Jets coach Rex Ryan did not back away from rookie cornerback Dee Milliner despite his struggles last week. Milliner will start Sunday and be asked to slow down one of the Saints’ many weapons.
Ryan said Milliner bounced back in practice this week after he was benched against the Bengals.
“I think what he does on the practice field will be where he gets his confidence back,” Ryan said. “This week was probably his best week of practice. I’m excited to watch him play on Sunday.”
Milliner gave up four passes for 108 yards and a touchdown before Ryan pulled him from the game in the second quarter last week. It has been a rough first half of the season for the No. 9 overall pick, who has battled injuries and ineffectiveness all year.
Fellow cornerback Antonio Cromartie backed up Ryan’s prediction that Milliner will be the best rookie cornerback in the NFL by the end of the season. Cromartie said the difference this week in Milliner was noticeable.
“His whole demeanor this week has been different,” Cromartie said. “He’s been playing a lot more aggressive in practice. He’s attacking the ball, doing the little things that we’ve been asking for since he’s been here. I think he’s getting a lot more comfortable in the defense. He’s starting to understand what he has to do and what is expected from him. I see him having a better week this week.”
The Jets better hope so.
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OLB Calvin Pace said the Bengals were effective at stopping their pass rush last week because quarterback Andy Dalton gave them no time to hit him.
“He was getting the ball out so quick,” Pace said. “I think that was their whole game plan, don’t have him sit back there in five-step drops. A lot of time as soon as we got into our rush he was throwing it.”
Pace said he believes former Jets quarterback Greg McElroy, now on the Bengals practice squad, had something to do with how successful Cincinnati was in the 49-9 rout. McElroy spent two seasons with the Jets, running the scout team last year.
“It probably helped them that they had McElroy to prepare for us,” Pace said. “It doesn’t hurt. He’s been here. He knows the defense. I’m not saying that’s the reason we lost, but it is what it is. Greg is brilliant when it comes to football.”
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Sunday’s game will be the fifth straight WR Santonio Holmes has missed with a hamstring injury. Holmes missed 12 games last year due to a Lisfranc injury in his left foot.