Jets Stacking Up on Defense

It has been a pretty tremendous couple of days if you are a New York Jets fan. The team, which clearly had huge holes on the defensive end all of last season, has bolstered their roster since signing former-Ravens Defensive Coordinator Rex Ryan. After nabbing former-Raven Bart Scott and trading for former-Eagle Lito Sheppard, the Jets added Jim Leonhard, another Raven from last season, to their secondary today. All-in-all, Jets fans have to be happy with all three signings.

Leonhard agreed to a three-year deal on Tuesday. He has the tools to be a good safety and will start alongside Kerry Rhodes. That's a pretty good safety combo. Leonhard hasn't been the most consistent starter, but last year was a big player late in the season for the Ravens. He is familiar with Ryan's defense and that will likely help him in his transition to New York.

The Jets traded for Sheppard and only gave up a couple draft picks. Sheppard is a very good cornerback and will slot in nicely with rising star Darrelle Revis in the secondary. Sheppard wanted out of Philly for a while, and now he gets the chance for a fresh start. The Jets corners and safeties had big problems last year, especially in the second half, covering receivers and making big plays. Sheppard is the type of playmaking corner that can improve these problems.

Finally, Bart Scott was brought in to help the linebacking core with a 6-year, $48 million deal. While his numbers have decreased slightly over the last two seasons, he is a solid blitzer and will be the true fixture in the center of the Jets' defense. He'll likely start as a middle-linebacker with David Harris to give the Jets another solid combo at that position. He has the familiarity with Rex Ryan which is another added bonus and will no doubt be the go-to guy on the Jets defense.

Jets fans should celebrate these signings, but there are still a few question marks with the team. Is Kellen Clemens really going to be the quarterback? Can Leon Washington be a solid enough back behind Thomas Jones or do the Jets relegate him to the kick returner role and get another RB? Another wide receiver to replace Laveranues Coles? And is the defensive line good enough to put pressure on the opposing QB? They certainly weren't last year.

My predictions: Clemens is the QB, Jets get another RB but Leon starts the season as the #2, They absolutely get another wide-out, and I think the D-Line stays the same as the linebackers and even safeties will do a lot of blitzing this season. But then again, that's just my take. Let me know what you think!!