The cast of the musical “Rent” sang that there are 525,600 minutes in a year.
The next time Aaron Rodgers brings his Jets teammates down to Broadway, he might sing that 7,342 defensive snaps can be used to gauge team chemistry.
With teams around the league starting from scratch with new players and new schemes on both offense and defense, the Jets defense should lead the way in OTAs because eight of the nine players who logged at least 650 snaps last season (7,342 combined) remain under fourth-year coordinator Jeff Ulbrich.
Safety Tony Adams and cornerbacks Sauce Gardner, DJ Reed and Michael Carter II will be the starters in one of the best secondary in the NFL.
“Continuity, especially on the back end, is very important,” Ulbrich said during the first week of spring training. “Guys have to know each other’s strengths, weaknesses, flaws, superpowers, weaknesses, all of that. And they have to know how to communicate at the highest level. And part of that communication, over time, is just winks and little hand signals.”
The Jets are one of six teams with eight of their top nine defensive personnel returning, and continuity was also key in retaining Ulbrich, who was denied an interview for the 49ers’ defensive coordinator vacancy.
“When we get to that point [subtle communication] “The level is where the really special stuff is,” Ulbrich said, “so when you think about the fact that we have guys who have been in the system for years, it’s exciting to think how far they can go.”
Only the Colts and Saints have eight or nine core members who have played more snaps combined than the Jets’ four defensive backs, defensive linemen Quinnen Williams and Jermaine Johnson and linebackers C.J. Mosley and Quincy Williams.
But neither team ranked as highly in total defense (allowing 292.3 yards per game) as the Jets (3rd).
“Right now, nobody’s happy with the result,” Ulbrich said. “Obviously, statistically we finished in the top five, but ultimately winning is how you build traditions in this league, so until that happens and we get a win — a real win — we’re sticking with it. [Super Bowl] We win trophies together. It’s not the end of the world. It’s a really cool group in that sense. They’re very motivated and self-motivated. I don’t really have to prompt them.”
Seven of the eight snap leaders (excluding Adams) were also key players under Coach Ulbrich as the Jets ranked fourth in both total defense and scoring defense in 2022. Gardner, Mosley and the Williams brothers have all been first- or second-team All-Pro selections over the past two seasons, more than any other AFC defense boasts in that span.
“Anything that’s a strength of mine, I work on it over and over,” Gardner said. “Anything that’s a weakness of mine, I pride myself on getting better at it. I try not to be complacent. It’s easy to be complacent … when you go through life and people tell you you’re their favorite player.”
The Jets’ offseason changes included trading defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers and Bryce Huff (neither of whom carried a 650-snap load) for Haason Reddick and Javon Kinlaw.
The acquisition of Redick, who has recorded 50.5 sacks over the past four seasons, was a way for the team to play to its strengths (the Jets were fourth in pressure rate (26.5% of opponents’ dropbacks) last season) while addressing its weaknesses through better complementary football.
The vaunted defense ranked 25th in rushing yards allowed per game (124) last season but was 11th in yards per carry (4.07).
Once Rodgers returns after missing most of the season, he will likely play up front more often, which should provide him with more pass-rush opportunities.
A bigger upset for defensive chemistry may be whether the combination of former Ravens starter Chuck Clark, who missed all of last season with a torn ACL, converted cornerback Isaiah Oliver, special teamer Ashton Davis and rookie Jaeden Key can adequately fill the void left by the departed 1,078-snap safety Jordan Whitehead.
“We know that may be a story told outside,” Ulbrich said, “and it’s not a story told inside this building.”
If things continue like this, it has absolutely no potential to become a hit on Broadway.
