Of course, this is all just my humble opinion, but I am basing it simply as to what I have witnessed so far during this period we call the Rex Ryan regime. When he looks back the past few years and tries to sort out the mess that has taken his team from the first 2 years into the AFC finals to the next 2 years into complete and utter mediocrity, what does Rex feel was the one key ingredient that he let slip through his fingers, he was not able to instantly repair? What was it that he initially set out to do in order to make the Jets a team to be reckoned with and the most feared opponent in the NFL ( which I believe did happen for brief periods the first 2 years)? ( why such brief periods? I will get to that!) He nicknamed it "Jet Football' Ok, one can make a case for M. Sanchez being somewhat to blame. But I'd rather not write a complete 32 page essay to argue those reasons. You can make a case for which is the real M Sanchez, the first 2 years or the last 2. The first 2 years were a bit magical, both on offence and on defense. What helped Sanchez along of course was a solid running & receiving corp. But Rex, being a defensive minded coach, knew he to have the sure thing on the field when it called out for a big play to be made; which was on defense, simply because his coaching skills were very adept to making that a reality. Offense was the cherry on top of it all. I didn't think Rex expected as much from Mark as his ready made defense, with the likes of Bart Scott, Pace, Jenkins, Leonard & Revis holding fort. When Rex brought in Kris Jenkins, he knew to the least, the D-line, along with the rest of the defense, would be formidable. Kris made the Jets a formidable opponent, because with him, that line acted like a cinder block wall. With KJ in , the Rex smug became apparent; the D was pretty dam awesome. Third and short? Dam if I can recall many times the opponent beat them. With Kris out, it really lacked the ability to stop the run, especially 3rd and short situations. With Kris out for good, Rex had to plug in the gap, try as he may, but never could find the right replacement. It's fact: Jets were a different team without KJ in there. It was noticeable on big third and short situations. Devito and the rest gave it the ole college try, but not quite up to the standards Rex expected. Lets look at what Rex has to work with this coming 2013 so far: Kenrick Ellis Antonio Garray Damon Harrison Junior Aumavae Ok, K. Ellis has the potential to be something here. But so far , potential is all we have to go by. The other 3, I have no clue if they can be as effective. I just don't see a Kris Jenkins here ( this happens to be my measuring stick, btw) . Maybe they'll spell each other, but nothing here tells me we have a sure fire DT that can dominate. I think Rex is hemming and hawing about this, imo. So what to do? I feel this coming draft will address this need very easily if one of 2 players fall to the Jets at #9. There a many here that feel an OLB in the first round at #9 is a reach, and I can certainly understand the reasoning. But rather than list the players that are reaches, lets list the players seem most feel are very much sure fire day 1 NFL starters? Here' my list: ( ok maybe not sure fire but, very likely NFL draft day 1-13 choices, and the most called out names from many draft sites.....) Luke Joeckel OT Texas A&M Star Lotulelei DT Utah Eric Fisher, OT Central Michigan Jarvis Jones OLB Georgia Chance Warmack OG Alabama Sharrif Floyd DT Florida Dee Milliner CB Alabama Cordarrelle Patterson WR Tennessee Tavon Austin WR West Virginia Sheldon Richardson DT Missouri Dion Jordan, DE Oregon Geno Smith, QB West Virginia Ezekial Ansah, DE BYU Well if I'm Rex, and thinking aloud about how nice it would be to have that 2010/2011 D that got me to the AFC finals, well, I'd be licking my chops if either Shariff Floyd or Star Lotulelei made it to #9. Yes the Jets also need a pass rusher, but I think with this years draft, they can address that in the 2nd round and then of course, it wouldn't be such a reach to pick a player like Mingo, for example. Having to make that choice, a DT would be a perfect fit - it would set this line up for the next 6-8 years. If they can somehow work out a deal to keep Revis, which looks very moot at this point, what an awesome D : If I can only dream though, lol.
if you are going to use jenkins as the measuring stick you will be dissapointed with 90% of the nt's in the league. k.j. was a freak.pouha, ellis and harrison all held the point well last year. that is all you can ask of a nt. the problem with the d is speed. too slow on the edges. to slow covering zones in the middle. lb's trailing rb's and te.'s replacing scott with davis and pace with barnes is going to go along way in getting the defense back to elite status.
Rex isnt the one picking the players.. He may be begging for a DLineman, but Idzik is going to be the one with the final say. Who knows, Rex may not even be here next year. People may laugh at the idea of him being fired, but its definitely a real possibility, especially if the team plays to their talent level (or lack there of). Kris Jenkins was the best NT during his time. Using him as the measuring stick is like using Aaron Rodgers as the measuring stick of a QB. Its unfair and a lot of the times, not realistic. We drafted Kenrick Ellis to be our future NT, and he definitely flashed that ability this year. If he wasnt hurt, he would have been one of the best players on the defense. Its time to let him show his worth and play to his ability. Unless we are going to a 4-3 defense, I would not expect another DLineman. Even in a 4-3, we would have misfits all over the line. Honestly, Id be pretty pissed if we drafted another DLineman; a 3rd year in a row. Yes, games are won in the trenches, but that only goes so far if you dont have someone to rush the passer or have the ability to put up points. Star is a very good player and so is floyd, but I dont think they have nearly as much impact as a stud OLB prospect or offensive prospect (basically anybody on that side of the ball will help). For example, Tavon Austin might seem like a reach in many's eyes, but he would help this team more, and help our (hopefully) future franchise QB. IMO, the only position I go on defense is OLB in the first round.
Rex didn't bring in Jenkins. Mangini did. Rex brought in Marques Douglas, Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard, Lito Sheppard, Antonio Cromartie, Kyle Wilson, Brodney Pool, Mo Wilkerson, Quinton Coples, LaRon Landry, Yeremiah Bell and DeMario Davis. He's spent a lot of time and capital trying to fix a secondary that had Revis and Rhodes in it when he arrived. He's spent a lot of time and capital upgrading and fixing the defensive line. He's spent almost no time and capital on upgrading the linebackers which is where 3-4 defenses become great. Rex was DL coach with Ravens before he became DC there. He inherited great LB's as the DC there. He's developed a CB fetish since he came to the Jets. He's a great schemer and he has an excellent feel for when to apply pressure and when to back off. He's a mediocre judge of talent though and he often looks in the wrong places when he is trying to improve the talent. John Idzik and the personnel department need to help him out here. They need to get him some really good linebackers so that his 3-4 can be great instead of just really cool. They really need to put a moratorium on spending value in the defensive backfield. If the Jets get any more back-heavy they're going to tip over and watch teams just run them out of the stadium.
I dont think Rex wants a base 3-4 or 4-3 anyway, he's been building up his 46 defense since day 1 and its almost complete
See now going after a DT in the first round and snagging Mingo in the second I would be all for. I never liked Mingo as a #9 pick, but if he is there for us at 39, I'd take him in a heartbeat. The problem here is that we need weapons on the offensive side of the ball. This is why this draft is so important. We have defensive needs and severe offensive needs. We could take a pass rusher in the first and a play maker in the second. This draft is going to be very interesting for us
Jenkins didn't play all that much while Rex was head coach. To say that is the element for your argument is wrong because Rex didn't bring him in and he was hurt more than he played while Rex was head coach.
Almost complete? We have no linebackers and no safeties and no weak side DE. Our 46 atm is: Weak Side DE: ?? DT: Coples NT: Ellis SS DE: Wilkerson Jack LB: Demario Davis Charlie LB: MLB: SS: FS: We're not even half way there. Harris is way too slow to be an effective 46 MLB.
yes, I was 1 year off on when Jenkins arrived. And he was hurt most of the time when Rex was coaching. But that still, imo, doesn't lessen the impact he had when Rex had him healthy,so my argument stands, even for a brief period. Rex liked the D the Jets had when he came aboard, especially with a healthy Kris Jenkins. This is all the more reason why he would like to bring that type of D back to the forefront. I don't agree that he is a poor judge of talent.....where did that idea come from? The personnel he brought in helped shape/mold the team that went to the AFC finals 2 years in a row!!!, Give me a break. Bringing in Landry & Bell, that was a good move. If Rex is the man in charge or has the leverage to do what he feels is the best for the Jets , which I feel is still the case, they'll be another defensive player picked. I'd rather have them pick the BPA than a reach, but if Jones/Star/Floyd/Austin/Jordan are all sitting on the Jets clock, it would be very interesting to see what transpires. The offense needs way more help than 1 first round player can hope to fix. Losing Bart Scott/Pace/Thomas/Leonard/Landry/Bell was a big blow. Other than Jones or Jordan I'm not sure of the other DE's/OLB at #9.
uh Weakside DE- Margus Hunt is ideal in this spot DT- Muhammad Wilkerson NT- Kenrick Ellis Strongside DE- Quinton Coples Jack- Demario Davis Charlie- Antwan Barnes MLB- David Harris- I think he'll be fine for now, he's not as slow as some make him seem and I think Pace and Thomas made him look even worse SS- maybe Dawan Landry FS- safety with very good range, draft pick maybe even Josh Bush and again Rex wont go to it much since teams spread out too often but after seeing his interest in Margus Hunt I finally realized it
Sort of on topic, sort of off topic. There is one prospect that really intrigues me due to his upside and should be available in the mid to low rounds of the draft, but he has a good pedigree and a good body type to fill the Jenkins type of role, it just depends on IF he developes. That player is Kwame Greathers. He's raw and has some holes but as a 5-7th round potential pick he could pay off big, or wash out.
I don't think many were able to foresee what impact Jenkins had when he was drafted by the Panthers in the 2nd round in 2001. Putting a big body in there is somehting I feel Rex and the Jetsneed to address. Geathers is listed as 6'5 1/2 355, but not much to find on him - coming out as a Jr..
Yep, that's why he's intriguing, he's got huge bust potential since there's not a lot about him in game film, but he also has huge potential.
A good hearted bump for this!! I told you all, but nobody took it seriously that Rex missed K. Jenkins...not to say that Sheldon will fill his shoes but this had to be a Rex pick. Good for him and the Jets. Their D will be nasty mean, and fun to watch...
Mind elaborating on that? They both play on the DL - similar builds and same expectations - to plug the middle and be disruptive. Whether one is a NT or DT, the end result is still the same.
It says that when a top 4 player on your board falls to you at 9 you have to take him if you cannot sell the pick for value. Wilson will go back to the nickel now. Maybe Milliner will start there but I doubt it. The Jets will have a decent pass rush and good defensive backs. It's not hard to see a top 5 defense coming out of that. I'll tell you one thing - if I see a strong defense up front next year I'm going to start thinking about 2009 again.
