Content available exclusively for subscribers
During the off-season, teams do a lot of self-scouting, and figure out way to improve their teams.
One area the Jets need to really take a deep dive into this off-season, and figure out a way to get better, is their run defense.
And one area in particular that needs to be put under the microscope big-time is their goalline run defense.
When was the last time they had a goalline stand, and I’m not being facetious.
I can’t remember.
It’s well-documented that the Jets like to go with smaller, quicker defensive linemen who can shoot quickly into gaps, and run sideline-to-sideline.
But when you have too many smallish defensive linemen, this can be a problem against massive, powerful offensive lines, especially on the goalline.
And not just around the goalline per se, but in the red zone.
In the Jets late season win against the Washington Commanders, where they blew a 20point lead, but kicked a field goal at the end to win, there were a few examples of what I’m talking about.
In the second quarter, tailback Christopher Rodriguez Jr. ran off left guard for a 12-yard touchdown.
On the play, three defensive linemen were cleared out by Washington blockers – Solomon Thomas, Bryce Huff and Michael Clemons, and then there was kind of tush push at the end of the run, helping Rodriguez Jr. into the end zone.
In the fourth quarter, on a Rodriguez Jr. one-yard TD run – Thomas was mauled by Cornelius Lucas and Jermaine Johnson was taken out by tight end John Bates opening up a big hole.
Also in the fourth, Quinnen Williams and Thomas got taken out, and Antonio Gibson had a 9-yard run to the 1-yard line, and then at the 1, Williams and Thomas get taken out again, and John Franklin Myers was taken to the ground by tight end Logan Thomas to give Commanders took the lead on an easy TD run.
And keep in mind, the Commanders were down two offensive line starters in the game, left tackle Charles Leno and center Tyler Larsen. Then they lost right tackle Andrew Wylie in the first half. so they were down three linemen in the second half when they made their big comeback.
I’m sorry, it’s hard to be successful with small defensive line groups in the red zone, especially at the goal line. Some teams use what are called “jumbo” units at the goalline.
Thomas is a solid player, and an incredible human being, but at about 280 pounds, you should perhaps avoid using him near the goalline at defensive tackle, he’s just too small. You also can’t use Huff down there at around 255 pounds.
While Jermaine Johnson is coming off a terrific season, and was just named to the Pro Bowl to replace Khalil Mack, he’s not huge either, and can also have issues around the goal line.
Even Quinnen Williams, who might be the best player on the team aside from a healthy Aaron Rodgers, isn’t an ideal run defender on the goalline. Really good player, but not huge. But he, can be used down there as long as he surrounded by a “jumbo” package.
The Jets need to do a deep dive on how to fix this.
People will say, well they signed Al Woods, but he hurt in late October in a win over the Giants, ending his season. However, he wasn’t playing that much, and he was 36, and perhaps wasn’t the same player as in his prime.
The bottom line is this – Jeff Ulbrich, Robert Saleh and Joe Douglas need to figure out a way to roll with a beefier group around the goal line.
If you go with a bunch of undersized guys down there, you are asking for trouble.
January 30, 2024
Premium will return by 9:30 pm on Wednesday.
