Durkin: Young Jets Secondary Preparing To Battle Bears' 'Monsters'
By Dan Durkin-
(CBS) Jets coach Rex Ryan may be brash, but he was unabashed Wednesday in his praise of the Bears offense, whom he's preparing for on Monday night.
"They're playmakers," Ryan said. "You've got two monsters out there, Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery, those are the two guys that jump out at you. The tight end is a big dude, you know (Martellus) Bennett. You've got three massive targets out there."
Since Ryan took over in 2009, the Jets have ranked outside of the top six in pass defense only once, last season when they ranked 22nd. Coincidentally or not, that was the team's first season without cornerback Darrelle Revis.
Currently, Ryan is trying to bring along two young but talented players in his defensive secondary. In back-to-back years, the Jets have used first-round selections on cornerback Dee Milliner and safety Calvin Pryor.
Milliner's development is crucial. With a shutdown corner, Ryan can get creative with his pressure packages and use his safeties in the box as run defenders and pass rushers. Milliner underwhelmed as a rookie. This season, he's working his way back from an ankle injury.
"Yeah, he did (struggle as a rookie)," Ryan said. "Last month of the season, he really came on. Unfortunately, he gets this ankle injury and certainly, last week wasn't his best, that's for sure. He's got a chance. The young man can play. He can play the football in the air, he can run, so we've just got to get him healthy and back on the field."
Last week against the Packers, wide receiver Jordy Nelson had his way with both Milliner and Pryor, racking up 209 receiving yards and two touchdowns.
Pryor is a playmaker, an enforcer in the back end. His development will involve harnessing his aggression and learning to come in under control, as he can be a little overaggressive
"We love him as a hitter," Ryan said. "We think he's a better pass defender than maybe give him credit for. It's tough to come in this league, especially as a safety as a rookie. There's some things to learn, angles, all that type of stuff, when to take your shot, when not to. It's a work in progress. He's not as good as he's gonna be. It won't be long, this kid's gonna be a difference maker."
Through two games, opposing quarterbacks -- Derek Carr and Aaron Rodgers -- have averaged a passer rating of 100.3 against the Jets. The Bears' passing attack has been sharp to start the season and will be a huge test for the Jets and the league in general.
"It's the challenge that every team in the league faces against them," Ryan said. "These guys are matchup nightmares."
Dan Durkin covers the Bears for CBSChicago.com and is a frequent contributor to 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter at @djdurkin.