Jets “D” And Special Teams Concerns

Added by Gregg Snyder on December 6, 2010.

The lack of a pass rush by the Jets defense has been talked about all season. Jets fans are hoping that by 8:30 tonight, Mike Pettine and Rex Ryan will have found some semblance of it somewhere in Florham Park or the locker room at Meadowlands Stadium before making the trip to Foxboro.

One thing is for certain, Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas and Co. must plan on meeting in the New England backfield all night and avoid the need to blitz on third and long and give up chunks of yardage to a hot New England offense or its gonna be a long night for the Jet secondary. The defense suffered a tremendous loss with the season ending injury of safety Jim Leonhard. 

Leonhard not only called defensive plays and is one of the leading tacklers (61 total) on the team, but his sure hands in the punt return game will definitely be a concern that Mike Westhoff needs to address. With cold weather and snow flurries in the fore cast that will be important. 

Laveranues Coles was resigned by the team for the 3^rd time last week and if active Monday night, might see limited action because of the injury. Brodney Poole and Eric Smith will be thrust into starting roles.