Content available exclusively for subscribers
Florham Park – So what does the Jim Leonhard injury mean for the Jets big picture outlook? Here is Jets Insider Dan Leberfeld’s extensive breakdown on the situation?
They should be okay.
And I don’t mean that as a slight at Leonhard. Obviously the loss of this guy is huge.
But safety is one of the Jets deepest positions.
In fact, they don’t even need to sign another safety to replace Leonhard.
The roster spots should be filled by a cornerback, and perhaps they can add Emanuel Cook to the practice squad.
The Jets really, really need another cornerback. You will see that on Monday night. Playing Drew Coleman at the nickel could be a big mistake against the Patriots.
Woody Johnson, just go ahead and pay the $25,000 to the UFL and sign Gerard Lawson. I can understand you hesitating when the figure was $150,000, but $25,000 for a billionaire is a fly speck in the ocean.
The Jets don’t need another safety now because they are four deep at the position with Brodney Pool, Eric Smith, James Ihedigbo and Dwight Lowery (who is now a safety). That isn’t a bad group at all.
Leonhard is a really smart cat, but so is Smith, who got into Harvard out of high school (but went to Michigan State). Ihedigbo and Lowery are also smart guys – very smart.
Ihedigbo comes from a family of educators from Nigeria. It seems like every time “Dig” is on the field, something good is happening. He’s big (6-1, 218), extremely tough and has excellent instincts. He’s a true SOB on the field. Quite honestly, this guy deserves more playing time.
As for Lowery, I think he has the potential, with extensive playing time, to be an All-Pro safety. He was miscast as a man-to-man cornerback in the Jets system. He’s not fast enough, but facing the quarterback as a safety, that is his thing, his forte. Remember, this guy was an interception machine from high school to JUCO to San Jose State. You could see him do his thing facing the quarterback on his Pick Six against Brett Favre and the Vikings this year.
So I think the Jets can survive at safety without Leonhard.
Let’s be honest, the Jets have had quite a few blown coverages in the secondary this year, and have had major issues covering tight ends.
And I’m not blaming Leonhard for these issues, not by a long shot. But I can’t see a big dropoff from the current state of affairs.
As for the punt return, it would be a mistake to give Kyle Wilson the job full-time. He’s been a little shaky back there. Clearly it’s time, if he’s healthy, to give Jerricho Cotchery the job. He’s almost Leonhard-like in his ability catch punts, which is half the battle.
And when the Jets need a big return, they might mix in Santonio Holmes.
The Jets are well-equipped to handle this unfortunate injury.
