Most times, a team putting up 32 points will be enough for victory. One would assume that’s the case for the New York Jets, of all clubs, considering the talent they have on defense.
Despite that, Week 1 brought nothing of the sort. Gang Green surrendered 34 points to former starting quarterback Aaron Rodgers and his Pittsburgh Steelers. It was a showing that left plenty of positives, yet also a lot to build on.
There may be no greater spokesperson for that than defensive tackle Harrison Phillips.
Harrison Phillips Hopes Week 1 Was His ‘Worst Game’ of Season
Phillips, an August trade pickup, is still adjusting to life with the Jets. He didn’t get much runway before being thrown into the fire. The 29-year-old believes he’s got the playbook “dialed in,” but the results aren’t showing… yet.
Speaking to the media following his New York debut, Phillips was critical of his performance.
“I hope that was my worst game of the year,” Phillips said. “I was trying to count — I think I only had two padded practices with this organization before I went out there and played. I think maybe five practices; obviously, some walkthroughs in there. But I was in a system for pretty much four years, if you include the offseasons and stuff, that was a completely different style. I’ve logged 10,000-plus snaps playing that style.
“As I watched the film, I was getting really frustrated with myself, seeing some of those old habits creeping in. You can still play football well that way, but that’s not what this defense calls for. My hope for myself is that’s the worst version of myself for this team and as each week goes by, I’m able to perform better and better.”
In game one with his new team, Phillips played 34 snaps on defense. That was good for 61% of those available, highlighting his importance to the operation. The former Buffalo Bills third-round pick recorded a pair of tackles on the afternoon.
Advanced stats didn’t love his showing, either. Pro Football Focus, for instance, gave him a middling 55.3 overall grade and a horrific 25.2 tackling mark. Phillips knows in order for the Jets to reach their ceiling, he must be better.
Phillips Confident in Jets’ Defensive Line Getting on Same Page
Fortunately, it should be only up from here. Phillips will never be less acquainted with his teammates than he was in Week 1. Despite surrendering just 53 rushing yards to the Steelers, the Jets presumably won’t have too many more 34-point allowances on the ledger.
On paper, the defensive front does look sterling. On the interior, Phillips is complemented by star Quinnen Williams. On the edge, Will McDonald IV and Jermaine Johnson make for a very solid pass rush duo. The talent is there.
Everyone must be on the same page in order for the group to thrive, though. Phillips knows it.
“I think the cohesion is just going to pick up the more reps we log together,” Phillips said. “Like you did mention, there are a lot of other players that as our rotation goes, you can’t just say, ‘Oh, us four work great together.’ No, we need to have this combination of three plus one — three D-tackles, one D-tackle — you need to be all on the same page.
“We’re learning that right now. We’re still trying to work on our communication. So we’re just going to log that through reps. Hopefully, it doesn’t take a significant amount of time. You would hope you’re playing your best football in November, December, January and, hopefully, into February.”
As September rolls on, it’s a slow burn for the newcomer and his peers.
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