In response to a debate that just started in the comments for the Jenkins article below, I thought I would set out my expectations for the Jets defensive alignment for upcoming season.

The first point to make is that the addition of the likes of Jenkins and Pace is likely to lead to a slight change in system. The 3-4 defense the Jets had been running was a modified version of a standard 3-4 alignment, which called for the nose tackle (DeWayne Robertson) to one-gap from time to time and line up at an angle to “shoot the gap” at others. The addition of Kris Jenkins will mean that the nose tackle is likely to be two-gapping most, if not all of the time, which impacts upon the roles of the other front seven players. This is likely to mean that the Jets defense is closer to the conventional 3-4 systems of the Patriots and 49ers, but should retain just as much, if not more, flexibility (for example to switch to 4-3 at any time – or even revert to the old scheme).

I will look at each position in turn after the jump. Where I mention the strong side, I am usually talking about the left side of the defense, because a standard offensive alignment will have their best pass protector at left tackle, protecting the QB’s blindside and the tight end will usually be next to the right tackle. Of course, this can change from play to play (and in week four, when the Jets – presumably- face a left handed QB in Matt Leinart, the strongside will be the right).

Weakside outside linebacker aka WILL (ROLB): In the conventional 3-4 system, the WILL is the best pass rusher, so he lines up on the Quarterback’s blindside and rushes the passer, usually one-on-one with the other team’s best pass protector. Last year, in their modified system, the Jets used Victor Hobson in this role, but Hobson, not being a natural pass rusher, was neither fast or strong enough to get a consistent pass rush. In a conventional 3-4, Hobson will be a better fit on the inside and that is where the Patriots will use him this year. However, in last year’s Jets system, Hobson would have struggled on the inside, as he would have had to shed blocks, which does not play to his strength. Now the Jets have the personnel to be more aggressive with their system and will demand more from whoever plays this position. Assuming he develops into the pass rusher the Jets hope, this is the position Gholston will be expected to make his own in the coming years. For the current season, Bryan Thomas would seem to be the most logical fit, but since Calvin Pace is also a good pass rusher, they may swap over from time to time.

Strongside outside linebacker aka SAM (LOLB): In the conventional 3-4, the SAM needs to be more versatile than the WILL, as he will be lined up over the tight end and will often need to drop into coverage. He is likely to be a more productive tackler against the run than the WILL and will not rush the passer as often. Like the WILL, this is usually a converted 4-3 DE and needs to be tall and large (ideal size being something like 6′5″, 270). Last year the Jets used Bryan Thomas in this role, even though his skillset would seem better suited to the WILL role in a normal 3-4 scheme. Part of this may have been that, as the only true pass rushing threat on the outside, the Jets may have felt that it would be too easy to neutralize him if he was rushing from the WILL position, whereas in the SAM role, he would occassionally get the chance to go one on one with an inferior pass protector. Another key is that they would have him on the opposite side to Shaun Ellis, so that the Jets could transition easily into a 4-3 alignment, with Ellis as the pass-rusher on the blindside. (Ellis even got some reps as the WILL and saw great success against the Steelers in this role). For the current season, while Calvin Pace is better in coverage and more productive against the run, the Jets will probably use both him and Bryan Thomas in this role at different times, as alluded to above. This may be where Gholston gets most of his reps in the early part of the season. If he comes in on a passing down and his job is to rush the passer, then his (hopefully temporary) apparent deficiencies in reading the game, dropping into coverage and stopping the run are less of an issue and it is likely that he would have greater success against the Right Tackles of the league, who tend to be less athletic, so he can overpower them with natural ability, rather than relying on his developing technique.

Strongside inside linebacker aka TED (LILB): The key to the TED role is an ability to take on blockers and create space for the other inside backer. A TED linebacker should be big (at least 240, but preferably over 250) and would usually have been a 4-3 MLB, although there have been examples of former defensive ends moving to this position (ie Mike Vrabel). While the Jets had Jonathan Vilma, they lacked a linebacker of this type to pair him with, which is why they drafted David Harris (because a 4-3 guy like A J Hawk would not be suited to this role). They had been using Eric Barton in this role, although he lacks the ideal size and really plays better in space. However, Vilma’s struggles in the system and eventual injury led to Harris replacing him as the MIKE (and outperforming anything Vilma had ever achieved in a 3-4). Since Harris came in halfway through the season, it made more sense for him to replace Vilma directly, rather than ask Barton to switch roles as well, but now, especially with the more conventional system in place, logic would dictate that they will swap roles and Harris will become the TED. In fact, Harris has reportedly bulked up to 260, which would seem to foreshadow such a move. This could have a negative impact on his statistical production, but should benefit the defense as a whole greatly.

Weakside inside linebacker aka MIKE (RILB): In the standard 3-4, the MIKE is the playmaker. He does not need to be as big as the other linebackers, but relies on his teammates to enable him to play in space and make use of his speed and playmaking ability. Hopefully, Jenkins will make the MIKE’s role easier this season. This is the only position within a 3-4 that most 230 pound 4-3 linebackers are able to transition to. As mentioned above, Eric Barton is the best fit right now for this role (and his eventual replacement will be easier to find than a replacement at the TED position, for big and strong ILB’s are far more scarce). The fact that they played different roles last year can only help the flexibility of the defense as it will enable both to be more comfortable if they stunt into each other’s position as the ball is snapped. Harris had 5 sacks in this role last year, despite having fewer than that throughout his collegiate career, whereas Vilma was never a productive pass rusher. If Harris moves to the TED position, his sack numbers will surely drop, but with Harris and Jenkins clearing the way, Barton should hopefully be able to pick up the slack.

Preseason so far has apparently seen the Jets mixing and matching quite a lot, but the above summarizes my expectations, based upon my familiarity with the established schemes of other NFL teams, on the assumption that the Jets will run a similar system in the upcoming season. Please report back on what you see from the linebacking corps in tonight’s game.

As ever, I am no football professor, so if you spot any inaccuracies in the information listed above, please comment accordingly.

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