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Are the Jets faster on defense this year? Some are making that proclamation before the team steps foot on the field for training camp. Let’s take a look . . .
I noticed two social media post from the Jets today about their defense. It was a link to some preview material leading into camp.
One read – “The defense is going to be faster. Much faster.”
The other read – “The goal was to get faster on D. Goal achieved.”
The second had a picture of Jets draft picks Darron Lee and Jordan Jenkins underneath the proclamation.
I’m surprised they made that bold statement before they step foot on the field for one training camp practice.
Are the Jets going to be faster on defense this year? I have no idea.
I will say one thing out of the gate, Jenkins doesn’t make them faster on defense.
He ran a 4.8 forty at the combine. He then improved a little at Georgia’s Pro Day, running 4.77.
That is average speed.
Look, I’m not picking on Jenkins. I like the pick, but I’m not quite sure about this narrative that he improves the Jets’ team speed on defense.
I don’t think many scouts or general managers would have said, “We want to draft Jenkins to improve our defensive speed.”
Jenkins is a rock solid all-around linebacker who should help the Jets against the run, and give them perhaps 5-8 sacks a year, and he will be great in the locker room. He has outstanding character and works very hard.
But I question whoever was behind this social media post that he helps improve the Jets’ team speed.
Lee, that is another story.
Of course he will help the Jets’ team speed on defense. Linebackers who run 4.47 are rare. Linebackers who can cover receivers in the slot are rare.
The most important thing he will provide for the Jets immediately, in their sub-defense (which is on the field a lot since the NFL has turned into such a passing league), is the ability to run with any tight end in football.
But one thing to keep in mind about his great speed.
In the spring, you didn’t see that 4.47 speed on the field. Why? That is simple. He’s still learning the defense and still getting adjusted to playing inside linebacker in a 3-4 defense, something he’s never done before.
In football, when you are thinking on the field, instead of reacting, it can make a 4.5 forty look like a 4.8 forty.
So it’s going to take him some time to truly show that 4.47 on the field. It will happen. He’s very bright, but perhaps take a few months.
As for the rest of the defense, aside from the addition of Lee, it’s hard to see many tangible examples of an increase in speed.
Erin Henderson replaces DeMario Davis at the ILB spot next to David Harris. Henderson isn’t faster than Davis.
I’d say the secondary might be faster this year, but not necessarily due to a lot of added speed. I think they will play faster because they are in Year Two in Todd Bowles playbook. There was a lot of hesitancy last year. I think you will see less of that this year. They should play faster as a group due to a better understanding of the scheme.
July 26, 2016
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