The best corners are invisible on Sundays, doing their work out of the broadcast angle’s frame, shadow-realming top receivers and leaving their fingerprints on their opponents’ plans.
And yet, defensive backs are showmen. They boast after wildly inaccurate passes, lead their teammates to the end zone after turnovers, and crave the spotlight as much as their spiritual counterparts on the other side of the line of scrimmage.
New York Jets corner Sauce Gardner is no different.
As one of the top corners in the sport and an electric young talent, Gardner’s quick start earned him that attention. And with a knack for getting just physical enough to impact the receiver without generating a penalty, he has no shortage of critics waiting for his next mistake.
He welcomes that challenge, and he isn’t afraid to put himself in the crosshairs of a fanbase. The New York faithful might remember Gardner parading with a Cheesehead after defeating the Green Bay Packers. Gardner already has his eyes on Week 1.
The Jets star is considering taunting Pittsburgh Steelers fans with a terrible towel gesture to open the season.
"I don't know. Pittsburgh, you get a little in the trenches in there," Gardner said. "I might have to tread lightly, but we play (in New York). We on home court. I don't know, I've got to think about it."
Pittsburgh dismantled New York in quarterback Russell Wilson’s debut, 37-15. Now, Wilson is in East Rutherford, playing for the New York Giants. Even so, Week 1 will be full of storylines.
The Steelers signed former Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers in June, providing what should be an upgrade over Wilson and Justin Fields a season ago. Of course, Fields will get his shot at revenge, too, having signed a two-year deal with the Jets early in free agency.
Gardner may be emboldened by a new-look offense, but Pittsburgh will be favored, even on the road. Playing at MetLife Stadium takes some of the punch away from any terrible towel-based taut, but the threat will put him on Steelers fans' radar. He’ll have criticism waiting for him if he doesn’t make good on his playful confidence.