Fastest way to build solid team AND compete for a Super Bowl is to focus on the defensive side of the ball. 2000 Ravens showed that you can win with a dominating defense, a decent running game, and a caretaker QB. We already have a decent running game, we can figure the QB stuff out as we go (draft a prospect in the 4th round or later), cut Ainge, bring in veteran emergency back-up if the kids fall flat)...but focus exclusively on the D. Top picks spent on pass rushers and linebackers and safeties. Lowery will be a solid corner complement to Revis with a decent pass rush. Bring in Rex Ryan and establish a level of intimidation into the defense. Let Jones and Washington pound the rock setting up easy play-action throws, and screen plays for Ratliff or Clemens or our new rookie). Play solid special teams and coach to win, not scared. Not only will we be on our to establishing a long-term playoff participant, but we improve our chances of really being a surprise SB contender. Building a great passing offense is complicated and can be undone by one injury to your QB. Defense is simpler, less vulnerable to injury derailment, and establishes a style that can finally create a positive identity for this franchise.
We've been doing that, which is why our D spent most of the year in the top 5 against the run. We need to keep doing that. More talent. More pass rush...:drool: pass rush.
Aye, no doubt. We are some good pass rushers from a very, veyr good defense. Then again a lot of teams are. The ability to stop the run is there, now we need to find a way to get to the QB consistantly.
Yea. I'm reading alot about how this team isn't in a good position to build on. But we're just one of the many teams that didn't win the Super Bowl this year. So now we've got to pick up the pieces, evaluate, and get more talent. It's not exactly like our cupboard is bare here.
We don't have a power running game right now to add to the built D. We need a power runner and a road grader at TE and RT. That's a lot to build right there.
Compaired to 2007 we are in a great position to build. We have no holes in the O-line. we have a true NT on defense. Pace is a good all around LBer for the 3-4. Our running backs seem set for a year or two, possibly need a 3rd back for depth. Our Biggest question marks/needs are a Pass rushing OLB, a long term QB option (possibly have one on the roster, but I''m for drafting one if a big time player falls to us), a second corner (Lowery if he can devlop further), a Second DE capable of pass rushing (ellis alone is not enough), and Finally a tall threat at WR. Several of those spots can be filled this year. Every team has holes and we have some big ones, but we did go 8-3 this year and beat some very good teams. We also lost to some very bad ones. We have plenty of talent on both sides of the ball that need to be used better. Our 3-4 Schemes sucked big time this season. We seem to play to far back, giving up yards underneath to prevent the big play. our LBers were always 3 to 4 yards off the check down guy, our Saftys way back behind the passing plays. Sutton should be gone. This D plays too timid for my liking.
The defense with one or two additions and the right coaching can be very good. I think our scheme on defense was awful. The players were just told over and over that instead of being aggresive you need to protect your gaps and not give up big plays. So instead of the players coming out with this kill the other team mentality they came out afraid to make mistakes. The Jets need a coach with a mentality of going out there and killing the qb. Rex Ryan as an example likes to send one more guy then the offense can block. And they will send 4 guys from one side on one play and 4 games from the other side on one play. The offensive line and the qb never really get comfortable. Even when they don't rush more then four the qb is still thinking that he's gotta hurry and get rid of the ball. This creates more turnover opportunities. Also the secondary is under less stress since instead of having to cover for 4 seconds it might only be 2 seconds. The Jets have to replace Elam/Smith with a veteran safety who can come in right away and solidify the middle of the field. This way Rhodes can blitz, cover, play the run and just be more aggressive. The coaching staff had zero confidence that Elam or Smith could be the cover 1 safety and make sure they didn't give pass or run plays. They also need another corner. Barrett, Drew Coleman, Hank Poteat and Ty Law can all hit the road. Carroll is very valuable on special teams and should be kept. Other then Revis, Rhodes, Lowery, Carroll and Elam as a third safety none of the current secondary member should be on the Jets next year. I do not expect the Jets to spend big money in free agency this off season but they do have to fix the secondary. Once the secondary is able to cover then you can get after the qb. Thomas, Pace, Harris and Bowens all look painfully slow in the previous defense. I honestly believe with an aggressive style defense that you'll see these guys really causing havoc. None of these guys are someone who is going to beat someone one on one consistently and that was the biggest issue with the previous scheme. If they bring in someone like Rex Ryan the Jets have the personnel to really get after the qb. I'm not going to say that Gholston is going to succeed but his chances of being good are increased drastically in this type of defense. To take a guy like Gholston and try and get him to play a gap control 3-4 outside linebacker was insane. They should have only used him in specific passing downs and his only job should have been to get after the qb. Don't worry about gaps just kill the qb. With that being said Gholston is way to top heavy. He needs to basically change his body this off season. He has no flexibility in his body since he's got so much muscle in his upper body. Gholston is a freak of an athlete and it's going to take time but he's going to be a good NFL player. A lot of the pieces are already in place. Jenkins in a 3-4 or a 4-3 is one of the best lineman in the NFL. Ellis is a very good player as well. Build the defense around Jenkins, Ellis, Harris, Pace, Revis and Rhodes. Fix the secondary and kill the QB.
the problem with that is we already have a ridiculous amount of money tied up in the olb's We need another ilb before we draft an olb
Overall I agree. I'll quote myself from the thread complaining about people liking Ratliff. I'd like to add that given our current staff an injury to Jenkins would be a killer. So I disagree with the immunity to injury theory. Another point I'll add is that I think this is the direction the Jets were headed until they were unable to pound the ball into the end-zone in three successive tries against the patsies. From that time forward the offense rarely tried to run in third down situations.
I totally agree on the NT, which is why I will be advocating the drafting of another one come draft time. A--Jenkins can't last the whole season, as we so painfully learned. He's simply too fat. He's need someone who can effectively spell him, not Pouha, who played like Pooh. B--We need a replacement if Jenkins goes done with an injury. C--We need a replacement when Jenkins decides to retire, which could happen at any time given his age and size. His next injury could be his last. The only reason I didn't call for it was the possibility of switching either to a 4-3 or just hoping the next coach brings a defensive style that is more flexible...allowing us to draft a good DT and not just have it be a NT>
Building the defense is huge. However, for the Jets to become elite they need two defensive ends, one outside and one inside linebacker, one corner and one safety (unless Lowery can work out at either of these). That's five or six players, or half the defense. Probably not achievable in a year, but they could possibly get halfway there.
First off, i am definitely on board with building the defense first, however this team doesn't need 2 defensive ends, on outside and inside linebacker, a safety, and corner to be successful. The steelers are a great defense, but i wouldn't say they are really good at every position. You don't need to be loaded at every position to be an elite defense. You need good COACHING above all else. However, I think this team does need a safety, maybe a corner depending on lowery, maybe a DE, and more NT depth. I think Gholston can emerge in the right scheme. This defense can become an elite defense next year, but its going to really take coaching and maybe 2 players, provided gholston can make an impact.
Yes, I think this is an important point. You don't need an all-star at every position. Sometimes competence is OK.
The Steelers really have a great defense. They have two OLB's that are playing at a pro bowl level. Harrison won defensive player of the year and Polamula could have won it. Casey Hampton is as good as it gets in the middle. They have good not great corners. The middle linebackers Farrior, Timmons and Foote are good not great. Aaron Smith is a very good 3-4 end and Kiesel is pretty good. Put all of them together and the scheme and you have an awesome defense. The Jets defense would be drastically improved with their scheme/coaching but we don't have anywhere near the personnel. Woodley and Harrison make Pace/Thomas look like bad players. Farrior, Foote and Timmons are much better and faster then Harris and Barton.
Hard to argue with that Fact. The Steelers have, IMO, the best linebacking core in the NFL. They spend a lot of picks there and it shows with the talent they have.
Cap's dying, Tanny knows how to make room, and it's Woody's money. I really don't care what we spend as long as it's working out. Pace, Jenkins, Faneca, and Woody definitely worked out as individuals. If we go FA we're going to have to pay, and I hope we look towards FA for one or two guys.
If we get Ryan as Head Coach will he be able to get more out of Gholston and the rest of the underachievers?
