Just looking at the secondary in whole from last season it was a total nightmare scenario... Darrelle Revis entered the season with crutches and never seem to regain to his former self, this also hindered the rest of the defensive backs... Safeties not known for their coverage ability were forced to play out of position and corners not known for their press man coverage were eaten up constantly... Fourth year man Marcus Williams returning after signing his restricted free agent tender offer is the curious option, he is a good off man cover corner but Bowles is seeking corners to bump n run man press corners to allow this front seven enough time to pressure the quarterback or contain the run game... So with that is Marcus Williams like last year the joker safety/corner?
Second year man Juston Burris like Marcus Williams doesn't have the elite speed to contain vertical threats but he has enough twitch and short area quickness where he could be an effective nickel corner... Burris has the size and length that this could end up being an advantage for us but then the question becomes what about veteran nickel corner Buster Skrine? There lies the rub, maybe management can use him as an additional safety because of his size he shouldn't be an outside corner... He has the drive and will but his technique and stature makes him a liability anywhere but on the inside...
Long-shot Dexter McDougle under contract and has yet to make nitch for himself in this defense yet this coaching staff likes what he brings to the table... If McDougle can stay healthy then his ability may give him the chance to crack the active roster but highly doubt he makes it because like his twin brother Dee Milliner he is a walking time bomb... Another long shot is quarterback converted safety Nick Marshall just for the simple fact he is suspended for the first four games of the season for PED...
So right now we know one thing newly signed Morris Claiborne is almost certainty guaranteed a starting role, and if he can stay healthy he will likely improve upon last season's career year... After Claiborne it becomes tricky on who should lineup with Claiborne... Daryl Roberts has the vertical speed but his technique is less where it needs to be at this point in time... Depending on if Jeremy Clark return from his injury suffered early in the college season then he has the talent that would suffice to line up across from Claiborne... I believe prior to his injury his vaule/talent was higher than team mate Jourdan Lewis who was taken in the third round... Clark has the size, length and physicality to be that bump n run man press corner that TB desires on his defense coupling in a physical nickel corner in Burris we could actually seem an improvement from this position... The other prospect selected Derrick Jones from Ole Miss will make his bones on special teams...
So looking at this unit we are heading for a heated and exciting training camp and preseason...
If Clark is ready expect him to contend for one outside role, the other goes to FA signing Morris Claiborne... Unfortunately unless Burris can step up and take Buster Skrine's role he will likely be a backup for the beginning of the season unless Clark isn't in game shape... Marcus Williams deserves plenty of playing time but he will see it as the fourth corner when facing four receiver sets and will see playing time as an off man cover corner playing over the top zone style safety sets...
Depth Chart:
LCB Morris Claiborne, Derrick Jones
RCB Jeremy Clark, Marcus Williams
NCB Buster Skrine, Juston Burris
So who is likely on the bubble? Newly signed John Ojo, could end up on the practice squad... Second year man Bryson Keeton who has the size and length that TB loves but the experience is lacking... Two other long shots as state above in McDougle and Nick Marshall round out the bubble for this position... Since Marshall will be on the inactive list being suspended there is still hope for his return after suspension... Don't expect the Jets to keep more than one on the practice squad and Ojo looks to be the lead for this role...
The talent is there, depending on the development and continuity this unit should be improved from last and quietly cerebral...
Second year man Juston Burris like Marcus Williams doesn't have the elite speed to contain vertical threats but he has enough twitch and short area quickness where he could be an effective nickel corner... Burris has the size and length that this could end up being an advantage for us but then the question becomes what about veteran nickel corner Buster Skrine? There lies the rub, maybe management can use him as an additional safety because of his size he shouldn't be an outside corner... He has the drive and will but his technique and stature makes him a liability anywhere but on the inside...
Long-shot Dexter McDougle under contract and has yet to make nitch for himself in this defense yet this coaching staff likes what he brings to the table... If McDougle can stay healthy then his ability may give him the chance to crack the active roster but highly doubt he makes it because like his twin brother Dee Milliner he is a walking time bomb... Another long shot is quarterback converted safety Nick Marshall just for the simple fact he is suspended for the first four games of the season for PED...
So right now we know one thing newly signed Morris Claiborne is almost certainty guaranteed a starting role, and if he can stay healthy he will likely improve upon last season's career year... After Claiborne it becomes tricky on who should lineup with Claiborne... Daryl Roberts has the vertical speed but his technique is less where it needs to be at this point in time... Depending on if Jeremy Clark return from his injury suffered early in the college season then he has the talent that would suffice to line up across from Claiborne... I believe prior to his injury his vaule/talent was higher than team mate Jourdan Lewis who was taken in the third round... Clark has the size, length and physicality to be that bump n run man press corner that TB desires on his defense coupling in a physical nickel corner in Burris we could actually seem an improvement from this position... The other prospect selected Derrick Jones from Ole Miss will make his bones on special teams...
So looking at this unit we are heading for a heated and exciting training camp and preseason...
If Clark is ready expect him to contend for one outside role, the other goes to FA signing Morris Claiborne... Unfortunately unless Burris can step up and take Buster Skrine's role he will likely be a backup for the beginning of the season unless Clark isn't in game shape... Marcus Williams deserves plenty of playing time but he will see it as the fourth corner when facing four receiver sets and will see playing time as an off man cover corner playing over the top zone style safety sets...
Depth Chart:
LCB Morris Claiborne, Derrick Jones
RCB Jeremy Clark, Marcus Williams
NCB Buster Skrine, Juston Burris
So who is likely on the bubble? Newly signed John Ojo, could end up on the practice squad... Second year man Bryson Keeton who has the size and length that TB loves but the experience is lacking... Two other long shots as state above in McDougle and Nick Marshall round out the bubble for this position... Since Marshall will be on the inactive list being suspended there is still hope for his return after suspension... Don't expect the Jets to keep more than one on the practice squad and Ojo looks to be the lead for this role...
The talent is there, depending on the development and continuity this unit should be improved from last and quietly cerebral...