Quick Camp Rundown: The Defense
Here’s a look so far at the defense and who’s winning what battles in camp.
Nose Tackle: Kris Jenkins has been noticed during camp. After working Nick Mangold during the first day, he’s continued his pressure on the middle interior of the line, and seems to be doing fine in the two-gap style. As I noted earlier in the offseason, Mangini still could very well use him as a one-gapper from time to time, as he used Robertson in four down lineman fronts. Pouha has been taking second team snaps, so look for him to spell Jenkins, or to be inserted into short yardage and four lineman packages. CJ Mosely has continued his steady performance, and is a capable backup who “gets it.”
Defensive Ends: Kenyon Coleman and Shaun Ellis have been unremarkable, which isn’t bad in 3-4 Defensive Ends. With Jenkins holding up the middle, the DEs and OLBs are getting more pressure, which is a good thing. Mike DeVito and Kareem Brown have been decent, but not great. Both are project players for the Jets, so be patient if they stick with the team.
Outside Linebacker: Calvin Pace hasn’t stood out yet and Bryan Thomas is still taking most first team reps. Between the both of them, they’ve done well in pressuring the QB, but haven’t been noticed beyond that. Vernon Gholston has embarrassed the backup linemen (just like he did the same level player in college) but he’s struggled so far against starters. Dropping into coverage hasn’t been easy for him, so give him time. He’s looked best so far as an extra lineman in nickel packages, according to Cimini.
Inside Linebacker: Eric Barton is out to prove he’s the right man to start with David Harris inside, and made some big plays against Kellen Clemens. David Harris has started slow, and on the day I saw him, spent a fair deal of time watching. Not sure what that was about is the team looking to keep him from overuse?
Corners: Revis is locked in his role, and with more pressure up front, the pass defense could be much improved. Justin Miller was the initial favorite, but David Barrett isn’t going to give up without a fight. Look for consistency from both players to be the deciding factor for Mangini. Drew Coleman has been playing nickel a lot, so look for him to compete against whoever loses the battle. My thought is, if it’s Barrett who loses, they might as well cut him.
Safeties: Kerry Rhodes has been playing well defensing passes from centerfield, Eric Smith seems to have locked most of the first team reps so far, so look for him push for a starter’s role. Smith is the more versatile of him and Abram Elam, but look for the hard hitting Elam in run situations.
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Good breakdown although I wish there was some better news coming from the outside linebacker spot, that should be our most versatile and deepest position on the team.
*drum roll* ….the #4 jersey on the New York Jets has just become available……hmmmmm?????
i want to see if gholston can embarrassed the starters i wii be pumped.
The Jets have signed LB Jerry Mackey (6′1″, 233) for the umpteenth time along with WR Rudy Burgess (5′10″, 186) who was recently waived by the Colts after signing as an undrafted free agent with them. The Jets also announced that they have waived punter/kicker Joe Smith, thus making the #4 jersey available……..
I’m happy that Eric Smith is getting most of the first team reps. He is a better overall FS than Elam is. Elam is a better hitter that is all.
I wouldn’t worry too much about the OLB, they can’t touch the QB, and of the two practices I’ve seen so far no body is going 100% yet. So unless they are going to turn them loose, it’s hard to get a real feel.
Darrelle Revis agrees with you about Elam’s hitting, VBS.
With all this talk about “neither of the QBs was all that impressive” at camp, does anyone really want to hear “both QBs tore up the Jets new-look defense and marched the ball downfield with consummate ease?”
Every positive play made by someone has an equal and opposite goof-up by someone else. I think Sir Isaac Newton came up with that one.
I wouldn’t read too much into the #4 being available. I’m sure they didn’t cut Joe Smith for that purpose. If Favre signed with the Jets do you really think Joe Smith wouldn’t switch numbers?
That’s great great! However, how about the other backups, free agents, and tryouts, like Roderick Johnson, a reported monstrous Polynesian nose tackle in for a tryout, Blair Phillips,….?
Another positive aspect of our defense is the overall upgrade of the size of the front seven. If you look at last year and this years additions, we have become a much bigger defense up front.
Kenyon Coleman – 6-6, 290 lbs.
Kris Jenkins – 6-5, 360 lbs.
David harris – 6-2, 248 lbs.
Calvin Pace – 6-4, 270 lbs.
Vernon Gholston – 6-4, 266 lbs.
The size of the hold overs:
Sean Ellis – 6-5, 285 lbs.
Eric barton – 6-2, 240 lbs.
Brian Thomas – 6-4, 265 lbs.
As you can see we seem to have pro-typical size players for the 3-4 defense. It can also be said that most if not all of these guys have exceptional quickness.
We should be a vastly improved defense this year.
While i agree with you , ramble…I do miss Vilma already. I hope he kicks a$$ in Nawlins, for his sake and for the Jets draft pick…
hey ramble thanks for sharing that. that was one of the biggest things I was frustrated with last year. I noticed it most remarkably during the Cowboys game. When you look at their front seven compared to the Jets, it was pretty obvious why the unit was getting pushed around.
Same exact feeling. Watchign Dallas, and especially Jacksonville (even though they don’t run a 3-4), I ask myself “why can’t the Jets LOOK like that?”
Bassett,
When you look at who put that Dallas defense together (Parcells) it’s no wonder they are big. We can probably expect the same thing from Miami, so it’s a good thing we increased our size so we can stand up to them.
Yes, Defense wins championships and they look good. The new rookie cb Dwight Loweryloked pretty solid as well when i was there. I saw him make a nice break on the ball and break it up off the arm of Pennington. And one thought on CJ Mosely, I saw him ansolutely dominate aneca in 1 on 1’s. maybe Faneca was sleeping but ti was a good sign
u c as soon as we add jenkins everyone else gets better thank god the panthers r a bunch of idiots , this move will make everyone better and make thomas and pace’s job alot easier and within week 5 also gholstons
i am really excited to see harris with a solid nose tackle. his speed is just great and putting him together with pace and gholstons is really something bright for the future.
i agree championships are built around great D’s and we finally have one.
The number 4 is available? I’ll be right there…
Ramble, You are right on the money. I have been to a couple of practices also. There is no serious hitting going on. No one could possibly know anything about our defense, at this point. Here is what I have taken away from the practices, concerning the Defense:
* Jenkins will be fine at the nose. He will be a force in the middle. Although, he is not going all out, he is still giving Mangold a workout. Please stay healthy.
* Revis is an amazing talent. With Jenkins forcing the issue, he should have a great year.
* Pace is a big boy with some fluid spin moves. I can’t wait to see him and Gholston line up together on passing downs. QB’s are going to be running for their lives.
* Defensive depth will not be a problem.
* Miami is in trouble