How the New York Jets Defense Can Get Back to Form in 2012 - Bleacher Report

The Jets defense was successful for much of 2011, but struggled to varying degrees for varying reasons. Despite those struggles, there are several reasons to believe in their ability to be successful next year.

While some of the problems the Jets faced last year could take some time to correct, other problems are easily fixable. Other factors still are out of the team's control, but those factors they can control could be enough for the 2012 Jets defense to get back on top.

Efficiency on Offense

How does a defense rank fifth in yards and 20th in points?

Ask an offense that gave up the fourth-most turnovers in the league.

Some of the defensive struggles for the Jets fall on their offense, and namely Mark Sanchez.
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Make no mistake, this is not making an excuse for all the defensive woes of last season, but it's not easy keeping opponents out of the end zone when the defense consistently starts drives with their back against the wall.

Interestingly enough, while it may seem as though Mark Sanchez has the weight of the entire city of New York on his shoulders, part of that weight may include the defense.

That's all well and good, but the defense can't control whether Sanchez is safe with the football and makes good reads. 

Health

The Jets lost one of their defensive leaders when Jim Leonhard went down with an injury. Now, it's unclear whether they'll ever get him back.
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Three of the Jets' opening day starters missed at least three games due to injury, with linebacker Bryan Thomas landing on injured reserve for a bulk of the season. Defensive linemen Mike Devito missed five games, while safety Jim Leonhard missed three.

Some of their biggest problems came from the loss of Thomas and their attempts to replace his production and his presence on the outside. Jamaal Westerman wasn't getting it done last year, and even if he was, he's gone to the Miami Dolphins now.

Again, the health should help, but the Jets can't count on staying healthy for a full season. They have to be prepared for injuries, and it appears that they're still less than ready to deal with the grueling 16-game season. They added some depth at safety and linebacker, but lack depth on the outsides and at cornerback, where a talented group has yet to play a consistently strong season.

Better Play from Kyle Wilson

Not to pin the defensive struggles on one person, but Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie are holding up their end of the bargain. Wilson only faced 60 passes last year, but gave up completions on 40 of them (66.7 percent), according to Pro Football Focus.

Numbers courtesy Pro Football Focus.

He gave up only three touchdowns, but he got burned entirely too often last season and, in his two seasons in the league, has yet to show the ability to make plays on the ball.

I listed him as a potential breakout candidate in a recent article, and I stand by the potential aspect of that statement. He has the physical tools to be a solid cornerback in the NFL, but he needs to improve on several mental aspects of his game before he can be considered a top cornerback in the NFL.

And until he does, NFL offenses will continue to target him and do so with success.

Improved Pass-Rush

Some of the Jets' issues in the pass-rush were a product of Thomas' injury and the subsequent revolving door at outside linebacker, but besides linebacker Aaron Maybin, the Jets don't have a solid pass-rushing presence in their defense. Calvin Pace is solid but unspectacular in that role and is more of a well-rounded linebacker than a true pass-rusher.

They stumbled into some buried treasure when they took a free agent flier on Maybin, but as of now, they still lack an additional presence at outside linebacker to bring the pressure off the edge. 

The Jets are hoping that an increased focus on the defensive line in the draft, through the first-round additions of Muhammad Wilkerson and Quinton Coples over the past two seasons, will aid the pass rush. 

But although solid pressure is a key to the Rex Ryan defense, it's not the only key. In fact, the Jets have only ranked in the top 10 in sacks once in Ryan's tenure, but have fielded a top-five pass defense almost the entire time.

The scheme has been a large part of the Jets' defensive success, but it's the versatility within that scheme that has allowed them to remain successful for three straight years. If the pass-rush can improve, it should only help their defense remain successful in 2012.

These guys are flexible.
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Scheme Flexibility

With a group of versatile defensive linemen and a brand new heat-seeking missile at linebacker in Demario Davis, the Jets could play the 3-4 or 4-3 alignment.

Calvin Pace has experience at defensive end. Quinton Coples and Muhammad Wilkerson are solid tackles in a 4-3, and Coples could play outside in that front as well. Sione Pouha is more of a 3-4 nose, but he could be a run-stuffing 4-3 tackle as well.

David Harris could play the Mike linebacker in either front.

That flexibility was a large reason for their success They made great adjustments and were averaging just 9.5 points per game in the second half before their three-game skid in which they allowed 17, 19 and 13 points in the second half in the final three weeks of the season.

Part of the reason behind that, to be sure, was an offense that gave up 10 turnovers in that span.

Their ability to change their scheme for their opponents is one that should help them turn things around in 2012. 

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