Jeff Ulbrich’s defense has been lacking in the turnover department so far this season.
The Jets have a -5 turnover ratio through their first five games. New York has forced four fumbles and has recovered three of them, but it has yet to come down with an interception — a maddening fact for Ulbrich.
Despite his frustration, Ulbrich has maintained the belief that it is only a matter of time before the Jets start picking off passes. Scheme comfort usually plays a role in a defense’s ability to generate turnovers and New York is still getting used to Ulbrich’s 4-3 system.
With five games plus the bye week in the books, Ulbrich is hopeful that his unit is on the verge of turning the corner with plenty of reps now under their belt.
“It’s for sure frustrating because I feel as though we really went back and tore the tape apart and we averaged about four opportunities per game where we should have picked that ball off and we should have finished and should’ve got it done,” Ulbrich said Thursday. “I think as we get more familiar with this defense, it just goes from doing my job to actually applying the information I learned during the week regarding my opponent.
“There comes that level of anticipation and really understanding where to take my shots and the spots within the game to make those plays. I think that will start to come. I’m not saying this as an excuse in any way, but we’re younger and the system is new. So, as these guys get more time on task for them and more experience, I think we’ll see a natural uptick in that.”
Mac Jones has thrown six interceptions in his first six games, making the Jets’ Week 7 trip to New England a prime opportunity for Ulbrich’s unit to break into the interception column. Pats OC Josh McDaniels usually calls a simplified game to keep things easy on his rookie quarterback, but if New York puts itself in the right position to anticipate plays, Sunday might be the day Gang Green’s secondary celebrates a pick.
