Jets Q&A: When did Sauce Gardner know he was coming on a corner blitz?

When did Sauce Gardner know the Jets were going to send him on a corner blitz and what did he think?

Before the defense took the field. Gardner said they were on the sideline and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich told him, “I’m about to send you.” Gardner was fired up because he was used on corner blitzes in college at Cincinnati.

Robert Saleh said the Jets saw something on film and were confident it would work.

The Dolphins’ first possession started at their 8. Ulbrich sent Gardner, and Teddy Bridgewater threw the ball into the ground before getting lit up. It was ruled intentional grounding and a safety because Bridgewater was in the end zone, and he left the game with a concussion.

“It set a huge tone,” Gardner said. “We just finished the national anthem and he came up to me and said it. After I made the play, I was like, ‘Does he know that was coming or something?’ That just made me have even more respect for him and respect the things he does as defensive coordinator. That was a great play call and I appreciate him for letting me make it.”

Gardner also got his first NFL interception.

“You all were in the locker room earlier this week and I was like, ‘I’m the only one who doesn’t have one,’ ” he said. “I think God heard me. I know he heard me, for sure. He answered my prayers.”

Were some players upset that Tyreek Hill chose Miami over the Jets?

It wasn’t so much that, but at Hill’s introductory news conference after spurning the Jets for Miami, he was asked how close he was to joining the Jets. His response was, “Who? The Jets? Nah, man, I knew I was going to pick Miami no matter what.”

This past week, Hill said he chose Miami because of “no state taxes,” but the damage already was done.

“That fired me up,” defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers said. “I don’t get fired up about a lot of stuff and I don’t care about people talking, but that’s disrespectful, and I don’t like disrespect and you shouldn’t do that no matter who you are. I don’t think that was funny. I didn’t like him doing that. Now we have the last laugh.

“We play them again. Whenever that happens, the last game of the season, we’ll be prepared then.”

How much did the Jets enjoy Quinnen Williams running over Hill after his fumble recovery?

They loved it. Williams picked up the fumble and pushed Hill to the ground when he tried to tackle him. Williams eventually was tackled at the 5.

“I see Tyreek and I’m like, ‘Tyreek is probably going to chop him low,’ ” Sheldon Rankins said. “He just ran right into Quinnen’s arms. Quinnen extended his arms. When he did, Tyreek was gone.

“That was slow motion for me. If you can’t get into the end zone, a close second is launching another human being into the turf.”

Where did Alijah Vera-Tucker play Sunday?

Vera-Tucker played right tackle for the first time in his life. The second-year pro started the season at right guard, moved to left tackle last week and then went to right tackle with left tackle Duane Brown back from injured reserve.

Saleh said the Jets wanted to keep Nate Herbig at right guard and gave all the praise to Vera-Tucker.

“I love Herbig’s mentality,” he said. “I love the way he approaches the game. I love that he’s nasty. He’s everything you want in an offensive lineman. He probably smells bad, too. I’m just kidding, Herbie.

“It’s a hell of a testament to Herbie and just forcing his way on the football field. The testament and the credit goes to AVT. Who knows, maybe we’ll try him at quarterback next week.”

Saleh said that with a smile while looking at Zach Wilson.

What injuries did the Jets suffer?

Rookie defensive end Jermaine Johnson hurt an ankle and will be evaluated Monday. He left the locker room in a walking boot.

By Al Iannazzone

al.iannazzone@newsday.comAl_Iannazzone

Al Iannazzone covers the Jets for Newsday after spending nearly two decades on the NBA beat with Knicks and Nets.