FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) -Darrelle Revis and Kerry Rhodes rely on each other being in the New York Jets’ secondary every week. They’re just never quite sure who might be joining them.
“We switch guys every week,” Revis said Thursday. “Somebody else is starting a different week. Right now, while we’re trying to make it into the playoffs, we just need to try to be consistent and communicate better.”
While Revis has been a constant at left cornerback and Rhodes at free safety, the two have seen their share of counterparts in the secondary this season. Coach Eric Mangini has struggled to find the right combination, with the Jets ranking 31st against the pass.
“That’s just a number,” Revis said. “It’s 31st and I mean, we don’t want to be 31st, but it’s just something we’ve got to be more consistent back there.”
ly signed J.R. Reed joining Revis and Rhodes.
“I know that the coaches are doing a great job of getting guys in here that fit into our system and we believe in them,” Revis said. “We’re not going to point the finger at anybody. That’s one thing we’re not going to do. We’re just going to stay positive, work it out and get consistent.”
It’s more difficult than it sounds, though, when your supporting cast is constantly changing.
“It’s the hand I’ve been dealt,” Rhodes said, “and not just me, but the whole defense. We just have to try to put the pieces together with the guys out there and try to make it work the best we can. There’s nothing I can do about it or anybody else can do about it. We just have to try to get it right.”
That’s been an ongoing process. Lowery, a rookie, stepped in and started 10 games before struggling. The Jets then brought Law out of retirement four weeks ago and inserted him into the lineup. Elam has started seven games at the safety spot opposite Rhodes, with Barrett getting one start and Smith five before sustaining three injuries in a four-game span.
the eye contact, you just both know how you’re going to play the situation.”
The Jets’ secondary has taken the brunt of criticism for a struggling defense. New York has allowed eight quarterbacks to throw for at least 250 yards this season, while allowing 19 touchdown passes.
“We’re getting hounded every week,” Revis said. “’Oh, the defensive backs are not doing this, they’re not doing that. These guys are struggling.”’
Added Smith: “There’s a lot that goes into it. As a defense, we’re all 11 guys. It’s not just, say, the secondary is messing up, or it should all be put on them, because the defense is one whole.”
The sudden lack of a pass rush has also given opposing quarterbacks lots of time to sit back and pick on the secondary.
“It all works together,” Lowery said. “It’s never a single unit. Teams are attacking us differently than what we had seen and what we were expecting, so we’re making the adjustments that are necessary to make.”
Smith might add a boost to the secondary by playing for the first time since leaving at halftime of the Jets’ game against Kansas City on Oct. 26. He wasn’t listed on the team’s injury report for the first time in several weeks.
“I’m excited about it,” he said. “Practicing has been like when we start up in OTAs, the first couple of days where it’s exciting and you’re running around all over the place. It’s sort of how it feels now.”
Smith has been a full participant in practice this week and, if anything else, offers a set of fresh legs.
“I’m going to try to help wherever I can and hopefully pick up where I left off,” Smith said.
The Jets can use all the help they can get, especially going against Buffalo’s receiving duo of Lee Evans and Josh Reed. With so much on the line with three games left, the play of the secondary could determine the Jets’ playoff future.
“What happens to us as a secondary is that we have a lot of self-inflicted wounds, so to speak,” Lowery said. “Not to take away from the guys that we go against at all. I think we can do things a lot better than what we have been doing. That’s what we need to take care of first and foremost.
“We’ve got to perfect what we do before we even think about shutting anybody down.”
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