Denver's Dismantling Of Tom Brady Provides a Black-and-Blueprint For Jets

[flgreen]

Denver's dismantling of Tom Brady provides a black-and-blueprint for Jets




Von Miller and the Broncos hit Patriots quarterback Tom Brady 23 times on Sunday, a formula the Jets would be wise to duplicate. Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

10:25 AM ET
Rich Cimini
ESPN Staff Writer
Looking at championship weekend through a New York Jets lens, the most positive takeaway (other than the New England Patriots losing) was the clear and loud message that defense still wins championships.

The Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers are No. 1 and No. 2, respectively, in ESPN's defensive efficiency metric, confirmation the Jets are on the right track. Statistically, the Jets fielded one of the best defenses in the NFL, but the difference between them and the Broncos was on full display Sunday in the AFC Championship Game.

They hit Tom Brady a career-high 23 times because of their ability to pressure from the edge. Outside linebacker Von Miller (2.5 sacks) had a career game, including an interception, and bookend rusher DeMarcus Ware (0.5 sacks) generated heat in the fourth quarter. The result: For the first time in 255 career starts, Brady threw multiple interceptions and completed less than 50 percent of his passes.

The Jets -- built for power, not speed -- must evolve into that kind of defense. We knew that before Sunday, but the Broncos provided a real-life case study on how to dismantle Brady.

The challenge for general manager Mike Maccagnan this offseason is to upgrade the speed on defense, adding explosive players on the edge who can complement their power rushers -- as noted by coach Todd Bowles at the end of the season. Imagine how scary they'd be with a Von Miller-type coming around the corner, simultaneously creating opportunities for the big fellas on the interior.

The Jets weren't a terrible pass-rushing outfit last season. They finished fifth in pressure percentage (Denver was first), but they were only 18th in sacks per dropback (5.8 percent), according to ESPN Stats & Information. Yep, you guessed it, Denver (8.1) was No. 1 in that category, too.

The Jets spent the first half of last season with graybeard Calvin Pace and underachiever Quinton Coples as their outside linebackers. Bowles got tired of Coples and sent him packing, integrating rookie Lorenzo Mauldin into some pass-rushing packages.

Mauldin (four sacks) demonstrated raw talent, also showing he has a lot to learn. He will get a chance to become an every-down linebacker next season. By season's end, they were hurting so much at outside linebacker that Sheldon Richardson was moved out there. He did a credible job, but as we saw on Tyrod Taylor's 18-yard touchdown run in the finale, he's no linebacker.

This should be the Jets' No. 1 priority in the offseason -- other than re-signing their own top free agents. The draft includes some intriguing edge rushers who could be available at No. 20, perhaps Notre Dame's Jaylon Smith, a top-5 talent who could slip because of a knee injury.

It will be difficult to solve the issue in free agency. Two reasons: There aren't many good ones available, and the Jets ($10 million to $14 million in cap space) won't have enough money to sign one of the good ones. Miller will be a free agent, but he will get the franchise tag. Bruce Irvin and Courtney Upshaw are second-contract players who will garner considerable interest on the open market, but again: Are they within the Jets' price range? Probably not.

Bowles will have to find his edge rusher in the draft, also hoping he can coach up Mauldin. Make no mistake, the Jets are in better shape that a lot of other teams, but they have to change the formula if they want to beat Brady on a fairly consistent basis.

Brady was 2-for-15 when facing pressure on Sunday, per ESPN Stats. The Broncos found his kryptonite, knocking the pretty-boy smile off his face.

You can bet Bill Belichick already is plotting ways to improve his porous offensive line. The Jets are doing the same with their pass rush. We'll see in eight months who did a better job.

 

[flgreen]

Good article by Cimini.

"Mauldin (four sacks) demonstrated raw talent, also showing he has a lot to learn. He will get a chance to become an every-down linebacker next season."

This is just one of the reasons I hate the CBA. In the old days an aggressive rookie could hang around the complex and get daily coaching from his position coach for 6 months.

Now a young player isn't even allowed to talk to his position coach except at OTA's. The only way to improve is to hire private trainers from places like TEST and others for a small fortune. Mid round draft picks just don't have that kind of money.

The vets are happy, makes it a lot harder for aggressive young guys to take their jobs. Still sucks for developing players.

 

[jetgreen13]

Good article by Cimini.

"Mauldin (four sacks) demonstrated raw talent, also showing he has a lot to learn. He will get a chance to become an every-down linebacker next season."

This is just one of the reasons I hate the CBA. In the old days an aggressive rookie could hang around the complex and get daily coaching from his position coach for 6 months.

Now a young player isn't even allowed to talk to his position coach except at OTA's. The only way to improve is to hire private trainers from places like TEST and others for a small fortune. Midround draft picks just don't have that kind of money.

The vets are happy, makes it a lot harder for aggressive young guys to take their jobs. Still sucks for developing players.

not crazy about those facets of the CBA either.. *sigh* that said, i'm not crazy about this article either..

the blue print for beating the pats* is hitting brady the most times in his career in one game??

& the ND LB'er will realistically still be on the board at 20 even with a busted knee??

 

[flgreen]

not crazy about those facets of the CBA either.. *sigh* that said, i'm not crazy about this article either..

the blue print for beating the pats* is hitting brady the most times in his career in one game??

& the ND LB'er will realistically still be on the board at 20 even with a busted knee??

He could be. Yes he was a lock top 5 pick, and perhaps the #1 pick in the draft before his injury.

He blew out both his ACL and MCL in the last days of December. he won't be practicing in summer camp for sure. More then likely won't be contributing until week 8. If even then. It's possible he may have lost some speed. It will take major balls for a GM to pull the trigger on him before pick 15. More then likely some one late in the draft will do it in the end of the first round as a luxury pick.

If he recovers fully, and at his age why not? This would be a major steal. A healthy Jaylon Smith would be an impact player for the next 10 years.

I don't think Cimini was saying you have to hit Brady 23 times to throw him off his game, but and we've seen this before, if you hit him often, he doesn't kill you the way he normally does if you give him a full 3 seconds to throw.

 

[jetgreen13]

He could be. Yes he was a lock top 5 pick, and perhaps the #1 pick in the draft before his injury.

He blew out both his ACL and MCL in the last days of December. he won't be practicing in summer camp for sure. More then likely won't be contributing until week 8. If even then. It's possible he may have lost some speed. It will take major balls for a GM to pull the trigger on him before pick 15. More then likely some one late in the draft will do it in the end of the first round as a luxury pick.

If he recovers fully, and at his age why not? This would be a major steal. A healthy Jaylon Smith would be an impact player for the next 10 years.

I don't think Cimini was saying you have to hit Brady 23 times to throw him off his game, but and we've seen this before, if you hit him often, he doesn't kill you the way he normally does if you give him a full 3 seconds to throw.

FL, if the kid might not be ready until mid season, i would give real consideration to red shirting him his rookie year as a pro..

if smith's upside is what you guys are talking about, don't play him until he's physically ready to go "balls to the wall" again.. if that's year 2, so be it..

an ACL & MCL on the same play is no joke, especially for an "all world" talent potentially trying to prove he shouldn't have slid in the draft regardless of his injuries.. whoever drafts smith might need to protect him from himself year one..

 

[flgreen]

FL, if the kid might not be ready until mid season, i would give real consideration to red shirting him his rookie year as a pro..

if smith's upside is what you guys are talking about, don't play him until he's physically ready to go "balls to the wall" again.. if that's year 2, so be it..

an ACL & MCL on the same play is no joke, especially for an "all world" talent potentially trying to prove he shouldn't have slid in the draft regardless of his injuries.. whoever drafts smith might need to protect him from himself year one..

I actually agree with you, and if Macc is building "long term" he probably does also. Fans won't. They'll be a lot of howling about a first round pick sitting on the bench for a whole season. In the long term it will be the best strategy .

 

[BigDan]

I liked the article a lot.

My favorite line:

"Brady was 2-for-15 when facing pressure on Sunday, per ESPN Stats. The Broncos found his kryptonite, knocking the pretty-boy smile off his face."

 

[McJet]

In improving team speed,id also like to see Richardson and Wilkerson slim down a littlebit. Richardson was looking chubby from when he came into the league, two years ago. Wilkerson can drop 10 to 15 lbs to improve his quickness. Harrison is a FA but if he is resigned, imagine the guy at 325 instead of 350 plus. Those three talents dropping body fat, keeping muscle adding to their speed, Love to see that.

 

[cheaterhater]

This is true but while the Cheatahs are trying to rebuild their oline, we will be doing the same as well.