-
Cimini, rich and prosperous, ESPN staff editor
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. – York Jets unused big receiver Davante Adams is fresh in those parts, but that didn’t stop him from using a fiery accent at the team later in Sunday night’s loss to Pittsburgh Steelers.
Lunatic over what he perceived as “a dead band,” Adams (he passed through the industry just five days before the sport) gave what quarterback Aaron Rodgers called “the truest speech he’d ever heard in a locker room in 20 years.” “
On Wednesday, Adams shared his motivation and explained that he was looking to be a leader and culture changer for the Jets (2-5), who have lost four straight games in a season that began with Super Bowl aspirations. He said he wouldn’t have slept if he had stayed calm.
“There was a lack of energy and urgency, and it was evident,” the former Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver said. “I played on teams that have that winning culture, and I basically took a moment to let them know that I had reservations about speaking too soon and being too vocal too soon. But I felt like in my mind I said, ‘And that’s because we don’t have time.’ “I have to do whatever it takes to help the team move forward.”
Adams said it was “a waste” to see that angle from a team with such a talented roster. He said there were circumstances in the game (a 37-15 loss) where no one celebrated the big plays. He cited Breece Hall’s catch-and-run for 57 yards, saying those types of plays are bound to be contagious.
But he said he didn’t see any interest among his new teammates as the Jets blew a 15-6 lead.
Rodgers made a similar statement at his postgame briefing convention.
“To stay like this and essentially lose a game is unacceptable,” said Adams, who had just three effective passes for 30 yards. “So I’m trying to bring a different kind of style and culture here.”
Adams, who made the playoffs in six of his first 10 seasons (all with the Green Bay Packers), alluded to the Jets’ history-making loss. They have ignored the playoffs for 13 straight years, the longest active drought in the league. They will face the New England Patriots (1-6) on Sunday in a virtual must-win game.
Rodgers was meant to support the trade culture, along with other big-name additions, but the loss has persevered. Owner Woody Johnson fired tutor Robert Saleh after five games, excellent team. Meanwhile, tutor Jeff Ulbrich is 0-2.
Recalling the postgame scene, Rodgers said he looked at Adams and could tell he was willing to talk.
“I felt like Tae was about to say something,” Rodgers said. “And then he started talking and everyone in the locker room felt it. I drove home with him after the game and told him I was proud of what he said at that moment.”
Added a defensive version of Javon Kinlaw’s accent: “He was excited. It wasn’t stupid. It came from the heart. You could see the passion in his eyes. That guy’s a real guy.”
Adams said he received “incredible” feedback, including typographical words from Johnson.
“Everyone had something to say about it, and I don’t think there’s a single person there that it didn’t resonate with,” the receiver said.
Adams made one of the biggest plays of the game, fighting off a pick-six in pursuit of indisposed defender Beanie Bishop Jr. He ran 60 yards and dived into the Jets’ 1-yard line. The Steelers scored anyway, but Adams tried to make a point with his hustle plays.
“If we come out of the next game and have the same kind of problems, then it will be a bigger problem,” he said. “And I, regardless of whether I just got here, I’m a leader of this football team and whether every person there sees it that way or not, that’s how I see it and that’s my responsibility and that’s something that I take on board. Serious. “
Adams was asked why he didn’t make any impassioned speeches with the Raiders.
“Two totally different situations,” he said. “I’m talking about energy. The Raiders had energy. We had a lot of other problems, but it wasn’t about energy on the field and celebrating with each other.”
The Jets are hit in more ways than one. They have 15 players on the surprise list, including Rodgers, who suffered a left hamstring concussion against the Steelers and was limited in practice Wednesday. He is also dealing with a sprained left ankle and swelling in his left knee, but will play matches against Unused England. He downplayed the injuries and stated that they have not affected him.
“I feel good on game days,” he said.
