When future Hall of Famer Von Miller joined Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown’s podcast, he was asked a simple question. What was the hardest hit of his career, delivered or received?
After over a decade in the league, Miller didn’t hesitate in his answer. He picked a hit delivered by former New York Jets running back Chris Ivory in 2014.
On a routine check down, Ivory caught the ball with open space in front of him. Instead of going out of bounds, Ivory steamrolled Miller along the sidelines.
After initially getting up, Miller needed help to get off the field and entered concussion protocol. Miller would clear it and return to play in the second half.
The hit left Miller dazed and confused. Upon seeing Jets defensive back Phillip Adams wearing No. 24, Miller commented to teammates Chris Harris Jr. and Aqib Talib that Darrelle Revis has gotten small.
This play left an undeniable mark on one of the best pass rushers in NFL history. Miller gained a new level of respect for Ivory and has given him his flowers in the past.
Back in 2016, Miller listed the toughest players he faced. For running back, he picked Chris Ivory and recounted this play again.
In an article with The Players’ Tribune, Miller talked about how Ivory was a “punisher”.
“Honestly, the punishers are the guys who you really hate playing against, because even if they don’t have the blocking, they’re gonna make you hurt. Over the course of 60 minutes, you’ll get to the point where you don’t wanna tackle them anymore. It’s human nature. You don’t want to put yourself in that kind of harm.”
Ivory’s physical style of play put fear in opponents. By the fourth quarter, players hesitated before subjecting themselves to the abuse. Not only did it sap energy from opponents, but it also inspired his teammates as well.
This is a mindset the Jets have lacked for years and desperately need to reclaim.
Ivory’s tough brand of football is what the Jets need to bring back
You could sum up the 2024 New York Jets in one word: soft.
They were soft in tackling. Soft against the run. Soft in the trenches. Whether it was on offense or defense, the Jets rarely dictated terms. Week after week, they were the ones absorbing the punishment, not dishing it out.
This is in contrast to what head coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn built in Detroit. The Lions established an identity on physicality, resilience, and mental toughness. The Jets hope that Aaron Glenn can bring this brand of football to New York.
Glenn will have the tools to establish that. Second-year running back Braelon Allen is a powerful runner. In his rookie year, Allen consistently powered through first contact. As the Jets look to impose their will in a run-heavy offense, Allen will likely get more touches.
That is not to say that Breece Hall will become an afterthought. He brings home run speed and receiving ability. Hall and Allen bring the tools to match Detroit’s duo of David Montgomery and Jahmry Gibbs.
But it’s more than just players or talent. It’s a mindset. For the Jets to leave the shackles of their past, they must leave behind the weaknesses that kept them there.
