From coach Rex Ryan to veteran teammates such as Antonio Cromartie everybody says Dee Milliner needs to start recognizing situations better — even the overwhelmed rookie himself. The situation is this: Benched for a third time, Milliner, Jets general manager John Idzik’s first draft choice has been a huge disappointment.
The Jets picked Milliner to be Darrelle Revis’ replacement. But if anything, he’s regressing, not progressing, and his embarrassing play on Mike Wallace’s touchdown catch Sunday earned him a seat on the bench in the Jets’ 23-3 loss to Miami.
“I think with Dee … we’ve got to know the situations and things. I think that’s where I was disappointed most,’’ said Ryan. “It’s not just with Dee, but with others, is we tell you certain things for a reason, and if you don’t do it, it just adds to the problem. I’m not blaming the players: I’ll look at me first. I’ve got to do a much better job. That’s where I’ll start with.’’
There was plenty of blame to go around Sunday, but Milliner was one of the biggest culprits, and has been almost since he arrived.
On second-and-8 from the Jets’ 28, Wallace caught a short pass in the right flat, and broke Milliner’s weak arm tackle. He tossed the rookie aside, sauntering into the end zone to give Miami a 20 3 cushion and Milliner a premature seat and ensuing lecture from Ryan.
“He was just talking about a play,’’ Milliner said. “When he came over and talked to me on the sideline. We were in an all-out blitz, and he just said ‘You should’ve known it was going to be a quick-game.’ That’s what happened on that.
“I just didn’t go in there. … I just tried to go grab him. I should’ve put my shoulder into him and made the tackle.’’
After getting benched during games at New England and Cincinnati, now Milliner has suffered the same indignity at home. A standout player at Alabama and the ninth overall pick, these are struggles he admits he never could have anticipated.
“I just wanted to come in try to get some games up under me, play, help my team out the best way I can,’’ said Milliner. “I’ve been struggling here. But you’re going to have that. You’ve just got to get over it. … [It’s about] being out there being alert, knowing what you’re supposed to do.’’
Cromartie agreed it’s about Milliner learning to understand situational football.
“Honestly for him, he’s just got to know,’’ Cromartie said. “To me, I don’t think he really struggled as much. He gave up a dig route to [Brian] Hartline and then gave up the touchdown. I thought he played the deep ball pretty well. It’s not a point of him struggling, it’s just a point of him understanding situational football.’’
Wallace — who had seven catches for 82 yards and beat Milliner for the score — acknowledged the rookie’s woes, but also his potential.
“He’s smart, instinctive, but he’s still a young player. He just has to go through his growing pains,’’ Wallace said. “It happens to everybody. … As long as he stays positive, he has the potential to be a great player.’’