The Week 14 matchup between the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks will have a lot of soup because of the Jamal Adams storyline. On Thursday, Jets defense coordinator Gregg Williams may have provided a little extra.
Commenting for the first time on last month’s blockbuster trade that sent star safety to Seattle, Williams pocketed the Seahawks’ defense schedule.
Asked if Adams’ departure would change the way he uses his safetys, Williams responded, “it really does not. We are very multiple with how we do those things anyway.”
Then Williams added, “Jamal can get bored there because they do not use their safety stuff with all the complexities … uh, maybe not show what they do as much as we do.”
It was a reference to the Seahawks ‘hallmark Cover 3 scheme, which is considered vanilla compared to Williams’ ever-changing fronts and complaints.
Of course, the Cover 3 worked brilliantly for the Seahawks, a top-10 defensive team in every season from 2011 to 2016. That period included one Super Bowl championship and the “Legion of Boom” era, which produced star safes. Earl Thomas and Chancellor Kam.
Williams was complimented by Adams, who in 2019 enjoyed an All-Pro season that included 6.5 sacks. He was a big reason why the Jets, despite many injuries, finished seventh in the overall defense.
At the same time, Williams suggested that his system contributed to Adams’ success, adding how that same system could withstand his departure.
“We’ll still do a lot of the same exact things, but we’ll highlight the people we have here,” Williams said. “While you were watching what we were doing [last year], he had here perhaps his most productive year because of how we set the skill he has highlighted.
“I’ve had a lot of really, really good guys in that place. Over the years, I’ve had a lot of good safetys to build things around. Now it’s the next man up.”
Adams will be replaced at strong safety by Bradley McDougald, who bought the Jets into the trade along with 2021 and 2022 first-round picks. McDougald will be paired with free agent Marcus Maye, with rookie Ashtyn Davis possibly contributing in a special role.
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