With the wide-9, Jets defensive front seven will look more like a traditional 4-3 with three stack linebackers operating more in space. This allows them to be far more interchangeable with each other, something the personnel on this team are not accustomed too.
The Jets will also be able to employ more Cover 2 schemes, with both safeties dropping back in coverage. This should help negate some of the massive coverage gaffes with utilizing young core of corners. Problem is the safeties are assigned a role not playing over top of any said corner.
Up front, where the measurable change takes place, Carl Lawson was to be the primary player to benefit from the wide-9 alignment. He’ll be allowed to operate more in space, either dealing solely with a blocking tight end or forcing the right tackle to pull away from his guard support, thereby opening up more pass-rushing opportunities on the interior. Where Q, JFM or Rankins would be able to beat their one on one blocking assignments.
If all this sounds like a no-brainer poised to revolutionize the Jets defense, don’t get too excited.
here are cons, too:
With as many as eight defenders in the box in Robert Saleh’s previous 4-3 Under, Cover 3 scheme, one of the best reasons to use it was to stop the run.
Bumping the strong-side EDGE outside the right tackle helps set the edge contain on outside runs, yes. In turn, it also pushes back two would-be tacklers at the line of scrimmage: the SAM linebacker and strong safety.
Both those positions are now playing further off ball, meaning an outside runner will have a slightly better shot to get around his defender and pick up more yardage.
But where the difference will likely be felt more is on inside runs. The simple observation would be the increased gap between the strong-side EDGE and defensive tackle.
That’s true, and one might expect opposing teams to target this area. Yet the real difference could be felt by the linebackers, who’ll be asked to do a lot more run stopping and gap control.
This is why the Jets will invest a lot in their linebacking corps during the offseason, and it also helps explain why depth will be a key issue here throughout the year. CJ Mosley is being asked to do more than he is accustomed too, he is a great run defender who lost 20 pounds to be more quicker in the new 4-3 defense but he still is a liability in coverage which may concern the coverage assignment over the middle.
If Jets stays healthy at its second level, the wide-9 adjustment should be beneficial. After all, it’s better suited to a pass-heavy league, and interior runs have become far less frequent with teams going away from traditional fullbacks and lead blockers.
The Jets will also be able to employ more Cover 2 schemes, with both safeties dropping back in coverage. This should help negate some of the massive coverage gaffes with utilizing young core of corners. Problem is the safeties are assigned a role not playing over top of any said corner.
Up front, where the measurable change takes place, Carl Lawson was to be the primary player to benefit from the wide-9 alignment. He’ll be allowed to operate more in space, either dealing solely with a blocking tight end or forcing the right tackle to pull away from his guard support, thereby opening up more pass-rushing opportunities on the interior. Where Q, JFM or Rankins would be able to beat their one on one blocking assignments.
If all this sounds like a no-brainer poised to revolutionize the Jets defense, don’t get too excited.
here are cons, too:
With as many as eight defenders in the box in Robert Saleh’s previous 4-3 Under, Cover 3 scheme, one of the best reasons to use it was to stop the run.
Bumping the strong-side EDGE outside the right tackle helps set the edge contain on outside runs, yes. In turn, it also pushes back two would-be tacklers at the line of scrimmage: the SAM linebacker and strong safety.
Both those positions are now playing further off ball, meaning an outside runner will have a slightly better shot to get around his defender and pick up more yardage.
But where the difference will likely be felt more is on inside runs. The simple observation would be the increased gap between the strong-side EDGE and defensive tackle.
That’s true, and one might expect opposing teams to target this area. Yet the real difference could be felt by the linebackers, who’ll be asked to do a lot more run stopping and gap control.
This is why the Jets will invest a lot in their linebacking corps during the offseason, and it also helps explain why depth will be a key issue here throughout the year. CJ Mosley is being asked to do more than he is accustomed too, he is a great run defender who lost 20 pounds to be more quicker in the new 4-3 defense but he still is a liability in coverage which may concern the coverage assignment over the middle.
If Jets stays healthy at its second level, the wide-9 adjustment should be beneficial. After all, it’s better suited to a pass-heavy league, and interior runs have become far less frequent with teams going away from traditional fullbacks and lead blockers.
