D-REX & the Jets!

By Gayle Saunders

One thing comes to mind when you think of the 2009 New York Jets, it seems there is a new “state of mind” in New York and it starts with Rex Ryan. The new talk of the town has injected his contagious form of confidence into his players, from Kerry Rhodes brash predictions to Sanchez’s quiet confidence. It’s apparent that they’re all channeling the same kind of mindset. Coach Ryan has a certain swagger to him which permeates to his team, especially the defensive players. Earlier this week, defensive tackle Kris Jenkins called the Jets/Patriots game the Jets’ “Super Bowl” and on Wednesday, free safety Kerry Rhodes said he wanted to “embarrass” the Patriots.

The Jets now have a new violent style of defense, as they would call it. We shall now introduce the new coined phrase The D-Rex a/k/a the Jets Defense. Rex Ryan spent the last 10 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, including 2008 as assistant head coach/defensive coordinator. During Ryan’s tenure, the Ravens defense never ranked lower than sixth in the NFL. Since 1999, the Ravens rank first for fewest points allowed (17.1 per game), fewest rushing yards allowed per game (87.3), most shutouts (9), most takeaways (337), most interceptions (212), most interceptions for touchdowns (29) and third down conversion defense (33.9 percent). They rank second in the NFL since 1999 in total defense (280.7) and fourth in sacks (416). In those 10 seasons, the Ravens allowed an NFL-low 18 100-yard rushers, including none over the last 35 games. Coach Ryan learned under the tutelage of his father, The Great Buddy Ryan, whose infamous coaching style was the mastermind behind the 85 Chicago Bears defense, as well as part of the “Bounty Bowl” in the late 1980′s. With that being said, how can this not be transferred and applied to the Jets Defense in 2009?

In the offseason Rex Ryan brought over ex-Baltimore Raven’s LB Bart Scott and S Jim Leonhard with him. Rex Ryan wanted to change the approach on defense and he brought in Scott to galvanize the unit. The Jets gave him the richest contract in team history for a defensive player ($22 million in guarantees over six years), expecting him to fill a leadership void. The self proclaimed “angry player”, vowed to instill his ‘chip-on-the-shoulder’ attitude to his new teammates. Bart Scott is to New York as Ray Lewis is to Baltimore. Learning under Lewis, one of the best LB’s in NFL history, Scott is happy to take the drivers seat in the middle of the defense.

 

Another focal point of the D-Rex has been the stellar play of CB Darrelle Revis, Not only has he played great against the best WR’s in the league in Andre Johnson (week 1) and Randy Moss (week 2) but he’s shut both of them down. He limited Andre Johnson to four catches for 35 yards and held Randy Moss to four catches for 24 yards and made Moss a non-factor in the red zone. The only way you can have an effective Blitzing defense is to have corners that can be left alone on a island. We might as well start calling Darrelle Revis “Gilligan” because he sure as hell rules that island.

When asked about the teams performance against the Patriots, Revis said “That’s a statement not just to us but to the league that every week we’re going to come out and try and get a shutout”

As of right now, Rex’s D-Rex has not allowed an offensive touchdown this season. New York’s defense, which allowed 183 yards and no touchdowns vs. Houston (which was third in offense in 2008 and scored 34 points Sunday), kept New England out of the end zone for the first time since 2006. The last time the New York defense did not allow touchdowns in consecutive weeks…was in 1993.

The new found bravado in New York, can be summed up in a statement from Bart Scott following yesterdays big win. “The past is the past, it’s a new day. It’s a new team. It’s not the same old Jets people are used to.”

“We won’t back down from anybody, we won’t take a step back from anybody,” Scott said on a conference call in his first media session after signing as a Jet. “You can expect to see a very physical, violent defense. I don’t know if this division has ever seen a violent defense”.

It’s clear that the team has embraced Rex Ryan’s bravado and swagger and changed the mindset in New York. The Jets will play physical football and aren’t going to back down from anyone, it’s the kind of mentality that is needed if you want to be the best. It’s clear that D’ Rex has taken charge and the fans and players are following his lead!