The Jets will have another opportunity to show what they are capable of when they travel to Miami for a "Monday Night Football" matchup with the Dolphins, who are also 0-3.
"I think we're extremely close," Sauce Gardner said. "It's so easy to look at our record and get down and complain. … In this building, mentally, we're here. Mentally, we're still very confident and we know what we're capable of doing."
Though Miami's explosive playmakers could present some challenges for the Jets' defense, Gardner believes the unit is up to the challenge of containing WRs Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill.
"There's certain ways that you can deal with it," he said of their speed. "We're very aware that they have an Olympic track team over there. … They are fast, but we're going to go out there and do what we've got to do."
Gardner stressed that he doesn't like to give up catches, especially in games when the team ultimately falls short. But individual performance aside, Gardner's main concern is finding a way to win.
"I feel like this year, I've sat and just talked about it, thought about winning," he said. "Like, what can I do? What can we do as a team?"
For Gardner, it starts with providing a defensive spark. The Jets are one of three teams yet to generate a turnover this season, and the unit will aim to change that quickly.
"We've just got to execute more," Gardner said. "… We've just got to make plays. Playmakers, we've just all got to make plays. Get some turnovers, something to just get us going all the way. All it takes is just one play."
P Austin McNamara Has 'Relentless Attention to Detail'
Ahead of Week 4, Austin McNamara is Pro Football Focus' highest graded punter this season. Four of McNamara's 11 punts have been downed inside the 20-yard line, and his 4.74 second average hang time ranks fourth in the league this season.
Equally as impressive as his production on the field, though, has been the way he prepares off the field.
"Just relentless attention to detail," special teams coordinator Chris Banjo said of what has contributed to McNamara's consistency. "Again, with him, just continue to chase that standard we talk about on a day-to-day basis. But also too -- and I haven't said this early -- but I think [special teams assistant] Kevin O'Dea has been doing a phenomenal job with him and his approach. When we talk about the attention to detail, that comes from coach O'Dea just with his checklist of things that he has him doing on a regular basis to make sure he's reaching that standard that we talk about. And, again, he's still obsessive with it, he's still young, obviously, but he continues to grow on a daily basis. And right now, we're happy with where he's at. Still real, real early in the season, there's a lot of ball to be played, but day-by-day process with him, and we look forward to continuing to do that."
The Jets have also allowed the fourth fewest punt return yards (21) in the league. Several young players -- including CB Qwan'tez Stiggers and WR Arian Smith, who both halted punt returns in Week 3 -- have made key plays from the gunner position.
"A lot of that goes into the attention to detail we talk about and stress in our room, but also, we talk about just being competitors as a unit," Banjo said. "I think they've been putting that on tape, and regardless of who it is, it's kind of the standard we talk about in our room, and those guys embrace it. They do a phenomenal job, top to bottom."
GW on AG's Boogie Moment
Last Sunday, after Will McDonald IV blocked a field-goal attempt, grabbed the bouncing ball and rambled 50 yards for a go-ahead TD, HC Aaron Glenn boogied down the sideline in jubilation. Video of Glenn went viral. WR Garrett Wilson offered his soaring approval.
"Man. I mean, to be completely truthful, I thought it was hilarious," Wilson said. "I thought it was awesome. And we'll get on the board and start doing what we're supposed to do, start winning games, and we're going to see that a little bit more, not just from him. That was cool to see that."
He added: "To see our coach being himself and having fun just diving into what we're doing out on the field. That's stuff you love to play for, and for us, it's alright, now let's go make sure that he doesn't have to restrain himself from doing it. I was right behind it. He was, he was moving, bro, and just, man, it was hilarious."
Someone mentioned that Glenn, in his days as a player, was pretty speedy cornerback, having run a 4.39 40-yard dash before he was drafted by the Green & White in 1994.
"He still isn't faster than me in his prime," Wilson said, flashing an ear-to-ear smile. "I got to tell him that. But he can move, he can move for sure. So, yeah, man, that doesn't surprise me."
