So about that vaunted New York Jets defense...
The front line did its job at getting to the quarterback and maintaining the running game against the Cincinatti Bengals. Wilkerson led the team with seven tackles, and recorded 1.5 sacks to add to the team total of seven. Furthermore, the Bengals were held to an underwhelming 57 rushing yards. Looking solely at those stats, one might assume that the Jets held the Bengals at bay.
However, it was the veteran, team captain Darrelle Revis that essentially foiled the Jets defensive game plan. Going up against five-time Pro Bowler A.J. Green is never an easy task. But Green's dominance against Revis on Sunday went beyond his 10 receptions, 152 yards and a touchdown to boot. On plays down the field, Revis just looked a step slower than A.J. At 31 years old, Revis Island may not be the Bermuda Triangle for wide receivers it once was.
The main issue now become what to do with Revis. Yes, it was only one week and he was going against one of the best receivers in the league. But at his age, and with the four years remaining on his $70 million contract, Coach Bowles might have to consider tweaking with the secondary throughout the year.
One of the possible options Bowles has is switching Revis and Skrine between the same receiver throughout the game. What may be hindering Revis this season is his lack of explosiveness off the first step. While he still shows marvelous timing when attempting to deflect the ball, it is now apparent that Father Time has caught up with the star in terms of sheer athleticism. At a position that relies on stellar starting speed to keep pace with receivers, Revis seems to have lost that ability due to some good old wear and tear. As to not wear him out further, perhaps Bowles should consider using the more fiery Skrine to cover half the game. Revis could use some rest if the Jets are looking at a potential playoff run.
Another possibility is straight up switching Skrine and Revis in covering the primary receiver. This might sound inconceivable, but the truth is that the Jets have to face many top targets in the coming weeks. Next week, the Jets travel upstate to Buffalo to face the unrefined, but talented Sammy Watkins. The week after, they face the Chiefs and the dynamic Jeremy Maclin. They then return home to face the Seahawks and the duo of Doug Baldwin and Tyler Lockette. After that, they travel to the Steel City to face the best receiver in the game, Antonio Brown. And to cap off this crazy run, they then fly off to the desert to face future Hall of Famer Larry Fitzgerald and the deep Cardinals receiving core. A subpar Revis cannot suffice with the amount of talent at wide receiver coming up. Maybe Buster Skrine is ready to shine and prove his worth.
With the amount of guaranteed money doled out to Revis though, it seems like Bowles will stick to him as the primary lockdown corner. Hopefully with a hobbled Sammy Watkins playing through a foot injury, Revis can show signs of redemption this Thursday night.
With the abomination of Week 1 in the past, the future holds many unanswered questions. Will Revis get back on track? Was Sunday just a blimp on the usually reliable Revis Island radar? Or, at age 31, is Revis finally on the decline? Is Buster Skrine the answer? Or do the Jets have to look past this season, into the draft or free agency, to find the answer? These are questions that the Jets have to find out the answer soon. If not, the Jets will quickly find themselves looking up in the standings and missing out on the playoffs.
