FLORHAM PARK — In the Jets' first preseason game against the Jaguars, and several times vs. Washington Friday, the defense deployed a unique look.
Sheldon Richardson and Jarvis Jenkins lined up as the two defensive ends. That was normal. But in the middle of those two was last year's first-round pick Leonard Williams. A 3-4 defensive end by nature, Williams was playing nose tackle.
A weird wrinkle? Exotic look? Funky front? No, no and no. The Jets, believe it or not, like the idea of having Williams anchoring the middle of their defense.
"We talked about doing that in the offseason," defensive line coach Pepper Johnson said on Monday. "[Williams] was ready for it. He's the ultimate team guy. It didn't bother him. He's not selfish."
For the last three years, Damon Harrison had been the Jets' nose tackle. A 6-4, 350-pound mammoth of a man, Harrison fit the role perfectly. His size and strength made him a force against the run. He was able to clog the middle of the defense and allow the Jets' two middle linebackers to play sideline to sideline.
Harrison signed with the Giants as a free agent in the offseason. That left a vacancy on the Jets' defense. Williams — along with Steve McLendon and Deon Simon — is one of the players in the mix to fill it.
"He has played more nose than defensive end or tackle [this offseason]," Johnson said. "That has been a position we've talked about him playing. We wanted to get him a few reps."
If this were Madden, Williams switching to nose tackle would be as easy as two clicks in the depth chart menu. In real life, things aren't as simple. Johnson said there's a vast difference between defensive end (Williams' natural position) and nose.
Things get significantly faster the more you work inside on the defensive line. You only need to worry about one player (offensive tackle) as a defensive end. As a defensive tackle, you need to worry about two —the offensive tackle and offensive guard. As a nose tackle, though, you need to worry about three players — both guards and the center. Williams may not have the prototypical build of a nose tackle (he stands 6-5 and weighs a light 291), but he's fast, which Johnson believes will help him inside.
How does Lee think he is doing 17 days into training camp?
"People look at the 3-technique and 5-technique as the same, but it's so different," Johnson said. "The blocks are so much different because they come in faster. If you're too tight on the ball, all kinds of stuff can go on."
Ever since the Jets activated Muhammad Wilkerson off the physically unable to perform list, they've experimented with a wide variety of fronts. On Monday, the team deployed a four-man front featuring Richardson and Wilkerson at defensive ends, and Williams and McLendon at defensive tackle. Head coach Todd Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers are expanding their minds, thinking of the best ways to get their best players on the field.
When they find something that works, they build on it. And that's exactly why Williams, as unconventional as it may seem, is getting reps at nose tackle.
"What Coach Bowles has on his white board in his room has yet to be revealed," Johnson said. "I like what Todd and Kacy are doing because the scheme revolves around the players. He's not just calling a defensive that anyone can go out there and do.
"All of our guys have to be versatile. With Todd, the more you can do, the more you're worth, and the better this defense can function."
Sheldon Richardson and Jarvis Jenkins lined up as the two defensive ends. That was normal. But in the middle of those two was last year's first-round pick Leonard Williams. A 3-4 defensive end by nature, Williams was playing nose tackle.
A weird wrinkle? Exotic look? Funky front? No, no and no. The Jets, believe it or not, like the idea of having Williams anchoring the middle of their defense.
"We talked about doing that in the offseason," defensive line coach Pepper Johnson said on Monday. "[Williams] was ready for it. He's the ultimate team guy. It didn't bother him. He's not selfish."
For the last three years, Damon Harrison had been the Jets' nose tackle. A 6-4, 350-pound mammoth of a man, Harrison fit the role perfectly. His size and strength made him a force against the run. He was able to clog the middle of the defense and allow the Jets' two middle linebackers to play sideline to sideline.
Harrison signed with the Giants as a free agent in the offseason. That left a vacancy on the Jets' defense. Williams — along with Steve McLendon and Deon Simon — is one of the players in the mix to fill it.
"He has played more nose than defensive end or tackle [this offseason]," Johnson said. "That has been a position we've talked about him playing. We wanted to get him a few reps."
If this were Madden, Williams switching to nose tackle would be as easy as two clicks in the depth chart menu. In real life, things aren't as simple. Johnson said there's a vast difference between defensive end (Williams' natural position) and nose.
Things get significantly faster the more you work inside on the defensive line. You only need to worry about one player (offensive tackle) as a defensive end. As a defensive tackle, you need to worry about two —the offensive tackle and offensive guard. As a nose tackle, though, you need to worry about three players — both guards and the center. Williams may not have the prototypical build of a nose tackle (he stands 6-5 and weighs a light 291), but he's fast, which Johnson believes will help him inside.
How does Lee think he is doing 17 days into training camp?
"People look at the 3-technique and 5-technique as the same, but it's so different," Johnson said. "The blocks are so much different because they come in faster. If you're too tight on the ball, all kinds of stuff can go on."
Ever since the Jets activated Muhammad Wilkerson off the physically unable to perform list, they've experimented with a wide variety of fronts. On Monday, the team deployed a four-man front featuring Richardson and Wilkerson at defensive ends, and Williams and McLendon at defensive tackle. Head coach Todd Bowles and defensive coordinator Kacy Rodgers are expanding their minds, thinking of the best ways to get their best players on the field.
When they find something that works, they build on it. And that's exactly why Williams, as unconventional as it may seem, is getting reps at nose tackle.
"What Coach Bowles has on his white board in his room has yet to be revealed," Johnson said. "I like what Todd and Kacy are doing because the scheme revolves around the players. He's not just calling a defensive that anyone can go out there and do.
"All of our guys have to be versatile. With Todd, the more you can do, the more you're worth, and the better this defense can function."
