By Paul Newbold
Even before this offseason, and for quite a few years prior to that, there has been an ongoing discussion concerning the safety position for the New York Jets. It’s a position of need currently, but moreover it's been a long-time Jet need. The position of safety, especially free safety, hasn't been taken seriously by the Jet Organization for a long time
We've seen the Jets plug in older veterans at the position the last couple of years, in hopes that one of their younger guys would step up and man the position. To that end the Jets have used LaRon Landry and Dawan Landry the past several years, and even signed veteran Ed Reed for a short stint at the position. All of these players have had some measure of success filling the position, but it has been very clear none of them were ever considered a long term answer
The Jets once had high hopes for some of their young safeties. It wasn't too long ago the Jet coaches were talking up the depth at safety, players like Josh Bush, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett were the heirs to the position it was claimed. Since then Bush has moved on to the Denver Broncos, Antonio Allen was moved to CB then back to Safety and his game digressed, and Jaiquawn Jarrett has flashed but has never really made a serious push. It is in the realm of possibilities that one of the the two remaining players won't make the roster.
Along comes free agency, and once again the Jets choose to go veteran in the form of Marcus Gilchrist. Gilchrist is young, only 26 but the former Charger isn't really a true free safety. In fact, he's played very little of the position. Gilchrist was used as a SS, FS and slot corner by the Chargers since being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft. He spent the majority of last season filling in the slot corner position due to injuries in the Charger secondary.
Gilchrist brings youth and experience to the Jet secondary, but its still unclear if the Jets truly believe he can be the guy to man the FS position going ahead. In his short career, Gilchrist has managed to appear in 62 games in four years, making him a durable player if nothing else. In those 62 games he's managed; 246 combined tackles to go along with 5 interceptions and 3 sacks. Not spectacular numbers by any means, but they show that Gilchrist can be seen as a solid signing.
The biggest concern about Gilchrist among Jet fans appears to be whether he will be able to handle the position full time. Gilchrist has seen time as a free safety, but its been spot work, having spent most of his rookie contract playing SS and slot corner for the Chargers.
Gilchrist, Allen and Jarrett will enter camp as the Jet FS prospects. All three have talent, but none have proven they are the answer at FS. The Jets have a long standing need at the position, and it has grown time to fix the position. All three will be given a chance to compete and claim the starting job. Its yet to be seen if the Jets will revisit the position in this year's draft, but it is a distinct possibility that they do just that.
Free Safety will be an interesting watch in Jet camp this year. Bowles uses his safeties differently then many NFL coaches, he likes to use his SS in the box almost like LB's. The Jets have strong candidates for that role, its yet to be seen if they have the safety to work over the top. It has been a glaring need for the Jets for a number of years, they made an acquisition, there will be competition, hopefully they have found an answer.
Even before this offseason, and for quite a few years prior to that, there has been an ongoing discussion concerning the safety position for the New York Jets. It’s a position of need currently, but moreover it's been a long-time Jet need. The position of safety, especially free safety, hasn't been taken seriously by the Jet Organization for a long time
We've seen the Jets plug in older veterans at the position the last couple of years, in hopes that one of their younger guys would step up and man the position. To that end the Jets have used LaRon Landry and Dawan Landry the past several years, and even signed veteran Ed Reed for a short stint at the position. All of these players have had some measure of success filling the position, but it has been very clear none of them were ever considered a long term answer
The Jets once had high hopes for some of their young safeties. It wasn't too long ago the Jet coaches were talking up the depth at safety, players like Josh Bush, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett were the heirs to the position it was claimed. Since then Bush has moved on to the Denver Broncos, Antonio Allen was moved to CB then back to Safety and his game digressed, and Jaiquawn Jarrett has flashed but has never really made a serious push. It is in the realm of possibilities that one of the the two remaining players won't make the roster.
Along comes free agency, and once again the Jets choose to go veteran in the form of Marcus Gilchrist. Gilchrist is young, only 26 but the former Charger isn't really a true free safety. In fact, he's played very little of the position. Gilchrist was used as a SS, FS and slot corner by the Chargers since being drafted in the 2nd round of the 2011 draft. He spent the majority of last season filling in the slot corner position due to injuries in the Charger secondary.
Gilchrist brings youth and experience to the Jet secondary, but its still unclear if the Jets truly believe he can be the guy to man the FS position going ahead. In his short career, Gilchrist has managed to appear in 62 games in four years, making him a durable player if nothing else. In those 62 games he's managed; 246 combined tackles to go along with 5 interceptions and 3 sacks. Not spectacular numbers by any means, but they show that Gilchrist can be seen as a solid signing.
The biggest concern about Gilchrist among Jet fans appears to be whether he will be able to handle the position full time. Gilchrist has seen time as a free safety, but its been spot work, having spent most of his rookie contract playing SS and slot corner for the Chargers.
Gilchrist, Allen and Jarrett will enter camp as the Jet FS prospects. All three have talent, but none have proven they are the answer at FS. The Jets have a long standing need at the position, and it has grown time to fix the position. All three will be given a chance to compete and claim the starting job. Its yet to be seen if the Jets will revisit the position in this year's draft, but it is a distinct possibility that they do just that.
Free Safety will be an interesting watch in Jet camp this year. Bowles uses his safeties differently then many NFL coaches, he likes to use his SS in the box almost like LB's. The Jets have strong candidates for that role, its yet to be seen if they have the safety to work over the top. It has been a glaring need for the Jets for a number of years, they made an acquisition, there will be competition, hopefully they have found an answer.