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tRY IT NOWHarrison Phillips isn’t at all surprised by Josh Allen’s ascension to elite status.
From the MVP award last year to the come-from-behind victory over Baltimore on Sunday night, there was nothing displayed that the new Jets defensive tackle didn’t see from the very beginning when he was drafted in the same class as Allen in 2018.
Phillips is fully aware of what is ahead Sunday when the two face off for the first time as division rivals.
“As a defensive lineman, I prefer having someone who can’t move that fast,” Phillips, teammates with Allen for four seasons, told The Post after practice Thursday. “Josh holds about every rushing record I think that there is because of his ability, and just adds a whole other layer to it.
“I always kind of cheer for his success, I hope he doesn’t have that much success against us,” he added. “He’s an MVP in this league and completely turned the organization around and put them in the conglomerate that they are.
“So, we definitely have a tall glass of water in front of us.”
The 29-year-old, who came from Minnesota for two sixth-round picks at the end of August, said Allen’s star power stems from the fact that he is “chronically competitive.”
“I don’t know if I’ve ever beat him in anything,” Phillips said Monday. “Even calling shotgun to a car, I’ve never beat him.”
Well, except his one win with the Vikings over the Bills in 2022 — a 33-30 overtime victory.
Phillips was sought to help the Jets address a weakness in their run defense and he helped limit Pittsburgh to just 53 rushing yards in the 34-32 loss.
In 2024, the Jets allowed 121.1 rushing yards per game.
Despite limiting Pittsburgh on the ground, Phillips, who only had two padded practices before the opener, wasn’t completely satisfied.
“I hope that that was my worst game of the year,” he said.
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Defensive line coach Eric Washington, who was with Phillips for two seasons in Buffalo (2020 and 2021), is loving what he is seeing, especially the leadership brought to the defensive line.
“[His] ability to articulate certain things in real time, especially after reps, just communicates certain things out there because as a coach, you’re not out there,” Washington said. “You need someone to take charge and make sure everyone’s connected with what we’re doing. He’s an excellent communicator.”