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This is really simple what is going on . . .
The Jets’ defense has given up over 500 yards in two of the last three games.
Jets head coach Robert Saleh was asked today if he would get more involved in the defensive playcalling, considering he made his bones as a defensive assistant.
“The staff is doing a really nice job, the players are doing a really nice job, we just had two bad games against two pretty good offenses,” said Saleh.
Some might argue with that quote, Some might agree.
But the Jets’ defense has major, major problems, and some can’t be fixed during the season because they are player personnel-related, and you aren’t going to find quality starters, or key reserves, in early November.
The Jets made some calculated errors rolling with certain defenders who either don’t have the requisite physical talent, or lack ideal instincts, putting them out of position too often.
And this combination is killing their defense.
It’s easy to solely blame the personnel department for this, but that would be unfair. First of all, they relied heavily on the input from the new coaching staff, and tried to get them what they wanted.
Waiting on drafting cornerbacks was a little bit of a mistake. This might have come from the coaches who came from the Pete Carroll system, and the Seattle coach often waits on picking cornerback, because he feels he can find system-fits late in the draft.
Also, taking two safeties to play linebacker, might have been a bit much. Wasn’t one enough? That idea was big in San Francisco.
So these two ideas were probably more coach-driven than player personnel department-driven. Yes, Joe Douglas has final say, but he’s not a tryant who is going to force players on his coaches without their input.
Also, injuries clearly hurt this defense. Three veteran ends who could have helped this defense a great deal – Vinny Curry, Carl Lawson and Ronald Blair have not played one regular-season game for the Jets. Curry and Lawson are out of the year, and Blair has been on practice squad IR, though he could return shortly, When Blair is healthy, he needs to be elevated, The Jets’ defensive ends right now are a tad inconsistent and often not setting the edge properly against the run.
The injury to LaMarcus Joyner at safety was a killer. He’s an instinctive ball-hawk who has a great feel for the game. How bad do they need a guy like that?
Next off-season is going to be huge for the Jets’ defensive operation. Not only do they need to add more talent, and players loaded with great instincts, but they need to tweak the defensive playbook.
It sounds great to keep things simple and let guys fly around, making plays unencumbered by a ton of assignments, but sharp opposing offensive coordinator can take advantage of that simplicity and sometimes it turns into chess against checkers.
Unfortunately for Jets fans, it’s going to be hard to fix this defense much during the season, but man do they have work to do after the final whistle blows in Buffalo on January 9, 2022.
November 8, 2021
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