The New York Jets are getting a talented defensive back in Ahmad “Sauce” Gardner.
Last season, the former Cincinnati Bearcats standout was the American Athletic Conference Defensive Player of the Year and a Consensus All-American.
He was also a part of the First-Team All-AAC from 2019 to 2021.
In three seasons with the Bearcats, the Detroit native had 99 total tackles, nine interceptions, 16 passes defended, and 3.5 sacks.
Aside from his coverage skills, NFL scouts were impressed by his 4.41-second 40-yard dash.
The Jets made his pro career official by signing him to a four-year, $38.7 million contract.
The team hopes that Gardner can help improve their atrocious defense.
Likewise, the Jets finished 32nd in total yards, 30th in passing yards, and 29th in rushing yards allowed per game.
They were also last in points allowed per game at 29.6.
Bringing the Jets back to relevance should be one of Gardner’s motivations leading into the rookie season.
But a future encounter with one of his heroes makes him excited to perform well in the NFL.
Sauce Gardner says meeting Darrelle Revis is “on my bucket list.” Gardner says “that’s kind of how I want to be when I retire … The future is real bright for me.” #Jets
— Rich Cimini (@RichCimini) May 6, 2022
ESPN’s Rich Cimini tweeted, “Sauce Gardner says meeting Darrelle Revis is ‘on my bucket list.’ Gardner says ‘that’s kind of how I want to be when I retire … The future is real bright for me.'”
The Jets are in for a treat if Gardner is as good, if not better, than the seven-time Pro Bowler.
Revis Island Struck Fear Among Wideouts
It was hard to escape Revis’ defense, especially if you were a wide receiver.
He had the ability to shut down wideouts, forcing teams to throw away from him.
But when a quarterback challenged his defense, it either resulted in an interception or a deflection.
Revis was a four-time First-Team All-Pro and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
He had two stints with the Jets, playing for a total of eight seasons.
He finished his career with 139 pass deflections, 29 interceptions, 497 tackles, and three defensive touchdowns.
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