Our style of play put's so much emphasis on our DBs. While our CBs are doing an excellent job, the FS duo (Pool-Smith) and Leonhard (to a lesser extent, but teams have learned how to pick on his short-comings... ehm... weaknesses) have both been disappointing this year (imo). Ihedigbo is a good role player but I don't think his role should be expanded. Look at Smith, he is very good when we need a hard tackling FS... but if you ask him to cover too much he starts getting unreliable. What are the possible solutions? 1) Pool starts getting more comfortable in his role. After all he has only been here for 9 games. He'll be evaluated at the end of the year and might make this thread moot. 2) We decide to draft a FS. Is there a FS worthy of a low 1st rd pick? Are there any good mid-round prospects? What about a SS, any upgrade over Leonhard? 2b) Any upgrade in the FA market? (although I don't think we'll have money to spend in FA...) 3) Internal solutions like Lowery at FS. 4) We should make our pass rush better so there's less pressure on our DBs. The more I think about it the less I'd be opposed to drafting a FS with our 1st round pick. It would allow us to see Smith on the field for what he does best (3 safeties sets and not as a rotational FS, obvious run downs), it would enhance our capability of covering TEs (leaving Leonhard as the QB of the D and on the short routes/runs) and would make our DBs the toughest group to face in the league. Question is... is there anyone worthy in the next draft? I'd also love to see Lowery at FS but if the CS is not doing that (as much) there must be a reason. Hope they give it more of a try. Our pass-rush needs to get better but we have some young talent on the team and we can draft someone later in the draft... All in all I'd like to address FS, OLB and 3-4DE with our first 3 picks... I'm just trying to debate how important that FS need is.
It's gonna be hard to get a stud safety with the 32nd pick in the first round. That being said, I think the Jets will draft a safety with their 1st or 2nd round pick.. an athletic one who can cover those good receiving TE's because Eric Smith is not too good at it. Leonhard is a good player, but he has some limitations obviously with his size and speed. The other option would be to move Lowery full time to FS and hope he picks it up pretty quickly.
We need more front 7 help with higher picks. A better more aggressive front 7 would make our safeties look better.
We do need an upgrade at Safety but I'm not a big fan of using a first round pick. Not when the glaring need is a pass rusher. Elite pass rushers are usually more worthy of a high pick than elite Safeties.
I'd rather we draft a great pass rusher. Imagine if we could actually get to the QB rushing only 3 or 4?
I don't understand why Smith sees the field so much. Brodney Pool has made huge plays for the team this year (Picks Tom Brady in NE territory so we get the ball in great position down 1 pt and tipped the pass away from Fasano when Miami had 4th and goal).
I know this isn't the purpose of your thread, but Eric Smith has really soured on me lately. I'd prefer to not see him on the field at all. It would be nice to grab a top safety in the draft, but we really need to get young at DE and NT immediately.
I think the top 3 needs in the offseason for the Jets will be a safety, a OLB who can rush the passer, and a D-Lineman. On topic for this thread, like I said in my other post, I fully expect the Jets to target a playmaking safety who can cover a TE with one of their early picks. That + pass rusher are clearly the 2 biggest needs for the whole team. I don't think DL is as big of a need, because Rex finds a way to get a lot out of "no name" guys. Pouha and DeVito are playing great against the run. Ellis will probably be brought back. Then they can fill in the pieces for another year with a returning Jenkins as a part time player, maybe Pryce back, Pitoitua returning, and hopefully someone like Gilbert, Kroul, or Dixon steps up. For safety, Smith and Ihedigbo are good role players and excellent special teamers so they will stay. I don't know if Pool will be back though.
Exactly. We need more pressure coming from our d-line, sometimes i see the opposing QB having too much time to throw the ball.
Announcer: A Jet is injured on the field Me: Ah... fuck. Just another stinking Jets luck Announcer: Eric Smith is down, it seems... Me: Oh, YES!!!!! #*()@#$*()#% @&*()$&*()#%&*(@#%
pretty much. i don't see any other glaring weaknesses on this team. WR is also going to be an issue going forward. What do we do with Holmes and Edwards? Who do we keep? If you have one of them + J-Co you still need another WR. If you love a WR at the end of the 1st do you take him? But lets just enjoy this season.
... on a more serious note: 1. I think replacement for Ellis is due, but considering the success Rex had with DeVito and Pouha, I don't think high pick is necessary for that replacement. If at all, Aaron Smith of Steelers was 4th rounder as well. (And we all know Steelers always pick late) 2. This leaves the only position of glaring need that needs 1st-round attention would be... pass rushing OLB. I wouldn't be opposed to a stud NT either, but I would really like a pass rushing OLB a la DeMarcus Ware. (Or if Dallas cleans the house...) 3. After the OLB, safety definitely needs some help.
I'd love to have a legit OLB pass rusher but those guys are so rare to find. Since we changed to the 3-4 there have been only 2 legit OLB pass rushing threats to enter the league - Clay Matthews and Cameron Wake.
There are enough WRs on the PS or out of a job that we could bring in a 3rd stringer should we lose either Holmes or Edwards. I'm still hopeful Tanny will be able to work some magic and keep them both.
I personally have no confidence in Leonhard or Smith in pass coverage coverage. Smith is more of a short field-run support,in aback up role. Leonhard is the team mascot right now so he will be a mismatch until it is painfully obvious he shouldn't be on field in 3rd and long situations. I personally would like to see more of Lowery(healthy) and Pool on passing downs, who is Leonhard putting in position in the secondary these days???Everybody but Cormartie and Pool was here last year. In short Less Leonhard IMO, specially on punts where ball security isn't an issue.IE rain/snow/inside the 20.
