The New York Jets may have “monsters” and an “action figure” on their defensive line, but they don’t have a “freakazoid” like Aaron Donald.
That’s one of the reasons coach Robert Saleh said he’s sticking to a strict rotation with the linemen this season:
“We ask our D-line to do a lot from an attack standpoint,” Saleh said at OTAs this week. “Physically, it’s hard unless you’re a freakazoid like a guy like Aaron Donald and can go forever.”
Donald, who just restructured his contract and will earn $95 million through 2024 after helping lead the Los Angeles Rams to a win in Super Bowl LVI, was on the field for 90 percent of their defensive snaps last season. That equated to more than 1,000 plays. And he has missed just two games in eight NFL seasons.
It's not hard to see why Aaron Donald just became the highest-paid non-QB in history. 💰@AaronDonald97 | @RamsNFLpic.twitter.com/ISEy7Pia3j
— NFL (@NFL) June 6, 2022
Saleh said the Jets' top defensive linemen will play between 70-75 percent of the snaps this season.
Last week, Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said there would be a hard and fast rule that the linemen would play 30-35 snaps at most per game. Saleh explained that further Wednesday:
“It’s really not a 30-35 snap count,” Saleh said. “It’s more of a percentage. If you look at things in the past, in a perfect world, there’s obviously variables, you’re trying to hit a 75 percent mark.”
The Jets employ a system where maximum effort is required on each play. They don’t want their linemen reacting. They want them going 100 percent each play, initiating and dictating terms of engagement.
What do the #Jets want their DL to do?
“Attack. That’s it. Attack.” – DL coach Aaron Whitecotton.
Says he needs DL to play with “violence and effort.”
— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) June 8, 2022
Quality depth on the D-line is paramount for the Jets. They have starters Quinnen Williams, John Franklin-Myers and Sheldon Rankins returning this season. Carl Lawson and Vinny Curry return after each missed the entire 2021 season. Edge rushers Jermaine Johnson and Micheal Clemons were added in the draft. Free agents Solomon Thomas and Jacob Martin were signed. Bryce Huff, Nathan Shepherd, Jonathan Marshall, Jubari Zuniga and Tim Ward are also back from last season’s squad.
Lawson described the Jets' defensive line as “an absolute breeding ground for monsters” earlier in the offseason and proclaimed his “love” for the unit.
Still in awe of this play from @J_FranklinMyers #CantWait for 2022 #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/tTYpPWOqOt
— Jets Fans United (@JetsFans_United) May 27, 2022
A healthy Lawson could be the key to the group’s success this season. Without him, the Jets allowed 504 points, the most in the NFL in 2021, were 29th against the run and 30th against the pass.
Franklin-Myers highlighted Lawson's importance:
“Anybody who watched camp last year saw how amazing Carl is,” Franklin-Myers said. “Now we're excited to have him back. … He got to study tape and last year was like a redshirt for him. He looks great, he still looks like an action figure. We all want to be Carl when we grow up.”
Monsters and action figure for the Jets this season? Yes. Freakazoid? No.
So, the line rotation will live on as Franklin-Myers, Lawson and company try to turn the ship around for the Jets;
“Look, I know it's a cliché, but the sky's the limit when you talk about Carl, me and all the other guys. We don't have any weaknesses,” Franklin-Myers said. “We all bring different elements to the table. We're well-rounded, but we have to be together and play. On paper it's one thing, you still have to go out there and be that and live that.”
New York is hoping to make a major turnaround in 2022 after several down seasons.
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