Jets have big-hitter Pryor working on finishing tackles

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Calvin Pryor made himself known among the college ranks as a big hitter. In the pro ranks, tacking is one of his bigger hurdles.

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan says Gang Green's first round safety, who lost his starting job to Jaiquawn Jarrett two weeks ago, is getting back to basics on wrapping up.

"It starts with tackling," Ryan said Monday, via Newsday. "You have to get guys on the ground. He gets some great shots. He is a good tackler, but you have to get them down in space, especially when you have that much room and that is not easy.

Jets' Jarrett earns promotion during Pryor's benching

BY NICK ST. DENIS

New York Jets coach Rex Ryan didn't deny a report that rookie safety Calvin Pryor was recently benched for being late to meetings, but he wasn't about to take anything away from Pryor's replacement.

Pryor only saw action on special teams Sunday in the Jets' upset win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Meanwhile, veteran Jaiquawn Jarrett blew things up in Pryor's absence, snagging two interceptions, recording a sack and recovering a fumble.

Rex goes into detail about workings at safety

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Rex Ryan mixes defensive players like Walter White mixes chemicals.

Ryan is working with more than half a dozen new starters on defense yet is still leading a unit ranked second in the league in yards-per-game. The Jets have been exceptional up front, but the secondary has been in flux.

While Gang Green has been dealing with injuries at cornerback, Ryan has taken a more by-committee approach at safety by design.

"We feel good about our safety group. We’ll always do what we think is best, what the matchups are or whatever," Ryan told the media Thursday, via NewYorkJets.com. ". . . I think you teach the system and you kind of plug guys in. 'This week you’re going to be in base, you’re going to be in sub' or vice versa."

How Jets' safety competition is shaping up

BY NICK ST. DENIS

Dawan Landry was an instant starter the second the New York Jets signed the veteran safety and brother of former Jet LaRon Landry.

The other safety job, however, was expected to be between Josh Bush, Antonio Allen and Jaiquawn Jarrett. That competition is now down to two.

Jets coach Rex Ryan told reporters Monday that Bush is slotted as Landry's backup, leaving Allen and Jarrett to fight over the open gig. Manish Mehta of the NY Daily News tweeted that it "sounds like" Allen is leading the race.