New York Jets defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins is one veteran on a defense that features young and talented players. So, when the Jets square off against Tom Brady and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this upcoming week, Rankins will lead New York’s defense up against a quarterback who is considered to be the greatest at his position.
As a member of the New Orleans Saints, Rankins faced off against Brady three times, including twice last year when Brady joined the Bucs after his Hall of Fame run with the New England Patriots. Rankins said he, along with veteran linebacker C.J. Mosley, will need to make sure that some of the young players don’t get starstruck when Brady steps onto the field on Sunday.
“At the end of the day, football is football,” Rankins said on Monday. “He is Tom Brady but you’ve got to treat him like a nameless, faceless guy and go out there and go through your progressions, go through your keys and play football the way you’ve played football your whole life.”
