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I’m sorry, I can’t agree with this.
I have been waiting to get to this one for a while, but haven’t had a chance.
So let’s tackle this today.
On March 12, NFL Network’s Peter Schrager maybe a statement on a program named, “Good Morning Football,” that was so positive about the Jets, the team featured the video on their website.
Headline – Peter Schrager: Jets Have Best Young Defensive Core in the NFL
Subhead – The “Good Morning Football” Crew Talks About Why the Jets Should Be Appealing for Free Agents
This was two days before free agency started.
With all due respect to Mr. Schrager, who is a nice guy, I respectfully disagree with him, especially when he said it.
This wasn’t the first time we heard about this supposed terrific young core. We have heard it before. It’s an embellishment.
Think about when he said this – explain to me on March 12 where was this great young core?
Who is he talking about?
Who?
Leonard Williams is pretty good, coming off a somewhat nondescript season, perhaps the preseason wrist injury contributed, but nonetheless, he wasn’t great – good, not great.
Who else?
Yes, the two rookie safeties have a lot of potential, and had their moments last year, but still have a lot to prove.
No young corners really stood out last year and that is why the Jets had to go out and sign Trumaine Johnson. Justin Burris has really struggled.
At linebacker, who is a standout? Jordan Jenkins is a solid player, who is super-tough, and good against the run, but he’s a 3-4 OLB who doesn’t bring much as an edge rusher. He has 5.5 sacks total in his first two seasons. I have no issue with him manning the Jets’ #2 OLB job, but he needs a game-wrecking pass rusher on the side. They don’t have that.
So to say on March 12, “Jets Have Best Young Defensive Core in the NFL,” is something I truly don’t get.
Now, they have improved some since March 12 when this statement was made.
The Johnson signing was a slam dunk, re-signing Mo Claiborne as their #2 CB, was a good move. He’s better suited for the #2 role now, and Johnson-Claiborne will give the Jets a much stronger combo than they had last year.
Going from Demario Davis to Avery Williamson at ILB is a wash. They are essentially the same player – tackling machines against the run, good leaders, terrific character, average in coverage.
But the Jets still have some work to do on defense. They are trying to sign Ndamukong Suh. They need another 3-4 defensive end, either in free agency or the draft, with Mo Wilkerson out of the picture.
They also need to find an edge-rusher. When you top sacker is an ILB (Demario Davis), in a 3-4 defense, you got a big problem. Where are they going to find one now. In the draft, they won’t be able to address OLB until the third round, since they are likely going QB at three and have no second round pick.
It looks like the Jets helped themselves a great deal this off-season, but chill out with this “Best young defensive core” stuff.
March 23, 2018
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