Nov 18, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars strong safety Dawan Landry (26) reacts to a missed field goal against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter at Reliant Stadium. The Texans defeated the Jaguars 43-37. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

The safety position became one of strength in 2012, after the Jets brought in LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell. Right from the preseason, opponents receivers knew that they couldn’t go across the middle on the Jets without getting hit. Landry would hit them like an assassin.

But, the position was revamped again. The Jets wouldn’t match the Colts’ offer for LaRon, and Yeremiah Bell has taken talent to the desert of Arizona. So where are we now? Well, we have the kids, Antonio Allen and Josh Bush.

But, we also signed a veteran. He’s also fairly familiar, as he is replacing his brother. Out goes LaRon Landry, and in comes Dawan Landry. There will be a lot of expectations on Dawan this season, especially coming in on the heels of the Pro Bowl season of his brother. So it got me thinking, how doe the brothers compare to each other? The answer is very similarly. Take a look, first at LaRon’s stats:

Now comes Dawan Landry’s stats for comparison:

See? These stats aren’t similar, in some ways, they are remarkably similar. In 2012, for example, they both happened to have the same amount of tackles, exactly? I would say that is a fact that isn’t likely to happen again.

For their careers, Dawan Landry has recorded 12 INT’s to LaRon’s 10, so that is basically a wash. But yet again, similar players, so they get similar results.

The point here is a simple one. Based on last year, there are going to be very high expectations placed on the shoulders of Dawan Landry. He will be expected to play close to, if not better than, the way his brother performed in 2012.

Looking at the statistics, that expectation seems attainable.

Dec. 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) runs the ball while being defended by New York Jets free safety LaRon Landry (30) during the first half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Timothy T. Ludwig-USA TODAY Sports

And the hits just keep on coming to the roster of the New York Jets.

After losing Yeremiah Bell to the Cardinals, and earlier than that, losing Shonn Greene to the Titans, the day ended with a trifecta.

It was reported that the Indianapolis Colts have signed LaRon Landry to a four year, $24 million deal that includes $14 million guaranteed.

“We’re ecstatic about this signing,” Colts general manager Ryan Grigson said in a statement released by the team. “We feel LaRon is an absolute game changer and a true impact player. We’re talking about a 220-pound safety that runs 4.3 and plays to that speed. His approach to the game and his style of play are lights out and embody the culture we’re building on the defense and this team in general.”

This one is disappointing to the fan base, and understandably so. After proving his health, LaRon was the new heart of this defense, and his spirit lifted the group to another level. His 100 tackles, 4 forced fumbles, and 2 INT’s that led to a Pro Bowl appearance will not be easy to replace as well.

You know, for a team that had such little talent on it’s roster, everyone seems to like our players.

Feb 21, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; New York Jets general manager John Idzik speaks at a press conference during the 2013 NFL Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

The tough road ahead for John Idzik and his staff is no secret. 2013 is not going to be easy, thanks to how Mike Tannenbaum left us with the salary cap. We don’t have a lot of room under the cap, and we have starting positions that need to be filled. To put it simply, that means we shouldn’t expect the Jets to make a big splash in 2013.

Instead, the Jets will have to settle for mid-level free agents, that give much more bang for your buck. Value, is what the Jets are going to have to search for with limited resources. Salaries are going to come off of the books for 2014, so the Jets will be big players in a year, but not yet. So, that brings us to the question, of the current free agents, who should the Jets retain? Who should they make one big push to retain off of last season?

Remember the post-season press conference? Head coach Rex Ryan talked about approaching the days as if it was his first day as head coach, from four years earlier. A lot of people, including our “favorite” afternoon radio host in NY, took that comment as a chance to take more shots at the Jets. “How can you forget the past four years?”, they said. “What a stupid comment!” However, when you look at the free agency situation from this perspective, you will see that this year is EXACTLY like it was four years ago.

Join me, I will explain what I am talking about.

Take it back four years ago, to Rex Ryan’s first off-season as head coach of the Jets. He was coming off of an AFC Championship game appearance as defensive coordinator of the Ravens. Coming over to NY, he knew it was time to change the culture around the Jets. So, what did he do? He was at Bart Scott’s front door, one minute after the free agency period opened. He knew that to change the culture of the team, he needed to bring in a guy that personified that culture, so in comes Bart Scott.

Well, the Bart Scott era is over. His play has deteriorated over the last four seasons, to a point where he is just far too slow to be on the field for the Jets any longer. The same thing happened to Calvin Pace. He doesn’t belong out there anymore. And besides, we have already discussed, at length, that the Jets don’t have that kind of splash in them this year anway. So, what are they to do?