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New York Jets banged up on defense
New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan turned to gallows humor after watching three of his top five defensive backs sit out Wednesday's practice and the other two limited in what they could do, all because of injuries.
That's not exactly the position any defensive-minded coach would like to find themselves in with the NFL's top-ranked offense on tap Sunday afternoon.
"You would think I would feel nervous, but we're only playing New Orleans, so I'm not really worried about having to cover anybody with Drew Brees (playing), " Ryan said.
Of course, Ryan knows he has a lot of game-planning to do for Brees, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year who is making a case to run away with the award again this season. Through the first three weeks, he has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes (67 of 97) for 841 yards, an NFL-high nine touchdowns, just two interceptions and a league-best 118.1 passer rating.
With Brees at the controls, the Saints (3-0) are first in the NFL in total offense (438 yards per game). They're first in scoring (40 points per game).
Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland remained sidelined after sitting out last Sunday's victory over the Titans with quad and ankle injuries. Safety Jim Leonhard missed practice with a knee injury. Cornerback Darrelle Revis (knee) and safety Kerry Rhodes (knee) were limited.
The Jets brought in ex-Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy for a workout Friday and might sign him if the situation worsens.
Ryan isn't worrying just yet. Leonhard, Revis and Rhodes are expected to play, but Sheppard and Strickland are iffy.
"I would feel a lot worse if this was Friday, " Ryan said. "I have a feeling we'll have guys ready to play this weekend."
The Jets (3-0) will need them.
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New York Jets Coach Rex Ryan turned to gallows humor after watching three of his top five defensive backs sit out Wednesday's practice and the other two limited in what they could do, all because of injuries.
That's not exactly the position any defensive-minded coach would like to find themselves in with the NFL's top-ranked offense on tap Sunday afternoon.
"You would think I would feel nervous, but we're only playing New Orleans, so I'm not really worried about having to cover anybody with Drew Brees (playing), " Ryan said.
Of course, Ryan knows he has a lot of game-planning to do for Brees, the NFL Offensive Player of the Year who is making a case to run away with the award again this season. Through the first three weeks, he has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes (67 of 97) for 841 yards, an NFL-high nine touchdowns, just two interceptions and a league-best 118.1 passer rating.
With Brees at the controls, the Saints (3-0) are first in the NFL in total offense (438 yards per game). They're first in scoring (40 points per game).
Cornerbacks Lito Sheppard and Donald Strickland remained sidelined after sitting out last Sunday's victory over the Titans with quad and ankle injuries. Safety Jim Leonhard missed practice with a knee injury. Cornerback Darrelle Revis (knee) and safety Kerry Rhodes (knee) were limited.
The Jets brought in ex-Baltimore Ravens cornerback Corey Ivy for a workout Friday and might sign him if the situation worsens.
Ryan isn't worrying just yet. Leonhard, Revis and Rhodes are expected to play, but Sheppard and Strickland are iffy.
"I would feel a lot worse if this was Friday, " Ryan said. "I have a feeling we'll have guys ready to play this weekend."
The Jets (3-0) will need them.
Read Full Article