Jets' Sauce Gardner has bigger goals than DROY
After winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award at the NFL honors back in February, Sauce Gardner finally received his hardware last week and took to his social media to show off the trophy. The accolades keep rolling in for Sauce Gardner who many have rated as the best corner back in the NFL […]
After winning the Defensive Rookie of the Year Award at the NFL honors back in February, Sauce Gardner finally received his hardware last week and took to his social media to show off the trophy.
The accolades keep rolling in for Sauce Gardner who many have rated as the best corner back in the NFL including AtoZ’s own Mike Payton. "Gardner was just so damn good in his rookie year. He has put the league on notice," Payton wrote. "My guess is that he'll put the league on notice yet again in 2023."
Even ESPN’s survey of coaches, scouts and execs has Gardner as the number two corner back in the league behind the Denver Bronco’s Patrick Surtain II.
It can be tough to be so young and talented not to let all the accolades go to your head. Sauce is being told from every major, local and minor outlet that he is at worst the third best corner back currently playing in the NFL.
Sauce is doing his best to stay humble. He recently started the Sauce Gardner Family Foundation Football Camp which had it’s first annual camp at the Corner Ballpark in Detroit. The camp was created to help teens who are underserved in the Detroit area.
Gardner spoke with Jania Clowers of the Detroit News at his camp about winning the DROY award and how he looks at his game going into his sophomore season.
“It was pretty cool you know, like always,” Gardner said. “You always have something to work on. I got a lot of things I can work on that’s going to get better coming into my second season. I had a pretty good year.”
There are few flaws in Sauce's game. He allowed just two touchdowns in his rookie campaign and QB’s will be less and less likely to test him given his reputation. Even last season in front of his hometown in Detroit, the Lions didn’t attempt one pass Gardner’s way.
Sauce can’t rest on what he has done up to this point though. He needs to continue to improve and progress as he puts more of his skill set on tape. Sauce doesn’t sound like the type of player that is ever complacent.
Besides, he has bigger goals in mind for his future.
“I want to win a Super Bowl,” said Gardner. “I want to be the best teammate I can be. Not just my personal goals but I just want to be more team oriented. I just want to be the best teammate I can be to help my team win.”
The Jets found themselves the potential of the next Darrelle Revis. A corner who can not only lock down a team’s best wide receiver but a player who can lock down half the field. This allows defensive coaches to be much more aggressive and creative which can keep opposing offensive coaches up at night.
As long as Sauce can continue to refine and perfect his craft, there is no reason to see why he can’t be a focal part of a Super Bowl winning defense.
Featured Image via Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
