Jarvis Brownlee Jr. was so surprised when he was traded by the Titans to the Jets in late September, the hard-hitting second-year cornerback shed tears.
Now, he’s able to make the opposition really feel ache.
“I feel I at all times play with a chip on my shoulder, but it surely simply provides extra to that, to the place I’m going to go and play 10 instances more durable than I often just do to point out these guys what they missed out on,” Brownlee instructed The Submit after follow on Friday. “However extra importantly, to show to my coaches, the Jets group, that they had been proper for taking me.
“I’m simply able to go [all out] and get on the market with the fellows. I really feel one thing cooking up right here. I imagine within the course of, and imagine what [coach Aaron Glenn] bought occurring right here. So I’m able to roll.”
The brand new Jets defensive again will probably make his Gang Inexperienced debut on Sunday in opposition to the Cowboys after training totally all week.
An ankle harm, which stored him sidelined Monday evening, seems to have healed.
Whereas Brownlee performed on the skin for the Titans, he has frolicked because the slot nook earlier than.
His versatility is a part of what appealed to the Jets.
He may see time there on Sunday, with starter Michael Carter II out attributable to a concussion.
“To me, it simply provides to my recreation. I’m an aggressive participant already,” he mentioned. “Me being within the field, I feel it simply provides an additional linebacker in there. For me, if I’m inside, I’m going to be fired up.”
“I didn’t get to play the nickel spot so much final 12 months. I performed it so much in school. Get to be on the market once more at nickel, I’m prepared to offer MetLife a present.”
Most significantly, the 5-foot-10, 194-pound Brownlee is named an elite tackler, one thing the Jets may definitely use.
A fifth-round choose a 12 months in the past out of Louisville, he began 16 video games for the Titans. Brownlee notched a 77.7 Professional Soccer Focus run protection grade in 2024, which was ranked within the prime 10 of certified cornerbacks; and he was third on the Titans with 75 tackles together with 9 passes defensed and 7 tackles for loss.
His 83.5 run protection grade was within the prime 5 this season.
He additionally has the very best run-stop charge amongst certified cornerbacks this 12 months.
“I feel it’s a mentality factor. I don’t suppose a variety of guys go into the sport pondering how I feel,” he mentioned. “I similar to to make my presence felt. If I’ve to do this with overlaying you, hitting you, it doesn’t matter what it takes, I’m going to let you realize I’m right here. I take pleasure within the run and tackling.”
Merely put, he enjoys hitting individuals.
It was at all times what drew him to the game, all the way in which again to his childhood. He grew up taking part in each working again and cornerback, however in highschool he targeted on protection.
“I feel it’s important to be slightly loopy to play soccer, particularly to play protection,” the 24-year-old Brownlee mentioned. “Protection, it’s important to hit. … They see a man that’s 190 [pounds]. Yeah, I’m not that large, however I include unhealthy intentions, and I play laborious, I play with additional effort.”
The commerce was emotional for Brownlee.
He believed he had given the Titans every thing he had, taking part in via a painful again harm in Week 1.
It got here out of nowhere for him.
When his agent broke the information to him on his off-day, he took a stroll and tears ran down his cheeks.
He’s put that behind him. Now, he’s prepared to supply a lift for the winless Jets.
“I may also help so much,” he mentioned. “There’s a cause I’m the No. 1 nook in stopping the run. I’m going to evangelise to these guys that we’ve got to be constant in simply tackling.”
Brownlee later added: “With me, I’m going to convey that power on the sphere, present these guys tackling is the important thing. I feel the power I convey guys will feed off me, simply wish to go hit someone.”
