theme winning cures that of course but when you do have some bumps in the road how do you deal with it are you lashing out are you uh on the defensive or do you view it through a different lens and and just get back to to who you think you are and what kind of team you believe you can be uh where are you the first couple weeks of the Season uh first three weeks that's the only assignments we've received so far week one in cincin for the Patriots and the Bengals week two in Tennessee for the Jets and the Titans and then week three in Minnesota for the Texans and the Vikings and that's all we got of course I and you we we always appreciate you coming on the show uh it's a tradition you come on every year before the start of the season and as you know traditionally I have one final question for you and it's my own weird Obsession that nobody else has but will there be any changes to the CBS Blazer that you wear on air this year no no you'll you'll see the Cobalt you'll see the electric blue it's an updated version I ironically and you're literally the only person that would care about this Charles Davis and I texted yesterday we are one year behind in the Blazers that we wear I did get sent a new one for 2024 but 2023 was still wrapped in plastic in the closet but Charles and I are always in unison we will wear the 2023 Edition that looks exactly like the 2024 Edition but we'll be rocking the 2023 is you are right I am very interested in that and I'm probably the well you know you did such a so as as I'm sure a lot of people know I and um took over calling the final four last year um he he did a great job with rafter in Grant Hill the one thing though as I was watching it and I realized you weren't wearing the blazer because the the game was the I think the championship game was on TBS instead of because TBS and CBS rotate the championship games and I was wondering if you know if I should start pushing for TBS to get their own Blazer yeah I would love like an old school uh skip carry Pete van ween type of Blazer I'm sure they had it back in the day and the old old school TBI that would be great but not to worry this year final four is on CBS the the one thing though and again I I think this is for an audience of one so I recognize that you might be the only person interested in this stuff if you really look the basketball Blazer is different than the football Blazer it's two separate deals with two separate clothing companies so that is a more traditional blue and the foot football one is more of that cobalt blue that that you've seen now for the last six or seven years so there is a little bit of a difference and only you John would care I remember after you got the gig I I sent you a note congratulating you and you replied telling me you were getting a new blazer so I I appreciate that always you got it Ian thanks so much for joining us have a great season we we look forward to listening to you on the air all right John appreciate it let me know how many years in a row this has been I'm really curious I need my brain to check that box thank you so much to our special guest Ian Eagle for joining us the last couple days but that's all for today's episode this has been the lock on jet podcast part of the lockon podcast Network your team everyday's AR motto as always if you enjoy the show hit the Subscribe button where you're watching or listening so that you'll never miss an episode if you enjoy the show and are listening on a podcast Source please give it a festar review if you're watching on YouTube and enjoy the show give this episode a big thumbs up enjoy your weekend we'll be back on Monday the preview one between the Jets and San Francisco 49ers as the Jets kick off their season on Monday Night Football