Calvin Pace Returns

by John B on Oct 6, 2009 8:00 AM EDT

Calvin Pace returned to work from his 4 game suspension on Monday:

'Man, I've never been so happy to see 58 guys in my life,'' Pace said. ''Being away from the game is tough. People asked me, 'Man, why are you home? Don't you have a game today?' And, I had to explain to them why.''

Coach Rex Ryan was pretty excited to see his pass-rushing standout back at the team's training facility.

''I wasn't going to kiss him on the lips,'' Ryan said, smiling, ''but I thought about it.''

Pace participated in training camp and preseason games, but was banned from contact with the team after being suspended in July without pay for testing positive for a banned substance.

''It really humbled me,'' said Pace, who'll practice for the first time Wednesday. ''When you're not playing and you don't have what you love to do, and you're not doing it, it's tough. I'm just happy to be back.''

After he was alerted at the end of last season of the test result, Pace sent in the supplements he took to the league, but lost his appeal. He hasn't specified what he took, only saying it was ''something that you can get at any GNC.''

Think about how good this defense has been the first quarter of the season. Some really good offenses like the Titans, Patriots, and Saints have been totally shut down. All of this came without the best pass rusher in the lineup.

Based on what we've seen, how good will the Jets become? Will this team end the year as the top unit in the league?

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Pace is back!

LB’s have been great, as expected, but a rested Calvin Pace is gonna be even scarier! Keep foaming at the mouth boys!!

by jcgamble on Oct 6, 2009 8:16 AM EDT reply actions

hopefully the DBs

will be healthy, too!
i’d like to see sheppard and strickland back, even though they actually did OK without them.

and the home of the... JETS!!!

by dvdvil on Oct 6, 2009 9:42 AM EDT reply actions

Health will be key

If the main components of the D can stay healthy (Revis, Jenkins, Harris and Scott) then this is going to be one scary unit. Having Pace back on the field is just gonna create even more confusion and pandemonium for opposing offenses, can’t wait to squish the fish on monday!

by billbraski on Oct 6, 2009 10:14 AM EDT reply actions

Pace is going to make a great unit even better

I really wish sheppard and strickland were back as well, but the Jets defense right now is a force to be reckoned with. A fully healthy unit + Pace might be unstoppable

"I reject your reality and substitute my own"
-Adam Savage

by blueandorange4life on Oct 6, 2009 12:19 PM EDT reply actions

Pace is going to be rusty as hell on Monday night.

Current Phinsider Feud Points: 23

by Patssuck456 on Oct 6, 2009 12:43 PM EDT reply actions

We know about Jets D...

now let’s find out about Pace. If I were Ryan I’d consider dropping him in Thomas’ place. Pace has shown to be a better rusher and Gholston can use up three blockers if nothing else. I think Gholston can pose a greater challenge to an o-line than thomas.

If Pace doesn’t excel at some point this season with this defensive squad than he’s never going to.

by Bro Namath on Oct 6, 2009 1:43 PM EDT reply actions