http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/news/story?id=5959958 To summarize the article and Ryan's comments, he doesn't believe the Jets defensive struggles have been a product of bad play calls or anything like that. It's a failure to shed blocks in the front seven, and a failure to play with proper technique in the back seven. And judging by what Ryan had to say to the media, this team is going to fly back, strap their pads on, and spend the next two weeks revisiting training camp day one type stuff. I wanted to post this here because it's exciting to me when the coaches state that the problem is exactly what the problem appears to be. When we rush six guys and they can pick them up with six blockers and have six seconds to throw a pass, that isn't an issue with the play call. Nobody wins every time, but these Jets are consistently failing to win one-on-ones. And that's against the Steelers and Bears, two teams who have not been fielding super talented offensive linemen this year. Hopefully, after two tough weeks of practice, guys like Calvin Pace, Shaun Ellis, Bryan Thomas, Trevor Pryce, etc. will be actually getting past their blockers and getting some pressure in the playoffs. That's what this team is missing, and like Rex said, there's only one way you fix that, by working at it.
Good to hear but Ill believe it when I see it. Its not like our guys arent working their asses off its just that they are not talented in pass rushing.
Putting on the pads at practice for 2 weeks prior to the first playoff game doesn't sound like the best idea to me. These guys are already worn down and beat up from the 16 games they've played. I like the reason behind it and what they're trying to accomplish, I just hope it doesn't include a negative impact like eating chips that cause anal leakage.
All well and good, but pardon me if I could ask Rex a question. WTF is J Taylor doing in coverage on TE's, WR's and RB's twenty yards downfield? Especially when the pass rush is lousy. That is scheme and play calling. Sorry Rex, you need to take a look at the mirror if you think it's ALL on the players. I also think that teams are getting a better handle on tendencies that are inherent in both the scheme and the play calls. Putting it all on the players without taking ANY blame is not very Ryan-like. Teams are finding ways to exploit a weakness, and that is safeties who can't cover. They are finding ways to get mismatches against LB's and safeties in coverage. I'm sure there is much "blame" to be laid on the players, but not all of it, not by a long stretch.
Also a good point. Clearly the scheme has been stifled more often this season, especially as of late. I'm holding onto a glimmer of hope that they've been holding some things back for the playoffs that teams don't have film on. I feel like I'm hoping for Santa to be real though.
I expect a major rework on the defense. These guys have been playing pathetic. I have seen glimpses of a pass rush, so they do have potential. I also think Rex needs to rework his blitz packages. He has plenty of time to do so. It must get done. If we can somehow create a pass rush we will win it all this year. A pass rush will improve our secondary beyond belief. It will create turnovers, it will create 3rd and longs. Our whole defense will look great. We have the players to do it but these players need to try harder and get it done.
If this needs to be done for one week to give everyone a kick in the ass, fine. But if this is going to happen from here on out, I think they'll be worn come playoff time. The defense does need a swift kick in the ass though, and doing it before they play the Bills is a good time to do it.
I hope its fundamentals because that's the only thing other than play-calling that can be addressed. "Sucking" can't be fixed. Rex will have to find a way to make lemonade out of something other than lemons. These guys aren't terrible, but there are clearly problems.
We need to do more CB blitzes imo. Imagine if Cromartie blitzed? he would get there in a second. But then again he probably wouldnt tackle the QB.
