FanHouse DavidHarris

Every Play Counts is Michael David Smith's weekly look at one specific player or one aspect of a team on every single play of the previous game.

In an installment of Every Play Counts last month, I wrote about how the New York Jets' defense had dominated the Buffalo Bills' offense, and specifically how defensive tackle Kris Jenkins was a practically unstoppable presence in the middle of the line. The Bills finished that November game with just 30 rushing yards on 17 carries, and the Jets' defense looked like it could lead them deep into the postseason.

And then in Sunday's Jets-Bills rematch, Buffalo ran 32 times for 187 yards and two touchdowns, and the Jets' defense looked like it had no business playing in the postseason at all. Although Bills quarterback J.P. Losman ended up giving the game to the Jets with five turnovers, including three in the final 2:06 of the fourth quarter, the Jets' run defense was a mess.

So what's gone wrong? And can the Jets count on their run defense to lead them in the playoffs? We explore in this week's installment of Every Play Counts.

Training camps are underway, the NFL season is a month off, and to get you ready for 2008, FanHouse previews all 32 teams, "heat index" style. We'll rate each club in 10 categories on a scale of 1 to 10, high score wins.

Quarterback: Chad Pennington enters 2008 trying to prove yet again that he -- wait, what? Who? Really? Didn't he retire? Oh. I see. It doesn't seem like Brett Favre wants to play in New York this year, he's basically said so much in the most diplomatic way possible, which means this is the year where Favre stops having fun. This is the year he stops looking like a kid again, to support the cliche. And it can be argued that that magic has perpetuated itself, and has been the reason Favre is still considered -- rightfully or not -- one of the best quarterbacks in the league. Without it, I can imagine 2008 being a disaster for Favre -- bad play and missed games. And then the New York media jumps in and the misery just compounds. That's how I see 2008 rolling. Oh, plus, they don't have a decent backup quarterback. Heat Index: 6

The Jets have a pretty long history of failing in the draft (one of my favorite YouTube videos of all time, particularly the mortified "Oh no!!!!" that rings out at the :38 mark). But they got it right with Jonathan Vilma. At least, it was right at the time.

Under Donnie Henderson's 4-3, Vilma excelled -- Rookie of the Year one year, a Pro Bowl alternate the next. Then Eric Mangini came in, switched to a 3-4, and Vilma stopped being productive. And healthy. So, with free agency looming next year and Vilma sure to depart, the Jets are trying to get whatever compensation they can for him now.

They've informed Vilma that he can seek trade opportunities, which would also require his new team to sign him to an extension. Coming off microfracture surgery on his knee, Vilma will begin running full-speed next month, and his ultimate health will determine the market, and what price the Jets could command. I wouldn't be surprised to see him moved for something like a conditional fourth-rounder that can jump to a third based on playing time and a second based on production.

The Saints and Jaguars -- two 4-3 teams -- are considered potential suitors, though I don't expect to get anything done until closer to the draft, as teams will want to see what progress Vilma has made in his recovery. If healthy, and in the right system, this can be an impact move. As for his replacement, David Harris, it looks like the Jets hit on that draft pick.

As we get ready for the Patriots-Giants Super Bowl, FanHouse is looking back at each team's 2007 first-round pick. Here's a look at the 14th pick in the draft, cornerback Darrelle Revis.

When you're 1-8, success becomes a relative thing. Nothing is going to save your season so you just want to see enough signs of growth down the stretch to make you believe the entire year isn't a waste. The Jets found themselves in just that position and the last three weeks have discovered that there might be a few diamonds in the rough on their defense.

Sandwiched around a disaster in Dallas have been the team's two strongest defensive games of the year. That's a positive sign as the season plays out, especially since the improvement has coincided with increased playing time for several new players. David Harris and Darrelle Revis, the first two draft picks, have gotten much of the notice but others have contributed as well. On the defensive line, C.J. Mosley has 2.5 sacks and two forced fumbles since the bye week while Sione Pouha has recorded 10 tackles in the same period. That's more production than Dewayne Robertson was giving for about 10 times the price.

Throw in resurgent play from Bryan Thomas, Shaun Ellis and Victor Hobson and you've got a defensive revival. All of those guys play in the front seven and when they do their job the ripples can be felt all over the field. Kerry Rhodes spent the first half of the year unable to be the playmaker who opened eyes in 2006 but has been back in that role because the guys in front of him are doing their jobs. Corners are helped when the pass rush is working and the entire unit can show its teeth.

There are two caveats to this improved play. The first is that last week's game was against Miami, a gaping chasm of awfulness and the second is that the same thing happened in 2006. The Jets entered the bye as a subpar defensive club and played the second half as one of the best units in the league. Then they fell flat on their face to start this season so it's much too soon to start counting any chickens. They've stopped laying eggs, though, and that's a start.

With Al Wilson out in Denver, the job turns to finding his replacement. Wilson was unusually popular, so much so that owner Pat Bowlen, on a personal level, was sad to see him go:

"I was pretty close to Al, personally ... I don't really get that close to a lot of players but I had a good relationship with Al... I don't think there was any option for us, or maybe Al, until he gets his neck straightened out. I don't know if wants to play this year. Maybe next year. But he was a very important part of our team for eight years. You don't get a better leader than Al."

But as we're constantly reminded, the NFL is a business, and the Broncos must get down to the business of finding Wilson's replacement. The Denver Post's Mike Klis says the team has three options: (1) Draft Michigan MLB David Harris, (2) Move D.J. Williams from outside to inside linebacker, (3) Sign a free agent like former Falcons Ed Hartwell.

Each of these options comes with risks -- Harris would be a rookie trying to adjust to the NFL on the fly; Williams has never played MLB; Hartwell, though 28, has an injury history -- and none are as appealing as keeping a healthy Al Wilson.