Jeff Ulbrich faced the media following the New York Jets’ recent loss, shouldering the weight of the blame for the team’s performance.
After suffering a 31-6 defeat to the Arizona Cardinals, Ulbrich’s record as the interim coach fell to 1-4 since taking over from the dismissed Robert Saleh.
The game was characterized by numerous missed tackles, squandered opportunities, and an overarching sense of frustration among players and fans alike.
Ulbrich took full responsibility for the team’s lack of readiness, asserting that it was a reflection of his coaching.
He acknowledged the need for self-reflection on how he could have better prepared the team.
While some players appreciated his candidness, others defended him, suggesting that the issues were not solely based on his coaching decisions.
Linebacker Jamien Sherwood praised Ulbrich, stating, “He’s a tremendous leader and coach,” emphasizing that the team had adequately prepared for the game.
Sherwood pointed out that defensively, they had practiced against everything that Arizona executed during the match, and he felt the players had not executed the game plan effectively.
The Cardinals showcased a potent offensive performance, slicing through the Jets’ defense with ease.
They amassed a total of 406 yards, which included 147 rushing yards, and maintained a high conversion rate on third downs, achieving five out of seven attempts.
Arizona’s initial drives culminated in three consecutive touchdown possessions, with the Jets managing to force a single punt during the game.
Ulbrich lamented what he described as “an egregious, criminal amount of missed tackles,” with estimates varying from 17 to 20 tackles missed, indicating a significant struggle on the defensive end.
Sherwood, who had a total of 17 tackles during the game, acknowledged that he too had missed some tackles and attributed part of the blame to himself, given his responsibility for calling defensive signals.
He underscored the importance of player execution over coaching, expressing that they were indeed prepared but failed to perform when it mattered.
Ulbrich mentioned that the Jets had conducted a thorough tackling session focusing on Cardinals running back James Conner, who ended the game with only 33 yards on 12 carries.
However, Conner still managed to excel in the passing game, notching 80 yards on five receptions, highlighting a broader tackling failure in the defensive unit.
Addressing the broader picture, Ulbrich noted the fundamental issues in tackling techniques, pointing out that many players arrive at the league underdeveloped in this critical aspect.
The Jets’ disappointing start to the season, now at 3-7, brings them closer to a 14th consecutive year without playoff appearances—a stark contrast to their initial hopes for a Super Bowl run this year.
Ulbrich recognized the collective sense of anger and frustration within the team but affirmed that there remained a strong commitment among players to unite and address these challenges together.
As for positive developments, the team saw rookie kicker Spencer Shrader make a successful debut, converting two field goals from 25 and 45 yards.
Conversely, quarterback Aaron Rodgers struggled to carry the momentum from a previous victory, posting only 151 yards through the air, with less than stellar performance under pressure, resulting in three sacks and a brief head injury evaluation.
He expressed his frustration with the season’s challenges and emotional toll.
The injury report did not favor the Jets, as left tackle Tyron Smith was evaluated for a potential neck issue, while backup cornerback Brandin Echols entered the concussion protocol.
Defensive lineman Solomon Thomas also missed the game due to a knee injury, and linebacker C.J. Mosley was sidelined with a neck injury.
A crucial statistic emerged from the game: Rodgers posted only 4.3 yards per attempt, marking one of the lowest outputs in his career, and managed just a single completion of ten yards or more.
Looking forward, the Jets will host the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday in a game that has shifted from “Sunday Night Football” to a 1 p.m. EST kickoff.
Following this matchup, the team will head into a bye week, providing an opportunity to regroup and address their substantial challenges.