So...it's ALL up to Lee....lol

[LIJetsFan]

http://elitesportsny.com/2017/05/13/new-york-jets-young-defensive-core-stout-exciting-middle/

 

New York Jets Young Defensive Core is Stout and Exciting Up the Middle

By

 Robby Sabo

 -

 05/13/2017

With the additions of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, Todd Bowles‘ New York Jets defensive core is stout and exciting up the middle.

Left tackle, cornerback, edge rusher, and, of course, quarterback — these are the highest paid positions in the National Football League. Since Lawrence Taylor made the term “blindside” famous in the 1980s, the sentiment that these four positions garner the most dough cannot be argued.

This sentiment is also another reason for fans of the New York Jets to hit the bottle.

As it stands right now, Mike Maccagnan is dishing out no big money to any of these four positions. Darrelle Revis is gone. There is no franchise quarterback. Jordan Jenkins and Lorenzo Mauldin are hardly pass-rushers extraordinaire and Kelvin Beachum, who was scooped up as a free agent this past offseason, will never be confused with Anthony Munoz.

Even after the 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone, Mike Maccagnan has yet to fill any of these four positions.

At least he did do something promising.

Prior to the draft, Jets fans were in the worst position of all 32 fanbases. Not only were they faced with a tough season ahead, but there was very little to hang a hat on. I mean, what was there to be excited about, Quincy Enunwa? No offense to Enunwa, but there’s gotta be more that just him to look forward to.

Now, after the festivities in Philadelphia, things are a bit different.

Todd Bowles‘ defense is looking promising up the middle.

Defensive core of the New York Jets. No starting CBs at the moment, perhaps no starting DEs, and you can argue D.Lee as well. 

As it stands, there are no long-term solutions at corner. Morris Claiborne or any of the late round corner selections from the last two drafts could surprise, but barring that magic trick, it’ll be a position of need come 2018.

At the EDGE, the same story can be written. One could argue Jordan Jenkins could fill one of the two spots, but that’s a rough argument no matter how it’s attacked.

The area the true core is built from is in between the hashes, the middle of the football field.

The three heavies are still here, despite the fact that Sheldon Richardson just doesn’t fit in. He, along with Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams, make up one hell of a threesome at the interior defensive end spot. Most believe Deon Simon is ready for a starting nose tackle gig.

The newly-drafted Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, in theory, should make up one of the nastier safety duos in the NFL. If an NFL safety is a first or second-round pick, this should be the case, and if it’s not, say goodbye to the GM.

The key in whether or not Maccagnan can start attacking the corner and edge spot next offseason might come down to Darron Lee‘s ability to develop. According to Pro Football Focus, the site that loves to confuse fans with their analytical insight, Lee graded out as the worst rookie linebacker a season ago.

Playing basically in the body-type of a safety, many scratched their heads at the choice considering Bowles’ favoritism for the 3-4 defense. In the NFL, the speedy Lee is a prototypical WILL in a 4-3. This made many believe the Jets were ready to play the 4-3 most of the time, myself included. But while Bowles tried to run the classic four-man front, the four defensive linemen were far too heavy to keep the integrity of a quick enough EDGE.

The only way it could work is if one EDGE was heavy and the other remained light with a Lorenzo Mauldin or Jordan Jenkins, and even in that case, it still hurts the structural integrity of the defense.

In the end, the 3-4 prevailed in 2016, even showcasing the Big Cat at nose tackle during the final quarter of the season.

Regardless of the structure of the front seven, if Lee improves to a level that warrants his first round selection, the middle of this defense is an extraordinary exciting group. Just think about Lee quarterbacking the sub package with Adams and Maye behind or alongside him. Those are three explosive, sideline-to-sideline athletes who can not only get after it in the run game, but ballhawk their way to turnovers.

Moreover, the interior rush game should be stout with a hungry Big Mo looking to prove doubters wrong and Richardson playing out his walk year. Oh yeah, there’s also Williams, the Jets best defender who’ll continue his onslaught on offensive guards.

In 2017, defensive schemes will be built around protecting the edge. Bowles will have to allow the middle of his defense to flourish while protecting his weak corners and weak edge pass rushing.

That’s not an easy task.

Instead of watching Adams or Maye flourish as the sixth man on a blitz or join the box on the strong side, they may need to be held back in an over-the-top position in fear one of the corners can’t handle the opposing WR.

Still, it’s an exciting middle of the defense that will learn in 2017 and flourish in 2018 once the proper sideline players are in place.

[T0mShane]

An exciting middle of the defense, baby. Get your PSLs here.

[JiFtheOracle]

I'm excited. 

[Kleckineau]

I refuse to get excited.

For a few years running we were led to believe this D was one of the most talented in the league and then repeatedly got embarrassed on almost every important 3rd down.

They have to show me.

[T0mShane]

5 minutes ago, Kleckineau said:

I refuse to get excited.

For a few years running we were led to believe this D was one of the most talented in the league and then repeatedly got embarrassed on almost every important 3rd down.

They have to show me.

Just you wait

[Kleckineau]

6 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

Just you wait

Can't wait.

[The Crusher]

" The little linebacker that could" But.. probably won't. 

[derp]

It will be extraordinarily easy to switch to a 4-3 defense after this season if they're so inclined. No major investments in stand up edge rushers or nose tackles.

Two defensive tackles/5 techniques, a tiny linebacker who also fits a weird role the current HC has in his 3-4, and a couple of safeties.

Jenkins is probably better suited to stand up but versatile enough to put his hand in the dirt and there have been a lot of press man corners drafted - but none were really a serious investment.

Also for whatever it's worth I think listing corner as a premium position on par with quarterback, edge rusher, and left tackle was a little much. Much more scheme specific than those positions. This FO and coaching staff seem to have decided they can find big press dudes later a-la Seattle. They might be completely wrong, but I don't think we've really gotten an indication that it's a priority position.

How funny would it be if Bowles actually wants premium cover corners and Maccagnan is trying to screw him over and we have two consecutive HC/GM combos both get fired over a cornerback spat though? Would be pretty classic Jets.

[joewilly12]

59 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

An exciting middle of the defense, baby. Get your PSLs here.

Investment Gold

[j4jets]

I thought Lee was already All-Pro?ive been told that. 

[Bugg]

Lots of 3 and outs on offense-EXCITED! YEAH! SAFETIES, MAN!  

As of today, we have all of 1 player on defense, Williams,who causes opposing OCs some grief. And no pass rush to speak of. If you take out the Bengals game(which the Jets lost) the sack numbers are beyond pitiful. 

Also, over the last 2 years the Jets lost your Pro Bowl center and LT, and not really replaced them. 

There is no primo RB.

The top WR from the last few seasons is now on the other side of the parking lot. 

The QB slot is a toxic waste site crossed with a nuclear reactor meltdown.

EXCITED!

 

[dbatesman]

1 hour ago, LIJetsFan said:

Regardless of the structure of the front seven, if Lee improves to a level that warrants his first round selection, the middle of this defense is an extraordinary exciting group. Just think about Lee quarterbacking the sub package with Adams and Maye behind or alongside him. Those are three explosive, sideline-to-sideline athletes who can not only get after it in the run game, but ballhawk their way to turnovers.

Hell ya baby

[T0mShane]

10 minutes ago, dbatesman said:

Hell ya baby

sprinkle in a free agent qb, wr1, cb1, cb2, and a few edge rushers and its gotime

[Gastineau Lives]

All draft capital must be spent on center of the defense. I was discussing this very thing over lunch with Vince Lombardi at the automat in Times Square the other day, pastrami on a kaiser roll for Vince and a  liverwurst on rye for me. Lenny Bruce walked in. Now, Lenny's not much of a football fan but...

[stugotz81]

1 hour ago, Bugg said:

Lots of 3 and outs on offense-EXCITED! YEAH! SAFETIES, MAN!  

As of today, we have all of 1 player on defense, Williams,who causes opposing OCs some grief. And no pass rush to speak of. If you take out the Bengals game(which the Jets lost) the sack numbers are beyond pitiful. 

Also, over the last 2 years the Jets lost your Pro Bowl center and LT, and not really replaced them. 

There is no primo RB.

The top WR from the last few seasons is now on the other side of the parking lot. 

The QB slot is a toxic waste site crossed with a nuclear reactor meltdown.

EXCITED!

 

I honestly think Powell is going to explode this season for us. 

I wont miss Marshall 

Gonna be a huge year for Petty, he will surprise all. 

[Ex-Rex]

2 hours ago, The Crusher said:

" The little linebacker that could" But.. probably won't. 

Not the way Bowles uses him that's for sure. He should be on the outside regardless of 3-4 or 4-3, because of his quickness. He doesn't appear to be a great pass rusher but he can cover TE and RB so that makes him vital on the outside. Inside he gets mauled by guards and centers and can't use his speed effectively.

[Bugg]

57 minutes ago, Gastineau Lives said:

All draft capital must be spent on center of the defense. I was discussing this very thing over lunch with Vince Lombardi at the automat in Times Square the other day, pastrami on a kaiser roll for Vince and a  liverwurst on rye for me. Lenny Bruce walked in. Now, Lenny's not much of a football fan but...

Where was Maury Amsterdam? 3 yards and a cloud of dust, none of that fancypants sissy passing offense. 

[Bugg]

8 minutes ago, Ex-Rex said:

Not the way Bowles uses him that's for sure. He should be on the outside regardless of 3-4 or 4-3, because of his quickness. He doesn't appear to be a great pass rusher but he can cover TE and RB so that makes him vital on the outside. Inside he gets mauled by guards and centers and can't use his speed effectively.

From last season there is nary little evidence little Darron Lee can cover anyone. 

[T0mShane]

15 minutes ago, Bugg said:

From last season there is nary little evidence little Darron Lee can cover anyone. 

People equating a 40 time with being able to cover.

[Kleckineau]

Fun facts....

Opposing QBs had a rating of 132.9 when targeting Lil Lee,

Positives? He was only flagged for penalties twice.

 

[Savage69]

3 hours ago, The Crusher said:

" The little linebacker that could" But.. probably won't. 

-Don't tell me you take bigger dumps then Tiny backer and it covers more ground..

[LIJetsFan]

It seems to me that there is one of three things going on here.  1. Bowles can't used his draftees correctly.  2. Mac is a poor judge of talent.  3.  Tanny was right and you should move up to get the guy you really want.  Pick 'em.  

[UnitedWhofans]

So an NFL.com all rookie selection needs to keep improving. OK by me

[afjetsfan]

I haven't been impressed with Lee so far.  Seems way too small to be a Linebacker.  Could be another first round bust if he doesn't greatly improve.

[Barkus]

5 hours ago, T0mShane said:

sprinkle in a free agent qb, wr1, cb1, cb2, and a few edge rushers and its gotime

Don't forget oline, TE, and rb too. Should be set at safety hopefully.

[Gas2No99]

New York Jets Young Defensive Core is Stout and Exciting Up the Middle

By Robby Sabo -  05/13/2017

 

With the additions of Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, Todd Bowles‘ New York Jets defensive core is stout and exciting up the middle.

Left tackle, cornerback, edge rusher, and, of course, quarterback — these are the highest paid positions in the National Football League. Since Lawrence Taylor made the term “blindside” famous in the 1980s, the sentiment that these four positions garner the most dough cannot be argued.

This sentiment is also another reason for fans of the New York Jets to hit the bottle.

As it stands right now, Mike Maccagnan is dishing out no big money to any of these four positions. Darrelle Revis is gone. There is no franchise quarterback. Jordan Jenkins and Lorenzo Mauldin are hardly pass-rushers extraordinaire and Kelvin Beachum, who was scooped up as a free agent this past offseason, will never be confused with Anthony Munoz.

Even after the 2017 NFL Draft has come and gone, Mike Maccagnan has yet to fill any of these four positions.

At least he did do something promising.

Prior to the draft, Jets fans were in the worst position of all 32 fanbases. Not only were they faced with a tough season ahead, but there was very little to hang a hat on. I mean, what was there to be excited about, Quincy Enunwa? No offense to Enunwa, but there’s gotta be more that just him to look forward to.

Now, after the festivities in Philadelphia, things are a bit different.

Todd Bowles‘ defense is looking promising up the middle.

 

As it stands, there are no long-term solutions at corner. Morris Claiborne or any of the late round corner selections from the last two drafts could surprise, but barring that magic trick, it’ll be a position of need come 2018.

At the EDGE, the same story can be written. One could argue Jordan Jenkins could fill one of the two spots, but that’s a rough argument no matter how it’s attacked.

The area the true core is built from is in between the hashes, the middle of the football field.

The three heavies are still here, despite the fact that Sheldon Richardson just doesn’t fit in. He, along with Muhammad Wilkerson and Leonard Williams, make up one hell of a threesome at the interior defensive end spot. Most believe Deon Simon is ready for a starting nose tackle gig. (called it back in March of '16)

The newly-drafted Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye, in theory, should make up one of the nastier safety duos in the NFL. If an NFL safety is a first or second-round pick, this should be the case, and if it’s not, say goodbye to the GM.

The key in whether or not Maccagnan can start attacking the corner and edge spot next offseason might come down to Darron Lee‘s ability to develop. According to Pro Football Focus, the site that loves to confuse fans with their analytical insight, Lee graded out as the worst rookie linebacker a season ago.

Playing basically in the body-type of a safety, many scratched their heads at the choice considering Bowles’ favoritism for the 3-4 defense. In the NFL, the speedy Lee is a prototypical WILL in a 4-3. This made many believe the Jets were ready to play the 4-3 most of the time, myself included. But while Bowles tried to run the classic four-man front, the four defensive linemen were far too heavy to keep the integrity of a quick enough EDGE.

The only way it could work is if one EDGE was heavy and the other remained light with a Lorenzo Mauldin or Jordan Jenkins, and even in that case, it still hurts the structural integrity of the defense.

In the end, the 3-4 prevailed in 2016, even showcasing the Big Cat at nose tackle during the final quarter of the season.

Regardless of the structure of the front seven, if Lee improves to a level that warrants his first round selection, the middle of this defense is an extraordinary exciting group. Just think about Lee quarterbacking the sub package with Adams and Maye behind or alongside him. Those are three explosive, sideline-to-sideline athletes who can not only get after it in the run game, but ballhawk their way to turnovers.

Moreover, the interior rush game should be stout with a hungry Big Mo looking to prove doubters wrong and Richardson playing out his walk year. Oh yeah, there’s also Williams, the Jets best defender who’ll continue his onslaught on offensive guards.

In 2017, defensive schemes will be built around protecting the edge. Bowles will have to allow the middle of his defense to flourish while protecting his weak corners and weak edge pass rushing.

That’s not an easy task.

Instead of watching Adams or Maye flourish as the sixth man on a blitz or join the box on the strong side, they may need to be held back in an over-the-top position in fear one of the corners can’t handle the opposing WR.

Still, it’s an exciting middle of the defense that will learn in 2017 and flourish in 2018 once the proper sideline players are in place.

[Gas2No99]

My bad. Just saw it was posted under a different title thread. Please delete. thanks. 

[thadude]

0.0 pass rush 

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY

[rangerous]

i'm not sure what to make of the way they're crafting their defense.  last season was a mess and really shouldn't be used as a guide for this season.  maybe waht bowles is planning is to play small ball where he basically has 4 down linemen and then quasi safeties as db's/lb's.  it seems like they have an awful lot of tweeners on the team.  maybe it works although it's hard to imagine it hasn't been tried before.  on some level it sounds like it might.

[BRONX DUDE]

just thought I'd take a look to see what's going on during this downtime between seasons.

 

Same ole stuff.

Close your eyes guys and wake up for the 2018 draft. Hopefully God help us and we will have top 1 2 0r 3 pick

Good nite

 

 

 

#SUCKFORSAM

[glenn31]

On 5/13/2017 at 4:43 PM, Gas2No99 said:

 

 

This looks more like we'll be running the old Okie 52 D rather than the 3-4, and it wouldn't even be a shock given this staff lol (Yes, I know the 2 defenses are as related as can be, but my point still stands).

[BurnleyJet]

No problem, I thought we are Tanking anyway.

[Miss Lonelyhearts]

23 hours ago, glenn31 said:

This looks more like we'll be running the old Okie 52 D rather than the 3-4, and it wouldn't even be a shock given this staff lol (Yes, I know the 2 defenses are as related as can be, but my point still stands).

STRATEGERY 

[jeremy2020]

On 5/13/2017 at 9:04 AM, j4jets said:

I thought Lee was already All-Pro?ive been told that. 

Lee is the last, best hope for a #1 QB in 2018