http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFLDraft/Draft+Day/2008/sohn1.htm Rare athlete fits in perfectly with Jets' complex 'D' By Matt Sohn April 26, 2008 Ever since Eric Mangini came to New York with his 3-4 defensive system, the Jets have needed to overhaul their front seven personnel. The players he inherited were brought in to run Herm Edwards? 4-3 scheme, and most were ill-equipped to handle their new roles. The Jets lacked a nose tackle, their middle linebacker was undersized and their outside linebackers didn?t have the requisite speed to wreak havoc off the edge. With the pick of Ohio State?s Vernon Gholston, the Jets are now a couple of DE acquisitions away from completing their defensive restoration. So far this offseason, they?ve added massive NT Kris Jenkins from Carolina and signed OLB Calvin Pace from Arizona, and have parted ways with perennially disappointing NT Dewayne Robertson and ILB Jonathan Vilma. And that?s why this was the absolute best pick the Jets could have made in the sixth slot. Gholston fits the system. A defensive end in college, his game translates very well to outside linebacker, where he?ll form a potent bookend with Pace. The 3-4 is a tricky system to run. It?s more technically complicated than the majority of 4-3 schemes, and requires great coaching and a more narrow range of personnel to properly execute. But if a team does have the right personnel, it affords more flexibility to the ?D,? and will ultimately lead to greater productivity. The Jets have the coaching with Mangini ? like him personally or not, Mangini knows defense. And when presented with the rare player who personifies exactly what it means to be a 3-4 outside linebacker, the Jets made the wise choice to pounce on him. Is outside linebacker the Jets? biggest need? Not necessarily. RB Jonathan Stewart, the top running back on PFW?s board, would have also played a critical role in bringing the Jets back up to playoff contention. But, as good as Stewart is, he plays a position that the Jets can address in a later round and still get a good player. There are no more Gholston-esque players available after the physical freak from Ohio State. A season ago, the Jets hit home runs with their first two picks, CB Darrelle Revis in the first round and ILB David Harris in the second round, both of whom they traded up to get. With Gholston now in New York, Mangini has hit another one out of the park. Excellent selection.
"the Jets are now a couple of DE acquisitions away from completing their defensive restoration." I don't agree with this at all and it is pretty stupid if you ask me. #1- The Jets signed Kenyon Coleman to play DE just last offseason. #2- Shaun Ellis is a good leader and played well in the 3-4 his rookie season notching 8.5sacks. #3- The one and ONLY reason or DE's stuggled last season was? You guessed it...Dewayne Slobertson. Dewayne Robertson was handled easily and NEVER occupied two blockers. A NT in the 3-4 must do this and Dewayne never did that. Our DE's were getting their asses kicked on a regular basis. #4- Kris Jenkins adds the element to the NT position that we DESPERATELY needed. This defense will be as good as Kris Jenkins plays next season. We don't need no stinking Defensive ends! This defense is ready to play like a top 10 defense this year.
I still don't people saying the Jets needed a RB. The combo of TJ & LW can get it done... hell look what they did with no line or passing game.
The jets are a CB and another safety away from being a complete defense, but will need and upgrade for Barton by next year as well.
Yeah, I can see why people wanted DMac, since he's such an explosive player. I wanted Jonathan Stewart if the FO really did want a RB, since it would have meant picking up additional draft picks in the process of trading down. RB wasn't a need position, though. Our draft turned out well the way it went.
I agree that a major upgrade at NT was necessary. I also believe that our DEs will have a chance to perform on an entirely different level, if Chris Jenkins actually does what he says he's known for, "Not Moving". If Chris Jenkins paralyzes the opponent's OL in place, then we our DEs will succeed in their one-on-one match ups. Chris Jenkins' paralysis of the middle of the opponent's OL will change the equation radically for the LBs as well. The undersized Vilma never had a chance because he will rarely shielded from marauding OGs who outweighed him 120 lbs. coming out to bash him. If you think David Harris did well last year, wait until the middle of the opponent's OL is truly stymied.
I disagree with this -- Justin Miller, Drew Coleman, David Barrett, and Dwight Lowery will compete for the opposite CB to Revis. Who is to say we don't have a good nickel, a good CB, and a good Dime amongst these guys? It's too early to tell. Miller, Coleman, and Barrett all have something to prove. And the rookie definitely has something to prove -- Lowery's timed 40s at the Combine and at his Pro Day were ruined by a hamstring injury that was not healed until after his Pro Day . There is also an interesting competition brewing amongst the ILBs -- While David Harris is set, Eric Barton, David Bowens, Kassell, Chatham, and Pace will all be seen vying for the other ILB spot. These competitions are meant to improve every one of these players and yield a better level of ILB play on the field. We can certainly say that the NYJ CS has a lot more talent to work with this year than they had last year. So far the off-season is starting off as well as it can for the NYJs, in my view.
In the past week all the nay sayers from ESPN and PFT have went from "does Jenkins want to play in a 3-4? Feneca old? Pace overpriced and Gholston overated" to "Jenkins is a run stuffer, Feneca is an anchor, and Pace and Gholston will be stars. The Jets are so hot right now.
Kenyon Coleman >>>>>>>> Shaun Ellis. Coleman was one of 2 or 3 possible players last year who held their own on D. Oh, and by the way, he was playing next to Robertson, who is used as the crutch for other players when their gameplay dropped off. I was the biggest Ellis fan years ago. However, as the years have gone on, you quickly realize that he's an aging, overpaid, borderline mediocre player.
Was Jenkins worth a 3rd and 5th pick? Yes Am i excited to have a guy like him in middle? Hellz yes Will he play well in his new role of run stuffer at NT? Goddam, i hope so. Jenkins performance in 08 is the key to this whole offseason, draft included. Faneca is a very close second. I'm real excited, but i still need to see it all work first. Can't wait really..
