Cleveland may rock but New York Jets will roll

By Hillary Garza | Sep 9, 2015

While the official start of the New York Jets era under Todd Bowles already has our collective green blood pumping, the Cleveland Browns seem like they may need a transfusion. News of Browns’ offensive line coach Andy Moeller being suspended over the weekend indefinitely is not a great way to head into a season opening game. Throw in their apparent lack of receivers, no Johnny Manziel and the almost-always predictable Browns’ offense looking, well, predictable- and there’s not much room left to dream of in the city where dreams are supposedly made.

Former Jets’ defensive coordinator Mike Pettine no doubt thought he caught a break by having Geno Smith and Sheldon Richardson out for the season opener. However, it is looking like Smith being out may be a blessing in disguise, at least in the short-term.

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Ryan Fitzpatrick got in the groove in the second and third preseason games and seems very comfortable behind the line of scrimmage, which appears to be gelling at just the right time. His veteran experience might be just the thing to let the rest of the team come together while Smith mends.

The key for this game will be the defensive line keeping the pressure on Joe Haden. Richardson or not, the Jets were able to select the best defensive player in this year’s draft in Leonard Williams as he is proving to be more than capable to step in and take care of business. It will be exciting to see him suit up when it counts and see if he can be a suitable replacement down the road.

Jun 9, 2015; Florham Park, NJ, USA; New York Jets cornerback Buster Skrine (41) and New York Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis (24) talk during New York Jets minicamp at Atlantic Health Jets Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Bowles will definitely help give valuable input to the Jets’ defense thanks to his time as the defensive coordinator of the Arizona Cardinals last year. His defense had 21 sacks under his belt in 2014. Expect to see him unleash a great variety of blitz and defensive packages to play to the strengths of his defensive unit.

Of course, the defensive line pressure is applied thanks in part to excellent coverage as the Jets’ defensive secondary also seemed to come together very well throughout the preseason.

Keeping an eye out for Isaiah Crowell will be a priority, but I feel this is a perfect setting for our defense to come out strong as advertised and start this season with a victory. You don’t think Buster Skrine wants to send a huge message the Browns way? He should definitely have a huge defensive game against his former team.

Ironically enough, I grew up in Browns country as a Jets fan. It hasn’t always been easy, as you well know. But with a revamped team ready to bounce back this upcoming season, I’m quite confident the Jets will roll over the Browns and make a huge statement across the NFL. This year’s Jets are ready to prove they are indeed a playoff-contending team one game at a time.

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