Jets interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich played 10 seasons at linebacker for the San Francisco 49ers partly because of his grit and willingness to give his all ... always.
His approach now to leading his team is not different, even after his second loss in charge and even after the Jets' fourth-straight defeat, this one Sunday night at Pittsburgh. After the game, despite a pair of interceptions thrown by quarterback Aaron Rodgers, Ulbrich said he thought his veteran quarterback "played well enough to win."
On Monday afternoon Ulbrich, in response to a reporter's question if he still felt that way, was unequivocal.
"I think there's an element right now because of the high character of our locker room and this team, that there's a bit of pressing, a little bit to make things happen," Ulbrich said. "It's coming from the absolute best place on earth, guys wanting to do the best and provide the best for their teammates in this organization, this fan base, and we have all got to take a deep breath and just do our job and collectively. And that's not that I'm referring to Aaron, but everybody on this team, including coaches."
Whether there was a "bit of pressing" or not, the notion that Rodgers' mere presence alone would bring success is misguided, according to D-lineman Solomon Thomas.
"It's not basketball, it's not another one of these games, where one player can take over and wins the game," Thomas said. "Everyone has to execute. So we have Aaron Rodgers, just because we have Tryon Smith, Davante Adams, is not when we're going to show up and win these games. Everyone has to execute, and that has to be the standard, and that has to be the way we go forward if we're going to go where we want to go. And that's just point blank, point blank simple how it has to be."
The second interception, after the ball bounced off Garrett Wilson's chest to Bishop who returned it to the Jets' 1-yard line, was certainly a negative in the second half. But for Ulbrich, the way newly acquired WR Davante Adams responded was an example of the grit and determination needed for 60 minutes every time out.
"I think one of the favorite snaps of this game, though, was the interception that was thrown," Ulbrich said. "And at the time of the interception, he [Adams] was the farthest human being from that ball, and he ultimately is the one that tackled him at the 1-yard line. So what an amazing demonstration of how connected he already is to this locker room and what he's willing to do."
In his first game in green and white, Adams played 95% of the snaps on offense and had 3 catches for 30 yards, all in the first half.
Quincy Williams Focused on Next Game
On Sunday, the Jets (2-5) will attempt to win a game at New England (1-6) for the second-straight season. After that, there's a short week before hosting Houston in a Thursday night game on Oct. 31.
Asked it he thinks the game against the Patriots is a must win, Quincy Williams, who had 5 tackles and a
TFL against the Steelers, said: "The focus is always going 1-0, that's the biggest thing. Not putting no pressure, nothing on nobody. That's the most important thing. And then also being together, all is one, as far as offense, defense, special teams playing complementary football. So that's the mindset, Not really the big win or a big couple of weeks. For now, the focus is going on against the Patriots, and they got a good run game, so really dialing into our run fits and things like that, and helping this team win."
Joe Tippmann on Xavier Newman Injury
First right guard Alijah Vera-Tucker left the game with an ankle injury, then his replacement Xavier Newman sustained a hard hit to his head, walked to the sideline, but then crumpled to the turf at Acrisure Stadium. The game was held up for what seemed like an eternity as medical staff immobilized his neck and limbs, and strapped him to a gurney. He was taken a local hospital, but IHC Jeff Ulrich said on Monday that Newman, who played 11 snaps in place of AVT, traveled back to New Jersey with the team Sunday night. Ulbrich said that Newman's condition is being evaluated.
Second-year center Joe Tippmann, who played next to Newman, said that like all his teammates he was stunned as he watched Newman being attended to.
"That got to me a little bit," Tippmann said. "Xavier is one of my best friends, and to see that, that kind of thing it was ... it took me a little bit. And I'm glad he's all right. And still praying for him every chance I get. You know that that was something that really scared me at the time, but I'm glad he's all right."
In addition, the Jets' already depleted secondary took more injury hits. S Tony Adams left the game with an ankle injury and Ashtyn Davis sustained a head injury in the fourth quarter. The team was already playing without Chuck Clark (ankle; now on IR), Michael Carter II (back) and D.J. Reed (hamstring).
