Tighten Up Those Chin Straps, the New York Jets are Coming

KILL.

That was the acronym used by Rex Ryan on the day he was introduced as the new Jets head coach to describe the organizational philosophy he hoped to instill.

Its intended meaning was keep it likable and learnable, a far cry from the methods of the departed Eric Mangini, whose marathon practices in unbearable heat and player pop quizzes quickly wore thin in the locker room.

But no one would be surprised if most members of the media in attendance initially took it another way, one more in tune with Ryan’s previous stop in Baltimore, where he constructed a top defensive unit with a reputation for downright nastiness.

During his 10 seasons on the defensive side of the ball with the Ravens, Ryan’s units never ranked lower than sixth in the NFL.

Since 1999, the Ravens rank first for fewest points allowed (17.1 per game), fewest rushing yards allowed per game (87.3), most shutouts (9), most takeaways (337), most interceptions (212), most interceptions for touchdowns (29), and best in third down conversion defense (33.9 percent).

Certainly the Jets playbook will be altered to fit Ryan’s and new defensive coordinator, Mike Pettine’s, aggressive, attacking style.

While both the Jets and Ravens played a base 3-4 defense last season, it was the unpredictability of Ryan’s defensive schemes that had opposing offenses flummoxed and earned him the nickname “The Mad Scientist.” 

In a game against the Texans last year, Ryan had 340-plus-pound nose tackle Haloti Ngata drop into coverage on a Ravens goal line stand from the one yard line. The result?  An interception.

Consequently, don’t be surprised to see the Jets version of Ngata, run-stuffing behemoth Kris Jenkins, following suit on occasion.

With Ryan and Pettine, pressure will come from all angles. Having four blitzers rush the quarterback from one side of a formation will not be out of the ordinary. Surprisingly, the Ravens sacked the quarterback only 34 times in 2008, six fewer sacks than the Jets.

However, the Ravens forced opposing offenses into 26 interceptions, No. 1 in the NFL, compared to 14 picks for the Jets, and were No. 1 in passes defended with 125. 

Although the Ravens didn’t officially take down the quarterback with eye-popping regularity, they put the quarterback in enough uncompromising positions to force poor throws and turnovers.

The loss of safety Abram Elam to Cleveland will be underestimated as he was often used as a key member of Bob Sutton’s blitz schemes, racking up two sacks, an interception, and three forced fumbles last season. 

However, the addition of dependable Baltimore favorite, Jim Leonhard, along with cornerback Lito Sheppard will allow the coaching staff to increase the use of Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis in similar blitzing situations. 

Likewise, a linebacking corps buoyed by the addition of All-Pro Bart Scott will aide fellow backers David Harris, Bryan Thomas, Calvin Pace, and Vernon Gholston, and allow them to roam sideline to sideline and rush the passer with greater frequency. 

Gholston in particular, who is an athlete in every sense of the word, could emerge as a constant source of pressure for Pettine’s defense if his confidence can be built back up after Mangini and Sutton banished him to the doghouse for all of last season.

The defensive personnel may be different from Baltimore with new faces in key positions, but expect much of the all-out style to follow in New York.

On the offensive side of the ball, things will change but also remain the same as offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer was retained.

With the departure of Brett Favre and the insertion of either Kellen Clemens or Mark Sanchez, both wet behind the ears, look for the offense to resemble that of last year’s Ravens, which featured an inexperienced quarterback in Joe Flacco.

Despite the strong-armed Favre being healthy for a majority of last season, the Jets ranked 22nd in yards per pass attempt (6.6), 31st in yards per catch (10.1), and connected on the 29th longest pass play of the season (56 yards). 

Taking shots down the field was not a hallmark of the Jets offense last year.

There have been rumblings that with Mangini’s overcontrolling ways gone, Schottenheimer could open up the offense more, but with the departure of Laveranues Coles and the average age of the receiving core being under 25, don’t bet on it. 

Instead, in keeping in line with Ryan’s credo of hitting other teams in the mouth, expect a heavy dose of ball control, smash mouth offense with the three-headed rushing attack of Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, and rookie Shon Greene.

Schottenheimer would also be wise to get the ball to Leon Washington more than last year’s 12.5 touches per game, as Washington is the team’s most explosive player, having turned in rushing touchdowns of 47 and 60 yards, an 18-yard receiving TD, and a 61-yard kickoff return. 

During the Jets' season-ending 1-4 tailspin, Washington touched the ball five, seven, two, three, and 16 times.

The retention of Mike Westhoff, the acquisition of Larry Izzo, and the brilliance of Washington will continue to make the Jets one of the best special teams units in the league.

In 2008, the Jets allowed teams to convert 13 of 18 fourth downs. The Ravens allowed 3 of 16 conversions.

Fourth down is about attitude and imposing your physical will on the other team. The Ravens have that. The Jets are looking to become that.