Though the pieces to the puzzle are in place, the New York Jets need the right recipe to take shape for their defense to top them all.
The recipe is surely present. There isn’t a serious question about that. Considering the New York Jets defense did perform at a high level a season ago, most of the defensive pieces to the puzzle are in place for substantial and sustained success.But alas, this is the National Football League. It’s the league that separates the columns “hot” and “cold” more drastically than a 2016 United States of America presidential election.
Therefore, nothing is guaranteed, except the certainty than anything can, and will, happen during a fresh football campaign.
RELATED: Geno Smith Isn’t Going Anywhere
Taking the optimistic approach, Todd Bowles‘s unit looks nasty on paper. To nobody’s surprise, there has also been reported nastiness at training camp (despite missing a couple of their key cogs). After all, this is a unit who finished fourth in total defense a season ago (318.6 yards/game).
Taking the familiar pessimistic approach, we reference the oh so wise above words about the NFL: “Nothing is guaranteed.”
Still, positives are bountiful. So bountiful that the idea that this unit could be the scariest in the league is a real notion across the landscape of the league.
The question is, “How to they get there?”
Today, in this part of the internet, we analyze the key ingredients Bowles needs at his disposal in his kitchen to bake the No. 1 defense in the NFL.
NEXT: Edge Fire
An Edge Rusher Must Emerge
Putting aside the quarterback position, which is always first and foremost in this day and age on the gridiron, having a guy firing off the edge of the defense was top priority for the Jets this past offseason.
Top priority, yet again, for another season.
The last time New York possessed a real edge rusher who actually scared the pants off of offensive coordinators was when John Abraham roamed the locker room of New Jersey.
Year after year, draft after draft, the Jets have either missed or passed on that one edge rusher who can wreck the game.
In 2016, there are a few candidates to be that guy:
- Lorenzo Mauldin, AGE: 23
- Jordan Jenkins, AGE: 22
- Trevor Reilly, AGE: 22
- Freddie Bishop, AGE: 26
- Deion Barnes, AGE: 23
- Julian Stanford, AGE: 25
The all important question is, “Do the Jets have even one of these guys who will step up?”
RELATED: Predicting The Jets 53-Man Roster; Keeping Four QBs
Mauldin is the guy who’s attracted all eyes. A season ago, during his rookie season, he partook in 15 games while collecting four sacks in sub-rush situations. Because the Jets will roll out a 3-4 – at least on paper – Bowles will need not one, but two of these edge rusher to step up.
Muhammad Wilkerson will more than likely assume his edge roll in pass only situations, but the other side is a complete wild card.
Remember, for an NFL defense to be truly dominant, a beastly turnover ratio is necessary. Under Rex Ryan, the Jets constantly struggled. In Bowles’s first season, the Jets finished third in the NFL with 30 total takeaways.
This is a stat, however, that drastically changes from season to season. New York will desperately need edge heat to keep that takeaway number high in 2016. They simply cannot solely rely on their interior studs.
NEXT: Staying Young
Revis Cannot Slow Down
It’s been bandied about constantly this offseason. But it’s important.
Whether or not Darrelle Revis will continue his downward spiral at age 31 is the all important question.
Though a Pro Bowler a season ago, and though he did rank among the elite in certain statistics, Revis’s decline in speed was evident. He simply couldn’t keep up with the speedsters of the league.
RELATED: Don’t Worry About Darrelle Revis
When DeAndre Hopkins or Sammy Watkins were the opponent, the opposing QB foamed at the mouth.
- Hopkins’s Stats vs. NYJ in 2015: 5 REC, 118 YDS, 2 TD
- Watkins’s Stats vs. NYJ in 2015: 14 REC, 150, 2 TD
Losing Antonio Cromartie was not a huge hit. The key, though, will be the top three cornerbacks all pulling their own weight. Bowles will know he cannot devise gameplans around a Revis Island. Instead, Revis Island will be part of the mainland.
Still, Revis will have to churn out the same type production like we saw a season ago if this Jets unit wants to be the best in the land.
NEXT: MVP Needs To Stay
Calvin Pryor‘s Health
Welcome to the new age New York Jets secondary. The age in which Darrelle Revis is no longer the star.
Instead, the face of the Jets defensive backfield wears No. 25.
Calvin Pryor, or the Louisville Slugger as his friends love to call him, is the single most important piece to New York’s defense this season.
Revis is great; David Harris provides much; those studly interior defensive line beats are all terrific; but Pryor is the most vital to the Jets defensive success.
RELATED: New York Jets Player Power Rankings
When Calvin was on the field a season ago, the defense was lights out. When he missed games, they completely forgot how to play.
The three games Pryor missed, the Jets went 1-2 with losses to the Oakland Raiders and Buffalo Bills, and a narrow win against the Jacksonville Jaguars. The defense surrendered 451 yards in Oakland, 436 yards against the Jags, and 280 yards against a Rex Ryan offense who never wants to score points.
Pryor must stay healthy if this unit wants to dominate in 2016. He’s no longer that rookie playing out of position in center field. Sniffing the box and playing the robber spot makes him a pro bowler.
NEXT: Fitting The Pieces
Bowles’s Imagination
As previously noted, the pieces are in place for dominance. There’s just one tiny little problem with these pieces.
We’re not quite sure if they all fit seamlessly.
Muhammad Wilkerson, Leonard Williams and Sheldon Richardson make up one of the more terrifying defensive lines in the NFL. Although, only two of the three can see the field at once in the base 3-4 package.
This creates one major issue.
RELATED: Jets More A 4-3 Defense In 2016?
Now that Big Mo is fully employed with security and a bundle full of money, the 4-3 setup is much more likely.
And since Bowles fancies himself a versatile defensive mind who showcases multiple fronts, look for the 4-3 to be used just as much as the 3-4.
NEXT: True Difference Maker
Darron Lee’s Progression
Piggybacking on the 4-3 discussion, rookie Darron Lee enters the fray.
The smallish, yet excitable linebacker fits the WILL spot in the 4-3 much more freely than anything the 3-4 can provide. Allowing the kid to flourish not only as the nickel backer, but in the base will be critical.
Moreover, just the idea of Lee finding his way early on in this league will do wonders for a defense who has lacked sideline-to-sideline speed for many seasons.
This is new age, pass happy league that is actually forcing new positions to be born out of the woodwork. Lee fits one of those new positions brilliantly.
Should Lee compete for the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2016, this unit will have a serious chance of being called the best in the land.
All the pieces are present. New York has three stud interior defensive lineman. They possess a brilliant run stuffing middle linebacker. They have a hall of fame corner on one side, and two productive guys after him. The Jets also have a star at strong safety and a very underrated center fielder.
The pieces are there. But there is much that needs to happen if this squad wants to best their 2015 ranking against such a soft schedule.
Only time will tell whether or not Bowles and boys get it done.