The Jets were eliminated from the playoffs Monday night in Tennessee, but that doesn’t make the final two games of the season meaningless.
For rookie defensive lineman Quinton Coples, the matchups with the Chargers and Bills offer an opportunity to end his first NFL season on a high note.
“I definitely think these last two games are important, regardless of playoffs situation or not,” Coples said. “I’m going to go out and try to make sure I can make a play every play when I’m [on the field].”
The hulking 6-foot-6, 285-pound first-round draft choice out of North Carolina got off to a slow start, seeing scarce playing time in the team’s first three games. Coples silenced the doubters with a solid second half, which coach Rex Ryan said began on the practice field as he brought consistent effort after significant prodding and applied the principles he picked up during training camp.
“He’s kind of hitting his stride a little bit,” Ryan said. “We tried to use him multiple ways that initially might have hurt him, but it’s helping him now. This is going to be a guy who is going to obviously be a huge part of what we do in the future. It’s rare to get a guy with his kind of height, weight, speed.”
Coples, who has 18 tackles and is tied for the Jets’ lead with four sacks, said the biggest difference between now and September is his experience. He’s able to read offensive formations better and his technique has improved. He still has a way to go in terms of his technique against the run, Ryan said, and Coples admitted he needs to get off the ball quicker when he’s lined up inside.
“I’m happy with the way things turned out,” he said. “I think I had a productive season. I’m looking forward to finishing strong and preparing for next year.”
Coples has given plenty of credit to good friend and second-year Jets defensive end Muhammad Wilkerson, his prep school teammate at Hargrave (Va.) Military Academy, who has enjoyed a breakout season himself.
“He paved the way for me,” Coples said. “We’re on the field together, he made sure I knew what I was doing. We complement each other well. There are numerous things he helped me with.”
The two have elevated what the last few years had been a dormant Jets pass rush, combining for eight sacks. If Wilkerson continues to improve and Coples can emulate his friend’s big second season, the Jets’ defensive front — a previous weakness — could turn into a strength.
“I’m definitely excited for our future, I’m excited about being a part of this team, a part of this defensive front,” Coples said. “Next year we’re definitely going to open a lot of eyes and a lot of people will start seeing what we have.
“The best,” he added, “is yet to come.”