Jets coach Rex Ryan takes active role in improving defense

[Jetfan13]

After yielding 38 points to the Bears in Sunday’s loss – including 21 in the third quarter alone –Rex Ryan is taking an active role in getting his defense back on track before the playoffs. Yesterday morning, the Jets coach presented the base defense in the unit’s meeting, something he couldn’t remember doing any other time this season.

“I just wanted to talk about how we do things, and our way,” Ryan said. “Sometimes when you get going along so much, the practices are cut down a little bit, and the things you should lean on most you get away from, and that’s your technique. The little things, they become big things, big issues, and that’s what we’ve got to dial in.”

After the Jets’ 38-34 loss, the second straight week the defense has performed below its standards, Ryan said he would re-emphasize fundamentals and technique.

Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine handled the presentation of the sub packages yesterday, but Ryan said he wanted to discuss the base defense, the core of the Jets’ identity. He also said he challenged all the defensive players to get better individually.

“They had to sit there and listen to me for an hour, going over base calls that they know,” Ryan said. “But the point is you can’t ever make the assumption, as a player, coach, whatever. This is what got us (here); this is one of our staples. This is how we play base, and we’ve got to get back to it."

Cornerback Antonio Cromartie said the message got through to the players, who respected that Ryan stepped in to set them straight.

"It speaks a lot of what kind of coach he is," Cromartie said. "He's the philosopher; he's the one that wrote the book of the defense. So for him to come in and help guys answer questions he's asking about the defense, I think it speaks volumes."

* * *

DE Shaun Ellis (low back), S James Ihedigbo (knee/ankle) and RT Damien Woody (knee) did not practice. Cromartie (groin), QB Mark Sanchez (right shoulder), DL Sione Pouha (back), DL Trevor Pryce (hip), CB Darrelle Revis (hamstring) and S Eric Smith (concussion) were limited. WR Santonio Holmes (quad), C Nick Mangold (shoulder), WR Brad Smith (hand) and LB Bryan Thomas (ankle) practiced fully.

The only player Ryan has said will be out this week is Ihedigbo, though he said Woody is "iffy."

Ihedigbo said he won't practice all week and will get treatment, and still expects to be ready for the postseason. He didn't get another MRI on his sprained right MCL, which he originally injured against the Patriots. He likened where he's at to having a cut that scabbed over, then having the scab ripped off and starting over, but he said nothing will keep him out of the postseason.

[bitonti]

Ihedigbo said he won't practice all week and will get treatment, and still expects to be ready for the postseason. He didn't get another MRI on his sprained right MCL, which he originally injured against the Patriots. He likened where he's at to having a cut that scabbed over, then having the scab ripped off and starting over, but he said nothing will keep him out of the postseason.

I appreciate his toughness but wonder about his effectiveness.

[faba]

One of the major problems we have on the shorter routes we do not have the players to cover plus lack of pass rush from interior lineman

[DMaynard]

It's about time Rex put his foot down on this.