Forget about WR! What about DE?

Is everyone completely ignoring the other potentially destructive weakness on the Jets roster other than the lack of depth at wide receiver? It seems to me that the lack of depth and elderliness of our defensive ends has gone unnoticed by fans, writers, analysts, and most unfortunately the Jets front office. If not mended, I feel this problem could lead to yet another year of average football by a seemingly promising 2009 Jets football team.

Every great 3-4 defense in the league in exceptionally strong up front at the end position. Patriots have Richard Seymour and Ty Warren. Ravens have Haloti Ngata and Trevor Pryce. Steelers have Aaron Smith and Brett Keisel. It's no coincidence that the three best 3-4 defenses in the league are so stacked with some of the best 3-4 ends in the league. Yes, we have Shaun Ellis. I believe he was at least top 10 best 3-4 defensive ends last season. But he's 32 years old and entering his 10th season. To think he's not going to see a decline in his play this season and to think that he has low risk of injury is stupid. It is also true that we brought in Marques Douglas, someone familiar with Rex Ryan's style of defense. With Kenyon Coleman still on the roster at the time of his signing, it's hard to believe that the plan was to start him opposite Ellis. Douglas had an extremely down year as Baltimore's 4th best end. Douglas is also 32 years old entering his 10th year, so in addition to the fact that he was never as good as Ellis, you can expect his performance to decline, especially in an every-down role.

The three aforementioned 3-4 defenses have another thing in common with their defensive end core that makes them great. They have outstanding depth with backups possessing starter talent. Jarvis Green is to the Patriots what Dwan Edwards and Justin Bannan are to the Ravens and what Travis Kirschke is to the Steelers. They spell those 300 pound starters some downs while also causing havoc in the backfield. After Douglas and Ellis, I don't feel the need to convince anyone that talent isn't exactly radiant at defensive end. Perhaps 3rd year man Mike Devito or even an undrafted free agent can step up and add to the mix, but is that something we are willing to wait and see? It's imperative we bring in someone. Remember Dewayne Robertson fellow Jets fans? Recently cut by the 4-3 Broncos and a failure at the nose for Mangini, it’s time the Jets allow him to prove his 4th overall pick worth and implement him into Rex Ryan’s defense where he will thrive. Even if I am wrong and he doesn’t become a star end, I can at least guarantee he will give quality performance when he’s giving the injury time bombs Ellis and Douglas a breather.

The Jets claim that even with a rookie quarterback and unproven receivers, their great running game and defense will carry them through games and then everything else will fall into place. And while I do think the defense should be better this year than last (and last year the defense was quite impressive) we need a truly GREAT defense to take us over the top. The Patriots, Ravens, and Steelers, easily the best three 3-4 defenses in the game today, have five significant pieces that truly make them great. Beast of a nose tackle, playmaker in the secondary, vocal field general, dangerous outside pass rusher, and great and balanced ends on both sides. With Kris Jenkins, Kerry Rhodes, Bart Scott, and Calvin Pace, the Jets have the 1st four qualities. Just one piece of the puzzle missing.