After reviewing the film from the Jets' Week 1 loss to the 49ers, Pro Bowl pass rusher Jermaine Johnson stood up in front of the rest of the Jets' defense in a team meeting Wednesday and took responsibility for his uncharacteristic performance.
"The game just wasn't up to our standard," Johnson said. "Obviously, you get embarrassed, whatever, it's out there. It is what it is. Now, how are you going to take it? Are you going to be a finger pointer or a thumb pointer? That's something that I take very seriously and the first thing I did was address it."
Last season, the Jets' defense allowed the 11th-fewest rushing touchdowns (14) and yards per attempt (4.1) in the league. In Week 1, the entire unit underperformed, as the Niners rushed for 180 yards (4.7) including 147 and a touchdown from RB Jordan Mason.
"Credit to them," Johnson said. "They have very talented played on that side of the ball, but all that success, those are scheme and technique things. It is not a lack of talent. That is why I say I am very confident because of the character of the guys we have in this locker room and character of myself. I get to watch film, and I get to understand what I can fix and do better."
With a game against the Titans on Sunday, the Jets 'defense has needed to turn the page quickly. That started with Johnson and other defenders on the D-line holding themselves, and each other accountable for their shortcomings Monday night, and in turn, finding ways to correct the issues.
"I stood up and was like, 'I'm sorry ya'll, I let ya'll down,' " Johnson said. "The edges were not what they should've been on my part. All I can do is be a thumb pointer, look at film, see how I can fix it, and I mean that's what I'm doing, and that's what I'm pretty sure every guy in this locker room is doing.
"Monday night is not normal for us and nevertheless we put that on tape. We have to go out there this week and put that to bed pretty quick which I have full confidence that we will do."
Johnson registered 2 tackles and a pressure against the Niners, his fewest pressures in a game since Week 11 of last season. In addition, the Jets had 3 sacks as a team, with only one coming from a defensive lineman. With a few tweaks, Johnson is confident there will be a different result against Tennessee.
"I will speak for myself, technique-wise and the angles they were giving the offense a better way to capture the edge," Johnson. "Especially myself I will speak for, that if I fix a couple techniques and a couple of angles then I will protect defense on the edge much better."
The Titans will be coming off their own Week 1 loss to the Bears, 24-17, on the road. They rushed for 140 yards including 82 and a touchdown from Tony Pollard, acquired from the Cowboys over the offseason. Second-year QB Will Levis, a big and physical signal caller, threw for 127 yards, a touchdown, an interception and added 26 yards on the ground.
"[Levis] is a talented athlete that can protect the ball pretty well," Johnson said. "Just watching film and understanding some things about him, he is one of those guys that when things aren't going his way he can panic a little early. We just have to figure out how we can get him to that point as a defense and capitalize off it."
