All eyes are on the New York Jets’ offensive coordinator search but in the meantime, head coach Robert Saleh’s defensive staff is getting some looks.
ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler reported that the “[Carolina] Panthers requested permission to interview Jets safeties coach Marquand Manuel for a coordinator position, per sources. Carolina is searching for a head coach but appears to be doing legwork on other staff matters. Manuel, former Falcons DC, is part of fourth-ranked NYJ defense.”
Marquand Manuel Impressed With Jets in Player Development & Adaptation
The Jets defense made a major leap in year two under Saleh and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich. Part of that was due to the massive improvements in the secondary.
Now, Manuel may focus more on the safeties but he’s technically the Jets defensive backs coach and he does work hand in hand with cornerbacks coach Tony Oden — who helped groom rookie Sauce Gardner into an immediate All-Pro selection.
Manuel did well in his own right with safeties Lamarcus Joyner and Jordan Whitehead, as well as 2021 rookie convert Jason Pinnock — who was unfortunately poached by the New York Giants — and 2022 UDFA Tony Adams.
As his Jets coaching bio notes, Manuel also “dealt with constantly changing personnel as 10 different safeties appeared on defense for the Jets in 2021, while eight started at least one game.” That showed some ability to adapt under adverse circumstances, and 2022 proved what the DB coach could do with a relatively healthy roster.
As Fowler detailed, Manuel does have some experience as a coordinator with the Atlanta Falcons in 2017 and 2018. According to his bio, “the defense ranked in the top 10 in scoring defense (eighth), total defense (ninth), rushing defense (ninth), and red zone defense (fifth)” during his first season as the Falcons DC.
The Jets secondary allowed the least passing touchdowns in 2022 as a team (tied with Houston Texans). They also allowed the third-fewest passing yards behind the Philadelphia Eagles and New Orleans Saints.
Jets CB Sauce Gardner Reveals Graduation Plans
Speaking of the Jets defensive backs, Gardner went viral once again after his All-Pro honors were announced, revealing that he plans to go back to school this summer.
Even though I had a 3.5 cumulative GPA after my 3rd year in college, I never got to get my degree because I wanted to leave early & purse my dream of playing in the NFL…… With that being said, I’m back enrolled in classes and on course to graduate in the summer🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾
“Even though I had a 3.5 cumulative GPA after my 3rd year in college, I never got to get my degree because I wanted to leave early & pursue my dream of playing in the NFL,” Gardner tweeted on January 14. “With that being said, I’m back enrolled in classes and on course to graduate in the summer.”
That tweet already has 8.1 million views and over 153,000 likes.
Gardner is a very intelligent player on the field, and it showed in year one with his ability to transition into the NFL level with ease. At least, it looked easy from an outside perspective.
“The speed of the game is different,” Gardner admitted to reporters during an end-of-season interview. “Offensive coordinators [are] just so smart compared to college offensive coordinators. Don’t get me wrong, they’re smart too but [the NFL] is just on a different level. If you make a mistake, they target it immediately.”
As for his stellar first season with the Green & White, Gardner commented that his three personal goals were Pro Bowl, defensive rookie of the year, and first-team All-Pro. The Cincinnati product was already voted to the Pro Bowl, and he’s secured the more prestigious All-Pro selection as well. He’s also the current favorite to win the DROY award in 2022.
If he gets all three in year one, Gardner joked that he’ll have to get “like 10 interceptions” in 2023 to top his rookie campaign.
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NFC Franchise Could Poach Promising Jets Assistant: Report