Did the Jaguars Open the Book on the New York Jets Defense?

Aug. 18, 2013; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan walks off the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at MetLife Stadium. Jets win 37-13. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

Through the four years of Rex Ryan’s reign, a lot of things have changed. Coaching changes around him have been made, players have come and gone…etc. However, one thing has always been a hallmark of his era, tough defense. During last night’s game, the team did have flashes of Rex Ryan defense. However, there was a point in the game when the Jets’ defense looked about as pedestrian as it has looked in 4+ years. Why?

The hurry up offense.

After the Jets opened the game with a solid drive to take a 7-0 lead, the Jaguars came back with a drive of their own. Running the hurry up, the Jaguars ran 7 plays to travel 80 yards, tying the game at 7-7 in only 2:50 seconds. Jacksonville kept the Jets off-balance with a drive consisting of 4 passes and three runs, culminating with a td pass from Gabbert to Reisner from five yards out.

The question that arises is this: Did Jacksonville show the league how to best the New York Jets’ defense?

I mean, we all know that the hurry up is bound to give the offense an advantage. They know what play is coming, so they are ready to move at a quick pace. They can take control over the defense, by controlling the pace of the play. The defense has to hurry to the line, and does more reacting to the offense, rather than having the ability to be objective. The defense can’t substitute, and is stuck with the players that are on the field, so that will lead to mistakes, blown coverages, missed tackles due to fatigue…etc.

There are a couple of reasons, however, as to why this is particularly worrisome. The first is the fact that the Jets defense is younger than it used to be. This group consists of Quinton Coples, Sheldon Richardson, Mo Wilkerson, Dee Milliner, Demario Davis, and more. What does this group have in common? Youth. This group has many rookies and guys in their second years. It takes time to learn the speed of our game in the NFL, but these young players should have more energy and stamina. They have to be able to move ahead through it.

Secondly, they see the hurry up offense a lot. Specifically, they see it twice per year when they face the New England Patriots. They run it constantly against us. You would think the team would look better against it by now. Instead, Jacksonville went right down the field for the tying score.

Is this something we should be concerned about? Is the Jets’ defense tiring too fast? Is the rest of the league going to use this and take it to the Jets when they do?