Amidst all the hoopla surrounding Mark Sanchez’s first two games, Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis’ trash talking, and Rex Ryan’s early adventures, one important detail about the new-look Jets is often forgotten.
When the Jets hired the former outstanding Ravens defensive coordinator as their head coach, New York did so knowing that Ryan was not only an innovative strategist, but also a mentor and leader of sorts for his players. Rhodes and Revis’ chirping were examples of Ryan’s swagger being passed on throughout the locker room – and although some opponents might consider it inappropriate, that cockiness has provided inspiration to a rapidly improving unit.
But Ryan has contributed another significant component that we don’t often hear about – two, in fact – to the Jets’ defense this season. Two of the team’s biggest free-agent signings of the past offseason were linebacker Bart Scott and safety Jim Leonhard, both former Ravens who were attracted to New York primarily because they thrived under Ryan’s tutelage.
Scott, 29, signed a blockbuster six-year, $48 million deal and has been solid in his first two games as the Jets’ starting weakside middle linebacker. He has recorded eight total tackles thus far, while also indirectly contributing to the performance of fellow middle linebacker David Harris.
Leonhard, a 26-year-old strong safety who became a starter for the first time last year when Baltimore’s Dawan Landry suffered a season-ending injury, immediately made an impact in Baltimore, compiling 69 total tackles, a sack, six passes defended, an interception and a touchdown return. After being hidden in Buffalo for the first three years of his career, Leonhard broke out with the Ravens, and was rewarded with a three-year, $6 million contract from the Jets, who traded incumbent starter Abram Elam once Leonhard was aboard.
Leonhard has been a boon for the Jets in the strong safety spot so far. He already has made nine tackles and has provided invaluable coverage support to breakout corner Revis, who claims to have shut down Houston’s Andre Johnson and New England’s Randy Moss on his own. While Revis has blossomed into one of the top cover men in the league, Leonhard’s presence is what’s enabled Revis to be more aggressive in coverage, a key factor in his success.
Had the Jets gone in another direction with their head coaching vacancy this past offseason, they would have missed out on Rex Ryan’s defensive mind and his popularity with players. So with respect to the vast improvements in the Jets’ defense, Ryan may not be getting all the credit he deserves.
