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Could A New Pass Rushing Star Emerge For The Jets?

Nostradamus

By Nostradamus
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Nostradamus

Nostradamus

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               A few years ago I did some scouting (for an NFL Team who I won't name here) and was at a game scouting an all Ivy League Left Tackle who played for Cornell.  He was being talked about as being a 1st round talent who could be gotten for a steal in the 3rd or 4th round of the 2013 draft because of his small school status.  His name is JC Tretter, he ended up being drafted in the 4th round that year and is now the starting Center for Green Bay.  They were playing Princeton that day who had another NFL caliber prospect in Defensive Tackle Caraun Reid, who was drafted and has been doing well now with the Detroit Lions.  I was looking forward to seeing how the two matched up.  Instead what I got was a surprise.  

                Tretter who hadn't given up a sack or even a pressure yet all season had his moments and showed he was an NFL talent...at times.  What really amazed me however was that he kinda got beat up by a Princeton guy and it wasn't Reid, it was a "freakish" looking athlete I had never heard of before that day named Mike Catapano.  Although Tretter had his moments Catapano had his way against Tretter and was clearly the better of the two.  One particular play Catapano drove Tretter straight back from the far left side all the way to the QB who was scrambling to his right, drew a holding call (which ended up being refused by Princeton), discarded Tretter anyway and sacked the scrambling Cornell QB from behind.   I remember being shocked saying "who the hell is number 77?   He's awesome!"

               Catapano who I had never heard of was a "late bloomer" and coming from a small school never received an NFL Combine invite despite blowing up the league that year, missing the all time Ivy League sack record by 1/2 sack and winning the Ivy League Player Of The Year.  If he had gotten a combine invite however his 1st round measurables would have been showcased on tv, but they weren't and nobody saw.   Catapano, who weighed 290 and was timed at a blazing 4.79 in a 40 yd dash test during his Jets tryout this past September, was then signed to the practice squad prior to week 1.  He was released days earlier by the KC Chiefs (the team who drafted him 2 years ago) for what Andy Reid called "just the wrong fit" for their 3-4 defense.  Catapano was being used as an interior lineman in KC, which makes no sense to me because his talent is as an edge rusher.  Then again when you have Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and have invested a 1st rd pick on Dee Ford maybe the last thing they needed was another edge rusher.   Maybe KC saw he had talent and were just trying to find another fit for him by sticking a square peg in a round hole by putting him inside.  Other than that, I don't know why he was used in that manner, but I know this...that kid can play!  Not only is he big and fast but he has skills.   Great pass rushing skills that for whatever reason have not been used as of yet in the NFL.  

                Catapano who will be wearing #53 earned his way up from the practice squad by blowing up the starting O line in practice for many weeks now.  I had heard about this going on several weeks ago in fact and would be lying if I said I was surprised.   Is he the answer to the almost non existent outside pass rush for the Jets?   Maybe.   I know this, although Mauldin has been improving marginally, the have almost "zero" outside rush to go along with one of the best interior defensive lines in the league.  Catapano has the talent to end up being a diamond in the rough.  Why this guy has not broken out yet as an NFL player I don't know, whether it be injury or bad scheme fit I couldn't tell you. I can tell you with absolute certainty however, this kid has the size, speed and talent to be a great pass rusher in this league.  He called himself the "leanest meanest 290 in the NFL" earlier this preseason and was graded very high by Pro Football Focus (despite playing at an unnatural position) before being let go by KC.  Maybe one teams trash could be the Jet's treasure and at the perfect time.  It will be interesting to see how many snaps he gets and what he does with his opportunity but I'll say this.....keep an eye out for number 53 tomorrow and in games moving forward.   He has the talent to surprise.    He did it to me once, so I won't be fooled again.    The Jets could use an emerging tag team tandem opposite Mauldin on passing downs and Catapano could end up being that guy.  We already know they have a lights out inside rushing group, so a boost in outside rushing "could" prove to be just what the doctor ordered.   

included here below is a recent evaluation on him on SNY.tv which I would say seems fairly accurate.  It goes with what I'm saying here.  Catapano can defend the run as well, but in scouting him (which I did after the day I saw his work against Tretter) his bread and butter is getting after QBs.  

https://www.sny.tv/jets/news/bga-scouting-mike-catapano/158264774

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Nostradamus

Nostradamus

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He wasn't injured, but he did miss 2014 due to a bad gastrointestinal virus. The jets are due for a breakout player though and I'm looking forward to seeing this kid play. Appreciate the insight, thanks for posting 

He has the talent...so it will be interesting to see.  From what I heard the coaching staff is very high on him.   Lets see

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Larz

Larz

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yes 

MVP

DEFENSIVE LINE POS OFF DEF ST Total
Wilkerson, Muhammad DE   74 5 79
Williams, Leonard DE   67 5 72
Douzable, Leger DE   61 12 73
Harrison, Damon NT   52 1 53
Bowen, Stephen DE   20   20
Catapano, Mike DE   2   2
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SBBound

SBBound

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               A few years ago I did some scouting (for an NFL Team who I won't name here) and was at a game scouting an all Ivy League Left Tackle who played for Cornell.  He was being talked about as being a 1st round talent who could be gotten for a steal in the 3rd or 4th round of the 2013 draft because of his small school status.  His name is JC Tretter, he ended up being drafted in the 4th round that year and is now the starting Center for Green Bay.  They were playing Princeton that day who had another NFL caliber prospect in Defensive Tackle Caraun Reid, who was drafted and has been doing well now with the Detroit Lions.  I was looking forward to seeing how the two matched up.  Instead what I got was a surprise.  

                Tretter who hadn't given up a sack or even a pressure yet all season had his moments and showed he was an NFL talent...at times.  What really amazed me however was that he kinda got beat up by a Princeton guy and it wasn't Reid, it was a "freakish" looking athlete I had never heard of before that day named Mike Catapano.  Although Tretter had his moments Catapano had his way against Tretter and was clearly the better of the two.  One particular play Catapano drove Tretter straight back from the far left side all the way to the QB who was scrambling to his right, drew a holding call (which ended up being refused by Princeton), discarded Tretter anyway and sacked the scrambling Cornell QB from behind.   I remember being shocked saying "who the hell is number 77?   He's awesome!"

               Catapano who I had never heard of was a "late bloomer" and coming from a small school never received an NFL Combine invite despite blowing up the league that year, missing the all time Ivy League sack record by 1/2 sack and winning the Ivy League Player Of The Year.  If he had gotten a combine invite however his 1st round measurables would have been showcased on tv, but they weren't and nobody saw.   Catapano, who weighed 290 and was timed at a blazing 4.79 in a 40 yd dash test during his Jets tryout this past September, was then signed to the practice squad prior to week 1.  He was released days earlier by the KC Chiefs (the team who drafted him 2 years ago) for what Andy Reid called "just the wrong fit" for their 3-4 defense.  Catapano was being used as an interior lineman in KC, which makes no sense to me because his talent is as an edge rusher.  Then again when you have Justin Houston, Tamba Hali and have invested a 1st rd pick on Dee Ford maybe the last thing they needed was another edge rusher.   Maybe KC saw he had talent and were just trying to find another fit for him by sticking a square peg in a round hole by putting him inside.  Other than that, I don't know why he was used in that manner, but I know this...that kid can play!  Not only is he big and fast but he has skills.   Great pass rushing skills that for whatever reason have not been used as of yet in the NFL.  

                Catapano who will be wearing #53 earned his way up from the practice squad by blowing up the starting O line in practice for many weeks now.  I had heard about this going on several weeks ago in fact and would be lying if I said I was surprised.   Is he the answer to the almost non existent outside pass rush for the Jets?   Maybe.   I know this, although Mauldin has been improving marginally, the have almost "zero" outside rush to go along with one of the best interior defensive lines in the league.  Catapano has the talent to end up being a diamond in the rough.  Why this guy has not broken out yet as an NFL player I don't know, whether it be injury or bad scheme fit I couldn't tell you. I can tell you with absolute certainty however, this kid has the size, speed and talent to be a great pass rusher in this league.  He called himself the "leanest meanest 290 in the NFL" earlier this preseason and was graded very high by Pro Football Focus (despite playing at an unnatural position) before being let go by KC.  Maybe one teams trash could be the Jet's treasure and at the perfect time.  It will be interesting to see how many snaps he gets and what he does with his opportunity but I'll say this.....keep an eye out for number 53 tomorrow and in games moving forward.   He has the talent to surprise.    He did it to me once, so I won't be fooled again.    The Jets could use an emerging tag team tandem opposite Mauldin on passing downs and Catapano could end up being that guy.  We already know they have a lights out inside rushing group, so a boost in outside rushing "could" prove to be just what the doctor ordered.   

included here below is a recent evaluation on him on SNY.tv which I would say seems fairly accurate.  It goes with what I'm saying here.  Catapano can defend the run as well, but in scouting him (which I did after the day I saw his work against Tretter) his bread and butter is getting after QBs.  

https://www.sny.tv/jets/news/bga-scouting-mike-catapano/158264774

Nostradamus...thanks for the post man. Watching some video of him shows that he clearly has potential. You mentioned that he was tearing it up at practice for a few weeks. If you don't mind me asking, how do you get hold of that info? I would love to hear if you are willing to share.

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CrazyCarl40

CrazyCarl40

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you make it sound like we have a boat load of edge rushers. Unless this was a dig on Bowles..then ok :P

This dude will not even be active tomorrow. Watch. And it's a slight dig at Bowles and his questionable playing time tactics. Mauldin and Reilly need to get some run. Lattimore and Henderson as well. Catapano won't even be on the 46. 

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Nostradamus

Nostradamus

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Nostradamus...thanks for the post man. Watching some video of him shows that he clearly has potential. You mentioned that he was tearing it up at practice for a few weeks. If you don't mind me asking, how do you get hold of that info? I would love to hear if you are willing to share.

I am friends with a player as well as someone in front office.  They didn't give too much info other than he was steadily very disruptive and made things difficult on the first team offense in practice.   Definitely earned his way up to the main roster with his play in practice.  Hopefully it translates to the game.  

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Jets2013

Jets2013

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MVP

DEFENSIVE LINE POS OFF DEF ST Total
Wilkerson, Muhammad DE   74 5 79
Williams, Leonard DE   67 5 72
Douzable, Leger DE   61 12 73
Harrison, Damon NT   52 1 53
Bowen, Stephen DE   20   20
Catapano, Mike DE   2   2

Why are you listing him with defensive lineman?  Catapano is a linebacker.  

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SBBound

SBBound

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I am friends with a player as well as someone in front office.  They didn't give too much info other than he was steadily very disruptive and made things difficult on the first team offense in practice.   Definitely earned his way up to the main roster with his play in practice.  Hopefully it translates to the game.  

That's awesome and thanks. He is a hard nosed player with a great motor for sure. Our defense needs more of these types guys. I think Mauldin is cut from the same cloth.

You can clearly see that the Jets are not happy with their current roster and I am looking forward to Mac and Bowles bringing in more of these types of guys next year. The one thing that Parcells and others have said about Bowles when he was hired was that he had an awesome eye for talent. The fact that they brought in Bailey and Catapano and discarded Coples in mid-season lends some credence to this. i am hoping they are right about Bowles, but it will take some time.

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Nostradamus

Nostradamus

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DE pass rushing specialist.  Who's the last guy we had like that, Mark Gastineau? 

haha....NY Sack Exchange days!!!   Those guys were great.  Its kinda true actually, never any great pass rushers on Jets...best we have had since is probably who we have now Wilkerson and Richardson.  I donno, who else am I missing?   Cant think of any off hand.  Mauldin has some potential maybe.  He flashes a bit

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Powpow

Powpow

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haha....NY Sack Exchange days!!!   Those guys were great.  Its kinda true actually, never any great pass rushers on Jets...best we have had since is probably who we have now Wilkerson and Richardson.  I donno, who else am I missing?   Cant think of any off hand.  Mauldin has some potential maybe.  He flashes a bit

Sack Exchange was amazin.  Gas, Salaam, Lyons, and Klecko (Hall Of Famer...one day).  We haven't had anyone tyo get to QB since. In fact, if rex had one, we would have won 2 SB's under his early regime.  As much a knucklehead as he was, that's the only thing they lacked on D.  If this guy is as advertised, we could have a diamond in the rough that could totally transform this wannabe #1 defense.   

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Jets2013

Jets2013

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oh.  2 reps as a linebacker.  solid. 

those are from the official jets website btw.

you need opportunities to make plays.  Catapano was activated the same day the team left for Houston.  So of course he wasn't in the game plan. It's true he hasn't seen the field much but when he has played he has done well.  Only played his rookie season and missed last season with an illness.  Hopefully he gets his chance so we can see what he can do. It's not like our outside linebackers are exactly lighting it up.

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CrazyCarl40

CrazyCarl40

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oh.  2 reps as a linebacker.  solid. 

those are from the official jets website btw.

He's listed as a DE on the roster on the Website as well. He's a DE. He was added to the active roster last week because Sheldon Richardson, a defensive lineman, was hurt and inactive. Now that Richardson is back this week, Catapano will be inactive and likely first cut when they need a roster spot. 

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Larz

Larz

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you need opportunities to make plays.  Catapano was activated the same day the team left for Houston.  So of course he wasn't in the game plan. It's true he hasn't seen the field much but when he has played he has done well.  Only played his rookie season and missed last season with an illness.  Hopefully he gets his chance so we can see what he can do. It's not like our outside linebackers are exactly lighting it up.

he's 270 lbs, right ?

lets hope he's not a tweener

I hate those guys

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cant wait

cant wait

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He's listed as a DE on the roster on the Website as well. He's a DE. He was added to the active roster last week because Sheldon Richardson, a defensive lineman, was hurt and inactive. Now that Richardson is back this week, Catapano will be inactive and likely first cut when they need a roster spot. 

he's taking coples spot on the roster

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cant wait

cant wait

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No. That would be the LBer they signed off of the practice squad of the Colts. Catapano took the place of the safety they waived last week. He's a defensive end and he'll likely be inactive tomorrow. 

we'll see but the jets are thin at edge rushers especially with coples out, the colts LB is strictly a ST player from what I've read

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CrazyCarl40

CrazyCarl40

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we'll see but the jets are thin at edge rushers especially with coples out, the colts LB is strictly a ST player from what I've read

Coples and Catapano play two different positions. Coples played 5 plays last week. Catapano played 2. I think they'll be fine without either of them active. Richardson healthy means Catapano will be inactive. Coples being cut means more Mauldin and Reilly. 

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cant wait

cant wait

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Coples and Catapano play two different positions. Coples played 5 plays last week. Catapano played 2. I think they'll be fine without either of them active. Richardson healthy means Catapano will be inactive. Coples being cut means more Mauldin and Reilly. 

they are both outside edge rushers, the OLB/DE tag means little since the jets show multiple fronts anyway. I'll choose to believe they cut coples knowing they had another player to take his place 

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Jets2013

Jets2013

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He's listed as a DE on the roster on the Website as well. He's a DE. He was added to the active roster last week because Sheldon Richardson, a defensive lineman, was hurt and inactive. Now that Richardson is back this week, Catapano will be inactive and likely first cut when they need a roster spot. 

ummm actually no he wears #53 and is an OLB....the website is incorrect. Him and Sheldon Richardson play 2 different positions, so one has nothing to do with the other.  He took Coples spot and is being used as a rush OLB 

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