The Jets’ new defensive line coach, Eric Washington, who has served in the same capacity with the Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers, and Buffalo Bills, has a great reputation. And that reputation will be put to the test in Florham Park.
He needs to fix the Jets’ run defense up front, which was problematic the last couple of seasons.
It’s hard to win in the NFL if you can’t stop the run.
One problem up front was defensive linemen getting off blocks – some due to being undersized, some due to technique. Some returning mainstays need to improve their hand use to shed blockers quicker, some need to lower their pad level.
The Jets’ ends must set a harder edge and not let runners turn the corner on them.
One thing that could help their interior run defense is the addition of three veteran defensive tackles – Derrick Nnadi (Kansas City), Jay Tufele (Cincinnati), and Bryon Cowart (Chicago).
Also, getting defensive end Jermaine Johnson back from a torn Achilles should help their edge setting, at least on one side.
But also, the addition of Washington is just as important.
Some technical issues must be improved.
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