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New York Jets: Calvin Pryor Ready to Shine in 2016

By Nick Ziegler

Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) in his game against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won, 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 18, 2015; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets strong safety Calvin Pryor (25) in his game against the Washington Redskins at MetLife Stadium. The Jets won, 34-20. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Calvin Pryor of the New York Jets will be entering his third season in the NFL, and he is looking forward to becoming one of the best safeties in the NFL.

The New York Jets selected Calvin Pryor in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, and after a bit of a disappointing rookie season, we saw Pryor improve immensely in his second season. With a lack of cornerbacks in 2014, Pryor was set up to fail as a rookie, but offseason moves in 2015 to sign players like Darrelle Revis and Buster Skrine helped the development of Pryor.

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A player’s third season in the NFL is usually an important one for telling what type of player they will be, and Pryor believes that he is just scratching the surface of his talents.

“I know I’m one hell of a player when my mind is right and I’m focused and I’m locked in, and I have guys around me that believe in me,” he said to Darryl Slater of NJ.com. “I like to shine in the brightest moments. That’s something I’m not going to shy away from. I think with Year 3, I can only get better.

“I believe in my ability to do great things, as well as make the Pro Bowl and being an All-Pro. That’s some of the things I have on my list, but at the same time, I have to put in the work for it. And once the season rolls around, I’ve got to play like it.”

The Jets still have a lot of talent on their defense, and Pryor is looking to be the latest Jet to make the Pro Bowl. After having two interceptions and forcing one fumble in 13 games last season, Pryor may be on his way to reaching that goal.

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“I believe so, but that’s something I just can’t talk about,” he said to Slater. “That’s something I have to go out and prove to everyone. I think if I do the right things and put in the work, the sky is the limit for me.

“In the NFL, man, you really can’t reach your peak right away. With experience and playing a lot of football games, and facing opponents, with time, it comes. Everything is working out. I hope for a better year than I had last year and just continue to roll as time goes on.”

In 2016, Pryor wants to become a leader on the defense, as he isn’t a young player anymore heading into his third season.

“Becoming a leader on this defense,” he said to Slater. “Just being more vocal and showing the young guys the way. We have a lot of young guys on this defense now, and I’ve been here going on Year 3. Guys like [veteran middle linebacker] David Harris really don’t talk as much.

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“Sometimes, you can be a vocal leader, and sometimes you can lead the way by just how you go about things. I think I’m more of a vocal leader. I like to talk. I like to make sure people are on the same page and listening and focused. I think with those things, I think I can fill those areas.”

The Jets might be relying heavily on their defense in 2016, as the contract with Ryan Fitzpatrick is still up in the air. Pryor becoming a Pro Bowl caliber safety would be a great for the Jets next season, as they hope to make the playoffs.

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