Law & disorder come to Jets

[Smizzy]

Law & disorder come to Jets

Defense has swagger and visions of a new Ty

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

It'll be Ty Law to the rescue when the Super Bowl champ finalizes deal to join Jets.

ALBANY - The Jets' defense already has the 'tude, mean and cocky, as the Giants discovered yesterday in their summer smackdown at the University at Albany. What the Jets need, the ingredient that could make them something special on defense, is a player of championship pedigree to galvanize the unit.

Ty Law, your limo is waiting.

As Jets officials and Law's agent put the finishing touches on a multi-year contract, the current players imagined what it would be like to have Law - a three-time Super Bowl champion - on their side.

"It would be huge," defensive end Shaun Ellis said after a morning session that included several scuffles with the Giants' offense. "He comes from a program where all they do is win. Any time you get a player like that on your team, it boosts everybody else up. He's been (to the Super Bowl) three times, and he can help lead us toward it."

Ellis said Law, a four-time Pro Bowl selection with the Patriots, "could be the final piece" in the Jets' championship puzzle. Barring a last-minute snag, and pending a physical examination, Law should be in a Jets uniform any day now. The two sides, on the verge of finalizing a deal Friday night, continued yesterday to hammer out what could be an incentive-laden contract.

"We're talking, but there's nothing to report," said GM Terry Bradway, confirming the Jets would bring in Law for a workout and physical before signing the contract.

The Jets established themselves last season as an up-and-coming defense under fiery coordinator Donnie Henderson, and they wasted no time yesterday in trying to build their reputation as an aggressive, in-your-face unit. It ticked off Giants coach Tom Coughlin and many of his players, but the Jets couldn't care less. As far as they're concerned, there's no crying in football.

"If it bothers an offense, they can shut us up by driving on us and scoring touchdowns," middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma said.

Safety Oliver Celestin, referring to their intense practice style, said: "If you come to Long Island, you'd see the same thing every day."

Henderson instilled that attitude last season in his defense, and it has carried over. On the first play of the morning practice, the Jets practically mugged tight end Jeremy Shockey, the first of several skirmishes and heated exchanges.

"We've got a go-for-the-jugular type of defense," center Kevin Mawae said. "They're going to bring pressure and talk trash doing it."

Some might say the Jets do a lot of talking for a team that hasn't won anything. Indeed, they have only one defensive player who has appeared in a Super Bowl - linebacker Eric Barton, whose Raiders team got whipped by the Bucs. Law would bring championship intangibles.

"He'll bring that swagger," Vilma said.

If his surgically repaired left foot checks out - some opposing scouts have their doubts - Law also would give the Jets a cornerback with elite man-to-man cover skills. That would free up another defender, giving Henderson more options in his play-calling repertoire. In other words, he'd be able to blitz a lot more than usual.

"It would really be something, rushing the passer and knowing you've got DBs back there who will be in the right spot," Ellis said.

Cornerback Ray Mickens, who probably would return to his nickel role if Law signs, said: "I hope we get him. It's just going to make us even stronger in the secondary. We're going to be a force to reckon with. We'll be three-strong and as you know, we've got a lot of offenses that pass the ball, including Kansas City the first week. We have to be loaded."

Even Law's detractors, those who believe his surgically repaired foot will slow him down, admit his competitiveness might be enough to get him by for a season. He'd fit right in on the Jets' defense.

[Jetheelz]

"If it bothers an offense, they can shut us up by driving on us and scoring touchdowns," middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma said.

Gotta love Vilma. Natural born leader with alot of talent and enthusiasm.

[124]

Gotta love:

1) A former Raven in D-Hend

2) A former Raider in Barton

3) A natural born leader at LB from THE U in Vilma

[Preston Howley III]

I'm ambivalent about Ty Law; Bitonti makes great points about why the Jets shouldn't sign him, but if this team has a shot to go for it all this season, it's a calculated risk that needs to be taken.

If the Jets do actually get the ink on the paper with Ty Law's signiture, then all we can do is hope for the best, and that he doesn't just become another statistic on the Jets perpetuall merry go round of sick, lame and crazies in the secondary.

[LionelRichie]

"We've got a go-for-the-jugular type of defense," center Kevin Mawae said. "They're going to bring pressure and talk trash doing it."

this is not the same old jets

[Jetlag]

I'm ambivalent about Ty Law; Bitonti makes great points about why the Jets shouldn't sign him, but if this team has a shot to go for it all this season, it's a calculated risk that needs to be taken.

If the Jets do actually get the ink on the paper with Ty Law's signiture, then all we can do is hope for the best, and that he doesn't just become another statistic on the Jets perpetuall merry go round of sick, lame and crazies in the secondary.

Jetmo I'm pretty much in the same boat. There are doubts but I think this is the time for the Jets to put the chips in the middle and let dice roll how they may. It's a calculated risk in my opinion but one they could have high reward.

Cornerback Ray Mickens, who probably would return to his nickel role if Law signs

WTF is this non-sense?? I don't care WHO we sign, if Strait isn't being able to compete for LCB then he sure as HELL better be handed that nickel spot. Mickens can contend to for the dime and/or accept being cut.