Buster Skrine

Jets compared FS Marcus Gilchrist to Tyrann Mathieu in offseason

Published Oct. 12, 2015 11:25 a.m. ET

foxsports

The New York Jets spent their offseason completely overhauling the team. It began in the secondary where the group was especially weak in 2014. Darrelle Revis was the big-name acquisition, but he wasn't the only one.

The Jets also went after Antonio Cromartie and Buster Skrine to shore up the cornerback position for Todd Bowles. Of course, cornerback isn't the only position in the secondary -- there are safeties too.

Second-year guy Calvin Pryor was almost a surefire bet to start at strong safety, so the Jets needed to find a rangy free safety to pair with him. They found that in Marcus Gilchrist, whom they signed as a free agent from the San Diego Chargers.

One reason why the Jets were so intrigued by Gilchrist is because of his similarity to Tyrann Mathieu -- a safety who thrived in Bowles' defense in Arizona. According to the New York Post, Gilchrist reminded the Jets of Mathieu, which led them to sign him.

Needless to say, it's worked out well as Gilchrist has played more snaps than any Jets defender. The Jets are second in the NFL with 13 takeaways -- one of which was an interception by Gilchrist. The team's offseason haul has worked in a huge way thus far, with Gilchrist being a big part of it.

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Buster Skrine

Tyrann Mathieu

New York Jets

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