Leonhard is a huge part of this defense and I personaly think you are in denial here. He will be mised tremendously.
The silver lining in this is historically a Rex Ryan defense has overcome significant injuries. He has over come the loss of Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Suggs etc. etc. and had no significant drop off. Meaning the defense was still top 6. I think the worst defense he ever had was #6. That is what keeps me hopeful. That and maybe Lowery, Pool can step up and fill the void. I have a feeling someone will..... we shall see.
Leonhard's average is great, but he has nearly 1:1 ratio of attempts to FCs. No one else on that list is close to that ratio. I think there have been a half a dozen FCs that should've been returned by him this year. There is potential for bigger plays on the PR provided there aren't any turnovers. And, again, I think the secondary gets faster, despite the fact that it will not be nearly as experienced. I trust that Rex will get those safeties in good position. Again - I am not happy about this. But those are two potential positives that I see coming out of one big negative today.
This is true. Long term I don't think this is that devastating. Short term it sucks...so late in the week/biggest game. At least it's Monday Night and not Sunday.
I'm not worried about that at all.....there are plenty of years of service on that defense to be able to handle that. Their 5 linebackers have a combined experience of 42 years, and Pool and Smith are no rooks either. If Leonhard not being there really affects them being able to "set" the D that badly, I would be extreeemely surprised. The only thing he was really above average on was coming up and making tackles in the run game, and just his mere toughness. I will never forget him pouncing on that fumble with no helmet on in SD last January. Like I said, I mean no disrespect to him, I love him as a player. I just don't think this in an insurmountable loss by any stretch.
Do you think the Jets still have a strong shot of winning the division, let alone the SB, without Leonhard?
I believe they can still win the AFC East and the SB. The SoJ mentality that has reemerged as a result of this injury is contagious. A win on Monday will stop this attitude from spreading further.
We have a top defensive mind in the world as our coach. I know we all love Leonhard, but he is replaceable...especially by Rex. He certainly helps, but he doesn't make or break our Superbowl run. Every team deals with injuries.
This is obviously a blow. But there are guys it could have been whose loss would have been more devastating, based both on their role with the team and in the other guys in the position. Tough? Certainly. Insurmountable? Not at all.
unless you got statistics to back that up, your point is invalid. Stop trying to sound like you know more than you actually do.
I am really stunned at the reaction on this board. I understand that we all love Leonhard so much, but don't let your love for him cloud the fact that he IS replaceable. Please. Stop.
He was a huge liability in coverage. Smith can do no worse. I think that it might actually be an upgrade. Let Smith go to SS which is where he should be and let Pool be FS.
