Thursday, June 5, 2014

Patterson likes how Jets coach around his technique

BY NICK ST. DENIS

The New York Jets' defensive scheme--under coach Rex Ryan--asks that its cornerbacks be willing to take on strict man-to-man coverage on most occasions.

According to new Jets corner and veteran journeyman Dimitri Patterson, that's right up Patterson's alley.

“They’ve been pretty supportive in my technique and just coaching around what I do best, so I’m appreciative of that,” Patterson told NJ.com. “That’s been a big help. They’re not trying to make me something that I’m not.”

Patterson described his coverage style as, "I play 'man' through the receiver through the quarterback."

“. . . I know it sounds weird, but that’s kind of how I’ve been able to be successful. I still play the receiver. It’s a point in time to where you have to get your eyes off the quarterback (and focus on the receiver). I’m a big pre-snap guy. That’s me. I like to look at the formation and then I go into my man-to-man progressions. The same things I applied in Miami, I can apply here.”

"Weird" or not, the nine-year veteran Patterson is penciled in as the starter opposite second-year back Dee Milliner, so Gang Green will take whatever they can get.

Patterson, who turns 31 this month, tallied four interceptions, six passes defensed and a sack before the midpoint of 2013 before sustaining a season-ending groin injury.

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