I’ve written a couple of articles on how important the revamping of both our offensive and defensive lines were this offseason. Even if you are a casual Jet fan, and watched the horrific 2007 season it would have even been quite apparent to you. I refer to it as Football 101: the importance of the guys that go unnoticed in the trenches. 

Well last year they were noticed by the entire NFL fan base, players coaches, announcers etc….you get my point I’m sure.

Now I would like to switch it over to the importance of fortifying that horrible pass rush that we as Jet fans had to endure for the past couple of seasons. Visions of Tom Brady having 8 seconds to throw and exposing our DB’s are still in my head. But they will be a thing of the past for this upcoming 2008 campaign!

Not only did the Front Office draft the best available option with the #6-overall pick in Vernon Gholston, a player that WILL wreck havoc on opposing QBs, but as we know, they really went out of their way to lure Calvin Pace in free agency. Pace is is much more comfortable in the 3-4, and is going to surprise a lot of Jets’ fans. 

The sacks and pressures, and we all forget about the importance of QB pressures, will be there. Don’t count his money—count his sacks and pressures. By the end of the season, when we are AFC East champs, everyone will forget the contract.

But what about Kris Jenkins?  If he does his job, and constantly ties up a couple of blockers, then expect David Harris to be blasting up the middle! 

Harris had five sacks in half a season with the wrong guys around him! He is sure to be in double digits this year, he is that good.

Then there is “Hollywood”. He must be chomping at the bit! Where is he going to be coming from on blitz packages? The outside or the inside? 

Throw in Bryan Thomas getting his head out of his ass, and reverting back to the player he was in 2006, and David “Under the Radar” Bowens, and the Jets have the makings of a top flight pass rushing defense! 

I even expect to see Shaun Ellis and Kenyon Coleman chipping in on stunts, and to witness outright Mangini confusion now that he is getting the right players for this type of complicated defense—a defense where every player is accountable to know where their teammates should be.

A lot of fans continue to say that we are weak at the second corner and safety positions. With a pass rush like our HC has developed, whatever “weakness’” Jets’ fans are concerned about will not be exposed!

Why? Because the opposing QB will now have to get rid of the ball very quickly, or he will be on his ass!

Watch and enjoy the 2008 season! This defense is going to be NASTY!

Categories: Editorial
Tags: Bryan Thomas, Calvin Pace, David Bowens, David Harris, Eric Mangini, Kerry Rhodes, Kris Jenkins, New York Jets, Vernon Gholston