NY Jets cornerbacks of past and present found themselves in a Twitter back-and-forth with Asante Samuel
New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner may only be entering his second year in the NFL, but he already has a long list of detractors. Count former New England Patriots DB Asante Samuel as one of them.
ESPN released its ranking of the best cornerbacks in the NFL (based on a survey of players, coaches, and executives), and the DROY found himself second on the list behind Patrick Surtain of the Denver Broncos. Samuel, however, didn’t even think Gardner deserved the No. 2 ranking – alluding that the New York media was responsible for the hype surrounding the second-year player.
The New York media will take your career to another level https://t.co/XkFnbmoynr
— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) July 11, 2023
Samuel also stated that Seahawks rookie Tariq Woolen had a better rookie season than Gardner, claiming fans are “highly influenced by the media” rather than facts.
For the record Tariq had a better rookie season then Sauce they both played outstanding but what in the hell do y’all be watching. Y’all are highly influenced by the media not facts.
— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) July 11, 2023
Samuel continued his rant in the common section. Within his rant, he added former Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (who will be inducted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame this year), claiming he was also a benefactor of the NY media.
It’s the NY media what did Revis do so special. I’ll wait… It’s documented want great cornerbacks did in the stats
— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) July 11, 2023
Revis and Samuel have had issues in the past, with the latter calling Revis “crazy” after he made a comment about Richard Sherman’s blown coverage in the NFC Championship game in 2020.
Revis caught wind of the tweet and responded by sharing a story in which he claims Rex Ryan showed Jets players a highlight film of Samuel getting beaten by a double move on every route.
@pick_six22 just landed. Hear we go smh… 🤦🏾♂️
I really don’t know much about this guy. never was inspired to watch his film but something does jog my memory. I do remember we played Falcons + Rex Ryan made a highlight clip of him being doubled moved on almost every single…
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) July 11, 2023
Samuel tried to defend himself but Revis quickly fired back.
try again mother sucker. 🤣. I’m a 1st ballot Hall of Famer.
— Darrelle Revis (@Revis24) July 11, 2023
While Revis didn’t mince his words when addressing the situation, Gardner proved to take a different approach.
Damnn you been on my one shit hella lately 😂😂😂 You gots to relax…. Me personally, I never been the hating type https://t.co/cEuoDpEQ4Z
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 11, 2023
The altercation also drew the attention of another member of the Jets, DE John Franklin-Myers.
Mann😂 I was jus tellin people how he was puttin in pain when he played and he on Twitter chattin like this lmaoo
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 11, 2023
But the back-and-forth didn’t stop there. Samuel then issued a “challenge” to the Jets cornerback – to turn more pass deflections into interceptions. That challenge ended up getting a scorching response from Gardner. The second-year player let it be known that he’s on a mission this season.
And I challenge myself to do the same thang. Along with my coaches. Ion need you “challenging” me to do nothin after all this sub tweeting you been doing when you could of just hit me privately like all the other OG’s do. Safety bro https://t.co/sVCacIUMDf
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 11, 2023
In the final exchange, Gardner asked Samuel who he thought was the best cornerback in the NFL. Samuel answered with Surtain.
See it’s a year by year thing. It’s not one corner is the best. Last year I say it was Patrick Surtain II 💯 https://t.co/kWrJczl0vZ
— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) July 11, 2023
Gardner argues that Samuel’s choice of Surtain contradicts some of his previous tweets that seemed to indicate he thinks interceptions are the most important stat for cornerbacks. Surtain had two interceptions last season, equaling Gardner’s total.
So that mean it doesn’t matter about your definition of “production” lol. Pat ain’t got hella picks but he strappin every week. Let me find out you just be posting on here for attention🤔
— SAUCE GARDNER (@iamSauceGardner) July 11, 2023
51 interceptions Thank you https://t.co/F1VqYzgZpl
— Asante Samuel Sr. (@pick_six22) July 11, 2023
This is likely far from the last online altercation Jets players will have with Samuel. It’s also another example of the noise Sauce will have to face as he continues to play at an elite level.
