In-depth analysis: Giants "at" Jets (Defense)

After yesterday's disappointingly sloppy performance from the Jets, we're shaking things up by reviewing the defense first. Remarkably, the Jets still haven't allowed a touchdown on defense in preseason but, despite forcing a key turnover, they were far from perfect. All told, they gave up 344 yards (not including penalty yardage) and five field goals.

Let's review who stood out:

Defensive Line - Fonda Henry

After yesterday's game, a lot of the focus was on the Jets' inability to get a pass rush off the edge and some of their issues in coverage, but should we also be concerned about the defensive line? With the Giants averaging just 3.3 yards per carry, the run defense seemed to hold up pretty well. However, there were moments that could cause concern as we no longer seem to be in a situation where the strength of the line can help mitigate issues elsewhere.

Let's start with the good news though. LEONARD WILLIAMS broke out with an impact performance following two quiet outings to begin the preseason. He was credited with three tackles, including one for a loss, a quarterback hit and a fumble recovery, as his athletic 40-yard return set up the Jets' second touchdown.

Williams shot a gap to blow up a run in the backfield, chased the quarterback from the pocket to register a hit and was solid at the point of attack as he was in on two other tackles near the line. It was good to see him making some impact plays.

On the other hand, NATHAN SHEPHERD was somewhat exposed in this game, as he struggled to consistently leverage himself into the path of the ball carrier. Over the first few games, it seemed that Williams was the one attracting double teams and Shepherd was making some good plays as a result. However, in this game, more of those doubles came his way and he didn't hold up well.

Shepherd was driven off the line a few times in the first half and three more times in the fourth quarter and while he did get in on a couple of tackles near the line, one of those was negated by a hold. He'll contribute this year for sure, but it's probably going to be a while before he develops into a truly disruptive force in his own right, at least based on this game.

HENRY ANDERSON, on the other hand, continues to look solid. Despite not being credited with any statistics, his constant penetration caused two holding penalties, bottled up a couple of runs and created some interior pressure. He should get a lot of playing time during the season.

Nose tackle MIKE PENNEL didn't record any statistics either and actually missed two tackles, although he basically blew the play up on one of those runs. He held up well at the point of attack and continues to be a reliable back-up to the still-absent STEVE MCLENDON.

Rookie FOLEY FATUKASI also didn't register any stats, but seemed to do a much better job than Shepherd of keeping the ball carrier in front of him to help bottle up runs. He was blocked out of a couple of plays though and did miss a tackle.

XAVIER COOPER got work with the second unit but could be the odd man out once McLendon returns. He is always very quick out of his stance but again has issues holding up against double teams and was dragged past the first down marker on one play. Cooper had three tackles, including one run stuff.

This play illustrates the issues with that second unit, as all three linemen lose at the point of attack. Shepherd doesn't give any ground, but is driven laterally out of the play, Cooper is driven off by a double team and Fatukasi - playing nose tackle here - gets driven to the ground. Even so, there's still a lineman free to drive the linebacker to the ground at the second level:

via GIPHY

While KENDALL REYES did not play, DEON SIMON and rookie MYCH THOMAS both saw brief action in the fourth quarter. However, neither made much of an impact. Thomas missed a tackle in the hole.

Outside Linebackers - Luvu Chile

The Jets really struggled to generate any pressure off the edge this week, although rookie FRANKIE LUVU did eventually register a second-half sack which was almost also a fumble. Luvu finished well after Davis Webb had been flushed into him because BRANDON COPELAND got a hand on him on an outside rush. However, neither player generated any quality pressure other than that.

The starters didn't fare much better as the only time JOSH MARTIN got close to the quarterback was when he was left unblocked on a roll-out play. JORDAN JENKINS was easily the most disruptive pass rusher, but whenever he got close he generally didn't get there quick enough to effect the play.

Here's a good example of that as, for once, Jenkins completely overpowers his man in a one-on-one match-up, but that quarterback still has plenty of time to set his feet and get rid of the ball before he is affected by the rush:

via GIPHY

Third stringers LORENZO MAULDIN, DAVID BASS, DYLAN DONAHUE and OBUM GWACHAM got into the game late but didn't really get a chance to rush the passer.

As noted, the run defense was pretty solid and there were contributions from the outside linebackers to that effort. Martin was in on a handful of run stops, although he was ultimately just credited with three tackles and a tackle for loss. Jenkins and Copeland were in on one run stuff each and Donahue and Mauldin each got some penetration to force a cutback.

Copeland also made a good third down tackle in the flat after having dropped into coverage. Jenkins had a costly third down penalty though, as he was called for illegal hands to the face.

Inside Linebackers - Tekkers Avery

After the first two weeks, this was a definite step forward for the new inside linebacker tandem. DARRON LEE and AVERY WILLIAMSON combined for 17 tackles in a productive first half. Williamson also flashed some playmaking ability as he pulled the ripcord to cause a fumble and almost had a second forced fumble only for that one to be overturned by the replay booth.

The communication still needs some cleaning up as the team is still extremely susceptible to leaving receivers open on deep crossers or "over" routes. However, that might be on the safeties for not anticipating and coming up sooner. Lee and Williamson were each only beaten once in coverage, but Lee did get called for an illegal contact penalty. He also overran one play and missed a tackle while Williamson was blocked out of a couple of plays. The progress is there though.

With KEVIN PIERRE-LOUIS still not able to suit up, NEVILLE HEWITT and KEVIN MINTER seem pretty secure in their spots on the second unit. Minter, who wore the headset, seems like he's going to make this team by default, as he's really not done much to stand out all preseason. His only tackle in this game was a downfield assist, although he almost had a touchdown when Webb was ruled down before fumbling away the ball on Luvu's sack.

Hewitt has had a much more impressive preseason, but this was his quietest game so far. He made a nice open field tackle in the flat, but was blocked out of a couple of plays at the second level.

With the third unit, ANTHONY WINT had two run stops on the final series. He looks like a good bet to get a practice squad spot, but we'll see how he fares with a much bigger workload on Thursday night.

Defensive Backs - I know this much is Tru

There were a few mishaps in pass coverage last night, but TRUMAINE JOHNSON seems to be living up to his billing so far. Johnson easily broke up a downfield pass, came up to make the tackle on two short passes and had a third down tackle in the red zone to force the Giants to settle for a field goal.

While Johnson lost contain once in the running game and was called for a decidedly sketchy face mask penalty, he looks like a solid weapon in coverage. Let's hope he can hold up against elite receivers though.

By contrast, MORRIS CLAIBORNE and BUSTER SKRINE each gave up some plays last night. Claiborne was badly torched for a 54-yard gain over the top and gave up one other first down on a crossing route. While he bounced back to disrupt a third down pass in the end zone, another officiating crew might not have been so generous in ignoring his physical play at the point of the catch.

Skrine was beaten for three first downs and on one other play where the ball was dropped. However, on two of those plays, Skrine was in a great position and the receiver made a terrific catch. On another day, the receiver wouldn't have come up with the ball and Skrine would receive plaudits for his good coverage. One of the other plays saw Skrine cleanly beaten across the field though, proving that the solution to how best to cover those pesky over routes is more complicated than "just play man instead of zone".

At safety, MARCUS MAYE made his return and, while he contributed with a pass break-up and a run stop, he seemed a little off the pace. He was late getting over a few times and gave up a first down in coverage. Hopefully, he'll work his way back to last year's level rapidly. He did recover a fumble, although that was overturned by the booth because the runner was down.

JAMAL ADAMS had an active game as he was credited with seven tackles including four stops close to the line of scrimmage. Other than a first down given up in zone coverage and a missed tackle where he slowed the runner up in the backfield anyway, he didn't have any negatives either.

No other defensive backs got any first half playing time and with roster hopefuls PARRY NICKERSON and DERRICK JONES not seeing action, it was DARRYL ROBERTS and RASHARD ROBINSON who jumped in at cornerback with the second unit.

Roberts got beaten for a first down but later had a good third down coverage play as he bounced back from a shaky display last week.

Robinson had more mixed results as he made a nice tackle in the flat and a good play on a deep ball, but was called for a penalty and gave up contain badly on a running play. He injured his hip late in the game, but that might not be a big deal given that he's suspended for the first few games anyway so the team can postpone their decision on him until later. Robinson has showed flashes of his talent over the past two games, but also seems to be a somewhat volatile character.

TERRELL SINKFIELD and JUSTON BURRIS also got reps at cornerback. Sinkfield was half-beaten on a pass that was overthrown, but made a good coverage play on another target. Burris made his return to action and was in good position on 3rd-and-19 but mistimed his jump on a deep jump ball and ended up giving up a huge play.

At safety, DOUG MIDDLETON, TERRENCE BROOKS and JJ WILCOX saw action off the bench. Middleton's best play - a third down run stuff - was negated by a penalty, but he did draw a penalty for an illegal block in the back. He gave up one first down in coverage. Brooks had a good play in coverage and an unblocked pressure off the edge. Wilcox was in on one run stop, but also had a costly offside penalty on 2nd-and-5

JEREMY CLARK, XAVIER COLEMAN, KACY RODGERS and BRANDON BRYANT did not see action on defense.

Our offensive review is coming up later this morning...