Jamien Sherwood has had some big shoes to fill this season. Veteran and defensive captain C.J. Mosley has been limited to four games because of a toe injury and now a herniated disk in his neck that has landed him on injured reserve. In Mosley's absence, Sherwood has been nothing short of a revelation.
"This whole year has been a blessing in disguise," Sherwood said after Sunday's overtime loss at Miami. "No one would have ever thought that because I don't wish injury on any of my teammates. I knew I would get in at 'backer and make some plays and stuff like that.
"But all I can say is that no matter what happened with C.J., I was ready for this moment because of him. From the time I got here as a rookie, I tore my Achilles and all I did was ask him questions ... ask him questions. When I'm at home, I'm watching him on the game days jotting everything I can down. And the whole time that he's been hurt he's been nothing but a blessing to all of us. He answers every question like he's going to play in the game. He gives us the answers like he's going to be out there with us. All I can say is I'm so thankful for him. He's been the blueprint for me, I've done nothing but copy everything he does, the way he writes his notes, the way he moves on the field. I just feel like I had a cheat code these four years and ultimately now I'm in the game using it."
All that Sherwood has absorbed since the Jets selected him in the fifth round (No. 146 overall) in the 2021 NFL Draft was on display against the Dolphins. In the game, Sherwood was a demon in the middle of the Jets' defense when he logged 18 tackles (13 solo). He is the only player in the NFL this season to have multiple games with at least 17 tackles.
After playing safety in college at Auburn, from the get-go with the Green & White, Sherwood was penciled in as a linebacker ... the potential heir to Mosley's stellar body of work. He overcame the Achilles tendon injury in his rookie year, and now in his fourth season Sherwood has emerged as a valuable contributor on defense.
"I'll say last year, my third year, I feel like I was comfortable," he said. "Would I have the success that I've had this year last year? No, I don't think so, because in my fourth year I've been able to anticipate plays better. So last year I felt like I was in a good spot to recognize formations and call out what was coming. But this year, I'm on a level to where I can call it out, I can alert everybody, I can communicate to everybody, and then I can shoot my shot. Brick [interim head coach Jeff Ulbrich] always likes to say there's no point in watching film if you aren't gonna find ways where you can take your shot. So, I tend to watch film now and find the keys to where I can make plays in the backfield or try to get my hands on the ball when it's thrown in my way, my coverage zone. And I'll say that's been a big difference from making that transition from safety to linebacker."
AVT Bullish on O-Line
After last season's week-to-week uncertainty on the offensive line, this season has been different. And although the veterans LT Tyron Smith and RT Morgan Moses have dealt with injuries, RG Alijah Vera-Tucker, C Joe Tippmann, LG John Simpson and now rookie LT Olu Fashanu have brought the Jets stability and confidence looking ahead.
Speaking about Fashanu, the team's top pick in last year's NFL Draft, AVT said: "I think it's just ability, take coaching from [O-line] Coach [Keith] Carter. I think you can tell he's a real technician. He takes a lot of pride in preparing for games and is naturally gifted. So when you combine that and get a player who takes the time and effort to watch film, study their opponent and take really good coaching, you can take these games to a whole other level, which he will do."
Simpson, at 27, was signed from Baltimore and has overwhelmingly been a steady presence on the interior in front of QB Aaron Rodgers.
"He'a a dog, man," AVT said. And when it comes to Tippmann, in his second year, AVT said he's "doing his thing, I've seen great things out of him."
Rook RBs on a Roll
With Breece Hall held out of the game because of injury, rookie running backs Braelon Allen and Isaiah Davis acquitted themselves well against the Dolphins. Allen had 11 carries for 43 yards (and caught 4 passes for 38 yards) while Davis had 10 carries for 40 yards, plus a 17-yard TD jaunt, his first rushing TD in the NFL (he also had 3 receptions for 27 yards).
"Being in this league a long time, I don't think I've seen two young rookies at the same position, especially, have such a mature approach," Jeff Ulbrich said Monday. "I mean, these kids both have amazing careers ahead of them, and it's just so exciting for them to get these opportunities early in their careers. Both guys are super mature already at a young age, really understand what a process needs to look like. Obviously, they'll refine that and grow that as they go. But [they're] so far ahead of most rookies. So so excited about their futures, both of them."
Allen, 20, in fact, is the youngest player in the NFL. He will turn 21 next month.
After meetings and film work on Monday, Davis said: "[There were] things I saw on film that definitely could have been done better. But I think we took advantage of the opportunity. Coach always says, be our best and best required in times when guys can step up. Definitely, that's what me and Braelon did yesterday, it wasn't enough, but I think me and Braelon did a good job."
