Jamaal Westerman Takes on a Leadership Role

by John B on Aug 23, 2009 11:34 AM EDT

Jamaal Westerman was one of the hits of training camp. The Post talks about how the rookie is taking a bigger role on defense.

What hasn't the 6-foot-3, 260-pound Westerman done? A defensive end at Rutgers, he's been moved to outside linebacker, then inside linebacker and now calls plays on the field for the second team. Rutgers coach Greg Schiano's penchant for having his defenders learn the whole scheme instead of just their assignments is serving Westerman well.

It's very impressive to see a rookie have such command of a complicated playbook to be making the calls.

This is the kind of thing that makes me really excited for Rex Ryan. A lot of people dismiss the job he did in Baltimore because of all the talent he was handed on defense. How about guys like Bart Scott and Jim Leonhard who went from undrafted free agents into big money free agents because of how Rex developed them? Westerman looks like the next great Ryan project.

Tweet Comment 2 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

Gotta like a UFA that actually plays

This is why everyone loved Chrebet. He is probably one of the most respected former Jets, and why you never see his number given out. UFAs play with a lot of heart. They aren’t first rounders mad about their contract and want to sit out a season (ala Crabtree)

http://www.charlottejetsfans.com

by NC_Scott on Aug 24, 2009 1:13 PM EDT reply actions

As a Rutgers alum, its great to see a player like Jamaal come in as a ufa and contribute how he has. He looks like a lock to make the team, I doubt the same can be said for another RU product, Brendon Renkhart. I saw him shoot the wrong gap on that long td run last week, hopefully he can rebound and show enough to at least land on the practice squad.

by Ozone on Aug 24, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions