I started watching the Jets back in the Sack Exchange era, and that D was pretty damn good. But this seems to me to be the best group of talent since then on D. Perhaps ever? Some old time fans may be able to come up with earlier iterations but this D to me is playing at a level I have not seen in 20 years. Too early to call or do you agree?
The 2004 defense was nasty as hell. They kept us in every game and finished 6th in the NFL(I think, pretty sure atleast top 10). This defense has applied more pressure though, atleast so far, and has faced some tough ass offenses and held them at bay. HOU, NE, and NO are all pretty damn good offenses. I can see this winding up as the best NYJ defense in recent memory. So much talent all over the unit.
I've only been watching the Jets since around 94 or 95 (born in 86). We have had a few solid defenses in the past decade and a half, but the 2004 season sticks out to me. Pretty sure they were #2 in rushing yards allowed. This D gets me a lot more pumped, however. And I do feel they can become the best Jets D I've ever seen by the end of the year.
Considering they keep offenses to less than one TD a game this has to rank as one of the best so far. If they can keep the pts against under 15 per game for the year this has to rank as one of the best. this offense- if no pick 6s or EZ fumbles are caused- will only have to score 17-20 a game to win. Thats exactly what Rex Ryan wants.
Different people will probably have different feelings on it. Anybody you ask will tell you that the best defense Buddy Ryan ever coached on was the 85 Bears. But I remember seeing an interview with Buddy in 2000 or 2001 and he said straight out that the best defense he ever coached on the the 68 Jets. For me though, even though it's such a small sample (4 games), this is the best.
We only have 4 sacks. I don't like that. This dude from Shitland Browns had 6 in one game this year. As much as we have pressured the QB, I think we should have had more sacks. Maybe Pace can help. Only Jacksonville has few than us (3). I was in England prior to 2000 so can't say much about B2K, but in the 2K era, this may be the best so far. The 04 was good too. It took us about a foot away from the AFC championship game (twice).
This D has given up only 36 points to Schaub, Brady, Collins, and Brees. Amazing! And Sanchez alone has given up 21 pts...
fuck sacks - i'll take the pressures and no TDs any day. If they finish with 10 sacks and average 15 pts against per game - they did their job. the Jets were 2nd in TO differential before Sanchez had his "rookie game" I expect to be back in the top three after next monday.
This defense isn't all about stats and we've faced 3 veteran QBs with a fast release that are good under pressure. (The Saints D has faced Staffords first ever start, Kolbs first ever start, Sanchez as a rookie, and Trent Edwards)
Jets D got 4 sacks in the first 4 games without their most potent pass rushing threat. You don't like that? What did you expect anyway?
You cant compare this team and the "Sack Exchange" years as the play of the QB, speed of the game, and blitz packages were/are very different. The NFL has changed greatly from those days, defenses are more faster then back then, as is the whole overall game. For my Money: Past tense, yes Sack Exchange. Modern times, this team, best is yet to come as the grow in the Rex system. The scaks will come, but id rather shut down teams in scoring then have the next ABE!
It's the best defense I've ever seen for a four game stretch. Granted, I was 10 years old in 1998, so that pretty much gives you the perspective I have. But to me, there's no reason this defense can't be the best we've ever had. The only thing I'd consider is that there isn't a pure speed rusher, but that hasn't been a problem yet. The thing is, the defense will probably look even more dominant the next 4 weeks against struggling offensive teams. I love it.
I think this will end up being our best D if Jenkins and Revis stay healthy-- they to me are the most irreplacable. I also think this may be the most talent, though I still love the sack exchange. The 98 defense coming down the stretch was very good, but the 04 defense after the first few games of that season was dominating-- not as flashy as this one, but stout. Remember those Steelers and Pats games.. hard hitting, DRob actually had a good season, think the front 4 was Drob, and Ferg in the middle and Ellis and Abe on the edges.
Screw sacks, points allowed and yards are much more important than sacks. Sure sacks are great, but they're really just a part of minimising yards and points allowed. If we have low points and yards allowed, I don't see how you can complain, even if we have 0 sacks.
Its amazing how much better this D is than last season's. We add few new coaches and players and all of a sudden were one of the most feared defenses in the league. This team is only going to get better and by the end of the season I would expect them to be considered a top 3 defense. I really think 2004 is the only year our defense may have been on par with the one we have this season.
