Mike Pettine appeared on "Jets Talk LIVE" Thursday and we took a number of fan questions for the Jets DC including one from Dakota. Who was stepping up in the leadership department with CB Darrelle Revis out of action?
To no surprise, Pettine mentioned Antonio Cromartie on the back end and he also praised LB Bart Scott for battling through a painful foot injury. But a third player Pettine highlighted was a rookie linebacker, a third-rounder from Arkansas State who will suit up in his sixth NFL game Sunday.
"The other source of inspiration that we've gotten — which has surprised some people, but didn't surprise some of us especially on the coaching staff — is Demario Davis," Pettine said. "He addressed the team before the game in the locker room. He's a rookie, but doesn't act like one."
Certainly not. This is my 13th season working in the NFL and I have never heard of a rookie putting himself out there like that in front of the team. Davis, who is a core specials team performer for the Jets and a sub player on defense, is a person to keep your eye on as 2012 unfolds.
"If you just came here and didn't know who he was and just observed a day in the life, you'd be shocked to find out he was a rookie," Pettine said. "He's a kid who's mature beyond his years and has just natural leadership ability. He's stepped it up, he's backed it up with his play and guys respect that."
Pettine's No. 6 ranked pass defense will challenge the Colts No. 6 ranked pass offense Sunday at MetLife Stadium. The Colts have a heralded rookie leading their offensive attack in signalcaller Andrew Luck.
"You can just tell — he's the real deal," said the Jets DC. "He has all the skills, he can make all the throws, he knows where to go with the ball where the coverage dictates and he's also not afraid to pull it down and run with it. I think he's deceptive that way that he has a little bit of (Ben) Roethlisberger in him, that he can make guys miss and he has a couple of guys bouncing off of him. When he sees man coverage and sees defensive backs with their backs turned, he's not afraid to pull it down, make a guy miss and get out of the pocket."
Click the Video Player to watch our entire interview with Coach Pettine.
Jets Replay Will Wrap up Week 6If you just woke up from a long autumn snooze, here is a key programming note to keep in mind. Our official postgame show — "Jets Replay" — will air live on newyorkjets.com 20 minutes after the Jets and Colts Week 6 battle ends. The show is brought to you by your local Tri-State BMW centers.
Fan questions/comments — from CoveritLive, @nyjets and Facebook.com/Jets — will be integrated throughout. You are part of our content, so take advantage of the opportunity. Just ask Dakota!
**Fans can download the New York Jets Official App** to their smartphones by texting the word JETS to 51288 or by searching "Official New York Jets" on iTunes, Android Market or Blackberry App World.
