[Chaos]

Is Rex right about the defense?
By Rich Cimini


"Will we end up being the best defense in football? I think so," Jets coach Rex Ryan said Tuesday. "I challenge everybody: Put your negatives comments out there and we'll see what happens in the end, because I think our defense is going to be outstanding.

"I wouldn't trade this defense for anybody’s in the league."

Some might mock Ryan, saying he's always predicting No. 1 rankings and Super Bowls, but there are concrete reasons for the optimism. Namely:

• Continuity. The Jets return 10 starters, a rarity in the musical chairs world of the NFL. Nine starters have been in Ryan's system for at least two years, meaning there should be fewer communication breakdowns than in past years.

Ryan and coordinator Mike Pettine employ what safety Jim Leonhard likes to call "a thinking man’s defense," predicated on pre-snap adjustments and on-the-fly changes. Cohesiveness is mandatory, especially in the secondary, which finally has some stability. The Jets have 10 defensive backs who have played in the system.

"We're confident we have everything in place to make a strong run again," said Leonhard, who is healthy after missing the last five games of 2010 to a broken leg. "This year we feel like we can open it up and do a lot of things."

• Darrelle Revis is here. A year ago, Revis missed the entire preseason because of his contract holdout and he wasn't in top shape when he finally signed. Predictably, he pulled a hamstring that hampered him for the first half of the season. Now, after a full training camp, there's no reason the All-Pro cornerback shouldn't return to his 2009 form.

Revis already is feeling it, saying in a recent television interview, "This year is kind of like a revenge thing. I'm coming back and I'm coming back strong."

With Revis locking down an opponent's No. 1 receiver, it allows Pettine to get more creative with his blitz packages.

• Calvin Pace will play opening day. Yes, that qualifies as news. For the Jets' best pass rusher, this will mark his first opening day since 2008. He missed the first four games of 2009 (banned-substance suspension) and the first four last season (broken foot), putting to serious dent in the pass rush.

In fact, the entire starting unit is relatively healthy, which bodes well for the Jets in the season opener against the Dallas Cowboys.

http://espn.go.com/b...out-the-defense

[Chaos]

Rex Ryan: 'I wouldn’t trade this defense for anybody’s in the league'
BY MANISH MEHTA

Rex Ryan wasn’t overly concerned that Eli Manning & Co. marched up and down the field against the Jets’ defense last night. Gang Green allowed 224 total yards in the first half, but allowed only a field goal before intermission. Ryan’s defense also had a pair of interceptions after it “got off to a slow start.”

“I wouldn’t trade this defense for anybody’s in the league,” Ryan said today. “You’re not going to be perfect, but will we end up being the best defense in football? I think so. Believe me, the least concern I have is about our defense. I think our defense is going to be outstanding. I’ve always said that. I challenge everybody: Put your negative comments out there and we’ll see what happens at the end.”

Ryan admitted that “trying to get the offense in a rhythm” is the biggest area that needs improvement heading into the season opener against the Cowboys on Sept. 11.

Fullback John Conner suffered a sprained left ankle on Monday night. Although he’s getting around in a walking boot, Rex Ryan anticipates that he’ll be ready for the season opener on Sept. 11 vs. the Cowboys.

"I’m hopeful he’ll be ready,” Ryan said. “He's an awfully tough kid. I assume he would be ready."

WR Logan Payne will undergo surgery after dislocating his left wrist last night. Ryan was unsure of his timetable for recovery. The Daily News first reported that Payne dislocated his wrist and was scheduled to undergo an MRI this morning.

Backup QB Mark Brunell (calf) won’t practice. The team will monitor Darrelle Revis, who is dealing with a minor right hip issue.

Ryan expects that Sione Pouha (knee) will be ready for the season opener against the Cowboys.

Ryan was impressed with rookie Jeremy Kerley, who took several snaps out of the Wildcat formation against the Giants.

“He’s got a little bit of that Brad Smith in him,” Ryan said.

Ryan confirmed a Daily News report that Nick Folk will be the starting kicker. The team released Nick Novak this morning. Ryan praised Novak for pushing Folk in an virtually even battle in camp and the preseason, but “clearly I feel Folk’s our guy,” the coach said.

Ryan also confirmed that the team will go with punter T.J. Conley after releasing Chris Bryan.

Outside linebacker Aaron Maybin still has some work to do to make the team. Ryan admitted today that the former first-round pick “is going to have to do more” to make the roster. Maybin played some snaps with the first team on Monday so coaches could evaluate him against the Giants’ first-team offensive line. He’ll get plenty of playing time in the preseason finale against the Eagles.

"He's going to have to show us he’s that pass rusher he has a chance to be,” Ryan said. “"I think he can play in this league. We'll see if he can play for us."

First-round pick Mo Wilkerson and the rest of the rookies are expected to play on Thursday, Ryan said.

Undrafted rookie WR Courtney Smith was released.

http://www.nydailyne...s-in-the-league

[S-Dubb]

This defense is ready to fly, the question is, is the offense ready?

[jetfan4life12]

S-Dubb, on 31 August 2011 - 01:54 PM, said:

This defense is ready to fly, the question is, is the offense ready?

I hope I am wrong but take away 3 plays against the Bengals, Plaxico has shown me absolutely nothing that makes me think he is close to Edwards (who I have mixed feelings about myself). With Mark Sanchez trying to make progress each year, he needs continuity at the WR and TE positions. I love Holmes but don't think he can carry the WR corps by himself and will draw a lot of attention from defenses. Keller needs to be involved often and early in games or he seems to get forgotten or loses focus or something. It doesn't take a brainchild of Brian Schottenheimer's caliber to know enough to get him 2-3 catches in the first quarter of games...

Oh sorry, I forgot; Schotty isn't a brainchild, he is an idiot (IMO)

[JSOTF]

jetfan4life12, on 31 August 2011 - 12:10 PM, said:

I hope I am wrong but take away 3 plays against the Bengals, Plaxico has shown me absolutely nothing that makes me think he is close to Edwards (who I have mixed feelings about myself). With Mark Sanchez trying to make progress each year, he needs continuity at the WR and TE positions. I love Holmes but don't think he can carry the WR corps by himself and will draw a lot of attention from defenses. Keller needs to be involved often and early in games or he seems to get forgotten or loses focus or something. It doesn't take a brainchild of Brian Schottenheimer's caliber to know enough to get him 2-3 catches in the first quarter of games...

Oh sorry, I forgot; Schotty isn't a brainchild, he is an idiot (IMO)

With the offensive tallent we have, we should be able to have an idiot at an OC.......But he seems to be proving that wrong...

[PoPo]

S-Dubb, on 31 August 2011 - 01:54 PM, said:

This defense is ready to fly, the question is, is the offense ready?

This is what scares me. The defense has looked pretty good bending but not breaking but the offense just looks flat and almost like they have no idea what thyre doing.