In what has been considered to be a transitional year for the New York Jets, much noise has been made in the secondary. Rookie safeties Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye have seamlessly adjusted to the NFL spotlight, while veterans Morris Claiborne and Buster Skrine have shown worth despite being late in their careers.
And through the fog of it all, blasted criticism from the media has been ignored. “Too many penalties, lacking coverage, and missed tackles.” These Jets know what they’re made of.
That is especially evident in Skrine, who has turned his disparaging fortunes around since the Jets bye week. He hasn’t slowed down a bit, but rather has flipped the switch as the Jets look to finish out strong.
Scoring off the Skrine
Since Week 12 (following the Jets bye) Skrine is tied for the top overall grade among 114 qualifying cornerbacks (per PFF). He’s been fierce by only allowing 10 receptions for 66 yards on 18 targets in the past three games. This includes a pass breakup, forced fumble and fumble recovery against the Saints last week.
And since racking up 11 flags through the Jets first 10 games, Skrine hasn’t committed another penalty entering their final home-stand against the Los Angeles Chargers this Sunday.
#Jets @BusterSkrine had highest grade (88.2) on team. Across 36 coverage snaps, he was targeted 9 times, allowed 6 receptions for 38 yards. Since Week 12, Skrine is tied for top overall grade among 114 qualified CBs. He has 5 PBUs to go along w/ 62.4 QBR @PFF #NYJvsNO
— Paul Andrew Esden Jr (@BoyGreen25) December 18, 2017
“He’s been playing great football for us as of late….” Bowles told the NY Daily News. “He’s seeing the ball better. He’s looking back for the ball. Some of the penalties are questionable. Some of them he’s just looking back for the ball. But we’re happy with the way that he is playing right now.”
Deflecting the Criticism
Since Skrine’s NFL debut with the Cleveland Browns back in 2011, he’s taken the hits of all sorts of criticism. Some say he’s too short to play the position (5-9, 185 pounds) and others say he’s too scrappy, especially with all of the penalties.
But Skrine has put those words behind him. His focus in unmatched, and every day he takes the field to improve for himself.
-
Ep 100: Divisional Round Preview: Who Is Headed To Championship Sunday?
by Full Press Coverage on January 21, 2023 at 12:19 pm
“Everybody that knows me knows that I practice hard,” Skrine told the Daily News. “Each drill. Each team period. All that matters to me. I feel like that’s why a lot of people respect me as a player: They know every down I’m coming to fight. I think that’s probably one of my top traits: I’m going to compete every down.”
And as a 28-year old corner, that may not be something that is easy to prove to a rebuilding team. It certainly didn’t look to be the case when Skrine earned seven of his 11 flags in Week 7 at Miami (three) and Week 9 against the Bills (four). But the Jets and their coaching staff have allowed Skrine the opportunity to redeem himself, and that has paid dividends for a team approaching season’s end.
Skrine continues to stay step-for-step with some of the league’s best receivers as of late. Thus becoming a role model for a Jets secondary that is becoming accustomed to some of the league’s toughest offenses.

“He’s locked in,” defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers said (NY Daily News). “He’s competitive. You can tell when Buster is into it. He’s talking on the sideline (like) ‘I feel like I got this guy today.’ He’s really, really been in tune.”
The coaching staff also looks at Skrine as a player that may be “one of the strongest guys on the team,” according to Bowles. He praises him for being a player that he loves coaching because “he loves to play the game.”
Finishing Strong
As for the Jets as a whole, the team will look to conclude their season on a high note with two games left on the schedule. With the playoffs officially unattainable, many players will be playing for self-pride, and a chance to retain their spot on an up-and-coming football team.
At least that is likely the case for Skrine, who was convinced he would “get cut” after “so many penalties” early on in the year. Now, he’s certainly making a good case to be a New York Jet for the foreseeable future.
– Kyle Hirshkind is the Managing Editor for Full Press Coverage Jets and covers the New York Jets. Like and follow on Follow @kylehirshkind Follow @FPC_Jets
-
Ep 140: The 49ers/Cowboys Rivalry With Former San Francisco Tight End Brent Jonesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 9:02 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by former 49ers tight end and three time Super […]
-
Ep 139: Hall of Fame President Jim Porter Joins To Discuss His First 15 Monthsby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 9:55 pm
Hall of Fame President Jim Porter joins Clark and Ira for a fourth time to […]
-
Ep 137: Hall Of Fame Discussion w/ John Turneyby Full Press Coverage on December 30, 2022 at 5:33 pm
Football historian John Turney of Pro Football Journal joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 136: Remembering The Longest Game Ever Played With Larry Littleby Full Press Coverage on December 24, 2022 at 1:09 am
On the 51-year anniversary of the longest game ever played (Chiefs vs. […]
-
Ep 135: Hall of Fame Semifinalist Jahri Evans Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on December 16, 2022 at 3:51 pm
Former Saints guard and 2023 HOF Semifinalist Jahri Evans joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 134: Remember AFL/NFL Star John Hadl with Nick Canepaby Full Press Coverage on December 8, 2022 at 2:39 pm
Former Hall of Fame voter, Nick Canepa, joins Clark and Ira to discuss the […]
-
Ep 133: Hall Of Fame Semifinalist Henry Ellard Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on November 30, 2022 at 4:28 pm
Former Rams and Redskins wide receiver, Henry Ellard, joins Clark and Ira […]
-
Ep 132: Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2023 Semifinalists w/ Rick Gosselinby Full Press Coverage on November 22, 2022 at 6:15 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Pro Football Hall of Fame voter Rick Gosselin […]
-
Ep 131: 'Football Heaven' With PFHOF Senior Advisor Joe Horriganby Full Press Coverage on November 17, 2022 at 5:55 pm
Pro Football Hall of Fame Senior Advisor, Joe Horrigan, joins Clark and […]
-
Ep 130: Remembering John McVay With Hall of Famer Eddie DeBartolo Jr.by Full Press Coverage on November 13, 2022 at 1:42 am
Clark and Ira are joined by Hall of Fame owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. to […]
-
Ep 271: NFL Championship Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 1:58 pm
-
Ep 270: NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 1:31 am
-
Ep 269: NFL Playoff Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 4:13 am
-
Ep 268: Week 16 Fantasy Rankingsby Full Press Coverage on December 21, 2022 at 9:45 pm
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
George Carmi hosts Deuce, DH, and DT as they discuss the latest topics of […]
-
Ep. 129: Fair Market Valueby Full Press Coverage on January 26, 2023 at 12:00 am
Biggs and Ryan Holmes discuss: Raiders Rebuild NFL Draft Worry Assistant […]
-
1/23 - Divisional Round Recap; Chiefs, Bengals, Eagles, and 49ers Advanceby Full Press Coverage on January 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Ian and John recap Divisional Round Weekend in the NFL. Learn more about […]
-
1/20 - Buccaneers Fire Byron Leftwich, NFL Divisional Round Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 20, 2023 at 10:19 am
Ian and John discuss the firing of Byron Leftwich and whether or not it […]
-
1/19 - Brady/Gronk Reunion, Aaron Rodgers, NFL News and Notesby Full Press Coverage on January 19, 2023 at 10:14 am
Ian and John discuss the potential of Brady and Ground teaming up in 2023, […]
-
1/17 - Cowboys Crush Bucs, Tom Brady, NFL Divisional Roundby Full Press Coverage on January 17, 2023 at 3:04 pm
Ian and John react to the Cowboys dominating victory over the Buccaneers […]
-
Talkamania Episode 230by Talkamania on September 6, 2022 at 11:43 pm
-
Talkamania Episode 229by Talkamania on August 5, 2022 at 3:37 am
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 210 "No Monè, No Monè, No Monè"by Boot 2 The Face on January 19, 2023 at 12:55 am
Rucker and EJ are back discussing Rucker going to Impacts Hard to Kill […]
-
Boot 2 The Face Episode 209 "Vince is Back"by Boot 2 The Face on January 11, 2023 at 2:34 am
Rucker and EJ are back talking NFL playoffs, Wrestle Kingdom and the […]
-
Ep. 84: NFLPA Collegiate Bowl Previewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 9:00 am
-
Ep. 83: Belmont Head Coach Casey Alexander Interviewby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 6:00 am
-
The Scout & The Route: Bengals at Chiefsby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 4:00 am
-
(Season 3.1) Commanders Roundtable w/ Deuce, DH, and DTby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 3:56 am
-
The Scout & The Route: 49ers at Eaglesby Broken Controller Media on January 27, 2023 at 1:00 am
-
Full Press MMA - Thursday, January 26thby Full Press Coverage on January 27, 2023 at 12:00 am
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona State at Washingtonby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 11:00 pm
-
Spurs at Clippersby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 10:00 pm
-
Pick & Rollout: Arizona at Washington Stateby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:15 pm
-
Mavs at Sunsby Broken Controller Media on January 26, 2023 at 9:00 pm
-
1/6 - Damar Hamlin Update, Bills/Bengals, AFC Playoffs, Week 18 Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 6, 2023 at 3:11 pm
-
Winter Classic: Bruins Rally To Beat Penguins At Fenwayby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:09 am
-
1/3 - Bills/Bengals Postponed; Bruins Topple Penguins In Winter Classicby Full Press Coverage on January 4, 2023 at 2:05 am
-
1/2 - Tom Brady, Aaron Rodgers, Week 17, Bills/Bengalsby Full Press Coverage on January 3, 2023 at 3:22 am
-
12/30 - New Year's Eve, Luka Doncic, NBA Talk, Week 17 Preview and Picksby Full Press Coverage on January 1, 2023 at 2:29 am
-
Aaron Rodgers, Packers Win Third Straight; Playoffs In Sightby Full Press Coverage on December 27, 2022 at 7:36 pm