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Rex: First Round Pick Pryor Has Yet To Make Expected Impact For Jets

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- The "Louisville Slugger" has lacked some pop.

The Jets selected safety Calvin Pryor 18th overall in this year's draft based on his prowess for big hits and responsible play against both the pass and the run during his time at Louisville.

But with the Jets 1-6 and their trademark defense wildly inconsistent, few on that side of the ball have been immune to criticism.

Pryor's boss, head coach Rex Ryan, expressed concern Thursday over his rookie safety's quiet first half of the season.

Pryor "hasn't necessarily had the impact we all had hoped," Ryan said.

Ryan, however, did point out that part of the reason why Pryor has been a bit inconspicuous out there has been due to schemes.

The Jets pride themselves on their defense, but since free agency the general feeling has been general manager John Idzik failed miserably to address cornerback. The Jets chose not to re-engage with Darrelle Revis and let Antonio Cromartie sign with the Arizona Cardinals . They responded by signing Dmitri Patterson, who turned out to be a total disaster, and initially relied on second-year Dee Milliner and third-round pick Dexter McDougle, who are now both out for the season.

As a result, the Jets continue to have a converted safety in Antonio Allen on one side and a career backup in Darrin Walls on the other, thus forcing safeties Pryor and Dawan Landry to provide more support than originally intended.

Pryor has 31 tackles, including 16 solo, and half a sack this season.

The Jets and their 15th-ranked defense against the pass will take on the Buffalo Bills (4-3) on Sunday at MetLife Stadium.

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