Mo Wilk On WFAN: Pointing Fingers Solely At Geno For Jets' Struggles Is Wrong
NEW YORK (WFAN) -- Don't just blame Geno Smith. That's the message from Muhammad Wilkerson.
Speaking to WFAN's Joe Beningo and Evan Roberts on Tuesday at the Hard Rock Cafe in Times Square, the Jets' best defensive player said the blame for the team's 1-7 start should be spread around, not just dumped on the second-year quarterback.
Wilkerson acknowledged that it is very difficult to win when a team loses the turnover battle -- and virtually impossible when a team commits seven turnovers, as the Jets did during Sunday's 43-23 defeat to the visiting Buffalo Bills -- but added the defense has not kept up its end of the bargain.
Incredibly, the Jets have forced just three turnovers all season, dead last by far in the NFL. As a result, their struggling offense have rarely if ever been given a short field to work with.
"The coaches call plays for us to make plays. When the chance is there to make a play we're not doing it," Wilkerson said.
Wilkerson said the Jets seem to lose their focus defensively at critical junctures of games, and with the offense being as bad as it has been all season, each mistake is magnified.
"Those three or four plays … once we look at the film, it's just a lack of focus, lack of communication," Wilkerson said.
On Monday, head coach Rex Ryan announced Michael Vick would be the Jets' starting quarterback on Sunday in Kansas City. Wilkerson was asked if the Jets feel a sense of relief knowing a veteran with know-how will be under center, but he toed the company line and played good soldier.
"That's something myself and my teammates can't control. This week, Rex said he wants Vick to be the starter. We can't control it. We just have to back him up out there," Wilkerson said.
The big defensive end also said he's not ready to close the book on Smith. Like Ryan said Monday, maybe Smith will benefit from watching for a little while.
"All I can say is he can be as good as he wants to be," Wilkerson said of Smith.
Wilkerson discussed several other topics with Joe & Evan at the Hard Rock. To hear his complete interview, please click on the audio link below.
Muhammad Wilkerson
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