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It’s a different approach than we have seen, but worth a try.
Some fans and reporters were clamoring for the team to sign a free agent cornerback or two.
Two just dropped off the market, with Steven Nelson signing with Philadelphia, and former Jet Brian Poole inking a deal with New Orleans.
The Jets basically stayed out of the free agent cornerback market, chosing to go with young returning players, 2021 draft picks and undrafted free agents, like Bryce Hall, Bless Austin, Jason Pinnock, Brandon Echols, Isaiah Dunn and so forth.
Recently, Jets coach Robert Saleh explained his thinking:
“I’ve said it before, I think, the difference between player A and player Z in the entire league, I’m not talking about superstars, I’m not talking about the Aaron Donald’s of the world, they’re unique. But the difference between player A and player Z is minimal and the only thing that keeps player Z from becoming player A is an opportunity and reps,” said Saleh. “Let’s see what happens. Does it always happen? It doesn’t, but unless you’re willing to be bold enough to coach your tail off and to invest as much as you can into these young men and give them the opportunity to be seen, give them the opportunity to get reps, and give them the opportunity to get better, you’ll never know what you might find. So, that’s just the belief and the philosophy of not only our coaching staff but the entire organization and that’s something we’re committed to.”
In other words, Saleh isn’t interested in a bus station approach, where you are constantly making waiver claims and bringing in new guys, and starting from square one with them, which can be counterproductive and put extra strain on the coaches.
Look, I’m not saying you don’t claim players. Of course you do, but often that isn’t the pancea people think it is.
Especially at corner.
Do you really think that teams are releasing cornerbacks in the spring or summer who are really good? There is a major shortage at the position right now, so it’s rare that somebody with top-shelf cover skills is being exposed to waivers.
So what Saleh is saying is basically, let’s go with a group of players they feel have the skill set to work in the Jets’ defense, and develop the heck out of the them, and see how that goes.
Remember, this defense kind of takes a unique approach at the cornerback position, which allows teams that run it, to get cornerbacks late in the draft and undrafted guys, and still have success.
They look for long, physical cornerbacks and then teach them certain techniques, and drill them over and over and over again on those techniques, and then roll with them.
Also, you talk to people around the league, and they will tell you this system is “front-driven.”
In other words, the attacking in the front seven, is meant to create chaos, and not allow the quarterbacks to sit back there and get to their third and fourth reads with regularity.
Even Jeff Ulbrich admitted in the spring, that with this system, if you let a QB sit back there all day, and go through all their reads, his defense is in a little bit of trouble.
So when thinking of this scheme, think “front-driven.”
And also think – you can find corners and drill them on the technique.
July 26, 2021
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