Jeff Ulbrich’s task this season is simple: Improve a defense that was among the NFL’s worst in 2020.
Ulbrich’s approach will be just as simple. Gang Green will focus on the basics, and trust that attention to detail will lead to mastery of the defense.
In his first season as Jets defensive coordinator, Ulbrich and his staff do not want to run an insanely complex defense that focuses on deception and confusing opposing offenses. That could backfire and cause the defense to make mistakes which leads to giving up big plays.
“We’re preaching this to the players now that it’s going to be about them and it’s not going to be about us,” Ulbrich said. “We’re not going to give them magical calls and get them out of things, they’re just going to understand these defenses at the highest level and understand the techniques within the defense at the highest level. That’s going to be the secret sauce, simplicity though, and players first.”
Some may view simplicity as a negative because it makes a defense easy to read. Ulbrich doesn’t see that as an issue.
“It’s very simple. Not to be mistaken with easy by any means because there’s lots of detail within it,” Ulbrich said. “It’s gonna be based upon principle, it’s gonna be based upon technique, it’s gonna be based upon effort and toughness and really the essence of this game.”
This isn’t Ulbrich’s first run as a play caller. He was the interim defensive coordinator for the Atlanta Falcons after Raheem Morris became the interim head coach when they fired Dan Quinn after they fell 0-5 in 2020.
The Jets have to improve a defense that was 24th in total defense (387 yards per game) and 26th in scoring defense (28.6). But Ulbrich is excited about the defense’s potential, and he highlighted a few players he expects to shine.
CARL LAWSON
The Jets signed former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Carl Lawson to a three-year, $45 million contract in the early stages of free agency. Lawson had just six sacks in 2020, but he also had 32 quarterback hits — second in the NFL behind T.J Watt who had 41 — and 64 pressures according to Pro Football Focus. He’ll be one of the most important players on the defense.
Ulbrich explained why Lawson’s sack numbers seemed low with the Bengals.
“I think part of it’s the scheme,” Ulbrich said. “I think part of it is the guys that he’s playing with, this is not to speak about anybody in Cincinnati. I don’t know what their situation was inside. A lot of times edge rushers miss because quarterbacks can step up in the pocket.”
Ulbrich believes the Jets’ talent at interior defensive line should create collapsing pockets.
“In my opinion the combination of Quinnen [Williams] and Foley [Fatukasi] and Sheldon Rankins… I don’t know how much of a pocket there will be to step up into,” Ulbrich said. “So, from that standpoint, I think he could definitely have an increase in sacks.”
JARRAD DAVIS
After being a first round pick for the Lions in 2017, Davis struggled to make an impact in Detroit and only started four games in 2020.
Jets signed former Lions linebacker Davis to a one-year deal worth up to $7 million and the team is looking forward to this pairing. The plan is to utilize Davis’s athleticism. You could feel the excitement through the zoom call when Ulbrich discussed him.
“He’s a guy that, going back to when I was in Atlanta and he came out, I absolutely loved the makeup of the guy, and loved the player,” Ulbrich said. “Always was super hungry to get him within this system, put him on repeat, let him just master some technique. Let his speed, his running hit just go. That’s all starting to show up.”
Ulbrich is starting to see a rejuvenated Davis.
“His time for whatever the case may be, in the league, so far was not what he expected the NFL to be in,” Ulbrich said. “It just feels like we’re breathing new life into him and he’s just, he’s just improving every day… very excited about finally having that opportunity to work with him.”
CORNERBACKS
This unit has the most questions. Gang Green’s cornerback room has: Bryce Hall, Lamar Jackson, Javelin Guidry, Bless Austin, Isaiah Dunn, Brandin Echols, Jason Pinnock, Corey Ballentine, Justin Hardee, Zane Lewis and Michael Carter II.
Ulbrich understands developing this group will take time.
“I think just put them on repeat and not doing a lot,” Ulbrich said. “I think that will benefit them because they’re all young and they’re all inexperienced, but they’re all very willing and their workers… Excited about what we can find in that room.”
This method will allow them to master the few techniques the Jets will teach, which should lead to the best result.
“Being able to just keep doing the same thing over and over and over again,” Ulbrich said. “Whether it’s the line of scrimmage stuff, whether it’s the book technique, whether it’s the catch, all the different techniques that we asked them to do, they’re going to get to do these things over and over again. We’re not going to be saying ‘Okay you’re gonna play two man and up the trail guy, you’re not going to be playing lead position.’ It’s going to be just a few techniques, they’re going to put them on repeat, they’re going to master them and that’s the fastest way in my opinion to accelerate a young guy.”
