The New York Jets have learned that star cornerback Darrelle Revis will miss the remainder of the 2012 NFL season with a torn ACL. This is a big blow to the team, and now head coach Rex Ryan and his staff will have to plan accordingly if they hope to contend for the playoffs in 2012. This is still a talented team with plenty of potential, but they may need to change their philosophies moving forward.
Here is what SB Nation's Jets blog, Gang Green Nation, had to say about the team's chances and what must change in the coming months.
Even with Revis, our defense wasn't exactly playing up to par. We have been gashed continuously on the ground. When it comes to getting big stops, those have been nonexistent also. This was a slightly above AVG defense at best. Now that we are without Revis for the rest of the season, things look very dire on D.
With very little to be excited about on defense, the only hope the 2012 Jets have is on offense. I know the idea of relying on our offense seems like a lost cause, but it is all we have. [...] This is your team Mark (Sanchez), not Revis'. Grab your teammates, bring them together, and put them on your back.
The Jets' upcoming slate of games is brutal, beginning with home games against the 49ers and Texans. Following a home visit with the Colts, the team heads to New England to take on the Patriots. The defense will need to step up in a big way, and as Gang Green Nation suggests, Mark Sanchez needs to emerge as the leader of the franchise.
For more on the Jets and Revis' injury, check out Gang Green Nation.