In his first statements as a New York athlete, Corey Davis credited new and old Jets alike for guiding him toward green.
Some could question exactly what Corey Davis was thinking by moving from the relative prosperity of Nashville to the New York Jets. The latter, after all, is mired in a decade-long playoff drought in contrast to a Tennessee Titans team that’s two years removed from an AFC title game appearance.
But Davis, speaking as a New Yorker for the first time on Tuesday, credited Jets old and new for making the trip up north after a career-best season.
Like many, the Western Michigan alum was praised the Jets’ hire of Robert Saleh to succeed Adam Gase as head coach. The arrival has received positive reviews both domestically (Quinnen Williams) and abroad (Richard Sherman, Russell Wilson).
“I’m happy with the decision I made,” Davis said per Jet X’s Robby Sabo. “Just listening to (Saleh) and the energy that he had, he’s a culture guy. That’s where it starts if you really want to change things around: start with the culture, get good people in. That’s what he’s trying to do, that’s what he’s been doing.”
Saleh’s changes are particularly apparent when it comes to upgrading the Jets’ offensive weaponry. Davis joins the fold alongside former AFC South rival Keelan Cole from Jacksonville after coming just short of four figures in yardage (984). They’re set to join a revamped unit alongside second-round choice Denzel Mims and reliable slot prescience Jamison Crowder, by far the Jets’ most prolific target over the past couple of seasons.
It appears that accountability, something the Jets have lacked over these past fruitless seasons, is something else the former first-round pick brings to the table. Davis missed out on the elusive 1,000-yard plateau in part due to time on the COVID-19 reserve list, but he’s not blaming his medical absence for missing out on a career milestone.
“COVID was unfortunate, but I felt like I still could’ve touched 1,000 yards last year,” he said. “It just goes in the work. To become a 1,000-yard receiver, it’s about the durability and availability. I got to make sure that I’m healthy and coming in ready and ready to go. The biggest thing is staying healthy so I can play a full season. If I do that, I like my chances.”
Davis also praised offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur and expressed excitement to work in his system, as well as Mims, expressing interest in working with a young receiving talent.
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“When he did come back, he showed some flashes of some great things,” Davis said. “I’m definitely not opposed to working with a guy like that … he’s a great player, a great threat. We have a lot of different dynamics in that room, different threats that can do a lot of different things. That’s really exciting.”
No matter who lines up as the Jets’ top receiver, they’re going to need someone to throw them the ball … and Davis had a bit of a surprise in store when it came to talking about who might be throwing him the ball next season.
Though many mock drafts continue to pencil in a quarterback, Davis stated that he is under the impression that Sam Darnold will be throwing to him come December. Despite Darnold’s struggles, Davis is looking forward to working with him.
“I’m coming with my understanding that Sam is the guy,” Davis declared.
“That doesn’t scare me away at all. I’ve seen Sam do great things, and I have all the belief in him. Whatever direction they decide to go, it’s on me to make sure that I’m ready.
“I’m looking forward to playing with him. He’s a competitor. Obviously, we can both learn from each other. He’s young, and we’re both growing. We can grow together.”
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags
