" Denver's dismantling of Tom Brady provides a black-and-blueprint for Jets " ~ ~ ~

[kelly]

Looking at championship weekend through a New York Jets lens, the most positive takeaway (other than the New England Patriots losing) was the clear and loud message that defense still wins championships.

The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in ESPN's defensive efficiency metric, confirmation the Jets are on the right track. Statistically, the Jets fielded one of the best defenses in the NFL, but the difference between them and the Broncos was on full display Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.They hit Tom Brady a career-high 23 times because of their ability to pressure from the edge. Outside linebacker Von Miller (2.5 sacks) had a career game, including an interception, and bookend rusher DeMarcus Ware (0.5 sacks) generated heat in the fourth quarter. The result: For the first time in 255 career starts, Brady threw multiple interceptions and completed less than 50 percent of his passes.

The Jets -- built for power, not speed -- must evolve into that kind of defense. We knew that before Sunday, but the Broncos provided a real-life case study on how to dismantle Brady.

The challenge for general manager Mike Maccagnan this offseason is to upgrade the speed on defense, adding explosive players on the edge who can complement their power rushers -- as noted by coach Todd Bowles at the end of the season. Imagine how scary they'd be with a Von Miller-type coming around the corner, simultaneously creating opportunities for the big fellas on the interior.The Jets weren't a terrible pass-rushing outfit last season. They finished fifth in pressure percentage (Denver was first), but they were only 18th in sacks per dropback (5.8 percent), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Yep, you guessed it, Denver (8.1) was No. 1 in that category, too.

The Jets spent the first half of last season with graybeard Calvin Pace and underachiever Quinton Coples as their outside linebackers. Bowles got tired of Coples and sent him packing, integrating rookie Lorenzo Mauldin into some pass-rushing packages.Mauldin (four sacks) demonstrated raw talent, also showing he has a lot to learn. He will get a chance to become an every-down linebacker next season. By season's end, they were hurting so much at outside linebacker that Sheldon Richardson was moved out there. He did a credible job, but as we saw on Tyrod Taylor's 18-yard touchdown run in the finale, he's no linebacker.

This should be the Jets' No. 1 priority in the offseason -- other than re-signing their own top free agents. The draft includes some intriguing edge rushers who could be available at No. 20, perhaps Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith, a top-5 talent who could slip because of a knee injury.It will be difficult to solve the issue in free agency. Two reasons: There aren't many good ones available, and the Jets ($10 million to $14 million in cap space) won't have enough money to sign one of the good ones. Miller will be a free agent, but he will get the franchise tag. Bruce Irvin and Courtney Upshaw are second-contract players who will garner considerable interest on the open market, but again: Are they within the Jets' price range? Probably not.

Bowles will have to find his edge rusher in the draft, also hoping he can coach up Mauldin. Make no mistake, the Jets are in better shape that a lot of other teams, but they have to change the formula if they want to beat Brady on a fairly consistent basis.Brady was 2-for-15 when facing pressure on Sunday, per ESPN Stats. The Broncos found his kryptonite, knocking the pretty-boy smile off his face.You can bet Bill Belichick already is plotting ways to improve his porous offensive line. The Jets are doing the same with their pass rush. We'll see in eight months who did a better job.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58128/denvers-dismantling-of-tom-brady-provides-a-black-and-blueprint-for-jets

[UnitedWhofans]

Which is what Todd Bowles said to the letter right after the season. Amazing, isn't it?

[JustInFudge]

Looking at championship weekend through a New York Jets lens, the most positive takeaway (other than the New England Patriots losing) was the clear and loud message that defense still wins championships.

The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in ESPN's defensive efficiency metric, confirmation the Jets are on the right track. Statistically, the Jets fielded one of the best defenses in the NFL, but the difference between them and the Broncos was on full display Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.They hit Tom Brady a career-high 23 times because of their ability to pressure from the edge. Outside linebacker Von Miller (2.5 sacks) had a career game, including an interception, and bookend rusher DeMarcus Ware (0.5 sacks) generated heat in the fourth quarter. The result: For the first time in 255 career starts, Brady threw multiple interceptions and completed less than 50 percent of his passes.

The Jets -- built for power, not speed -- must evolve into that kind of defense. We knew that before Sunday, but the Broncos provided a real-life case study on how to dismantle Brady.

The challenge for general manager Mike Maccagnan this offseason is to upgrade the speed on defense, adding explosive players on the edge who can complement their power rushers -- as noted by coach Todd Bowles at the end of the season. Imagine how scary they'd be with a Von Miller-type coming around the corner, simultaneously creating opportunities for the big fellas on the interior.The Jets weren't a terrible pass-rushing outfit last season. They finished fifth in pressure percentage (Denver was first), but they were only 18th in sacks per dropback (5.8 percent), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Yep, you guessed it, Denver (8.1) was No. 1 in that category, too.

The Jets spent the first half of last season with graybeard Calvin Pace and underachiever Quinton Coples as their outside linebackers. Bowles got tired of Coples and sent him packing, integrating rookie Lorenzo Mauldin into some pass-rushing packages.Mauldin (four sacks) demonstrated raw talent, also showing he has a lot to learn. He will get a chance to become an every-down linebacker next season. By season's end, they were hurting so much at outside linebacker that Sheldon Richardson was moved out there. He did a credible job, but as we saw on Tyrod Taylor's 18-yard touchdown run in the finale, he's no linebacker.

This should be the Jets' No. 1 priority in the offseason -- other than re-signing their own top free agents. The draft includes some intriguing edge rushers who could be available at No. 20, perhaps Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith, a top-5 talent who could slip because of a knee injury.It will be difficult to solve the issue in free agency. Two reasons: There aren't many good ones available, and the Jets ($10 million to $14 million in cap space) won't have enough money to sign one of the good ones. Miller will be a free agent, but he will get the franchise tag. Bruce Irvin and Courtney Upshaw are second-contract players who will garner considerable interest on the open market, but again: Are they within the Jets' price range? Probably not.

Bowles will have to find his edge rusher in the draft, also hoping he can coach up Mauldin. Make no mistake, the Jets are in better shape that a lot of other teams, but they have to change the formula if they want to beat Brady on a fairly consistent basis.Brady was 2-for-15 when facing pressure on Sunday, per ESPN Stats. The Broncos found his kryptonite, knocking the pretty-boy smile off his face.You can bet Bill Belichick already is plotting ways to improve his porous offensive line. The Jets are doing the same with their pass rush. We'll see in eight months who did a better job.

>     http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/58128/denvers-dismantling-of-tom-brady-provides-a-black-and-blueprint-for-jets

Every team in the league wants to add an monster OLB pass rushing beast like Von Miller.  It's just not that easy.

Look at this last draft for example. Maudlin had as many sack as all the first round OLB pass rushers and he played half of the snaps.  He also had more sacks than Courtney Upshaw and Bruce Irvin, in much less snaps.  Irvin would have to learn a new position and Upshaw is a slug, like Coples.  Hell, Mo Wilk had more sacks than Von Miller.

I'd like to see Maudlin in a full time role with some speed to replace the ILB's.  Watching Trevathan cover yesterday was a thing of beauty and something this team sorely misses.  Obviously, if you can land an OLB beast, you do it but not at the expense of reaching on a player and you end up with Gholston.

 

 

 

 

 

[#bman]

Agreed. After watching both of those games yesterday I think the Jets need 2 speed LB's out of the early rounds in this year's draft.

[Jetdawgg]

Rebuilding the OL and the LB corps are both multi year projects. Funny how a few years ago you had to beat Brady with up the middle pressure.

[Beerfish]

We need an edge rusher and edge rushers are important.   WELL DUH!

[nyjunc]

we provided the blueprint doing an even better job in the 2010 playoffs on the road, NE and Brady adapt plus Den's blueprint involved premiere pass rushers(multiple) which we do not have.

[bitonti]

Every team in the league wants to add an monster OLB pass rushing beast like Von Miller.  It's just not that easy.

Indeed. Von Miller went 2 overall in the draft and was one of the best overall OLB to come out of the draft in a decade.  

[afosomf]

Every team in the league wants to add an monster OLB pass rushing beast like Von Miller.  It's just not that easy.

Look at this last draft for example. Maudlin had as many sack as all the first round OLB pass rushers and he played half of the snaps.  He also had more sacks than Courtney Upshaw and Bruce Irvin, in much less snaps.  Irvin would have to learn a new position and Upshaw is a slug, like Coples.  Hell, Mo Wilk had more sacks than Von Miller.

I'd like to see Maudlin in a full time role with some speed to replace the ILB's.  Watching Trevathan cover yesterday was a thing of beauty and something this team sorely misses.  Obviously, if you can land an OLB beast, you do it but not at the expense of reaching on a player and you end up with Gholston.

 

 

 

 

 

Upshaw was a 2nd rd pick and he is more of a set the edge type player, he was never going to be a Von Miller type. Upshaw plays sound defense and does alot of the dirty work.

Not sure what his FA value will be in the future. Certainly not a fit here

[varjet]

Unfortunately for the Jets, their LB roster is woefully behind the rest of the team and very much holds the team back from being truly competitive in 2016.

They will not solve this problem in the 2016 draft.  Even Denver, who gets it, played Shane Ray part time in 2015 after drafting him in the first round.

The Jets need to sign credible FAs at ILB and OLB this off season, as well as re-signing Fitzpatrick so that they have a QB.  That requires taking cap space that is overallocated to the DL, OL and S and reallocating it to the QB, RBs and LBs to balance it out.  I am more confident in the ability to draft a RB to plug in.

If that happens, then the Jets can stick with the more effective BPA draft strategy and not reach for need.

[Jet Nut]

Isn't this the same eye opening blueprint that we discovered after the Giants used the same blueprint years ago? 

The blueprint isn't the hard part.   Getting the LBs to put pressure on Brady is the hard part.  

[chirorob]

Sooo. It's a good idea to have pass rushers where you can get to Brady rushing 4 people and dropping back 7.

How did no one else think of this.

[faba]

Yeah the blueprint was always to get into any QB's face and pressure them

[Awesumtenor]

The ability to take away the quick throws to Edelman and Amendola played a big part in this. If  anything needs to be studied from the game tape, how they defeated the rubs and picks the NE offense runs to get receivers wide open and forced Brady to hold the ball long enough for their LBs to hit Brady. Our defense was able to do this intermittently but we  lack the linebackers and safeties with the size and the speed to defend Gronk and Amendola/Edelman we can defend one or the other; DEN was able to defend both at the same time.  Gronk was able to make plays down the field only after both of DEN's starting safeties were out of the game.

[Jets_Win]

Denver rushed 3 and dropped 8 into coverage a lot. The Jets do that and they don't create enough pressure. Rush more and Brady picks apart the secondary. If it's a blueprint for anything it's that the Jets need Von Miller and Demarcus Ware.

[joewilly12]

Which is what Todd Bowles said to the letter right after the season. Amazing, isn't it?

Agreed the Jets did it before Denver did.

[UnitedWhofans]

Agreed the Jets did it before Denver did.

But what's big is that Bowles knows it and said it. So he is going to address it. Never heard Rex say something like that

[Jetdawgg]

Gronk had a big game yesterday with 8/144. The Denevr D was able to stop the run as NE had less than 50 yards on the ground. The Denver LB were able to cover the backs and contain the short passing game with underneath coverage. Something the Jets do not consistently do.

it really showed in the final game as Revis had the deep coverage but the Jets LB could not contain the underneath allowing for a big day by Watkins.

[aec4]

Agreed the Jets did it before Denver did.

agreed.  The game yesterday was almost identical to jets victory.  NE didn't really score an offensive td until the last minute of the game in both.  Against us they scored defensively.  Against them they got a break and scored from the 15.   We dominated the play and so did Denver.  Both made Brady look scared and human.  The only difference is they needed 2 against Denver because the kicking God missed a xp.  

[cant wait]

Add 2 HOF pass rushing OLB's, piece of cake 

[Charlie Brown]

Gronk had a big game yesterday with 8/144. The Denevr D was able to stop the run as NE had less than 50 yards on the ground. The Denver LB were able to cover the backs and contain the short passing game with underneath coverage. Something the Jets do not consistently do.

it really showed in the final game as Revis had the deep coverage but the Jets LB could not contain the underneath allowing for a big day by Watkins.

Yes but folks blamed Revis for those routes as well as if Revis is Houdini and can cover everyone all over the field no matter what...

[ZachEY]

Every team in the league wants to add an monster OLB pass rushing beast like Von Miller.  It's just not that easy.

Look at this last draft for example. Maudlin had as many sack as all the first round OLB pass rushers and he played half of the snaps.  He also had more sacks than Courtney Upshaw and Bruce Irvin, in much less snaps.  Irvin would have to learn a new position and Upshaw is a slug, like Coples.  Hell, Mo Wilk had more sacks than Von Miller.

I'd like to see Maudlin in a full time role with some speed to replace the ILB's.  Watching Trevathan cover yesterday was a thing of beauty and something this team sorely misses.  Obviously, if you can land an OLB beast, you do it but not at the expense of reaching on a player and you end up with Gholston.

 

 

 

 

 

Yeah, I was going to say, if the blueprint is, have one of the leagues best young pass-rushers on one side and a possible hall of fame pass rusher on the other... That's a great blueprint... Thanks!

[Jetdawgg]

Yes but folks blamed Revis for those routes as well as if Revis is Houdini and can cover everyone all over the field no matter what...

Some of the posters here clearly cannot dissect a football game

[kelly]

Some of the posters here clearly cannot dissect a football game

..agreed   

[Integrity28]

Yeah the blueprint was always to get into any QB's face and pressure them

This. LOL

It's like saying "the blueprint to getting wet is to jump in the water". The blueprint to disrupting every QB ever is to pressure and hit them constantly.

[HessStation]

The stupid Jesus pose at the end of the Bills game when it was already over, is about the last time I'd ever need to see Demario Davis again. 

[RoadFan]

Android phone double post.

[RoadFan]

Great news! 

All the Jets need is, not one, but TWO outstanding edge rushers! (Most teams dont even have one including the Jets.  Mauldin showed promise but he won't be confused with Von or Ware.)

Not to mention a deafening crowd that forces a silent snap count...

Gimme a break.

 

 

[chirorob]

Great news! 

All the Jets need is, not one, but TWO outstanding edge rushers! (Most teams dont even have one including the Jets.  Mauldin showed promise but he won't be confused with Von or Ware.)

Not to mention a deafening crowd that forces a silent snap count...

Gimme a break.

Seriously.

You know how you beat a great QB?   You get 4 guys that can create a pass rush without having to send help.  Then you drop 7 into coverage.  You can do it in a 3-4, you can do it with a 4-3.  But you have be able to get their consistently with 4.

[kelly]

Yes but folks blamed Revis for those routes as well as if Revis is Houdini and can cover everyone all over the field no matter what...