Lito's Productivity
by John B on Jan 1, 2010 10:01 AM EST
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Cimini takes a look at Lito Sheppard's play since returning from an injury.
Most of the pregame hype has focused on Chad Ochocinco's planned visit to Revis Island. But there's another destination in the Jets' secondary that has been troublesome for opposing receivers. Let's call it Lito's Lair.
Since returning from a bruised quadriceps that caused him to miss five games, and limited him in three others, cornerback Lito Sheppard finally has lived up to expectations. He was on a four-game tear until last week in Indianapolis, where he struggled against rookie wideout Austin Collie.
Sheppard received a mixed review from Rex Ryan for that performance - Collie caught six passes for 94 yards - but his overall improvement has helped create an airtight environment in the secondary. In the four games prior to the Colts, the Jets allowed only 408 passing yards. They're ranked No. 1 in pass defense.
Sheppard said he has been "pain free" for the last five games.
There are some teams where the defense starts up front. The Giants are one example. When their front seven is effective getting to the quarterback (think prior to 2009), it covers a suspect secondary. It begins in the back with the Jets. There aren't many great pass rushers on the roster. Shaun Ellis and Calvin Pace are above average, but you don't game plan against them. What has made the blitzes so effective has been the secondary's ability to hold coverage and give the blitzers extra time to get there. The excellent design of the plays helps, but this defense is built from the back down.
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Sheppard has been up and down this year
He didn’t do well against the Colts, but was very solid in some other games. I suspect Lowery will end up being our future at that position, as long as he can stay healthy.
I think you’re right that with the Jets the defense starts with the secondary. I think we will pick off the Bengals a couple of times, because:
1) As Pragmatic Bengals Fan admitted, the Bengals insist on throwing to Ochocinco even when he’s covered. But when your geographic location is Revis Island, I expect Ochosinko – Revis thrives on that kind of situation.
2) Once that was realized not to work, the Bengals will try to throw more to Coles – all it takes is one bad throw or one time that our has the jump on him, and there you have it.
I think this just highlights
how we need to spend our first pick on a pass rushing LB or DT. The only real weakness I see on the defense is that QBs get too much time to throw and we saw that regardless of who is in coverage if Brady and Manning have time they will find someone.
I'd like the Jets to try very hard to move up in the draft.
I know Suh and Eric Berry are probably both top 5 guys, but bringing in one of those guys would be amazing. Imagine Berry lined up opposite Revis for the next 10 years. Or lining Suh up next to Jenkins.
"It's like the old phrase goes.....The balls in your court now Mr.Church, so you take that ball, you dribble it up the court and....................................... get a layup"
- Keith Hernandez
not worth it
we’d have to give up way too much to move that far up, i’d rather take a few guys with lower picks and see who turns out well
Yeah...
Have to agree with JetsFan1991- too much time to throw. The other teams seem to have our blitzing schemes well diagnosed. Those need to be reconfigured. Does anyone know how Coles is feeling? I heard he was sick.
As good as Revis and the secondary is, I disagree.
The Jets defense starts with the front 7 and with game planning. Revis is wonderful, but part of what makes his job easier is the QB is almost always getting the ball out of his hands quick.This is what is so disturbing about Rhodes horrible play. Make the QB’s first read and break on it, because more often then not the QB only has time to make one read and throw it. As good as the Jets secondary is I think they would look a lot more vulnerable if they were giving teams time to throw the ball around like in years past. It is a combination thing. Revis is great, and when he has Rex Ryan getting pressure on the QB and he only has to cover for a short period of time, he is spectacular.
"It's like the old phrase goes.....The balls in your court now Mr.Church, so you take that ball, you dribble it up the court and....................................... get a layup"
- Keith Hernandez
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