Rex Says Devito Is a Starter

by John B on Aug 6, 2010 1:39 PM EDT

Jane McManus tells us Rex gave his starter at defensive end to replace Marques Douglas away at his press conference.

Ryan said DE Mike DeVito was ready to be a starter on the Jets along with Sean Ellis, Kris Jenkins and Sione Pouha. He will take the snaps for DE Marques Douglas, who is in Miami this year. He added that Vernon Gholston would have a roster spot, as a backup with Ropati Pitoitua.

Devito quietly turned himself into a valuable part of the rotation last year. If you believe Pro Football Focus (which admittedly at times doesn't tell the whole story), Devito was the 7th best interior lineman in the league last season. That might be overstating it, but he was really impressive. Back in 2008, he was too frequently sealed on run plays.

I still think we will see a lot of 3 man fronts on Jenkins-Pouha-Ellis, but Devito is going to have a big role on this team outside in the 3-4 and at undertackle when the Jets go 4-3. Against teams with potent run games and weaker passing attacks (Vikings without Favre), we might even see him play a bit at end opposite Ellis with Jenkins and Pouha inside.

If anybody tells you paying attention to undrafted players is a waste of time, take a look at this undrafted lineman from the University of Maine of all places.

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I guess Devito was the best we had.

He and Pouha were great last year filling in for Jenkins.

"Everything looks nicer when you win. The girls are prettier, the cigars taste better. The trees are greener."

by NJ Champ on Aug 6, 2010 1:49 PM EDT reply actions

Rex’s confidence in him is probably the reason they didn’t bring back Douglas.

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by John B on Aug 6, 2010 2:24 PM EDT up reply actions

I gotta feeling that Jenkins is moving to DE in the 34, with Pouha and DeVito manning the nose. Can even us Pitoitua, Pouha, and DeVito on early downs to keep Ellis and Jenkins fresh for pass rushing.

A lot of us were clamoring for a DE in April, but now it looks like the DL is the deepest part of the team.

by Crackback on Aug 6, 2010 4:04 PM EDT reply actions

I seriously doubt Jenkins spends ever 30% of his snaps at DE. The only time I see it happening is when Pouha’s at NT. Jenkins is so good at NT because he can overwhelm interior linemen with his quickness, a strength that would be negated against quicker tackles.

by Exystence on Aug 6, 2010 4:26 PM EDT up reply actions

I think he would be used like Ngata is used, and with equal, if not better, success. I think thats part of the reason he wants to get down to 345. So he’s a litle more explosive. But even if he isn’t, he’ll still be a dominant force to be reckoned with. No tackle can handle him one-on-one.

by Crackback on Aug 6, 2010 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

Yeah, against quicker tackles Jenkins will just manhandle people.

I don’t think there is any lineman in the NFL period who can block Jenkins one on one, guard or tackle. Of you have Jenkins lined up at one of the ends, good luck trying to run the ball to that side of the field, you aren’t getting any push on Jenks. At best, he holds his ground, at worst, he penetrates into the backfield and blows everything up.

by dookiehead on Aug 7, 2010 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions