Jets Prevent Themselves From Dominance

The New York Jets and their fans couldn't feel any better than they do right now. They are sitting at the top of the AFC East and they are just about a week removed from a classic overtime win against the hated New England Patriots. But there's still something that's giving Gang Green headaches these days with a clash against the unbeaten Tennessee Titans and hopefully even bigger games on the horizon. The Jets have one of the worst pass defenses in the entire NFL and if they can't get that corrected in the next few weeks, a potentially special season could end sooner than expected.

You just can't help but wonder why the Jets can't put it together. On paper, their defense has everything you need to be right their at the top with other feared defenses like the ones from Baltimore, Pittsburgh or the New York Giants. The Jets have a dominant defensive line, anchored by nose tackle Kris Jenkins, that ranks among the best units against the run in the entire NFL. The Jets pass rush, non existant last year, is also among the league's best (3rd in the NFL with 34 sacks, even ahead of the great Giants pass rush). In the secondary you have cornerback Darrelle Revis and safety Kerry Rhodes who are both among the best the league has to offer at their respective positions. Yet the Jets still give up the 3rd most first downs passing, they allow the 5th most passing yards per game and they have allowed the 5th most completions this season.
Of course there are some weak links in te Jets lineup too. Rookie corner Dwight Lowery, after playing terrific early on, goes through some struggles in his first year. Opposing teams pick on him as they won't dare to throw near Darrelle Revis. Behind Lowery you got many names but no real solutions. No wonder New York signed oldie Ty Law last week to help out in the secondary. The Jets linebackers aren't the most gifted or most athletic in coverage and have trouble defending short routes, especially against tight ends. But no defense in the world has every position secured perfectly with an all pro stud yet they still manage to put fear into opposing offenses. While Eric Mangini definitely could use a few new players for his defense, personnel isn't the problem with these Jets.

It is the defensive mindset that is killing them. Since the first day of the season they have been almost scared to death to give up the big play. That's why they drop their corners and safeties way back into zone coverage, yet forget to cover the zone right behind the defensive line. Drop off passes become huge gains for even the most average of tight ends. With their dominant run defense the Jets have their opponents in third and long more often than not but even in these situations, they aren't aggressive or force the issue. No, they just wait until they allow the 10 yard completion. It doesn't seem like a big deal but in the big picture, this bend but don't break approach will tire out the defense and give every opponent a huge amount of confidence. And some players, like New England's Matt Cassell, start to play way above their heads with that newfound confidence.
Eric Mangini has to change this passive approach if he ever wants to send a true dominant defense on the field. Don't be afraid of giving up the big play. Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes are two guys that will make a big play on a deep ball more often than not. The pass rush will make it hard for the opposing QBs to step into long throws. So unleash the players! More blitzes, more people at the line of scrimmage, more man to man play (on every down) and less zone coverage. Only then we will see the entire potential of this defensive group and only then, when Mangini and defensive coordinator Bob Sutton forget about their scared approach, this defense will win entire games for you. And as we all know, this part of your team becomes more and more important with the cold January days looming.

Hopefully we will see adjustments in the next couple of weeks. This season, the Jets and their fans have seen enough completions, enough passive playcalling and enough prevent defense. It's time for a different approach or the Jets will prevent themselves from being as good a team as they can be.