On Friday the Jets lost the quarterback of their defense and in my mind one of the best pound-for-pound players in football for the remainder of the season, when free safety, Jim Leonhard fractured his tibia after colliding with wide receiver, Patrick Turner during practice. Leonhard's loss could not have come at a worse time, leading up to the biggest game of the year tonight against Tom Brady and the Patriots in a battle for divisional and conference supremacy. Head Coach, Rex Ryan was very crafty about the way in which he attempted to execute his blitz-happy, offense baffling version of the 3-4 defense. Ryan was able to recruit three of his former Baltimore Ravens stalwarts who were familiar with his defensive scheme, to follow him to the Jets to help him ease the transition from Eric Mangini's 3-4 to his. Ryan was able to bring in a former Raven in every level of the defense: defensive end, Marques Douglas, linebacker and trash-talker extraordinaire, Bart Scott, and of course scrappy strong safety, Jim Leonhard.
In 2009, Ryan had Leonhard and Scott wearing the defensive head-sets in order to relay the calls to the defense and get everyone in the proper position. Naturally, as with many defenses around the league, it was primarily the safety's responsibility to make sure the defense was properly lined up and that the lines of communication were free flowing, a role that Leonhard whole-heartedly embraced.
Even with Leonhard there have been a number of communication breakdowns among the Jets' defense (see the Green Bay game.) Now, special teams capitan, Eric Smith who has had sturggles of his own this season in coverage is pressed into a starting role with the absence of Leonhard and it will be his responsibility to relay Coach Ryan and Defensive Coordinator, Mike Pettine's calls to the rest of the defense. Communication is essential especially against a seasoned veteran like Tom Brady who will be able to exploit any mismatches he sees. Leonhard's injury also provides a depth issue for the Jets at safety and at cornerback as backup Brodney Pool will need to step into Eric Smith's role at free safety, making blitz specialist, James Ihedigbo first in line in the event anything happens to Smith or Pool. Assuming that he plays, Dwight Lowery is likely to see more playing time at safety That coupled with the recent struggles of rookie cornerback, Kyle Wilson, means that in all likelihood, Drew Coleman will be the starting nickelback, which I'm sure Jets fans are "thrilled" about.
Leonhard's absence not only leaves a hole in the Jets defense but the punt return game as well. Sure, Leonhard was not exactly a Leon Washington-esque return man with explosive, game-breaking ability but he was as sure-handed as they come which cannot be taken for granted as the weather gets colder and windier. It looks as though Special Teams coach, Mike Westhoff has lost as much confidence iin Kyle Wilson as the defensive coaches have and it is unlikely that he will serve as the primary punt returner any time soon. However; there are a number of players on the Jets' roster who have been successful punt returners in the past, including cornerbacks Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis and wide receivers Jericho Cotchery and Santonio Holmes who have offered their services to Westhoff.
Although it is unlikely that Cotchery, coming off a significant groin injury, will see much time as the return man given the nature of the job. Westhoff's plans are unknown but Jets fans should have confidence in his choice, whatever/whoever it is. Linebacker, Jason Taylor also offered his services on special teams, although obviously not returning punts. It is comforting to see how many of Leonhard's teammates are willing to step up in his absence, which if nothing else, shows how committed the entire team is to winning this season.
Due to how late in the week the injury occurred, the Jets were unable to find a suitable replacement at defensive back to fill Leonhard's roster spot, so the team reached out to former fan-favorite, Laveranues Coles, who is on the roster for tonight's game, although it is unlikely he will ever be activated in his current stint with the team. The assumption with the Coles signing is that he will serve as an honorary capitan for the game and then be able to retire as a Jet, something he had always wished for, a classy move by the organization and who knows maybe they'll go out and win it for Leonhard and Coles.
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