Those guys are giving me what they are seeing on the outside, too, but I have the final say-so in a lot of things that happen in coverage.” Especially if we are in man and different adjustments, I’m the one communicating that stuff. “When things move, I’m really the one talking through everything. “Within this defense, communication is paramount,” he said. Michael Carter II plays defense during the Jets’ game against the Dolphins in January 2023. Gardner or Reed typically draws the opponent’s best receiver, but Carter II has more on his plate than just figuring out if a speedy target is going to break inside or outside on the snap. “I felt like we wanted to get after M.C.,” Rodgers recalled in June, “and then after the game I think everybody was like, ‘He’s a pretty damn good player.’ ” Michael Carter II reacts after an incomplete pass during the Jets’ game against the Bills in 2022. Rodgers completed just 5 of 9 passes for 30 yards when targeting Carter II in a Packers’ loss to the Jets. One of the first to take notice of Carter II’s ability was his new teammate Aaron Rodgers, who revealed the Packers’ game plan to avoid Gardner and Reed in a Week 6 matchup last season. What he does is not easy, but he makes it look easy.” Michael Carter II, pictured tackling Trevor Lawrence, had a breakout season in 2022. talk to Mike about all he’s got to do, it makes me not only respect the nickel position in general but respect Michael Carter. “When I’m sitting in the meeting room and hearing Coach T.O. “I feel like he doesn’t get that much credit,” Gardner said. The work I put in this offseason was all geared to, ‘I want to be the best nickel in the league this season and going forward.’ My whole mindset was that.”Īnd so Carter II worked on his man-to-man and zone techniques, broke down film on receivers and bulked up from 184 pounds last season to 193 with the idea of taking on run blocks in the box.Ĭornerbacks coach Tony Oden described Carter II as “one of the keys to unlock our defense” because of his game-plan versatility and said his trajectory “arrow is up, for sure.” “I want to be a Pro Bowler and an All-Pro and really be considered widely as ‘that guy’ at the nickel spot. “I still haven’t accomplished what I want to accomplish,” Carter II said. The Jets were the only team with three of PFF’s top-25 ranked cornerbacks: Gardner (No. Michael Carter II could unlock the Jets defense in 2023. “They can say it’s super hard - and it’s tough - but everybody has a job to do.”Ĭarter II’s quiet breakout 2022 season rated higher than established slot corners K’Waun Williams (Broncos), Kenny Moore (Colts) and Mike Hilton (Bengals) - three players to whom he would like to be compared - by Pro Football Focus. Gardner-Reed arguably is the NFL’s best cornerback duo, but Gardner-Reed-Carter II has an even stronger case as the league’s best trio - and the other two frequently remind Carter II that his unheralded work in the slot is a big reason why. No longer easily confused with Jets teammate Michael Carter - a running back - Carter II instead operates in the shadows of Sauce Gardner and D.J. Perhaps the first clue of what lied in store for Michael Carter II with the Jets came when he was the second Michael Carter drafted by the team on the same day and thus distinguished by Roman numerals. New Jets receiver breaks down why Aaron Rodgers is misunderstood: ‘Ultimate competitor’ Replacement for pitiful Mets, Yankees realities can’t arrive soon enough How Zach Wilson fared in the Jets’ second preseason game
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