With his cool demeanor and quiet confidence, it makes sense that Panthers cornerback James Bradberry would be a steadying influence on rookie corner Donte Jackson.
But Jackson, who’s made quite an NFL entrance with three interceptions in three games, has impacted Bradberry in ways he might not even realize.
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Together, this cornerback (odd) couple — Jackson is smaller, louder and faster than Bradberry — has contained a couple of the NFL’s top receivers the past two weeks and helped the Panthers get their Thieves Ave. groove back.
“I feel like we’re a good duo together,” Bradberry said after the Panthers’ 31-21 win Sunday against the Bengals.
“He’s been making plays. He’s been taking my game to another level, (and) he doesn’t even know it. Because I try to play up to his level. And with three interceptions in three games, that’s pretty good.”
Jackson, the second-round pick from LSU, is tied with Dolphins corner Xavien Howard and Seahawks safety Earl Thomas for the league lead in interceptions.
With two picks against the Bengals, Jackson became the eighth player in NFL history with three interceptions in his first three games.
Jackson was asked what message he’s sending to the rest of the league with his fast start.
“Just the rookie can play. That’s it,” he said. “That’s what I just want to keep building on. I’m not trying to be a superhero because I have a lot of great players around me. Just sticking within the system and just coming out and trying to play ball. That’s all I want to do.”
Jackson has helped re-energize a piece of the Panthers’ defense since Josh Norman went to Washington — defensive backs, namely corners, getting their hands on the football.
In three games, Jackson already has nearly matched the interception totals by Panthers’ corners in 2016 (five) and 2017 (four).
The Panthers’ four interceptions of Andy Dalton gave them five as a team, tied for third behind Miami and Seattle (each with seven). Last year the Panthers didn’t get their fifth interception until the 10th game.
All the picks Sunday brought back memories of 2015, when the Panthers led the league with 24 interceptions and decorated the defensive backs area of the locker room with a Thieves Ave. sign, which they brought with them to Super Bowl 50 in Santa Clara, Calif.
First-year defensive coordinator Eric Washington on Monday tweeted pictures of Jackson and a couple of other defenders, along with the message: “#OurDefense! ThieveryLives!”
#ThieveryLives! pic.twitter.com/PLMI3kQ7IN
— Eric Washington (@G2XRush) September 24, 2018
Panthers coach Ron Rivera said Washington’s play-calling has helped create takeaway opportunities for the defense. While former coordinator Steve Wilks ran a blitz-heavy scheme, Rivera said the Panthers are using more multiple fronts this year under Washington.
Rivera said secondary coaches Richard Rodgers and Jeff Imamura also are mixing their coverages well, and the corners are being more physical with receivers at the point of attack.
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“I think we’ve given our guys a little bit more tools to use,” Rivera said.
Jackson and Bradberry have taken those tools and run with them.
There were signs from the start of training camp that Jackson could be special — from the way he latched on to receivers like a leech to the flair with which he celebrated an interception of Cam Newton by pretending to be a waiter delivering a ball on a silver platter.
“I saw spurts of him playing amazing during training camp,” Bradberry said. “We always knew he was capable of what he did (Sunday). When you have a guy like that, that has tremendous speed, he can make plays on the ball, as well. So you know he’s gonna be good.”
But Bradberry has been pretty good, in his own right.
The man who was drafted to replace Norman in 2016 has passed his first two tests against a couple of the NFL’s top receivers, with the Giants’ Odell Beckham Jr. up next after this week’s bye.
A week after shadowing Julio Jones (five catches for 64 yards) in Atlanta, Bradberry matched up with A.J. Green until the Bengals’ Pro Bowl wideout left with a groin injury after the third play of the third quarter.
Green, who lined up in the slot occasionally opposite nickel back Captain Munnerlyn, caught five passes for 58 yards before getting hurt.
Bradberry, who has to be among the more humble cornerbacks in the NFL, saw areas for improvement in his performance Sunday.
“It was good. But I can always play better,” he said. “I could have gave up a couple catches. He helped me out by bobbling (them) a little bit.”
Bradberry, the former second-rounder from Samford, doesn’t have an interception, yet. But his batted pass led to the first career interception for defensive end Efe Obada.
“No one showed me any love after that,” Bradberry joked. “But it’s all good.”
And while Bradberry says Jackson’s picks have motivated him, it’s not a jealousy thing.
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“Nah, my time will come. I’m always good for two,” he said. “These past two years, I’ve always had two. I’m just waiting for it.”
Rivera also made a point to praise Munnerlyn, who’s been on the field more in the early going after a disappointing 2017.
Munnerlyn, 30, said it’s been cool watching the young corners develop.
“They’re making plays left and right. They’re getting better each and every week,” Munnerlyn said. “James, he’s starting to learn concepts. If you look at some of his breaks (on the ball), you’re like, ‘Wow.’ He had a break last week against Julio (Jones) on an out route and everybody was like, ‘Whoa.’ Julio still caught the ball. But he’s getting it. He’s finally getting it. …
“And D.J., he was phenomenal. He got two interceptions. … For him to do that was outstanding.”
Defensive end Julius Peppers says Bradberry and Jackson make a good tandem.
“They’ve been getting better. Donte, as a rookie, full of confidence, a lot of speed. Playing really well for us,” Peppers said. “And James, he’s been pretty steady so far. He’s a physical guy. So it’s a great combination out there. I like it.”
Jackson received a game ball after the first two-interception game of his career — at any level, he told teammates. Afterward, he was surprisingly restrained when talking with reporters, while also being deferential to Bradberry.
“That’s my guy. He kind of showed me the ropes a lot,” Jackson said. “He’s the reason why I was able to be a starter this year. He made sure I knew everything, made sure I was prepared for everything. He’s been a huge help.”
(Top photo of Donte Jackson: Bob Donnan/USA Today)