Speed, speed, speed

The Jets problem isn’t a lack of effort. It really isn’t. So much of what is going on with their defense is related to two big problems . . .

“It’s hard to compete when you commit too many mental errors,” Todd Bowles said after the Jets 41-3 loss to New England.

Especially in your pass coverage against Tom Brady.

I know it’s hard to make this argument with how poorly the Jets are playing, but it’s not a lack of effort. The last two weeks the Jets have contained two very good runners – Jay Ajayi and LaGarrette Blount. If they weren’t trying, you would see these kind of runners run all over them.

The Jets’ biggest problems is two-fold and it’s related to their pass defense. The first are mental errors, like Buster Skrine who is too often a tick late reacting to patterns in front of him, so this often leads him training receivers, playing catch up.

Calvin Pryor also has displayed ideal coverage instincts this year.

Both of these players play hard. It’s not an effort thing. It’s an instinct thing.

And another big problem, which has zero to do with effort, is a lack of defensive speed.

Tom Brady threw a 25-yard touchdown on the right side to running back James White. He beat linebacker David Harris on the play. Harris can’t run with a speedy back like this. It’s not a lack of effort, it’s a lack of speed.

Rontez Miles was beat for a touchdown by Marty Bennett. Not a lack of effort, but very stiff hips (which hurt his ability to change directions) and limited speed. Miles is a warrior playing the run in the box and on special teams, but in coverage he’s a liability. Not his fault. He can’t make his hips looser who make himself run 4.5.

Rookie cornerback Justin Burris also isn’t a burner and doesn’t have ideal hip fluidity to change directions, and he had a rough game.

Not a lack of effort from Harris, Miles and Burris, they just have physical limitations.

And so does Darrelle Revis, who doesn’t run like he used to, and often doesn’t “play the sticks,” allowing easy passes for first downs in front of him.

The Jets have to make it a mission this off-season to get faster on defense. Last off-season it was a window-dressing, next off-season they need to make it happen.

People wonder why the Jets don’t have more picks. It’s because when you don’t have great speed in pass coverage, not many guys are going to be able to jump routes and pick off passes.

Not helping matters is the absence of an edge pass rush.

With Jordan Jenkins and Freddie Bishop coming off the edge, that isn’t a combo that brings a lot of speed and quickness.

While Todd Bowles and his staff (and there will likely be changes) needs to coach better, this defense needs to get a lot faster and also improve its overall instincts . . .

Now you know why Todd Bowles was so hesitant to put Bryce Petty out there earlier this season when the peanut gallery was calling for him. He’s not ready. He’s not trusting his eyes, isn’t making quick decisions, is afraid to pull the trigger, and is taking too many hits because he needs to speed up his internal clock. He’s still a major project and not ready for prime time.

December 24, 2016

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