Jets X-Factor · Jul 15, 2021
5 common misconceptions about the New York Jets defense
Getty ImagesThese 5 common claims about Robert Saleh and Jeff Ulbrich’s 2021 New York Jets defense are not entirely correct.
The Jets will have 3 “starting” linebackers
The 4-3 defense gets its namesake from the personnel up front – 4 defensive linemen, 3 linebackers.
That description is a tad misleading regarding what it tells us about overall playing time at the linebacker position. Yes, there are three linebackers on the field when a team throws out a classic 4-3 look, but that does not necessarily mean a team employing a 4-3 base defense will have three ‘backers on the field for most of the game. Most 4-3 teams do not use their linebackers this way.
