Jets defense isn't even whole and it's already terrifying
Aug 1, 2016 13:44:19 GMT -5
Gunnails and bxjetfan like this
Post by JETSALLDAY96 on Aug 1, 2016 13:44:19 GMT -5
The Jets’ defense was formidable in 2015.
That group finished fourth in the NFL in overall defense, second against the run and had 30 takeaways, third most in the NFL.
The 2016 version might be even better.
The Jets’ defense looks ferocious on paper and has lived up to its billing during the first four days of training camp. This group looks much faster than last year’s and has already forced 19 turnovers in just four practices in team and 7-on-7 drills. This unit has done it without some of its biggest stars, too. Darrelle Revis (wrist) and Muhammad Wilkerson (leg) have not practiced at all. Sheldon Richardson has missed the last three days for the birth of his child.
When this group gets together, watch out.
“We just want to take what we did last year and carry it over into this year and just get better,” cornerback Buster Skrine said. “You can tell people are a lot more comfortable in the second year in the system. We want to build off of that.”
Skrine said the key for the Jets this year is eliminating mental errors, or “MEs” as they call them in practice and limiting explosive plays. Last year, the Jets gave up 59 passes of 20 yards or more, the fourth most in the league.
“A lot of times we would hold a team and then give up an explosive [play],” Skrine said.
The strength of the Jets’ defense remains up front. Wilkerson and Richardson have both been Pro Bowlers. Leonard Williams appears poised for a breakout season in his second year. Williams has been in the offensive backfield since camp started. The 302-pounder looks faster and more confident this year.
“He was dominant last year,” Skrine said. “He can only get better in his second year. It’s not like he’s a quarterback who could have a sophomore slump. Leo works every day. That’s one thing I’ve noticed about him. He’s so mature for being that young. I think he’s going to have a great year.”
The back end benefits when the front end is rolling.
“Our front end is great,” Skrine said. “It makes the quarterback make bad decisions or get the ball off early. It’s a team sport. If the front end is not good, more than likely the back end won’t be good because the quarterback will get perfect throws. Our front is so good, a lot of the times the quarterback is rushing his throw.”
This year’s secondary looks a lot like last year’s. Only Antonio Cromartie is gone, with Skrine, Marcus Williams and Dee Milliner fighting for that spot. Revis is back, and I think he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder after hearing critics dissecting his 2015 season and questioning if he took a step backward.
Safety Marcus Gilchrist may have been the most underrated Jet last year, serving as an extension of coach Todd Bowles on the field. Fellow safety Calvin Pryor made a big leap in 2015 and could make a Pro Bowl push this year if the makes another.
“I definitely think we have some good pieces on this defense,” Pryor said. “The more we play together, the more we love the scheme, I think we’ll be well off. We have guys who are flying around. It’s fun.”
The linebacking corps is where you really see the jump in speed. David Harris remains the leader in the middle but gone are Calvin Pace, Demario Davis and Quinton Coples. Rookies Darron Lee and Jordan Jenkins have given the defense an infusion of youth along with second-year linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin.
“We picked up [Darron] Lee, a linebacker that can run 4.4,” Skrine said. “Our other rookie [Jenkins] from Georgia, he plays fast. I don’t think he ran a fast 40, but if you watch him play, he plays fast. I definitely think we got faster.”
The tests come fast for this defense. The Jets face six teams that finished within the top 15 on offense in their first seven games.
That opening stretch is viewed as the Jets’ biggest problem this season, but this defense might have something to say about that.
That group finished fourth in the NFL in overall defense, second against the run and had 30 takeaways, third most in the NFL.
The 2016 version might be even better.
The Jets’ defense looks ferocious on paper and has lived up to its billing during the first four days of training camp. This group looks much faster than last year’s and has already forced 19 turnovers in just four practices in team and 7-on-7 drills. This unit has done it without some of its biggest stars, too. Darrelle Revis (wrist) and Muhammad Wilkerson (leg) have not practiced at all. Sheldon Richardson has missed the last three days for the birth of his child.
When this group gets together, watch out.
“We just want to take what we did last year and carry it over into this year and just get better,” cornerback Buster Skrine said. “You can tell people are a lot more comfortable in the second year in the system. We want to build off of that.”
Skrine said the key for the Jets this year is eliminating mental errors, or “MEs” as they call them in practice and limiting explosive plays. Last year, the Jets gave up 59 passes of 20 yards or more, the fourth most in the league.
“A lot of times we would hold a team and then give up an explosive [play],” Skrine said.
The strength of the Jets’ defense remains up front. Wilkerson and Richardson have both been Pro Bowlers. Leonard Williams appears poised for a breakout season in his second year. Williams has been in the offensive backfield since camp started. The 302-pounder looks faster and more confident this year.
“He was dominant last year,” Skrine said. “He can only get better in his second year. It’s not like he’s a quarterback who could have a sophomore slump. Leo works every day. That’s one thing I’ve noticed about him. He’s so mature for being that young. I think he’s going to have a great year.”
The back end benefits when the front end is rolling.
“Our front end is great,” Skrine said. “It makes the quarterback make bad decisions or get the ball off early. It’s a team sport. If the front end is not good, more than likely the back end won’t be good because the quarterback will get perfect throws. Our front is so good, a lot of the times the quarterback is rushing his throw.”
This year’s secondary looks a lot like last year’s. Only Antonio Cromartie is gone, with Skrine, Marcus Williams and Dee Milliner fighting for that spot. Revis is back, and I think he will be playing with a chip on his shoulder after hearing critics dissecting his 2015 season and questioning if he took a step backward.
Safety Marcus Gilchrist may have been the most underrated Jet last year, serving as an extension of coach Todd Bowles on the field. Fellow safety Calvin Pryor made a big leap in 2015 and could make a Pro Bowl push this year if the makes another.
“I definitely think we have some good pieces on this defense,” Pryor said. “The more we play together, the more we love the scheme, I think we’ll be well off. We have guys who are flying around. It’s fun.”
The linebacking corps is where you really see the jump in speed. David Harris remains the leader in the middle but gone are Calvin Pace, Demario Davis and Quinton Coples. Rookies Darron Lee and Jordan Jenkins have given the defense an infusion of youth along with second-year linebacker Lorenzo Mauldin.
“We picked up [Darron] Lee, a linebacker that can run 4.4,” Skrine said. “Our other rookie [Jenkins] from Georgia, he plays fast. I don’t think he ran a fast 40, but if you watch him play, he plays fast. I definitely think we got faster.”
The tests come fast for this defense. The Jets face six teams that finished within the top 15 on offense in their first seven games.
That opening stretch is viewed as the Jets’ biggest problem this season, but this defense might have something to say about that.
