By Luciano F. Rapa

Featured writer for Sideline Report covering the Jets

A closer look at the New York Jets Roster …… Defense Part 2 of 2

 

The last of my 4-part Jets Roster insight; I know, if you are not a jet fan, or simply a Jets Hater, this sucks. The defense is this team’s bread and butter, as long as Rex is the HC…and that is what makes me root for Rex; NY Jets haters hate defense, NY Jets lovers love it. The 2014 NY Jets will be among the best defensive teams in the NFL. I do not think the Jets will be a major factor in 2014, but I do think that defense gets you to the dance before offense does. THANK YOU SEATTLE!!!

     

     

1. Linebackers… Antwan Barnes, Nick Bellore, Quinton Coples, Jermaine Cunningham, DeMario Davis, Troy Davis, Tim Fugger, David Harris, Josh Mauga, Garrett McIntyre, Calvin Pace

a. Barnes, what a shame!!! Barnes was signed to provide outside edge pressure. Unfortunately he got hurt, and never really contributed. Barnes is gone, unless he can really impress the HC and he is healthy.

b. Coples, he is an enigma. I am willing to bet all the haters on this blog, will be hasty to say…he is a flop. WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, you have to watch Jets games to appreciate the improvements made by Coples. He began his career injured, then he was asked to move to OLB, because of need. The kid has done just that, he has accepted it all, and he grew at OLB as the season moved along. Because of Wilks and Richardson, he has sort of gone under the radar. I expect the biggest improvement on D, to come from Coples. Jets could be lethal if Coples becomes effective at OLB……..Good luck Mr. Brady, Tannehill and the Trifecta  in Buffalo!

c. DeMario Davis is so good, the NFL is not really paying attention…. yet! When he got drafted a year ago, people laughed at Rex for comparing him to Lewis, the Ray kind that is. Davis played football at a tiny school in Arkansas. Great job by the Jets for drafting what will become their leader on D for years to come…Rex, you were right!!!! Davis is that good!

d. Harris is probably the most underrated player in the AFCE. He has played solid football from the day he stepped on to the field. The Jets rewarded him with a huge contract because of it, Harris is a field general, and in my opinion the best interior LB in this weak division.

e. Pace is a freak of nature; he was cut, nobody wanted him. Rex knew his worth and signed him back at a minimal CAP number. Pace, the forever reliable one responded. Calvin had a tremendous year, I fully expect him back. The young kids should listen to this quite leader, and learn the game from him.

f. Bellore, Mauga and McIntyre have been back ups that have developed within. They are key role players. All three are easily back, since they have filled in at starting roles at one time or another. Also huge contributors on Special Teams.

g. Cunnigham is another ex Patriot we have on this defense. He has all the tools to prove Rex that he can play here, if not, see ya, no biggie.

h. Fugger and Troy Davis are fill ins. They have been around the NFL last two years. I expect neither to stick unless its on the PS.

The Jets LBs are a good group, but not complete. The system is designed to have edge rushers. Pace filled in amazingly last season, but the Jets were counting on Barnes, that didn’t materialize. Coples is a first year LB, and he emerged as the season went on. Jets will draft one more threat on the edge, and together with Coples, and Pace filling in, this could be the biggest improvement on the division’s best Defense.

   

     

     

#	Player		Age	Height	Weight	Year exp.	College
95	Antwan Barnes	LB	29	6-1	251	8	Florida International
54	Nick Bellore	LB	24	6-1	250	4	Central Michigan
98	Quinton Coples	LB	23	6-6	290	3	North Carolina
55	Jermaine Cunningham	LB	25	6-3	255	5	Florida
56	DeMario Davis	LB	25	6-2	239	3	Arkansas State
58	Troy Davis	LB	23	6-2	251	2	Central Florida
—	Tim Fugger	LB	24	6-4	248	1	Vanderbilt
52	David Harris	LB	30	6-2	250	8	Michigan
53	Josh Mauga	LB	26	6-1	245	5	Nevada
50	Garrett McIntyre	LB	29	6-3	255	4	Fresno State
97	Calvin Pace	LB	33.0	6-4	265	12.0	Wake Forest
	Totals		26	6.3	254	5

 

      

1. Defensive Line… T.J. Barnes, Leger Douzable, Kenrick Ellis, Tevita Finau, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison, Muhammad Wilkerson

a. Douzable is a rarity in football. One of those players that play huge, but nobody knows who he is. The man has played incredibly well filling in all along the DL. He is FA, but I would be shocked if he is not back. The front three get all the glory, but Douzable was the glue that made it all work….Please bring him back!

b. Ellis has been a story from day one. He is huge, and a load to move on that interior line. Ellis is a quite role player that was part of one of the best “against the run” defensive units in the NFL.

c. The big three need to be addressed together. Harrison (Snack) is the wall in the middle. He is formidable against any center in this league. It is not coincidence that once Pettine left and Rex allowed this young man to play, the Jets D was among the best on stopping the run. Richardson (DEFENSIVE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR) is part of the “Revis gift that keeps on giving”. In College the young man was known as a run stopper and inside pass rusher with relentless speed. He did not disappoint. I remember watching Mr. kipper on draft day, and he said “ Jets are reaching with this pick, does anyone in Jets Land know what they are doing?” Memo to ESPN and Kiper “Go get a real job!, yes we do!!!!!” Then we get to the best DL in the NFL, yes best, screw you Suh! Mo is amazing and still learning. OMG! Do I feel bad for QBs in 2014.

d. Barnes, Finau? Who the heck are these guys? No chance, see ya! This is a tough unit to crack!!!

This is by far the most accomplished unit on this team, offense or defense. I have not been this excited about a Jet DL since Klecko, Lyons, Salaam and Gastineau (The NY Sack Exchange). These guys are incredibly talented and yet to reach their potential. The Jets fortunes will start and end at the line of scrimmage, and we already know we can control the opponents OL.

     

     

#	Player		Age	Height	Weight	Years Exp.	College
—	T.J. Barnes	DT	23	6-7	364	1	Georgia Tech
78	Leger Douzable	DT	27	6-4	284	7	Central Florida
93	Kenrick Ellis	DT	26	6-4	346	4	Hampton
92	Tevita Finau	DT	28	6-5	288	1	Utah
91	Sheldon Richardson	DT	23	6-3	294	2	Missouri
94	Damon Harrison	DL	25	6-4	350	3	William Penn
96	Muhammad Wilkerson	DL	24	6-4	315	4	Temple
	Average		25.1	5’11”	275	3.1