Continuity is king on the Jets' defense.
The Green & White's most consistent unit has the rare distinction, in NFL terms, of having been together through the past two seasons. And although that continuity has been upset a bit, at least on the defensive line, ahead of Monday night's season opener at San Francisco, Pro Bowl linebacker/defensive end Jermaine Johnson is primed and ready for what's to come in Week 1 and beyond.
His mission, which he has accepted, is not to simply match his production in his breakout sophomore season in the NFL or to simply "get better every day."
"I want to be the best edge rusher in the NFL," Johnson said this week. "The best thing about the game of football is that you get to prove it, so that's my goal this week, That's my goal this year."
He took a giant step in that direction last season when he played in and started all 17 games, logged 7.5 sacks (No. 2 on the team), 16 QB hits, a fumble recovery and 55 tackles (36 solo). Not to be forgotten was his interception, against Cleveland and former Jets QB Joe Flacco, which he ran back 37 yards for a TD.
For all the strides he made, Johnson (6-5, 245) is determined to do even better.
Asked to assess his play last season, Johnson said: "It was alright. Not my standard."
"I had a lot of wasted movement off the ball in terms of pass rush and a lot of times I came off the ball without a plan, no counter move if my primary didn't work," Johnson said in a self-critique. "So just having quick moves and quick hands, I mean my physicality is my staple so just being able to go after that and build off of that."
He added: "I work my butt off [in the offseason] and try to push myself harder than I get pushed in camp so when I get here it's not as hard, but nothing can really replicate live action, reps, the physicality of the game. I've been in camp the whole time and get to go up against two tackles [Tyron Smith and Morgan Moses] I respect a lot. I'm ready to go and hope everyone else is."
As the back end of the Jets' elite defense -- the linebackers and the defensive backs -- has the usual suspects back, the D-line is not exactly a work in progress, but there have been changes. Bryce Hull (a team-leading 10 sacks) was signed in free agency by Philadelphia, John-Franklin Myers (3.5) was traded to Denver and Quinton Jefferson (6) signed with the Browns. The status of elite edge rusher Haason Reddick, acquired in a trade with Philadelphia, remains a question mark. Reddick's absence has put the spotlight on Johnson and second-year man Will McDonald IV, Micheal Clemons and former first-round pick Takk McKinley.
Johnson, 25, a native of Eden Prairie, MN, will have an opportunity on Monday night to at times get off against the 49ers' veteran offensive tackle Trent Williams, who recently ended his holdout.
"Look how decorated he is [11 trips to the Pro Bowl, first team All-Pro the past three seasons]," Johnson said. "You have to respect how he plays the game and how long and consistent he's played at that level. I'm excited for the opportunity." He added: "That's the beauty of being able to go against Tyron and Morgan [in practice]. If that move works, it builds confidence in me."
The Jets and Johnson are back in the spotlight on Monday night, one of six primetime games on their schedule. Johnson shrugged off any added significance to playing under the lights.
"As far as I'm concerned, we can play on a Tuesday morning and it all looks the same," he said.
