BY NICK ST. DENIS
Dee Milliner was abused time and time again by opposing quarterbacks in 2013, as the rookie cornerback quickly gained a reputation as a liability on the New York Jets' defense.
Milliner, however, has finished strong.
The first-rounder out of Alabama snagged two interceptions and defensed five passes in the Jets' win over the Miami Dolphins, earning AFC Defensive Rookie of the Week honors.
His accolade-earning game came a week after grabbing his first career interception against the Cleveland Browns.
"It feels great, finally catching onto things, doing what I’m supposed to do,” Milliner said Sunday, via NewYorkJets.com.
The Jets drafted Milliner with high hopes, given Darrelle Revis's departure and the fact that teams would target his side of the field with Antonio Cromartie coming off a stellar season.
But both Milliner and Cromartie struggled for much of the year, both upping their respective game down the stretch. For Milliner, it's something to build on.
"Sometimes it takes time. He missed all of training camp, he missed all of the minicamps and all that," Jets coach Rex Ryan said. "You throw a guy in there, it’s a different game. This is the men’s league and not the kids’ league no matter how good the competition is.
"You know, when you come into this league it’s different and it’s just a matter of time."
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