State of the New York Jets Roster, Outside Linebackers

by John B on Jul 23, 2011 9:35 AM EDT

Our ratings of the roster move on to outside linebackers. Click here for a refresher on how the ratings are determined.

If it was only based on what happened in 2010, Pace would probably get a lower grade. I will give him the benefit of the doubt, though. He is a decent pass rusher if not great. My perception is that he is more of a power guy who uses his hands and strength than a guy who gets around the edge. He is also strong enough to hold the edge in run defense, although he can be a bit inconsistent there. He has been a bit of a disappointment in pass coverage. Pace is not great value at his salary, but he is a solid starter.

Bryan Thomas (3-E)

He's versatile. He's good against the run. He's solid in coverage. He does not rush the passer well, though. One of the most glaring weaknesses on the roster is the pass rush. The hybrid outside linebacker/defensive end spot is where that is supposed to come from. Thomas does not provide much there. It is the most important attribute for his position. You can get guys good against the run and in coverage in other spots on the field. Pace gives the Jets something in this area. Thomas does not.

Jamaal Westerman (3-E)

It sounds like Westerman is going to get a real chance to contribute. If he had not been banged up last year, he probably would have seen more time already. The coaching staff has had a lot of good to say about him over the past two years. He picked up the system quickly enough to make calls for the second team in practice during training camp as a rookie. To date his most significant contribution was probably his near miss of a blocked punt in the AFC Championship Game. He was a few inches from getting it and giving the Jets a chance to score a touchdown and cut Pittsburgh's lead to 7 early in the second half. If the team cannot add somebody in free agency, he might be the best bet to find a breakout pass rusher.

Cody Brown (3-D)

He was Arizona's second round pick in 2009. I am never a big fan of early Draft picks a team gives up on quickly. Considering the investment, teams have incentives to give guys every chance as long as there is a small chance they can develop into good players. Brown never really got a chance in Arizona, though. He spent his rookie year on IR with a wrist injury. It's not like that took away any of his athletic ability.

Brandon Long (4-F)

The Jets are the land of opportunity for pass rushers.

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Comments

Yuck.

It looks even worse than I thought when you put them downon paper.

by JetKing55 on Jul 23, 2011 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

Jeez

We need to overhaul that whole crew.

by Crackback on Jul 23, 2011 12:20 PM EDT reply actions

I think it's pretty sad

when Bryan Thomas led the team in sacks. An Overhaul is exactly what we need.

by Jerrad p on Jul 23, 2011 12:59 PM EDT reply actions

Drop Thomas, pick up an average olb in free agency, a project through udfa, and sign then convert Kiwanuka to a olb. That would be my approach to the olb corps if i was a GM, making Kiwi priority one on defense.

by flixenuz on Jul 23, 2011 1:21 PM EDT reply actions

So your solution is to drop one OLB

and add three…

Without delving into need or demand, that’s not fiscally realistic.

GGN Moderator, House pessimist, veteran arm chair GM.
www.GangGreenNation.com

by Bro Namath on Jul 23, 2011 1:58 PM EDT up reply actions

How are the Jets going to get Kiwi

when they dont even have enough cap space to sign their top 3 free agents?

by Crizzle12 on Jul 23, 2011 7:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Disagreement

Pace has yet to prove he’s even a solid starter. I’m taking into account his career in Arizona as well as New York.

GGN Moderator, House pessimist, veteran arm chair GM.
www.GangGreenNation.com

by Bro Namath on Jul 23, 2011 1:58 PM EDT reply actions

Arizona is sad but...

Didn’t he have like 8 sacks in 12 games in 2009? Plus he was playing on a bad foot last year so he gets a pass. No excuses for this year coming up though..

by MoneyMarcBleedsGreen&White on Jul 23, 2011 5:25 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

-Downs several everclear shots-

Well, at least 2012 draft has enough OLBs to collect….

And the home of the .... JETS!!!
Now lets get a G-D snack!!!
"You might not like that. You might be very cynical about that. Well, f**k it, I don't care what you think."-Roy McDonald

by Noble_Lance on Jul 23, 2011 2:41 PM EDT reply actions

I'd like to see that

by JETSFAN IN SC on Jul 23, 2011 4:48 PM EDT up reply actions

That's being generous to Pace

He has an excellent game here or there then disappears for the next few weeks. I don’t think he’s ever commanded a double team ever and I don’t see consistent pressure coming from him ever. In 09 I’m pretty sure 3 of those 8 sacks came in one game. 5 sacks over the other 11… eh. Not to mention it feels like every time he gets one it feels like a coverage sack. I usually try to find the silver lining about every player we’ve got, but he makes me all glass-half-empty.

by Exystence on Jul 24, 2011 10:47 AM EDT via mobile reply actions

And that 3 sack game was on JaMarcus Russell. Nuff said.

by Exystence on Jul 24, 2011 10:49 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

But to be fair he had a sack on each playoff game last season. He’s not horrible, but he’s easily the in the bottom half of 3-4 OLB starters. He’d be the #2 guy on most other teams if that.

Sorry for the triple post

by Exystence on Jul 24, 2011 10:53 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

NP

I agree with “not horrible” but should not horrible really make top ten player money? Because he’s one of the highest paid guys on our team.

Even if he has a monster season I think he’s taken us for a ride and we’re best served to get rid of him once he’s not a billion dollars in dead cap money.

GGN Moderator, House pessimist, veteran arm chair GM.
www.GangGreenNation.com

by Bro Namath on Jul 24, 2011 12:14 PM EDT up reply actions