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Chatham – Time for a heaping helping of Jets Website Whispers from Morris County. Here some Whispers and observations from today . . .
I think the Jets have to seriously think about moving to a 4-3 defense, at least some of the time.
They are just not getting much of a rush from the outside linebackers out of the 3-4 front, based on what we have seen in practice and the first two preseason games.
And three of the best players on their team are defensive linemen Mo Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson, three 300-pound freaks of nature who all have the feet of dancing bears.
And the problem with playing them as the three-man line is that none is really a nose tackle.
So reading the tea leaves, I think the Jets are going to go with a four-man line on occasion this year.
The fourth man on the line will would be either Steve McClendon or Jarvis Jenkins.
The Jets are currently starting Lorenzo Mauldin and Jordan Jenkins at outside linebacker, and they are having issues getting to the quarterback. Mike Catapano is the first one off the bench in the OLB rotation. All three have tremendous motors, but not a lot of edge quickness. I’m not being a hater. I’m just dealing with reality.
But I will say one thing in defense of Mauldin. He’s been going against Ryan Clady, who looks like he’s back to his Pro Bowl form from Denver, which means he’s one of the best left tackles in football. A lot of guys would have trouble getting pressure against him. There was one season he gave up one sack. I think Mauldin’s experience against Clady in practice will help him games. He won’t be facing many or any left tackles as good as Clady.
But write this down – I think the Jets are going to mix in a lot of 4-3 this season . . .
Speaking of the Jets dominating troika on the defensive line, Williams’ rare ability was on display today, when he blew by Pro Bowl center Nick Mangold and stopped Matt Forte in the backfield. His amazing first step quickness for a 300-pounder was on full display . . .
Bruce Carter is a really good coverage linebacker, and the Jets need to get this guy on the field this season. I know they have Darron Lee, also an excellent coverage linebacker, but the Jets should seriously consider playing them together on occasion. Carter, who can fly, broke up a pass about 40-yards down the left sideline to running back Khiry Robinson in a one-on-one drill. He also had a near pick on a square out to Tommy Bohanon. This guy is one of the best coverage linebackers in football. He had five picks for Dallas two years ago . . .
Speaking of fast linebackers, Wagner’s Julian Stanford is a really good blitzer. He’s shown that throughout camp. He blitzed up the middle today, like he was shot out of cannon, and made Geno Smith throw the ball away . . .
Of the Jets’ outside linebackers, Josh Martin is the best in coverage.
He did a nice job with his backpedal off the line and had a near pick on Christian Hackenberg who didn’t see him underneath. Martin should have had the pick, but nonetheless he did a nice job with his pass drop on the play.
I think he’s going to make the team.
He’s the fastest of the Jets outside linebackers and is superb on special teams . . .
August 22, 2016
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