Some defensive standouts and letdowns
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Jets vs. Rams
Some Jets linebackers made good on Rex Ryan's defensive reputation Friday in the Jets' 23-20 loss to the Rams.
David Harris had three tackles in the first half, including a third-down sack of Marc Bulger on the opening drive. That was the first of three consecutive drives in which Bulger was dropped in the backfield.
Calvin Pace, who has been suspended for the first four games of the season for a violation of the league's performance-enhancing-drug policy, had a sack and four tackles.
"When you stop the run early and get the team in third-and-long situations, it's an opportunity for us to bring out our blitz package," linebacker Bart Scott said. "So if we continue to stop teams on first and second down, we can have fun and continue to get those types of plays on third down."
The Jets held the Rams to 29 yards in the first quarter, but the defense had multiple lapses in the second that led to two field goals. The Rams scored a touchdown in each of the final two quarters.
Scott, who signed a six-year deal in the offseason, wasn't often involved, nor were others Ryan brought with him from Baltimore, where he coached the league's second-ranked defense in 2008. Safety Jim Leonhard had one tackle. Scott said he saw room for improvement.
"The main thing is trust and learning how each player plays and learning how to fit and for us to get as many reps and be put in different situations, so we can realize how the man is playing," he said.
On the Rams' first possession of the second quarter, Bulger found wide receiver Laurent Robinson one-on-one with second-string cornerback Dwight Lowery down the right side and connected for 50 yards. Lowery, who had his hands all over Robinson, also was called for pass interference. The 58-yard drive ended in a field goal. Lowery finished with four tackles.
