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While many people were focused like a laser on QB situation over the last month
a significant Jets story probably got underplayed a little.
And that is Robert Saleh’s extensive film study of the defensive personnel from last year, and him clearly making the determination that the club needed major, major player changes on that side of the ball.
Aside from putting the franchise tag on a safety he inherited, Marcus Maye, all the other free agents are no longer in the picture.
People like Tarell Bashem, Jordan Jenkins, Neville Hewitt, Frankie Luvu, Brian Poole, Arthur Maulet and Harvey Langi.
There are others, but those are some of the bigger names.
And along with not re-signing any of those 2020 defensive mainstays, they released starting DE Henry Anderson.
Joe Douglas and Saleh spent weeks, along with other staff members, going over every player on the roster, via extensive film study, sharing blunt opinions, behind closed doors. Probably the only place you can be blunt these days.
“The main theme for the last month and change has been evaluating our own roster for free agency, upcoming free agency and now we’re rolling into the draft evaluation,” Douglas said on March 3.
It was good for Douglas to hear blunt player personnel evaluations from Saleh and his staff.
“We’ve had a lot of productive conversations and it’s been great to really get their new perspective, new voices in the building” Douglas said. “The conversations have been outstanding. They’ve been productive, about exactly what we’re looking for, the type of players, the type of people that we want to bring into this organization, and the guys that we need that are going to help us achieve our collective goals.”
No confirmation bias, just unfiltered honesty.
And you saw the results – Maye was the only defensive free agent brought back.
Saleh is looking to make the Jets defense faster and more athletic – just look at the two linebackers they signed in free agency – Jarran Davis and Del’Shawn Phillips, who both run 4.5.
Guys like Anderson and Jenkins, who both give you everything they’ve got, and have great character, aren’t gifted with great speed, which isn’t their fault. It is what it is. But neither truly fits in Saleh’s defense, but both did manage to land on their feet: Anderson in New England and Jenkins in Houston.
Neville Hewitt, who did some nice things for the Jets the last couple of years, is tough as boot leather, but struggles in coverage do to hip stiffness, which isn’t his fault. It’s how he’s built. And when a coverage linebacker has stiff hips, it’s hard to change directions smoothly, which can be a problem at times in coverage.
Some thought Luvu would be brought back because he does run well and his very tough, but his instincts need some work, especially in coverage, where he struggled last year.
Maulet and Poole are tough as heck, but neither has great speed.
The guy I thought they would bring back for sure was Bashem, because he’s long, athletic and twitchy, but they didn’t do it, and he signed with Dallas, I’m going to have to do some digging here to find out why they moved on from Basham. I would be lying to tell you right now I know the reason. I will get back to you on this one.
But clearly Saleh wasn’t impressed what he saw from the Jets’ defense last year, and that is why we are seeing a c-change on the defensive roster.
April 13, 2021
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