Jets’ Coach Rex Ryan on the Secondary Play

Sep 29, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Tennessee Titans wide receiver Nate Washington (85) catches a pass and runs for a touchdown against New York Jets cornerback Antonio Cromartie (31) during the second half at LP Field. The Titans beat the Jets 38-13. Mandatory Credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

Although the defense has performed well against the pass as a whole, there have been one or two plays a game that have involved mistakes in the Jets’ secondary that have been costly. There was one in the New England game that resulted in the only touchdown, and there have been others.

At yesterday’s press conference, coach Ryan talked about what he needs to see from the secondary:

Number one, the mental mistakes, we have to eliminate the mental mistakes. Like we’ve said during the year so far up to this point, it seems like we’ve made one critical error in every game and it was mental. We didn’t cover a receiver in a tight position against New England and they scored one touchdown, that was it. Tampa Bay we blew a coverage that set up a field goal that could’ve won the game, on third-and-10. We gave up another touchdown to Buffalo, gave up one touchdown in that game, and it was on a blown coverage. If we can tighten those things up, I think we can be good. There’s no doubt. The physical thing was this past week more than the mental, and that’s just when the balls in the air, we have to go get it. Certainly, we’re going to get opportunities this week because they’re seeing the tapes and they’re just going to take shot, after shot, after shot because that’s what they do.

Coach is right, the secondary will have some chances on Monday night. Without a running game, Matt Ryan will put the ball up a lot. If the guys can make some plays, they might just be able to pull the upset.