Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips was in attendance when two NFL franchises -- first Buffalo and then Minnesota -- began to transform their teams' dynamics.
"I got drafted to Buffalo [in 2018], it was the end of a 17-year NFL playoff drought," Phillips said on Monday. "They hadn't had a winning organization in a while. And you did feel the frustration from the fans, but you still felt the passion from the fans. And I think it would only be fair if the fans would probably show this new thing a little bit of grace. Unless they can look at other organizations and other turnovers, when a new regime stepped in, they found automatic, immediate success right away. It normally hasn't happened that way.
"There's not a lot of first-time head coaches with a brand new roster and a brand new GM and a brand coach that end up going to the Super Bowl and winning the thing. Those are the goals that we have for ourselves every season, and we'll still work toward those this year.
"I felt like I was a part of it in Buffalo. I felt like I was a part of it in Minnesota. And it wasn't just created overnight. You have to mold and beat in what the culture is going to be to players, to get them out of the past, to get them out of scarred ways, to get them out of places they've been before. We're trying to build a winning culture. What does that look like to be a pro? Twenty-four hours a day, 7 days a week, for 365 days. That's what you have to buy into. But you know, it's going to take time."
Phillips, who joined the Jets in late August via a trade with Minnesota, has been a constant presence in the Jets defensive line through five games under first-year head coach Aaron Glenn. Overall, Phillips has made 15 tackles and has a half-sack. He has also forced a fumble, though the Jets have yet to corral a takeaway.
Having experienced new regimes that first righted and then turned around their ships and found consistent success, Phillips said he hears and feels the same thing from Glenn.
"His messaging is staying consistent," Phillips said. "If you were the head coach of this team, I'm sure you would be saying the same things. I'm sure a lot of people would say the same things, but it's not lip service with AG. You can feel his passion.
Check out the top photos from the Jets Week 5 game against the Cowboys Sunday.
"He commands the room. He has a very dominant presence. And when he looks you in the eyes, it's like he's looking into your soul, and you can feel the emotion and the passion about what he's saying. ... You can tell that he genuinely cares. And he really, really, really believes what he's saying he actually believes in and enough of us have understood all right, the guy leading this thing sees the image, the guy who's been here as a player, who's had amazing success as a player and coach, seen as much football as anyone. He sees what we have, he sees what we're going through, and he believes in it."
Even though Glenn's tenure as the head man has gotten off to a rough start with 5 losses, he remains steadfast in his beliefs and in the route to success he has laid out. The Jets traveled to London late Monday for a full week of preparation ahead of their game against Denver (for the sixth straight season) at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in North London on Sunday morning, New York time. The players and staff will be spending quality time together.
"What coach is not here to win?" Glenn said on Monday. "I'm not thinking about the Super Bowl, I'm not thinking about playoffs, I'm thinking about building a foundation. That's exactly what we're doing. That's what you're here for, to win. I'm not changing that at all. Yes, we are here to win. Have we done it yet? No, we haven't. I understand that we're 0 and 5, and we own that. But I do know this, that's not going to stop us from doing everything we can to win. So absolutely we are here to win now, like every other coach is."
Jetcetera
Rookie LB Kiko Mauigoa sustained a sprained foot against the Cowboys, but HC Aaron Glenn indicated he'll be fine. ... Edge Jermaine Johnson (ankle) and RB Kene Nwangwu (hamstring) will travel with the team to London and be evaluated during the week. ... Nickel CB Michael Carter II remains in concussion protocol and won't depart with the team. … RB Breece Hall recorded a career-high 6 explosive plays (12-plus rush, 16-plus pass) against Dallas. … With his 6 receptions Sunday, WR Garrett Wilson now ranks 10th in franchise history with 312 grabs. He could move up to No. 7 by season's end if he surpasses Jerome Barkum (326), Jerricho Cotchery (358) and Curtis Martin (367).
