Jets always on lookout for defensive backs
Jason Feller | Tags: 2010 Senior Bowl, Darrelle Revis, Kyle Wilson, Lito Sheppard, Mike Tannenbaum, New York Jets, Rex Ryan
MOBILE, Ala. — Just because the Jets have arguably the best cornerback in the game right now, Darrelle Revis, does not mean that the team is necessarily content to stand pat in the defensive backfield.
I was on the Sirrius set with Pat Kirwan and Tim Ryan as they interviewed Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum, and he emphasized that the secondary is an important priority for coach Rex Ryan.
“Being around Rex for a year, you know you think he wants — obviously he’s a blitzer by nature — big, tough, physical guys,” Tannenbaum said. “But he loves the defensive backs and he loves to be versatile back there (in the secondary).”
Tannenbaum went on to explain that “inconsistency” was the reason for Lito Sheppard not getting the start in last Sunday’s AFC Championship Game against the Colts, and reiterated that Ryan likes to have multliple options at the cornerback position.
While Tannenbaum did not directly address anything about his team’s needs or who he is targeting in the draft, he did answer a question about Boise State’s Kyle Wilson, who is attracting some attention here at Ladd Peebles Stadium for both his coverage skills and ability as a returner.
“Those guys are invaluable. From the standpoint of on the 45-man roster, the more jobs you can do (the better),” Tannenbaum said. “I think he certainly will play for a long time, and he has good ball skills.”
– Jason Feller


