New England Patriots Gameday: J.C. Jackson set to emerge as top corner
Is it time for Stephon Gilmore to pass the baton to J.C. Jackson as the New England Patriots No. 1 corner?
With trade rumors surfacing wild and deep surrounding reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year Stephon Gilmore, do the New England Patriots feel they have the next guy in J.C. Jackson?
If that is the case, there is no time better than now for the Maryland product to show it and prove it with Gilmore not dressing up against the Buffalo Bills in the Week 8 AFC East battle.
In a contract year, Jackson has an opportunity to really show that he is the lockdown caliber corner he was touted to be entering the 2020 NFL season. If he can shut down an elite receiver like Stefon Diggs, Bill Belichick would be justified if the Patriots were to actually trade Stephon Gilmore at the NFL Trade Deadline.
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He would also earn more praise from the coach who marveled over Jackson following the team’s Week 1 win over the Miami Dolphins.
"“I would just say that I really take my hat off to J.C. [Jackson],” Belichick said following the Week 1 win, as transcribed by USA Today Sports. “I thought J.C. really competed well today. He showed a lot of mental toughness and a real competitiveness of the game, and then for him to make that play at the end just sealed the win, along with the run that we had there to get the first down to run out the clock. But the interception that J.C. had in the end zone, I thought he showed a lot of mental toughness and a high level of competitiveness in today’s game. So, I just wanted to personally congratulate him for that, because that was good.”"
That sort of shoutout from a coach like Bill Belichick generally means he loves that player and it wouldn’t be a surprise if he has played his way to a contract extension sometime soon. At least, he better lock him up because other teams have also noticed the play of Jackson.
One NFL executive actually has him in the top 10 of NFL cornerbacks in the entire league prior to the start of the season. With Gilmore out, there is a real opportunity for J.C. Jackson to cement that praise.
Although listed as questionable himself, if Jackson can not only tough it out, but battle with the prowess and the ball skills he has become known for, goodbye Stephon Gilmore.
With 5 interceptions in his second season and 3 interceptions so far this season, the New England Patriots need to at least see what they have in the third-year cornerback at that shutdown cornerback position.
Next. New England Patriots: Jakobi Meyers the player to watch vs Bills. dark
Though his defensive snaps have been at a steady decline over the last three games, the rising star should get an opportunity to shine against the Buffalo Bills.
The only question is will and can he take advantage of an opportunity to show Bill Belichick and the entire NFL that he is not only ready but has arrived as the next top corner in New England.