Jets’ Steve Wilks difficult Sauce Gardner to succeed in subsequent degree

New Jets defensive coordinator Steve Wilks gave cornerback Sauce Gardner a problem when the 2 met after Wilks was employed.

“He’s been a Professional Bowl participant,” Wilks mentioned. “How constant can he be to take it to a different degree? That’s one of many issues that I challenged him on Day 1 once we had our dialog. I felt like, and also you guys really feel the identical method, that he’s one of many prime corners within the league, however that consistency of being that dominant participant each week, that’s what we’re in search of and that’s been his problem this offseason.

“He’s very gifted, and I instructed him typically your biggest energy is your biggest weak point. He’s a man that typically that 85 p.c remains to be higher than all people round him, so his factor is, and I instructed him, compete in opposition to your self. That’s the place he has to get higher, which he’ll.”

Gardner was first-team All-Professional in his first two seasons however didn’t have as robust of a season final yr. He’s eligible for a contract extension, and the Jets face a serious resolution on how a lot to put money into the star nook. One knock on Gardner in his profession has been his lack of interceptions.

He has three in three years, together with one final yr. Wilks mentioned Gardner is engaged on it.

“That’s ending as we talked about, and he’s been engaged on that for us,” Wilks mentioned. “Taking extra time with the Jugs [machine] and getting additional catches in and understanding the way to catch the ball away out of your physique identical to a receiver would do. However I all the time say this, and I do know there’s a number of speak about him, however he’s solely going to be pretty much as good as the fellows round him, so it’s all about making an attempt to be sure that all of us, notably on the again finish, pushing in the identical course.”

Second-year WR Malachi Corley missed apply once more Wednesday with an undisclosed harm.

Corley has missed a number of time this spring, and it may value him in a decent competitors at broad receiver.

Offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand mentioned Corley should catch up in coaching camp.

“That’s an incredible query actually for him to ask, ‘How do I get myself mentally caught again up, as a result of I wasn’t in a position to get the bodily reps this spring?’ ” Engstrand mentioned. “And in the end, that’s going to be what it’s, as a result of the opposite guys do, they’ve a handful of practices forward of him and people bodily reps. So, he’s going to need to discover a solution to catch himself up with that stuff.”

Rookie WR Arian Smith additionally didn’t apply Wednesday.

LB Quincy Williams was on the sphere in uniform however didn’t take part in staff drills.

QB Justin Fields mentioned he plans on getting along with the broad receivers and tight ends through the break earlier than coaching camp.