iSportsWeb - With an offseason of work ahead of them it is important for the New York Jets to evaluate their roster. In the first five editions of this series for graded the quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, offensive line, and defensive line. Today we highlight the linebacking corps which was one of the weaker units on the team in 2015.
Calvin Pace
Calvin Pace has been a true professional for the New York Jets for the past eight seasons. Pace had an unexpectedly productive season in 2013 with 10 sacks which kept him around the Jets for the next couple of seasons. Unfortunately, father time has finally caught up with the veteran and his production completely cratered in 2015. Pace ended the season with only 22 tackles and 3 sacks which are his lowest totals in almost a decade. It is clear that Pace will finally be going through the exit door, but Jets fans will not forget the years of professionalism and production he put in for this team. Even after a down year, Pace is still a beloved figure.
Grade: C-
Demario Davis
2016 was supposed to be a season where Demario Davis established himself as a building block for the New York Jets. He was a young player on an aging roster that was ascending and had gaudy tackle totals, but what 2016 exposed were his major flaws. Primary among those was his total inability to cover opposing running backs in space. With Davis on the field the Jets consistently gave up huge plays on wheel routes because Davis was simply over-matched and never developed the ability to defend in space. It was a disappointing revelation that cost him snaps at the end of the season and cast doubt on his future with the team. Alas, he is now a free agent and almost assuredly will be on another team come 2016.
Grade: C+
David Harris
Completing his 9th season with Gang Green, David Harris was consistent as ever. His tackle total did slip a bit as he registered 108 but he contributed in many other ways but getting 4.5 sacks along with 2 forced fumbles and 4 pass deflections. It was a nice all around season for Harris who was in the first year of a new deal. What he proved more than anything was how invaluable he is to the Jets defense. If Damon Harrison is the main reason that the Jets run defense is dominant, then Harris is a not too distant number 2. It was another quietly effective season for the vet and as the 2016 season comes around the one thing we can count on is a productive David Harris.
Grade: B
Quinton Coples
Just. Plain. Awful. Enough said, let’s move on.
Grade: F
Lorenzo Maulin
For the third-round rookie from Louisville, 2015 proved to be a good year. Lorenzo Mauldin was seen as the heir-apparent to Calvin Pace as an edge setter than could also rush the quarterback a little and, while that plan still seems in place, Mauldin acquitted himself better as a pass rusher than most expected. In limited action Mauldin was able to accumulate four sacks which was not too shabby for the rookie. Mauldin did suffer a scary injury early in the season, but it proved to be just a small setback for a player who will most definitely be a factor for 2016. The Jets definitely have work to do on this unit, but with Harris and Mauldin entrenched as starters, they have a good foundation to build from. Finding a speed rusher to compliment Mauldin will be one of the key factors in determining how far the Jets can go in 2016.
Grade: B-
Erin Henderson
Erin Henderson was something of a reclamation project for the New York Jets in 2015. The former Minnesota Viking didn’t play anywhere in the NFL in 2014 as he dealt with personal issues that caused his former team to release him. Thankfully for the Jets, Henderson was able to get past his demons and played very well for Gang Green in 2015. With Demario Davis struggling, Henderson essentially took over for Davis at inside linebacker during the latter part of the season. Henderson was able to rack up 45 tackles in limited time and looked to be simply a better player than Davis which means that he could inherit the starting role for 2016. With Henderson a free agent and the Jets cap situation a little tenuous it isn’t a lock, but it doesn’t mean the team won’t try to continue to reap benefits from the chance they took.
Grade: B-
Of the remaining players, Jamari Lattimore and Trevor Reilly stood out as the most productive. Both players provided solid depth for the Jets and both will probably be back in 2016. As for the future, the Jets have some work to do. Other than the offensive line, this unit may need the most attention during the offseason. There remains two gaping holes in the lineup and the team could use both an inside linebacker and an outside linebacker. The Jets are hoping that Henderson can fill the vacancy on the inside but the speed rush spot is one that will finally have to be addressed whether it be in free agency or the draft. If the team goes the free agent route then they will surely be looking for a veteran that they can get below market value since they don’t possess much space under the cap. Ultimately, it looks like the team will have to invest a high draft pick in order to solve the issue once and for all. It will be interesting to see how the Jets tackle the issue.
Calvin Pace
Calvin Pace has been a true professional for the New York Jets for the past eight seasons. Pace had an unexpectedly productive season in 2013 with 10 sacks which kept him around the Jets for the next couple of seasons. Unfortunately, father time has finally caught up with the veteran and his production completely cratered in 2015. Pace ended the season with only 22 tackles and 3 sacks which are his lowest totals in almost a decade. It is clear that Pace will finally be going through the exit door, but Jets fans will not forget the years of professionalism and production he put in for this team. Even after a down year, Pace is still a beloved figure.
Grade: C-
Demario Davis
2016 was supposed to be a season where Demario Davis established himself as a building block for the New York Jets. He was a young player on an aging roster that was ascending and had gaudy tackle totals, but what 2016 exposed were his major flaws. Primary among those was his total inability to cover opposing running backs in space. With Davis on the field the Jets consistently gave up huge plays on wheel routes because Davis was simply over-matched and never developed the ability to defend in space. It was a disappointing revelation that cost him snaps at the end of the season and cast doubt on his future with the team. Alas, he is now a free agent and almost assuredly will be on another team come 2016.
Grade: C+
David Harris
Completing his 9th season with Gang Green, David Harris was consistent as ever. His tackle total did slip a bit as he registered 108 but he contributed in many other ways but getting 4.5 sacks along with 2 forced fumbles and 4 pass deflections. It was a nice all around season for Harris who was in the first year of a new deal. What he proved more than anything was how invaluable he is to the Jets defense. If Damon Harrison is the main reason that the Jets run defense is dominant, then Harris is a not too distant number 2. It was another quietly effective season for the vet and as the 2016 season comes around the one thing we can count on is a productive David Harris.
Grade: B
Quinton Coples
Just. Plain. Awful. Enough said, let’s move on.
Grade: F
Lorenzo Maulin
For the third-round rookie from Louisville, 2015 proved to be a good year. Lorenzo Mauldin was seen as the heir-apparent to Calvin Pace as an edge setter than could also rush the quarterback a little and, while that plan still seems in place, Mauldin acquitted himself better as a pass rusher than most expected. In limited action Mauldin was able to accumulate four sacks which was not too shabby for the rookie. Mauldin did suffer a scary injury early in the season, but it proved to be just a small setback for a player who will most definitely be a factor for 2016. The Jets definitely have work to do on this unit, but with Harris and Mauldin entrenched as starters, they have a good foundation to build from. Finding a speed rusher to compliment Mauldin will be one of the key factors in determining how far the Jets can go in 2016.
Grade: B-
Erin Henderson
Erin Henderson was something of a reclamation project for the New York Jets in 2015. The former Minnesota Viking didn’t play anywhere in the NFL in 2014 as he dealt with personal issues that caused his former team to release him. Thankfully for the Jets, Henderson was able to get past his demons and played very well for Gang Green in 2015. With Demario Davis struggling, Henderson essentially took over for Davis at inside linebacker during the latter part of the season. Henderson was able to rack up 45 tackles in limited time and looked to be simply a better player than Davis which means that he could inherit the starting role for 2016. With Henderson a free agent and the Jets cap situation a little tenuous it isn’t a lock, but it doesn’t mean the team won’t try to continue to reap benefits from the chance they took.
Grade: B-
Of the remaining players, Jamari Lattimore and Trevor Reilly stood out as the most productive. Both players provided solid depth for the Jets and both will probably be back in 2016. As for the future, the Jets have some work to do. Other than the offensive line, this unit may need the most attention during the offseason. There remains two gaping holes in the lineup and the team could use both an inside linebacker and an outside linebacker. The Jets are hoping that Henderson can fill the vacancy on the inside but the speed rush spot is one that will finally have to be addressed whether it be in free agency or the draft. If the team goes the free agent route then they will surely be looking for a veteran that they can get below market value since they don’t possess much space under the cap. Ultimately, it looks like the team will have to invest a high draft pick in order to solve the issue once and for all. It will be interesting to see how the Jets tackle the issue.