Sauce Gardner’s penalties increasing in concerning Jets trend

Throwing at Sauce Gardner used to be worthy of a caution flag.

Now it seems to be a way to draw an unlikely penalty flag. 

The Jets’ two-time All-Pro cornerback has drawn four penalties this season — all within the past three games — for illegal contact, holding and pass interference (twice), according to NFLPenalties.com. 

“We’re going to play aggressive. We don’t apologize for that,” cornerbacks coach Tony Oden said after Thursday’s practice. “Never want to grab, pull or tug. Sometimes it happens in games. We don’t want our guys to stop being aggressive. We just want to be smart aggressive.” 

Because Gardner set the bar ridiculously high in his first two NFL seasons — when he totaled seven penalties in 33 career games — this stretch stands out.

Oden said Gardner is not playing the position any differently than in the past. 

“Each [officiating] crew is a little bit different, and you have to know the personalities of the crews and how business is being done,” Oden said. “You want to establish relationships and understand where they are coming from. Talk to them respectfully, and they give you a chance to correct the issue in time, if there is an issue.” 

Gardner has allowed 12 catches for 185 yards and a touchdown this season, according to Pro Football Focus, but he has gone 31 straight games without an interception. 

“He’s still one of the top corners in the NFL,” Oden said. “No doubt about it.” 

Six-time Pro Bowler Davante Adams “has changed the culture within the offense” in a week with the Jets, receivers coach Shawn Jefferson said. 

“He’s all about business — the way he practices and the way he prepares,” Jefferson said. “Every pass he catches, he finishes in the end zone. Now what do you think is happening in practice? Everybody catches the ball and they do what? It’s become commonplace.” 

Adams gave an impassioned speech after the loss last week to the Steelers, asking for more energy.

“This kid is a game-changer,” Jefferson said. “Showing guys how it is supposed to be done. He’s not out there yelling at anybody. Just showing guys, ‘This is the way we practice.” 

Jefferson’s son, Van, caught a touchdown pass for the Steelers against the Jets. 

What are those mixed emotions like? 

“Pure hell,” Jefferson said. “Make no mistake about it: I want to kick my son’s a–, right? It’s a f—ing emotional roller coaster because he f—s up something and I can’t go over and be like, ‘Hey, you’ve got to do this.’ When he scores, I’m like, ‘godd–n.’ I literally go home and I’m emotionally drained. Hopefully he continues catching them.” 

S Tony Adams (hamstring), S Ashtyn Davis (concussion), DT Leki Fotu (knee), WR Allen Lazard (chest) and RG Alijah Vera-Tucker (ankle) did not practice Thursday.

CB Michael Carter II (back), EDGE Will McDonald IV (shoulder) and LB Quincy Williams (neck) were upgraded from limited to full participants.

QB Aaron Rodgers (knee, hamstring), RT Morgan Moses (knee) and LT Tyron Smith (rest) remained limited.