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Quinton Coples' Role to Be More Diverse Than Anticipated?

FLORHAM PARK, NJ - MAY 04:  Quinton Coples #98 of the New York Jets works out during the Jets Rookie Minicamp on May 4, 2012 in Florham Park, New Jersey.  (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
FLORHAM PARK, NJ - MAY 04: Quinton Coples #98 of the New York Jets works out during the Jets Rookie Minicamp on May 4, 2012 in Florham Park, New Jersey. (Photo by Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images)
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Rex Ryan hedged his bets a bit today when asked whether Quinton Coples will exclusively be a defensive lineman.

Will #Jets Quinton Coples exclusively be a hand-in-the-dirt D-lineman? Rex Ryan changed his tune from a week ago when he said that would be the case. Today he admitted there could be an additional role for the versatile Coples: "Could we stand him up from a rush position?" Ryan said on Friday. "Yes we can. He has that kind of ability."


I am hoping this is the case. The Jets are not exactly hurting for defensive linemen. Mike Devito, Sione Pouha, and Muhammad Wilkerson are an excellent front three. When you have a freakish athlete like Coples, it is in your interest to move him around. He can probably hold up at any number of spots. Make the defense nervous before the snap. Make them wonder where he is going to line up. Sure, he should see time as a 3-4 end, but it would almost feel like a waste to use him there all the time.