Mr. Rogers' New Neighborhood?

Today the news broke that the Detroit Lions are looking to move Shaun Rogers via trade or release and, while I do not understand or agree with their decision, the Jets must try to acquire the seventh year defensive tackle.

Just by looking at his 2007 stats, it’s easy to see him as an upgrade to the Jets’ current D-line. Rogers had 39 tackles, 7 sacks, and one interception (which was returned for a touchdown). The Jets’ starting front three accounted for a mere 10.5 sacks with their nose tackle, Dewayne Robertson garnering only 4 of them. Robertson also had 57 tackles to his name; even though that’s more than Rogers, Robertson benefited from the 3-4 scheme the Jets run, while Rogers was in a 4-3 and had to split tackles with three others on the front line.

Rogers was the leading sacker on his own D-line, and he could contribute astronomically to a Jets defense against which everyone likes to run the ball. Shaun Rogers would add such a dominant presence to their pass rush that teams would run the ball against them even more consistently than they already do. Now, on a third and three, opposing teams would normally spread three wideouts and go play-action. But if there’s a serious threat to the passer, more teams would check into a run and the Jets could stack the box with a safety. Kerry Rhodes is a good run defender, but seldom gets to exhibit his run stop talent because he is needed further back from the ball.

But, losing Robertson’s talents isn’t the only way to incorporate the likes of Shaun Rogers. The Jets should also consider switching to a 4-3. Their linebackers absolutely have the intelligence and agility to make the 4-3 work, but for whatever reason it has not been successful. Possibly because the team pass defense isn’t exceptional, so without constant pressure on the quarterback, they can’t lock up the receivers for more than five seconds or so. Putting an extra down lineman on the field would up the pressure on the quarterback just enough that they could survive with one less pass defender.

Bryan Thomas is a prime example of why the team may benefit from a transition to the 4-3. His athleticism is far more suited to a pass rush off the corner, than zone coverage. Just check his resume. Since 2002, he has accumulated 17.5 career sacks with only six passes defended and zero interceptions. Move him back to defensive end, and then you’d have Shaun Rogers and Robertson in the middle, with Shaun Ellis and Thomas on the outside. At linebacker, there’s nobody better than Jonathan Vilma so you’d keep him as the starting middle linebacker, and let your remaining three compete for the other two starting jobs. David Harris proved this season that he has enormous potential, but he is obviously more of an inside linebacker than outside, so you may have to bench him in favor of Eric Barton and Victor Hobson. Either way, it’s a tremendous boost to a currently stagnant Jets defense which needs a spark and could greatly benefit from a change of strategy.

Their next task of the off-season would be to improve their offensive line, but on the defensive side of the ball, they need only a strong cornerback and they’ll be on the right track.  Darrelle Revis was a great draft selection, but Hank Poteat is more of a nickelback than a starting corner. If they could get somebody solid but low profile, they could possibly offer up Hobson or Barton as trade bait. The St. Louis Rams have some depth at cornerback and are rather sparse at outside linebacker. Why not offer up a trade for Fakhir Bown, a thirty-year-old veteran coming off the most productive year of his career? Or how about the Philadelphia Eagles? Their secondary is like the backfield of the Denver Broncos. It seems a star can be born just by inserting anybody into their system. Lito Sheppard is younger than Sheldon Brown, so he would be the more attractive option for the Jets, but Philadelphia might be more willing to part ways with Sheldon Brown. Offer up a two for one trade. Try to get just one of those guys and you have plenty of linebackers to sweeten the pot. And then there’s the Tennessee Titans, who need offensive help and have a plethora of defensive talent to spare. Brad Smith has been an interesting player for the Jets but doesn’t seem to jive with their style of offense. However, with a mobile quarterback like Vince Young, perhaps an all-purpose player like Smith would be enticing to Jeff Fisher. Is there a trade involving Nick Harper that the Titans would consider?

The Jets aren’t as far removed from a winning season as they appear to be. Eric Mangini has already made a dramatic turnaround for the team in 2006, so there’s no reason that 2008 can’t yield similar results. Team success starts with offensive and defensive lines. Improve those two areas of the team, and the Jets are poised to rebound from their disappointing season.