NY Jets: Buster Skrine has been worth every penny

The NY Jets made a very smart signing this off-season when it came to cornerback Buster Skrine who so far, has been a key member on their defensive secondary.

The NY Jets sit at 3-1 after the bye and on the defensive side of the ball, there really isn’t much to complain about. However, in the off-season, there was one specific head-scratcher. When general manager Mike Maccagnan acquired Darrelle Revis, Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine, everyone wondered why Skrine?

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Gang Green already had former first-round pick Dee Milliner, 2014 standout Marcus Williams and last year’s third-round pick Dexter McDougle on the roster. No one understood why the Jets signed Skrine to a 4-year deal worth $25 million ($13 million in guaranteed money) just for him to play nickel and rotate in at times on the outside. Although, head coach Todd Bowles had a different idea in how to use the ex-Cleveland Brown.

Skrine has actually played two more snaps than Cromartie on the young season (227-225), and he’s played only 99 of those snaps in slot coverage. According to Pro Football Focus, he ranks 14th out of 27 corners in slot coverage that have played at least 50% of snaps. Thus far, quarterbacks have thrown his way 21 times when he’s playing nickel or dime and only 12 of those passes were completed. He also has yet to yield a touchdown through the first four weeks.

Where Skrine has done most of his damage is when he blitzes. The Tennessee-Chattanooga product has rushed the passer a league-high 18 times and in those 18 blitzes, he’s caused four hurries and two QB hits. In the Week 2 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts, Skrine gave quarterback Andrew Luck trouble throughout the game. Luck finished 21/37 for 250 yards to go along with one touchdown and 3 interceptions. The Jets held the Colts to just 7 points and Skrine earned ESPN broadcaster and former NFL head coach John Gruden’s “Gruden Grinder” honor.

Buster Skrine AGAIN. Three straight blitzes and impacts every one of the throws.

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) October 4, 2015

Week 4 was no different. Quarterback Ryan Tannehill of the Miami Dolphins was pressured on 24 out of his 48 drop backs, according to PFF. When under pressure, he completed only 35% of his passes and he was sacked 3 times. Blitzes from Skrine provided a good deal of that pressure as he recorded all four of his hurries in the matchup.

As a result, PFF ranks him as the third-best pass rusher on the team behind defensive linemen Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams. Those three play a huge factor into why New York’s defense is one of the league’s best through the first four games.

Skrine has not been bad in the run stopping department either. On PFF, he currently has a grade of a +0.3 in run defense. That grade ties him with defensive end Leger Douzable as the fifth-best run stopper on the team. Despite Sheldon Richardson’s absence, the Jets still managed to stop the run with no problem. Skrine has made 14 tackles and only missed 3, so he’s been very reliable for New York in terms of getting stops and helping the defense get off the field quickly. Something Gang Green couldn’t do to save their lives in 2014.

Sep 13, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) is hit by New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets defeated the Browns 31-10. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

The presence of Williams and McDougle help Skrine produce at a solid rate, but things can get even better when Dee Milliner returns. Milliner can take some of Skrine’s snaps in nickel and dime situations, allowing the veteran to continue pressuring quarterbacks game after game. He’s one of the fastest players on the team, and coach Bowles is well aware, so expect Skrine to be all over the field for the remainder of the season. New York has found themselves a very versatile weapon.

Overall, overpaying Skrine was absolutely worth it for Maccagnan and the Jets. He’s a big reason why Gang Green is 3-1 and he’s crucial to the pass rush. Whether he’s blitzing or in the secondary, Skrine has a promising remainder of the season ahead of him in his first year as a Jet.

Next: NY Jets News: Expectations for second quarter of season

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