Davante Adams’ fiery speech kicks off a productive week for the Jets

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — A look at what’s happening around the New York Jets:

1. Echo still: Let’s call it a war of words, but not in the typical sense.

Davante Adams’ postgame speech from Sunday night resonated with the Jets all week, according to players and coaches. Interim coach Jeff Ulbrich was so moved by it that he brought it up again in a midweek team meeting, later telling reporters that it allowed them to address the problem highlighted in Adams’ fiery talk — a lack of energy. Ulbrich went so far as to say they spent the week “reinventing” themselves.

On the flip side are the New England Patriots, who the Jets face Sunday at Gillette Stadium. They also brought news after a nasty loss. In his postgame press conference, first-year coach Jerod Mayo accused his players of being “soft.”

So which approach will prove more inspiring: stinging criticism from a coach or an exhortation from a player who arrived on the pitch just days earlier?

Ulbrich said Adams’ words sparked one of the best weeks of practice he’s witnessed in over three years on the staff. That statement will make fans roll their eyes. They have heard that from several coaches over the years; it usually doesn’t carry over to the game. It certainly helps that the Jets are facing a 1-6 opponent that is on a six-game losing streak.

Perhaps the Adams speech will be a turning point in the season. At 2-5, with a four-game losing streak, there is virtually no margin for error.

Some may find it strange that a rookie who barely had time to unpack was the one to speak after the 37-15 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers. Even Ulbrich admitted it “sounds crazy” that a new arrival could have such an impact, but he believes Adams’ impressive resume gives him that influence.

Captain CJ Mosley agreed. If a player objects to that, “he would be weeded out quickly because that’s not winning football,” Mosley said. “That’s not being a teammate. That’s not holding yourself accountable.”

2. Previous pep talks: Adams wasn’t the first Hall of Fame-caliber player to give a motivational speech to the Jets. In 2010 and 2011, LaDainian Tomlinson was known for his fiery pregame speeches. Players said it reminded them of the movie “Gladiator”.

In 1994, Ronnie Lott tried to rally the team after a crushing late-season loss to the Miami Dolphins in what is remembered as Dan Marino’s “Fake Spike Game.” After addressing the team, Lott handed out a copy of the AFC East standings to every player in the locker room, illustrating how they still had a decent shot at the playoffs.

Lott’s trick didn’t work. The Jets lost their last four games. No playoffs.

3. Future beer advertising: While we’re on the subject of memorable speeches, let’s not forget Herm Edwards’ celebrated “You play to win the game” rant in 2002. It wasn’t a pep talk per se, as it came in response to a question on a news item. conference. But the Jets were 2-5 at the time, same as now.

The ’02 Jets won four straight after Edwards’ fiery response and won the division. They haven’t won it since.

4. Grin and bear it: Quarterback Aaron Rodgers is beat up, probably more than he’s letting on.

In practice, he rode a stationary bike while the team jogged in pregame warm-ups. He passed some swings in quarterback drills. In last week’s loss to the Steelers, he avoided a “few” scrambling opportunities, Ulbrich acknowledged.

Rodgers is listed with hamstring and knee injuries, and he also had a recent ankle sprain. He was a full participant on Friday, but it is clear that his mobility – once a strength – is compromised.

However, his toughness is undisputed. You’re talking about someone who played with a partially torn ACL from the end of his high school career through his freshman year at Cal.

“To have someone at that stage of their career willing to — obviously, things aren’t going so well right now — then to still be able to go out there and do it for everybody, it really shows how much you care you.” tight end Tyler Conklin said.

5. Red flag: Although Rodgers deserves credit for toughing it out, his performance has not been close to his usual standard. His six interceptions over three games is a career first.

What is alarming is that he has fought in a clean pocket. He was not pressured on six of his seven interceptions, according to Next Gen Stats — a league high.

His inability to rally the team from deficits is another worrying trend. When he’s behind, he has seven touchdown passes, six interceptions and a 76.2 passer rating. In his previous 16 seasons as a starter, his lowest passer rating when behind was 88.6 (2014). Now, more than ever, the Jets need Rodgers to show some of his old magic.

6. Reverse the script: For years, the Jets had to answer questions about their streak against the Patriots — 15 straight until their victory in the 2023 Finals. Now the Jets have a chance to sweep them in a season for the first time since 2000, Bill Belichick’s first season as the Patriots’ coach.

7. Uh, uh — a rookie: Given the Jets’ recent history against rookie quarterbacks, they shouldn’t sleep on Patriots starting Drake Maye.

Since 2022, the Jets have gone 1-3 against rookie starters, most recently Bo Nix (Denver Broncos). They allowed a combined 37 points in the three losses, but lost because … well, you know.

8. Silent King: Remember all the draft buzz about wide receiver Malachi Corley, the “YAC King”? It’s been a quiet season for the third-round pick – two offensive snaps, one reception and three games as a healthy scratch.

Todd Downing, who assumed the playcalling duties in Week 6, said the Jets have “an embarrassment of riches” at receiver and that the lack of playing time is not a reflection on Corley.

“I think he’s maturing and understanding this game as a profession,” Downing said. “It’s not like college where you show up and you’re the best guy on the team and things just always go your way.”

With Allen Lazard (chest) questionable, Corley could be active on Sunday.

9. Swiss Army Knife: Isaiah Oliver was the Jets’ first free agent addition of the 2024 offseason, and he’s proven to be one of the best values ​​(one year, $2.5 million). In the secondary, he has played nickel, dime, outside corner and safety in a total of 223 defensive snaps. He is expected to start at safety Sunday. Sometimes it’s the unknown traits that turn out to be the most useful.

10. The Last Word: Last week was a stressful matchup for Jets receivers coach Shawn Jefferson, who faced his son, Steelers wide receiver Van Jefferson. In fact, the younger Jefferson scored a touchdown in the Steelers’ 37-15 victory.

“It’s f—ing an emotional roller coaster, isn’t it?” Jefferson said of playing his son. “Because if he’s got something on his mind, I can’t say, ‘Hey, you gotta do this.’ If he scores, I’m like, ‘Damn.’ You know what I’m saying?