Jets’ Jeff Ulbrich: ‘Never my intent to insult’ Quinnen Williams

Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich spoke on Thursday for the primary time since he final week referenced defensive deal with Quinnen Williams as “gasping for air” on the sideline as the explanation he rotates his defensive linemen and doesn’t maintain Williams on the sphere extra typically. 

For individuals who have been within the room when Ulbrich made that assertion, it was clear he’d merely used a poor selection of phrases to make his level, however that he was by no means insinuating that Williams was out of form. 

Social media being the runaway prepare that it's, the remark went viral and was misconstrued by the plenty — together with Williams — who weren't in on the interview understanding precisely what Ulbrich meant. 

The state of affairs flared into an pointless mini-crisis, with Williams initially reportedly upset about Ulbrich’s phrases and Ulbrich shortly reaching out to his prime defensive lineman to make clear his phrases. 

Quinnen Williams, Jeff Ulbrich
Quinnen Williams, Jeff Ulbrich
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“Yeah, I completely talked to him,’’ Ulbrich stated Thursday. “Quinnen’s a man that I've great respect for not solely as a soccer participant, however as a person, and for him to have felt any angst, or felt any method about that may’ve actually bothered me as a result of I've great respect for and it was by no means my intent to insult him, or say something unhealthy about him. 

“I really like the man in each method, and I've no questions relating to something about him conditioning or in any other case. He’s an absolute game-wrecker, kick-ass participant in each method, and simply love having him right here with us, and I hope that we've got him right here for a very long time.’’ 

Ulbrich stated he “wished to make it possible for there was no gray [area]” when he spoke to Williams. 

“I feel he is aware of the place my coronary heart is,” he stated. 


Mike LaFleur, in his second season because the Jets offensive coordinator, stated on Thursday that Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel, whom the Jets face Sunday, “is considered one of my finest buddies.” 

LaFleur and McDaniel labored collectively on three totally different groups — the Browns, Falcons and 49ers — earlier than touchdown their respective positions. 

LaFleur was an offensive intern in 2014 at Cleveland when McDaniel was a receivers coach. Each LaFleur and McDaniel have been offensive assistants in Atlanta in 2015-16. LaFleur was the passing sport coordinator in San Francisco from 2017-20 whereas McDaniel was the operating sport coordinator from 2017-21 earlier than being employed because the Dolphins head coach this season. 

“It’s well-documented how good of a coach he's, however now he’s getting to point out how good of a pacesetter he's,’’ LaFleur stated of McDaniel. “His sport and Inexperienced Bay [where LaFleur’s brother, Matt, is the head coach) and San Francisco are the three games that I’ll watch every Monday after we get done reviewing ours. I’ve seen every one of [the Dolphins] snaps. 

Mike LaFleur, right, with Mike McDaniel while coaching together on the 49ers.
Mike LaFleur, proper, with Mike McDaniel whereas teaching collectively on the 49ers.
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“[McDaniel] is considered one of my finest buddies. Outdoors of this Sunday and yet one more Sunday (when the Jets and Dolphins play) you would like him all the most effective, however this week is concerning the Jets and Dolphins.’’ 


Together with QB Zach Wilson going from restricted apply to full from Wednesday to Thursday, LB Marcell Harris (neck) additionally practiced in fullThursday. RB Breece Corridor (knee) remained restricted. 

For the Dolphins, their prime CB Xavien Howard didn’t apply for the second consecutive day with a groin damage. WR Jaylen Waddle (groin) went from not training Wednesday to restricted Thursday. WR Tyreek Hill was added to the checklist Thursday and was restricted in apply with a quadriceps ailment. So, too, was Salvon Ahd with a foul again. 

When Jets particular groups coordinator Brant Boyer was requested about Hill, who additionally returns punts, exhibiting up on the damage report, he stated, “I like Tyreek, he’s a heck of a man. If he sprained a toe or one thing and he couldn’t return punts, I wouldn’t be unhappy. He’s a heck of a participant. Anytime he will get his fingers on the ball it doesn't matter what he’s doing, he’s as harmful because it will get.” 


Ulbrich stated he expects to see the same participant to Miami QB Tua Tagovailoa (out with a concussion) in backup Teddy Bridgewater on Sunday. 

“I feel they’re very comparable gamers,” he stated. “[Bridgewater] is an skilled participant that sees the sphere very nicely. He’s nonetheless an excellent athlete although he’s been enjoying for fairly a bit, he can problem along with his legs, and his arm, and his thoughts. So, I don’t see the offense altering wholesale.”

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