Statistics do not paint a beautiful picture. Gardner finished in 47. Seat among EPA qualifiers per target last year, through Next Gen Stats. In the previous two campaigns, he finished second (2022) and 13 (2023) in EPA/Target.
Wilks acknowledged that Gardner is already one of the best in his position, with a rare size/speed composition, but believes it is another point that the corner can take to become this “dominant” defender.
“He is very talented and I told him:” Sometimes your greatest strength is your greatest weakness, “Wilks told Cimini. “He is a guy who sometimes 85%, he is still better than everyone around him. So his thing is – and I told him,” competing against yourself. ” That’s where he needs to get better, he will do. “
Glenn added that he is pushing Gardner to be a leader with an example.
“Here’s what I’ve talked to him about who he needs to be,” said Glenn. “When you lead, just let your influence do everything. How do you work in the hug and with the players in the locker room? It speaks more than the Rah-Rah guy. He understands it because of the impact, for me, is really what the leadership is about.”
It is easy to dismiss a carriage last year from Gardner where the whole Jets team fluttered. The new coaches want to ensure that the Down campaign was fluke, not development.