Something that has been a hot topic around here since we all witnessed another last possession for the opposition result in another loss for this team, a scene that has become all too familiar for most Jets fans this season.
Well Jim Leonhard understands this more that anyone
"The great defenses find a way to win. Whatever the situation is, they find a way to win," said safety Jim Leonhard today, 24 hours after the Jets lost a heartbreaker to the Falcons at the Meadowlands. "It doesn’t have to be pretty, it can be ugly. You might win, 34-31, some week, but you win and that’s what great defenses do.
"That’s why I would say we’re a good defense right now. We might be ranked No. 1 and our rankings might say we’re a great defense, but until we find out how to win games, we won’t be great."
Their is little doubt that this is a very good D, but at the same time Leonhard is right, a great one comes up with stops when they are most needed. Look at some of the greatest units in league history, they all found a way to win, especially down the stretch. The 71 Vikings, the 00 ravens, the 62 Packers, the 69 Chiefs, the Jets have some of the most impressive stats this year, they have allowed the fewest points, the fewest passing yards, and fewest yards overall.
It's hard to win with an offense that turns the ball over as frequently as we do, but at the end of the day, when all is said and done, when we have a lead with less than 2 minutes to go, regardless of what has happened during the course of the game, great D's come up with that stop. Regardless of how tired they are, how long they have been on the field.
This defense can be great, but it's not their yet.