FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- It's the New York Jets' version of the three R's, the post-bye week edition: Rested, rejuvenated and redemption-minded. On defense, anyway. Coming off a season in which they led the NFL in several statistical categories, the Jets have slipped to 12th in total defense. It hasn't hurt the team, 5-1 for the first time since 2004, but the lower ranking tastes like sour milk to the defensive-minded Rex Ryan, who vowed a turnaround over the final 10 games. "When it's all settled, I expect to have the best defense in the league -- like always," the brash coach said Monday after welcoming back his team from a six-day respite. The prediction came with a small revelation: Second-year coordinator Mike Pettine is calling "a ton" of the defensive plays, according to Ryan. A year ago, Ryan leaned on his longtime sidekick, but when it came to calling the plays, it was his show. And Ryan did it very well, befuddling opponents with his fearless and creative blitz packages. Pettine's expanded role, coupled with the drop-off on defense, might fuel speculation of a possible connection. But Ryan claimed that isn't the case, adding that he's happy with Pettine's play calling and has no plans to change. "It's not his fault," Ryan said. "He's been calling the ones that work. I've got to do a better job when I call them." Funny, but the plays tend to work better when cornerback Darrelle Revis is healthy, but they've had a healthy Revis for only six quarters. That, no doubt, is a key reason for the significant decline in pass defense (22nd). That should change this week, with Revis claiming his pulled left hamstring is 100 percent after rehabbing it through the bye week. Pass-rusher Calvin Pace also is close to 100 percent after missing the first four games with a broken foot. Now that everybody is back, save for nose tackle Kris Jenkins (season-ending knee surgery), the Jets "don't have any excuses," according to Ryan. "Eventually," linebacker Bart Scott said, "the cream will rise to the top." Defensively, the Jets are playing well in the fourth quarter, a bugaboo last season, but they lack their old killer instinct. For instance: They've been forcing opponents into third-and-long situations -- no team has done that more often -- but they haven't been able to finish the deal on what they like to call their "money" down. Their third-down blitz has recorded only one sack in 49 pass plays, according to ESPN Stats & Information. Their overall third-down efficiency is pedestrian, with a conversion rate (42 percent) that ranks 24th in the league. Players said opponents have adjusted to their blitzes by using seven-man protection schemes and quick throws. Now it's up to the Jets to formulate a counterattack. They showed improvement against the pass-happy Denver Broncos, and they will face a similar offensive style Sunday with the Green Bay Packers (4-3) coming to town. "We obviously should be more dominant than we are, but teams have been changing up their game plans on us a little bit," said Pace, adding, "I do think we'll get back to where we were." Meaning No. 1. But it raises a question: If the operation worked so well last season, why would Ryan cede some of his play-calling duties? He has tremendous faith in Pettine, whom he believes will be a head coach one day. "We've been together [nine years]," said Ryan, alluding to their years together in Baltimore. "It was time for him to step up and call more of it." Ryan said Pettine was the primary playcaller in a recent game because he had a better feel for the opponent. Ryan wouldn't name the team, joking that it was the Buffalo Bills -- their only dominant defensive game. "He's doing a great job," Ryan said. "The guys have complete confidence in him. I'm there, but I don't have to call every single play." http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/columns/story?columnist=cimini_rich&id=5727373
stop it, slime if he needed to save face he would have taken back the reins without saying a word about who was calling the plays
Man...Im just enjoying the ride. After so many years of losing...dealing with Chad Pennington's injuries for example. Bring it Green Bay!! BRING IT!!
Our defense is going to get better, our shortcoming has been on 3rd down when we send the house. Hopefully with a healthy Revis, that will start to get better.
The important defensive statistic is points per game and we're 4th in that category. I'm sure that a healthy #24 makes us a much better defense though.
You could see flashes in the Denver game of our defense returning to form....it's only a matter of time. I'm really excited to watch it Sunday, I really think Revis is back to being Revis. (He also showed flashes in Denver)
On the PPG stat, Jets are currently fourth in the league. And rising. Nothing to worry about, imo, particularly with Revis's health improving.
I'm more worried that our Offense get back on track, the Denver games was a win, but not exactly a great game by the offense as a whole. The mental mistakes need cleaned up. It was a gutsy win late which I loved to see, but we could have put them away early if we took care of the ball.
I think we probably saw a little of a step back with the addition of Holmes the first couple of weeks. Schotty had to get used to calling plays with him, changing packages more, and Sanchez had to get used to having Holmes as another receiver. Once they get back in sync it will probably be better than the start of the season.
I agree. The talent level is there to be a dominant balanced offense. The parts need to all work togeather better than the last game but I have high hopes. We need to have killer instinct in this next strech of games with the Pats on our heels.
I'm getting less concerned about the defense and more about Sanchez. He's looked a little rough around the edges in the past 2 games. I'm so glad LT is here, he's been a lifesaver.
Still young but what's great about this year is he can pull it together after some bad throws. If this was 09 Sanchez we would've lost in Denver, instead he drove us down the field for the game winning TD. Also you must've expected a few not so perfect games. What I love is how he has handled the mistakes and even the way he talks about them post-game. I for one am not worried about Sanchez, I just want everyone to stay healthy because we have a very legitimate shot this year. The great thing though, I think we'll be contenders now for years to come.
I can't wait to see Revis at full throttle. Even with a sore hamstring he was still more than adequate. I didn't agree with it, but now I think it's gonna turn out to be a great idea, playing Revis against Denver
I am not worried about Sanchez at all. He threw 2 picks and then responded and improved. His completion % too is nothing to be worried about since he throws so many deep passes to open up space for the run game. The Defense will improve and if its anywhere near as good as it was last year then we are a scary team. The talent on both sides of the ball is ridiculous.
