D.J. Reed told reporters on Monday that the Jets defense has a chance to be as strong a unit as the historic 1985 Bears, or the Seahawks’ Legion of Boom in 2013 when they won the Super Bowl.
Some saw it as a rallying cry to be pumped up for another season of drastic improvement by Gang Green’s defense, but Evan said it was a display of confidence that went too far.
“There are certain things you shouldn’t say or bring up,” Evan said. “While I like D.J. Reed - and he had a tremendous year last year - when I hear D.J. Reed basically say, ‘We’re gonna be the ’85 Bears,’ now the hype, that I’ve embraced and have been pumped up for, now it’s a little too much. The ’85 Bears?!
“Last year, this defense, which made incredible improvements, forced two turnovers the final eight weeks of the year. This defense gave up a fourth down, 51-yard touchdown pass to a tight end in Detroit that no one has ever heard of…and don’t get me started about Seattle, when the Seahawks marched down the field, Kenneth Walker is still running, on four or five plays to score a touchdown on the opening drive, and scored in their first three possessions.”
The Jets defense became a top-five unit last season after being one of the worst in the league the year before, and Evan would like to see some more signs of improvement before members of the team start comparing their defense to the best of all time.
“This defense has a lot to prove,” Evan said. “Before we get to the ’85 Bears or the 2000 Ravens or the Legion of Boom, can we at least not lose our last six games, or force only two turnovers in the last eight weeks? This is the first comment - nothing that Aaron Rodgers has said - that makes me physically nervous. The ’85 Bears? Seriously?”
