Tag: Henry Anderson

Jets defender quietly impressing as he steals snaps on the line

John Franklin-Myers is quietly developing into a disruptive pass-rusher as he continues to make the most out of his limited opportunities.

John Franklin-Myers went from making impactful plays on the NFL’s biggest stage to out of a job within a span of five months. Now the Jets have armed the defensive lineman with a second chance, and he’s quietly wreaking havoc and stealing snaps for a team that has few other bright spots.

A fourth-round pick of the Rams’ in 2018, Franklin-Myers showed promise as a rookie, totaling 17 pressures, 11 hurries, four knockdowns and two sacks over 301 defensive snaps. The highlight of his young career came in Super Bowl LIII, when he recorded a sack and a fumble against Tom Brady and the Patriots.

And yet, it was only months later that Franklin-Myers was waived by Los Angeles during final roster cuts before the 2019 season. Soon, however, a new chapter would begin for him.

The Jets hired Joe Douglas in June 2019, so the general manager missed out on drafting a young core for his new team. Instead, he milked New York’s priority on the waiver wire following final cuts and was able to snag Franklin-Myers. After missing his first season in green and white with a groin injury, the defender is now making the most of his increasing opportunities.

The defensive lineman has quietly shown flashes while taking snaps from players like Herny Anderson, Nathan Shepherd and Kyle Phillips. While Franklin-Myers has taken just 79 defensive snaps, which ranks 16th on the team, he leads Gang Green with five quarterback hits and six quarterback hurries. He is also New York’s highest-graded defender (82.8), per Pro Football Focus.

Franklin-Myers is winning with consistency and is doing so by getting handsy. While he has been impressive on the stat sheet, he was able to push aside Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson with relative ease in Week 3, drawing a holding penalty. He later batted down a pass from Philip Rivers.

While snaps for Franklin-Myers have been scarce, he again made his presence felt in New York’s 37-28 Week 4 loss vs. Denver. Franklin-Myers was credited with six pressures on just 19 pass-rush snaps.

On the season, he has 11 total pressures on 47 pass-rush snaps. That’s a 23.4% rate, which is the highest of any qualified interior defensive lineman this season, according to Michael Nania. Coming in at second? Franklin-Myers’ former teammate, All-Pro DT Aaron Donald, who has an 18.9% pass-rushing rate.

Franklin-Myers has yet to have a coming-out party or a sack, but he has been New York’s best-kept secret on the defensive side of the ball.

As Franklin-Myers continues to make the most out of limited playing time, the Jets should consider benching Anderson full-time. Since signing a three-year, $25.2 million extension with former general manager Mike Maccagnan, Anderson has been invisible. The 29-year-old has recorded just one pressure in 35 snaps over the past three weeks and has more roughing the passer penalties than sacks since 2019. His snaps should be going to Franklin-Myers.

While an 0-4 start for the Jets has painted a rather bleak outlook for the remainder of the season, Franklin-Myers’ ascension as a disruptive pass-rusher should be a storyline moving forward. The Jets just need to keep expanding his playing time.

No love lost between Jets’ Henry Anderson, Bills Mafia

Jets DL Henry Anderson will miss the Buffalo Bills faithful this season with fans not currently allowed in the stands.

Henry Anderson is going to miss Bills fans. Or so he says.

When the Jets travel to Orchard Park Week 1, they’ll be playing in an empty Bills Stadium. Anderson is a bit disappointed that he won’t get to interact with Bills fans this season, as he’s become a bit of a “villain” among Bills Mafia.

“I’m going to miss them a lot,” a sarcastic Anderson told reporters Tuesday.

Anderson’s run-ins with the Bills haven’t exactly made him a fan-favorite in Buffalo. In fact, quite the opposite. Anderson isn’t known as a reckless or dirty player, but he does have a history of incidents with the Bills.

In 2018, Anderson blindsided former Bills kicker Stephen Hauschka during a blocked field goal, which resulted in the kicker suffering a hip injury.

Fast forward to Week 1 of the 2019 season and Anderson was fined $10,527 for unnecessary roughness. The play in question saw Anderson go for Bills quarterback Josh Allen’s legs after he had already released the football.

This drew some outrage from Lindsay Hauschka, the wife of the former Bills kicker. She went as far as saying that players like Anderson do not belong in the league.

Now an enemy in the eyes of Buffalo fans, Bills Mafia will have to resort to booing Anderson virtually this season. Although, the NFL is possibly looking at having fans in Orchard Park this season, according to a survey that was sent out by the league to multiple Bills season ticket holders.

So, Anderson may get to interact with Bills fans after all. Just not right away.

8 Jets who need to be better in 2020

Jets Wire takes a look at eight players who need to take their game up a notch for New York in 2020.

Joe Douglas spent the entire offseason revamping the Jets’ roster. He reworked the offensive line, brought back two impact defenders, added two more in free agency, gave Sam Darnold two new weapons to work with and used the NFL draft to address any remaining needs.

It’s going to take much more than a few free-agent signings and draft picks for New York to contend in 2020, though.

The Jets’ roster is littered with players who underperformed in 2019 and need to flip the script beginning in Week 1 against the Bills. Some of those players have been with New York for years, while others are new to the organization. Either way, any chance at success in 2020 hinges on eight players being significantly better than they were a year ago.

Let’s take a look at who those players are

Sam Darnold

Noah K. Murray-USA TODAY Sports

It goes without saying that the Jets have a lot riding on Sam Darnold entering 2020. New York needs consistency out of the quarterback position if it wants to contend. That is something Darnold has not been able to bring to the table since his rookie season.

The hope is that year three is the one where Darnold finally takes the leap Adam Gase and company have been waiting for. He has a good enough arm to succeed and the flashes of potential he has shown since 2018 are a testament to the kind of player he can be when he is on his game.

The Jets will go as Darnold goes this upcoming season. If he struggles again, it’s going to be a long year at One Jets Drive.

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Best of the AFC East: Bills D-line division’s premier unit

Defensive line rankings for the AFC East heading into the 2020 regular season.

Three of the four AFC East coaches have strong experience on the defensive side of the ball. Thus, when exploring the best position groups on that side of the ball, the rankings are closer. The expertise of these coaches has placed an emphasis on all facets of reducing their opponents’ odds of putting points on the board.

And perhaps the No. 1 place of importance on a defense is a strong ability in the trenches. Good play here can slow down opposing offenses on the ground and in the air. So of the four defensive lines in the AFC East, which is the best of the best?

Here’s how the Bills Wire ranks this year’s D-lines in the division:

Bills defensive end Jerry Hughes. Credit: Rich Barnes-USA TODAY Sports

1. Buffalo Bills

The Bills have a deep group of players, and even with the losses of Shaq Lawson and Jordan Phillips via free agency and with Star Lotulelei opting out of playing this year. The unit is still strong enough to be considered the best in the division.

Buffalo strengthened their unit by signing sack-master Mario Addison during free agency. He will play opposite Jerry Hughes, giving the Bills two veterans who can get after the quarterback. Hughes often has performed his best with a good partner across from him. Buffalo will also rotate Trent Murphy in games, providing a strong option off the bench. But it remains to be seen if Murphy is on the team’s final 53-man due to the salary cap.

In addition to Addison. Bills added two players who have experience across the line. Former Seattle Seahawks edge Quinton Jefferson and second-round pick AJ Epenesa. Both can play outside and inside, giving head coach Sean McDermott various ways to utilize the unique skill sets of these players. At this time, it’s expected that Epenesa will spend some more time on the edge, while Jefferson will see time at defensive tackle.

On the interior, the Bills have second-year tackle Ed Oliver, who had a much larger impact for the defense as the season progressed. Free agent signee Vernon Butler will pick up some of the snaps that Lotulelei will leave behind. Harrison Phillips returns from an ACL injury that cost him most of the 2019 season.

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2020 New York Jets Position Preview: Defensive line

Jets Wire breaks down New York’s defensive line room with training camp and the 2020 season approaching.

With the beginning of training camp less than a week away, it’s time to take a closer look at the makeup of the Jets’ roster entering the 2020 season.

The Jets defensive line was the strong suit of the team’s defense in 2019. With the coaching of Gregg Williams and Andre Carter, the unit helped significantly contribute to the NFL’s seventh overall-ranked defense last season. New York’s defensive front finished as the league’s second-best run defense, allowing just 86.9 yards per game and 3.34 yards per carry.

Leading the charge upfront was veteran Steve McLendon, who continues to be an anchor in the middle at 34-years-old. Even though Henry Anderson struggled to improve upon his 2018 season and Quinnen Williams was slow to get out of the gate, New York relied on its extensive depth to win its battles in the trenches.

As training camp and the beginning of the regular season inch closer, Jets Wire will provide a look at each of New York’s position groups and what could be in store for the unit in 2020. Let’s breakdown the defensive line room at One Jets Drive.

The Starters

While Gang Green was unable to secure a game-changing edge rusher for its defensive front, the team is still returning a more than formidable unit.

Even though McLendon is entering the twilight of his career, the Jets starting defensive tackle hasn’t come close to losing a step. In fact, 2019 was one of the best seasons of his career. McLendon tallied a career-high 10 tackles for a loss, seven quarterback hits, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery and 36 tackles in 2019. He is the unquestioned leader on the Jets’ front seven and has paid dividends for the team’s run defense. With no signs of slowing down, McLendon will likely continue to split snaps with Folorunso Fatukasi for the 2020 season.

While McLendon is the unit’s heart and soul, the key to the defensive line’s continued success in 2020 is Quinnen Williams. Although the former No. 3 overall pick got himself in a bit of hot water this offseason, he’s poised to break out in his sophomore year. Williams’ rookie campaign started with him missing three of the Jets’ first four games due to neck and ankle injuries. When he returned, he was fighting through injuries. Once Leonard Williams was traded to the Giants, however, Williams’ potential started to flash. In 13 games he recorded 28 tackles, 2.5 sacks and one fumble recovery.

Injuries also took their toll on Anderson, who was unable to recapture the production that earned him a new contract. Battling through a shoulder injury, which cost him three games, and adjusting to a new scheme under Williams led to a frustrating season for Anderson, who compiled just one sack, three tackles for a loss and nine quarterback hits in 13 games. It’s likely his role will be reduced this season.

Depth

The Jets’ depth at the defensive line position hasn’t gone unnoticed and neither has the staff’s ability to develop talent. Players who were originally afterthoughts like Fatukasi, Nathan Shepherd and Kyle Phillips played significant roles in Williams’ rotation in 2019.

Playing in 35 percent of the Jets’ defensive snaps in 2019, Fatukasi was the team’s biggest surprise. He registered 27 tackles, one sack, three quarterback hits and seven tackles for a loss. He looks primed for a bigger role in 2020. Shepherd had already been written off as a bust after an underwhelming rookie campaign and a six-game suspension, but he quickly turned the tables on that narrative. Sticking by his side, the Jets have found a rotational asset who could push Anderson for playing time. Phillips is another player on the defensive line who is primed to breakout. The undrafted free agent out of Tennessee is a versatile disrupter who should get more playing time with the Jets’ lack of additions at the pass-rushing position.

Jordan Willis, John Franklin-Myers, Bronson Kaufusi, Domenique Davis and Sterling Johnson round out the Jets’ defensive line depth chart. While they have limited time to make an impression in the upcoming weeks, it’s likely New York will stash away players it views as developmental projects on the practice squad.

Outlook

While there is a lot to be excited about, the expectations for the Jets defensive line should be tempered. New York will be banking on a lot to go right for its deepest unit. The Jets will need Williams and Anderson to step forward while continuing to put their faith in a rock-solid veteran like McLendon.

Looking at New York’s depth, Fataukasi, Shepherd and Phillips all have the potential to break out with an increased role. They will need to continue to develop these players with a limited training camp.

With all that said, the defensive line looks like it will yet again be the deepest unit on Gang Green’s roster.

See more from Jets Wire’s Position Previews series:

QB | RB | WR | TE | OL

Jets roster serving as a stable for ex-Colts

The Jets have 11 former Colts players on their roster.

You might as well call the Jets the New York Colts with the amount of former Indianapolis players on the roster.

The Jets have 11 former Colts players under contract. That includes Thomas Hennessy, Matthias Farley, Nate Hairston, Arthur Maulet, Quincy Wilson, Ross Travis, Henry Anderson, Tarell Basham, Pierre Desir, Jonotthan Harrison and Josh Andrews.

Of these 11 players, six of them were acquired under Joe Douglas and five under Mike Maccagnan. Farley, Hairston, Wilson, Travis, Desir and Andrews are Douglas guys while Hennessy, Maulet, Anderson, Basham and Harrison are Maccagnan’s doing.

Not many of the former Colts have made a huge impact with the Jets. Hennessy has been the most consistent player as the Jets’ long snapper for the past few years. Anderson had a good first season with the Jets with seven sacks but followed that up with a lousy 2019 season. Basham started to come on last season.

Harrison, meanwhile, has been in and out as a starter on the offensive line. Hairston was a major disappointment last year and Farley barely stepped foot on the field. Maulet was a solid depth piece at cornerback and made some good plays on special teams. Desir, Wilson, Andrews and Travis have yet to put on a Jets uniform.

New York seems to have a good relationship with the folks over in Indianapolis. Not only did the two teams pull off a couple of trades this past season, but Maccagnan traded with the Colts before the 2018 draft to move up to the third overall pick. That pick, of course, turned into Sam Darnold.

Jets’ 4 least concerning positions entering the offseason

Here are the Jets’ least areas of concern entering the offseason.

While the Jets have their work cut out for them entering the offseason, there are a few positions they have locked down for next season.

The Jets are far from a finished product, but there is some hope with some parts of the roster. Safety, defensive line, inside linebackers and running back are areas where the Jets are perfectly fine at.

Here are the Jets’ least concerning positions entering this offseason.

Safety

AP Photo/Steven Senne

The Jets are locked into both their starting safeties for the next couple of years, so they don’t need to address that position.

Both Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye are entering their fourth year in the league and are two years away from being free agents. Adams and Maye are one of the best safety duos in the NFL, with Adams being arguably the top safety in the league.

New York should do whatever it takes to sign Adams to an extension as soon as possible. As for Maye, he had a strong year last season, but the Jets can wait a little bit before extending him.

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New York Jets team awards for the 2019 season

Here are the Jets team awards for the 2019 season.

At the end of the regular season, the NFL has a handful of awards that they give out to their players based on performance. Instead of looking at the whole league though, we’re just going to look at the Jets.

There are six awards to give out to players and coaches for their contributions to the 2019 season. That includes Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, Rookie of the Year, Coach of the Year, Comeback Player of the Year and Least Valuable Player of the Year.

Let’s take a look at the team awards for the Jets in 2019.

Offensive Player of the Year: Jamison Crowder

Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports

Jamison Crowder was expected to have a big role in the slot this season and he lived up to those expectations.

Crowder was the Jets’ leading receiver with 78 catches for 833 yards and six touchdowns. He also was targeted the most with 122 targets. Not only was Crowder the best offensive player, but he was the most consistent. Crowder had at least two catches in every game this season and was targeted heavily every week.

The 26-year-old fit well in Adam Gase’s offense as he was used in a variety of different ways. He was used as a vertical threat and was great at going from sideline-to-sideline. Overall, in an offense that struggled the entire year, Crowder was the one player that stood out from the rest.

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Jets injury report: Jets list nine players as questionable vs. Steelers

The Jets have nine players listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against the Steelers.

The Jets will get back some important pieces for Sunday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jamal Adams. (ankle), Henry Anderson (shoulder), Kelvin Beachum (ankles), Arthur Maulet (calf), Steve McLendon (knee/hip), Brian Poole (concussion/ankle), Robby Anderson (illness), Bilal Powell (ankle) and Quinnen Williams (neck) are all listed as questionable, but all should play on Sunday.

Adams, Poole, Maulet and Williams are all set to make their return after sitting out the past couple of games. As for players that are unlikely to play, Demaryius Thomas (knee/hamstring) and Tom Compton (calf) both missed practice on Friday and are listed as doubtful.

The Steelers will have all of their players that appeared on the injury report this week available.

Jets Injury Report: An illness keeps Robby Anderson out of practice on Thursday

Jets wideout Robby Anderson was a non-participant in practice on Thursday due to an illness that resulted in him being sent home.

Add Robby Anderson to the list of Jets who have succumbed to illness in recent weeks.

Anderson was sent home from team facilities and did not practice on Thursday. Tom Compton (calf) and Demaryius Thomas (knee/hamstring) were also sidelined due to injury.

Anderson’s illness doesn’t seem to be serious and his status for this week is not currently in question. The Jets will need Anderson on the field if they want to have any chance at knocking off Pittsburgh, as the Temple product has been on a tear in recent weeks.

Compton and Thomas have not practiced this week and are questionable for Sunday’s game against the Steelers in Week 16. New York signed wide receiver Josh Malone to their active roster on Thursday, which could be an indication of the direction Thomas is trending with Sunday approaching.

Jamal Adams, Henry Anderson, Kelvin Beachum, Arthur Maulet, Steve McLendon, Brian Poole, Bilal Powell, Quinnen Williams and B.J. Bello were all limited in practice on Thursday. All nine players are trending towards suiting up against the Steelers.