And not in the good way that defenses are supposed to be scary. Who isn't replaceable besides Revis and Harris? There isn't one place on that side of the ball where we couldn't upgrade. And this is the bread and butter? The pride of Rex? Do we have magic pixie dust ready to sprinkle over next season? Bart Scott was shot last year. This year, he was a paper bag. Next year would be an absolute joke. Jim Leonard? Great leader. Hard hitter. As likely to make a healthy appearance in January as Pat Tillman. Calvin Pace. Last meaningful memory is on my wall, in a framed SI cover where he's hitting Tom Brady. Maybin is a lateral find to Bryan Thomas's existence this year. Considering both were supposed to be stud superstars, they will always be underachieving as long as they're simply "role players" - which they both are. Cromartie is the complete opposite of a Moneyball type of player. Value to the team, vs. his contract? He might be the biggest financial/theoretical risk on the entire team. No offense to Santonio Holmes. Smith, Wilson, etc. etc. etc.? Without Revis doing his job, the other DBs probably wouldn't make an NFL roster based on their performance in tackling, awareness, strenght, speed or size. The defensive line is dependent on Ellis and Wilkerson becoming Klecko and Gastineau by season 2 apparently. We haven't been able to replace Jenkins and Ellis yet, or even the threat of Ellis and Jenkins. Do I need to go on? The defensive questions are scarier than all of the baloney and chaos that ensued with the offense, because the defense is supposed to be the strength and backbone. That's supposed to be something we don't even have to worry - or even talk about. If the defense can't find a way to keep the pressure off Sanchez next year like they did in his first 2 seasons - then Sanchez is doomed to fail. And if Rex can't turn that defense into something that's truly scary in the right way, he will have fully exposed the big illusion about himself. Then he has to go. And we have to rebuild the entire dog and pony show around Revis and Harris while we have them aging and expiring under contract.
I'm not concerned about the defense, we know rex can coach it up to be 'good enough'. It sounds like you're just extremely negative to me.
We need a safety and a pass rusher. Another year of Wilkerson and K Dubb maturing and Cromartie had a terrific season.
need for an ilb and safety have been discussed ad nauseum wilkerson proved he can play and pouha needs to be resigned.after that the d.l. is fine when was b.t. touted to be a super star?he is a solid run support olb who may have been over drafted but still managed to put together a decent career maybin is a situational pass rusher who well outplayed his contract.we didn't draft him #9 for us he's a f.a. find that is panning out k.w. is developing fine although he did tail off at the end of last season and cro is a good enough # 2 who looks a little rough because revis spoils us. sorry chicken little,the sky is not falling on the defense
Terrible post. Three top 5 defenses in 3 years, RR has never coordinated a defense worse than 6th.... Don't worry about the D. It'll only get better as a passrush is added. S and OLB are needs. The defense will be solid as usual.
Our defense needs work, but is far from one of the worst in the league. We have the draft and free agency coming up. Perhpas you can not see anything positive in the future of our team, but I can. The Pat Tillman comment was about as low and gutless a thing as I've read around here in a long time. You would think someone from NY or at least a fan of a NY area team would have more respect from the men that give thier lives for our country after 9/11, but I guess your that special breed of person that has a horrible life and needs to be a dick to otehrs on the internet to feel like a big man. Congrats, your less mature than my nine year old.
While I agree with the basic premise of your post, I disagree that Scott as bad as you say, or that the D is nearly as bad overall as you portray it to be. The biggest problem is the lack of a strong, consistent pass rush. Like others, your comment about Tillman and Leonard was way over the line and crass, not funny. Hopefully, Rex and Tanny pull their head out of their ass and realize that they have to upgrade the OLB position with a speedy pass rusher. If the Jets can get a stud OLB prospect (Upshaw, Mercilius or Perry) to start opposite Pace. and then possibly add another pass rush threat to go with Maybin to replace Pace on passing downs, the improved pass rush will make this D a lot better and hide a lot more of the flaws of our DBs. The DBs get exposed because opposing QBs have all day to pick the D apart. Even the best DBs can only cover receivers for so long. Wilson is coming on. I think that Wilkerson and Ellis will develop and start making more plays this season and will develop into very good, solid starters if not stars. Pace isn't great, and I look forward to the day he will be gone (because his production doesn't match his salary), but he is decent. Pouha and Devito are good run stuffers. Once Ellis develops into the starter, then Pouha will be a good rotational player for a few years or perhaps Televaseau. Hopefully, they'll be able to upgrade Devito's spot in next year's draft or FA period. Dixon and Pitoitua are good rotational players. The Jets need to add some speed and coverage ability to the safety position. Adding Michael Griffin or Reggie Nelson then drafting a prospect like Markelle Martin should make a huge difference. Hopefully, they'll also be able to replace Cromartie in 2013 with either Wilson or a CB they draft that year. Getting another CB that has a set of balls and can and will play press coverage and who can tackle will also help immensely. I think it may take 2 years to get this D back to #1, but I think it is definitely doable. Meanwhile, being a top 5 D isn't so bad. If the offense can get anywhere near being a top 10 offense, it should be enough to have the team in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy. Sorry things are so bleak in your world.
Low class and negative. Yes the defense needs some work but no way its as bad as you portray it to be. Have some faith in the players and realize they will benefit from an actual offseason together. And do you think the whole team has something to prove after this season, that will be a huge motivator for younger players who need to step up.
Way more worried about our defunct offense than our defense. It has it's weaknesses but the offense is way more frustrating than the defense has ever been.
My only legit concern is who is going to replace Scott on the defense. Need a vocal leader to fire up the squad (Which we have literally nobody on defense outside of Scott for that) and our rush defense was suspect to begin with, losing him will only make it worse. Outside of that we have a ton of young players not many of whom are superstars but have worked in the past
I don't think the Tillman comment was so bad. There was no insulting of him or anything he did. People get offended too easily.
I never heard of a DE in a 3-4 scheme having a double digit sack season because thats not really what they're in there for, our DL did their job this season our problem was the OLB's not winning 1 on 1s consistently enough to get pressure on the QB so our only problem on Defense really is not a consistent enough pass rush and we need to tackle better.
The defense may not have that many star players but they play well together as a unit. They are top 5 in pass defense and total yards. The only reason their points allowed is a little off this year is all the turnovers that put them in bad position by the offense. The defense is still FAR superior to the offense and its not even debatable....
I think using a dead soldier as part of your joke/punchline is a bit over the line, but I suppose it's subjective.
