The Jets haven't had a truly fearsome pass rush since the days of John Abraham (when he was actually healthy), which seems strange when you consider how many high 1st round picks we spent the last several years on the D-Line. Wilkerson, Coples, Richardson, and Williams. While Coples has been somewhat of a bust, Wilkerson and Richardson are elite players, among the best in the league. So why is there no pass rush? During the Rex Ryan days, I used to think it was because we used more 3-4 formations, so with only 3 linemen being defended by 5 o-linemen and help, it was harder on them to generate pressure. But this year, we've used a LOT of 4-linemen formations, and the result is still the same. ' I think what's happening is that all of our stud linemen are big, wide guys, who rely on a combination of quickness, skill and strength, as opposed to speed. This is especially true of Wilkerson and Richardson, but once Williams plays for a few years, he'll get bigger too, and so would Coples if they stopped with the LB nonsense. So what I am seeing is all of those big, wide guys in a relatively small area, where even if they manage to get by their guy, there are other guys there. For example, if Richardson gets by his O-lineman, he will run into the O-Lineman blocking Snacks or Wilkerson, who's not even double teaming him, but is close enough to clog up the area. So this creates a scenario where there are 4 elephants in a china shop, and none of them can get to the QB on time. In a more traditional 4-3 alignment, the 2 bookends would be smaller quicker guys with a lot more speed, who can run up field, forcing the offensive tackles to follow them and create large spaces between the O-Line/blockers. This not only helps the DEs, who can juke back inside, but also creates spaces for DTs to penetrate. Also, if the speedy DEs manage to run around the OTs, this forces the QB to step up in the pocket and allows the DTs to generate pressure on him by collapsing the pocket. But in our situation, despite of how good Wilk/Sheldon are, none of our guys are built to race around the OTs, so they all must attack from the same area, condensing the blockers, and effectively creating a wall in front of them, which makes it very hard to get to the QB. Ideally, a defense only needs one, maybe 2 guys like that, inside, and unfortunately, we have 4. Generally speaking, I am in favor of drafting best talent available in early rounds, but I think we went too far on this.
The way to get to Brady is collapsing the pocket with interior pressure. It's pretty clear they were trying to build a team to get after the "Top Dog" in the division. but yes, I agree that some outside speed would be nice.
You want to give opposing offenses problems...? Line Wilk and Rich next to each other on every play. Have them cross, come in straight up and with blitzing linebackers mixing it up. When we create the most pressure is when Wilk and Rich are lined up right next to each other.
So the real issue is we don't have a pass rusher. Great insight, thanks, no one else has picked up on this.
Re watching the Oakland game...Demario Davis played absolute dog shit. Blocked out of his shoes on so many plays, terrible missed tackles...looked completely lost on the field. DD is getting to be a liability out there. Outside of Harris...our linebackers are looking pretty lousy and pretty old (Harris included in the "Old" part...and I love Harris.)
I wasn't aware there were issues with our front 7? MAN do Jets fans flip flop weekly based on W's and L's
Based on the the product we are watching on the field. To be honest, I don't know what we were observing in Oakland. Front 7 and defense collectively looked Doodoo.
We were 6th in sacks last year with the same front, a supposed clown as the HC/DC and the worst secondary in football.
For Bowles defense, it's not just about getting sacks - you can see the front 4 is deflecting balls at the LOS as well. I saw Sheldon do it a few times, Mo dropped an interception. They should go with Maudlin and Reilly going forward.
It was 1 week. Again, basing this off of one week is typical Jets bi-polar. And it's nonsense. Yes they played like dogshit last week. Move on.
2016 draft strategy BPA,LB,OL,LB,OL. If BPA and LB/OL/is one and the same much the better. Repeat the cycle
Sorry, but I stopped reading here. In Abraham's 5 years here, we were 22nd, 26th, 17th (twice), and 25th in sacks. Since he's left (2006), we've been top 10 three times (2008, 2010, 2014). We are 29th in sacks this season and need to get more pressure on the QB. And that's all I have to say about that.
I agree that our IBLs are the weak link but.....we still have a bunch of studs on D. We've got 3 injured players, Pryor, Skrine, and Cro. I do wonder why TB doesn't sit Cro. Also TB seems to be doing to Williams what RR did to AA. Playing him out of position. I hate it. I hated it when RR did it and I hate it now when TB does it. If there is no depth at the position then scheme around it but don't play someone out of their normal position. All that aside, we've got too many studs on D for them to underperform the way they just did. I blame the CS for failing to adapt to the situation adequately.
Williams was another one who was easy to identify in the Oak game. Kid missed so many tackles, completely lost and out of position on the field.
