Notes from Pettine - last year's AFCCG and Wilk, Westerman, Strick

NDmick · Aug 9, 2011

Mike Pettine called most of last year a blur. That is, until that final week when the Jets fell to the Steelers in the AFC Championship game. For Pettine and head coach Rex Ryan, it was their third straight year making it to within one step of the Super Bowl before losing.

Pettine was asked today how long it took him to forget.

"Are you making the assumption that I'm over it?" he said. "Any time you get within one game and unfortunately for Rex and I, that's three in a row, those really stick with you."

The film sat unwatched for some time.

"It took me a while to sit down and stomach that tape and when I finally did, it was hard to watch," he said. "Here we came off an emotional win and as a unit we were flat for a half and you can't justify that. You're one game from the ultimate and we were flat and uninspired. That's hard to take."

Pettine said emotionally, the team was drained. After a last-minute victory over the Colts in the Wild Card round and a redemptive win over the Patriots the week after, he felt like there wasn't much left for the team to give.

He said the team played some of its best football of the season in the second half, but it was too little, too late.

"We didn't change anything schematically at halftime," he said. "It was nothing more than a good halftime speech. We just came out and we played like Jets in the second half."

Some other quick hits from Pettine...

On Muhammad Wilkerson's learning curve coming into this season:

"It's pretty accelerated, but the one thing we were very fortunate with was around the draft that one day where we were open for business and that happened to be the day after he was drafted," he said.

"We were able to get him in here and overwhelm him with information, we got him a playbook and video to watch, we called Mike DeVito, gave Mike his phone number and said 'take this kid under your wing,' so he really came in here with a decent base already."

On getting back safety Donald Strickland:

It was hard for us to let him go after '09 but the problem with Strick was that he played great but when he was in there he had some injuries that kept him out so there was a durability question there and that's one of the reasons we drafted Kyle (Wilson) and we had Drew (Coleman). I think that was one of the reasons he was let go.

He went out to San Diego and we actually got a chance to see him a lot on crossover tape and he was playing at a high level. The smoke cleared at the end of the season and we checked the stats and here he played in all 16 games....When Strick's name popped up (this offseason) we jumped all over it. It was one of those phone calls where we had him at 'hello.'

On Jamaal Westerman and the "designated pass rusher" role:

Before we signed Jason Taylor a year ago, I think we had kind of penciled (Westerman) in to get a lot of reps and I think that slowed Jamaal's progress down a little bit. But we always found that when he was in there, things happened. Jamaal is an explosive guy, very strong, I think he has the best get-off of our defensive ends.
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http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2011/08/jets_defensive_coordinator_mik.html

I'm gunna go to the extreme - Wilkerson will be like Vilma in terms of coming in and playing without glaring flaws that rookies usually have coming into their first year. However, due to him being a 3-4 DE, rookie of the year candidacy will not be remotely possible. He's just going to come in and help this line instead of hurt it.

Mr Electric · Aug 9, 2011

I'm excited about our defensive line. Finally some young blood to build on.

Mo Wilkerson, Sione Pouha, and Mike DeVito is a very, very good front three.

Kenrick Ellis and Marcus Dixon will be big contributors as rotational players.

David Harris' job will be a lot easier if these two draft picks come in and play well.

BadgerOnLSD · Aug 9, 2011

I liked the part about DeVito being asked to take the rookie under his wing.

gizmo253 · Aug 9, 2011

NDmick said: ↑

I'm gunna go to the extreme - Wilkerson will be like Vilma in terms of coming in and playing without glaring flaws that rookies usually have coming into their first year. However, due to him being a 3-4 DE, rookie of the year candidacy will not be remotely possible. He's just going to come in and help this line instead of hurt it.
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I couldnt agree more, maybe its the "homer" optimism, but wilkerson looks like the real deal, and going against brick everyday in practice cant hurt either. I think this might be the year that we get to the quarterback without having to send DBs on the blitz. If you couple that with the fact that Strickland is definitely an Upgrade from Drew Coleman in the nickel, and with cromartie having another year of experience in the system, this could turn out to be a special year for our D.

I also am hoping for Kendrick Ellis to make an impact at NT as the season progresses. This kid was a great recruit out of HS, went to SC on a schloarship, but screwed up and ended up at Hampton. Hes got a ton of potential and im looking forward to great things from him.

MikeHoncho · Aug 9, 2011

Mr Electric said: ↑

I'm excited about our defensive line. Finally some young blood to build on.

Mo Wilkerson, Sione Pouha, and Mike DeVito is a very, very good front three.

Kenrick Ellis and Marcus Dixon will be big contributors as rotational players.

David Harris' job will be a lot easier if these two draft picks come in and play well.
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You forgot Pitoitua.. I think he'll end up being a bigger contributor this year than both Ellis and Dixon. I read he looks very good and one of the coaches said how he's great insurance for Wilkerson and they expect him to contribute.

gizmo253 · Aug 9, 2011

MikeHoncho said: ↑

You forgot Pitoitua.. I think he'll end up being a bigger contributor this year than both Ellis and Dixon. I read he looks very good and one of the coaches said how he's great insurance for Wilkerson and they expect him to contribute.
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I was about to put that in my post, but didnt think of it till after i hit submit lol. But i really do agree with you, depending on how healthy Pitoitua is, he can really make an impact this season. Im sure Rex & Co took this into consideration when they "let" S. Ellis go.

FJF · Aug 9, 2011

love the westerman talk.i really think he can quiet some of the "we need a pass rusher" talk

Mr3rdDown80 · Aug 9, 2011

love it... jamaal could be a huge sleeper... and like you guys said, you cant forget about ropati... that was such a let down when he got injured last year i expect big things from him... its funny how such a giant can be forgotten about lol

Notes from Pettine - last year's AFCCG and Wilk, Westerman, Strick

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