Funny Thing About The Jets Defense

It's Tanny's fault that the Jets only exercised 23 picks in the draft from 2007 to 2011 and so the LB's for the Jets last year were old and slow.

The Jets drafted 2 LB's (including the ghost) from 2007 to 2011.

The 49ers, who have improved dramatically on defense over that span, drafted 5 LB's.

The Texans, who have improved dramatically on defense over that span, drafted 6 LB's.

The Seahawks, who have improved dramatically on defense over that span, drafted 4 LB's.

Now for the kicker. In the 2012 draft the 49ers took 2 LB's (7 over 5 years), the Texans took 1 LB (7 over 5 years), the Seahawks took 2 LB's (6 over 5 years). The Jets took 1 LB (3 over 5 years).

Hell yeah it was Tanny's fault the Jets were playing old and slow LB's last season. Even when it was obvious that the LB's were getting slow and aging out the GM could not bring himself to do his job and shore up a key area of the team. He had too many other holes to fill because of the crappy talent acquisition strategy he had foisted on the Jets over his tenure.

 

Well IMO this draft is gonna be the swing for this unit. if they do in fact select 2 possible starters for the front seven we may very well be on our way.

after the gholston whiff, the front 7 D had been mostly ignored on Dday - until the latest 2 first rounders - wilk and coples.

the recent trend has to continue. not necessarily another first rounder but no later than round 2 for some front 7 speed.

 

So does Teflon Rex bear any responsibility for these past 2 seasons? And will he bear any responsibility if this season is disappointing?

 

agree - when comparing its much easier to see the premium other teams put on certain positions - in this case LB's.

the scary part about that is we had a revis - and we STILL couldn't pull the trigger on better LB talent.

and the ironic part is that we were/are a 3-4 defense - go figure

 

There was an invisible LB prospect glued onto Stephen Hill's hip last year. Another one watched from the vantage point of Shonn Greene's shoulders. We had one attached to Darrelle Revis all these years and we never knew it. Dustin Keller? Yeah, the second pick spent on him could have been a LB.

The double-or-nothing on the Jets draft strategy was just so frustrating to watch over the years. When you trade up to take one guy at the expense of multiple picks you are saying one of two things, either there's no talent in this draft so we have to go get our guy at all costs, or we're smarter than everybody else and we know the one guy who will be great and we're just going to go take him.

They were right on Revis and wrong on every other trade up they made. That's why the Jets roster going into last season was Revis and a couple of guys taken in 2006 and a thin roster that included a lot of untalented junk.

 

Can the Jets be a top 10 Defense, with potential top 5 upside again?

It won't be easy at all, but it's possible.

In terms of coaching, i think we are set.
Ryan will be calling the plays. I'm excited about Thurman learning the role as next man up for DC, and Dunbar is a tremendous asset and technique teacher on the Dline.

In terms of personnel, we have lots of questions outside of Cro, Harris and Wilk.
Lots of holes to fill thru FA and the draft yet, and lots of new guys need to step into full time roles on a complex D.

This is my wish list personnel wise to have a shot at top 10 D.

1) Stay healthy. Goes w/o saying, and we'll have virtually no quality depth

2) Sign Revis long term. His salary demands are not as bad as some thought, and the trade return value doesn't seem optimal. We could use the sense of stablility, confidence and leadership on that unit full of new starters. He allows us a broad range of flexibility in scheme and game plan, which will help put others in a position to shine. And obviously he completely negates other teams best weapon.

3) Draft OLB at the 9. We desparately need help there, and need someone who can set the edge, provide pass rush, and cover out in the flat on occassion. I'm hoping Jordan or Jones are there.

4) Sign Dawan Landry in FA. With 2 good corners and improved pass rush, you can bet teams will try to attack the inside. I like Landry's toughness and experience. We could try to fill hole via draft, but i think we really need those picks for Offense.

5) Need Coples and Davis to show they are more than situational players. Neither have shown me yet they can be effective against the run, or play every down, and we'll need them both to take a big step up.

It's going to be difficult challenge to remain top 10, but i think these 5 factors along with the coaching, will put us in the best position to achieve it.

 

Yes exactly, and the constant 3 and outs exposed our defense too.

I am excited to see this young defense but as some people mentioned I am worried about the schematic side. I can just see the confusion already, especially while subbing out packages.

Im also hoping that Davis was studying hard last year when he wasn't on the field and that the extra year will pay off.

 

+1. Didn't this board come to the same conclusion about Lowery? And isn't his current team doing well with his at FS? Also, haven't the Saints had some success moving Jenkins from CB in college to FS in the pros?

I think that Wilson is a very solid nickle back with excellent straight line speed once he shifts his hips. He's not afraid to gamble, as we've learned, so maybe FS is where he belongs?

OT: I agree that we'll be better this year.