Drew Coleman's sack of Tom Brady an example of pressure Jets DB must apply on Ben Roethlisberger
Drew Coleman, the Jets' cornerback who dashed from Tom Brady's blind side, lowered his aim so as to ensure knocking Brady off balance only to wind up somersaulting over him once he sacked him Sunday, can still feel the aftereffect.
"It's a good pain, though,"
Coleman said Monday, listing his neck and shoulder among the sore points.
Coleman has created opportunities against bigger-name quarterbacks this season, especially throughout the last month. On Dec. 19, in the Jets' 22-17 win over the Steelers, Coleman toppled Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on blitzes, two of which led to strip-sacks. His presence as a playmaker will be necessary if the Jets are to jilt the second-seeded Steelers in the AFC Championship Game on Sunday night.
"I think Drew figured out how to get to Ben best,"
Rex Ryan said. "Just get in there because it's tough to get him down. He's a giant."
The Jets' secondary situation was less certain at the time, still maneuvering to make up for the loss of safety Jim Leonhard to a broken leg on Dec. 3. Coleman claimed more playing time with 10 tackles and an ability to disrupt Pittsburgh's passing attack with speed off the edge. Eric Smith, another safety, also missed that game, but will be healthy as well.
"We have to frustrate them,"
Coleman said of the Steelers.
The Jets have overcome two of the game's top quarterbacks the last two weeks and Roethlisberger will provide another threat as he occupies more space and time than most. Coleman shook off any suggestion that his unit will not be prepared this time, especially with Smith back and playing sharp again.
"This is Mission Impossible 3,"
Coleman said.
Coleman received a scare last week when he injured a knee during practice, but he was able to recover in time to be part of the Jets' 11-DB brigade against the Patriots. With Antonio Cromartie and Darrelle Revis able to be physical with Patriots wideouts on the outside, Coleman cultivated opportunities to slip through crevices in the pass-block scheme and pressure Brady.
"The pressure was constant,"
Coleman said. "That's what we need more of again."
PARTING BRADY SHOT
There was nothing but respect for Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger coming from the Jets Monday, but DE Trevor Pryce added one last swipe at Patriots quarterback Tom Brady in his praise. "I've seen him get hit and get hit and come back again,"
Pryce said. "And the thing is, unlike Brady, he can run. Brady, I think my daughter could outrun him, the poor guy."
