How Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin bulked up, prepared to do more than just pass rush

[Gas2No99]

How Jets' Lorenzo Mauldin bulked up, prepared to do more than just pass rush

 

By Darryl Slater | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com

 

FLORHAM PARK — It is still early in Jets training camp, as they'll hold their fifth practice Tuesday. And while one outside linebacker spot is uncertain (with rookie Jordan Jenkins as the early favorite to start), the other job belongs to Lorenzo Mauldin, who was a pass rushing specialist as a rookie last season. 

Mauldin, a former third-round draft pick, did a couple things this offseason to make sure he'd be a solid run defender and edge setter in 2016, when the Jets start fresh at both outside linebacker spots. It remains to be seen how this preparation will pay off, but Mauldin feels confident after putting in the work.

First, he gained weight. He entered last season at 252 pounds, and was between 250 and 255 all year. The Jets' coaches wanted him to gain about 10 pounds in the winter, so he began spring practices at 265, which remains his current weight. 

"Now, I feel like I'm more stout in the run game," he told NJ Advance Media. "I still feel the same with my speed, fast enough to cover a tight end, cover a running back, slot receiver." 

Even though Mauldin has minimal game experience dropping into pass coverage, he has no doubt that he'll be able to do it. 

"I feel much more comfortable now," he said. "I know all the plays. It's second nature to me now. Being able to drop into coverage is easy. The coverage stuff is easy now." 

Last season, when he primarily played in second-and-long and third-down situations, he knew teams likely would pass the ball. So he just had to worry about rushing the quarterback. He finished the year with four sacks. 

"I would come out and I would always have to just go straight," he said. "I only dropped probably once or twice." 

Something else he didn't have to do often — stop the run and set the edge. That involves reading pre-snap run/pass keys. 

"One of the things I had to work on in the spring was to read run first, instead of just dropping back, because if I drop back, then the edge is gone," Mauldin said. "I worked hard on that. I've learned to do that." 

During the break between June minicamp and training camp, Mauldin said he focused his training on reading run/pass keys and setting the edge. He knew this was something he absolutely had to work on. 

Before the snap, an outside linebacker like Mauldin must watch how the backfield is set up, and also watch the offensive linemen in their stances (including right after the snap), in order to diagnose if a play is a run or pass. 

These are the split-second decisions — and the ability to physically react to them — that separate great outside linebackers from average ones. 

Mauldin's goals for 2016, as he debuts as a full-time starter? 

"Just work my butt off and hope for a Pro Bowl," he said. 

 

[Jetsfan80]

Our LB unit, in just 2 offseasons, went from old and slow to suddenly exciting and explosive.  That's all Macc right there. 

[Augustiniak]

1 minute ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Our LB unit, in just 2 offseasons, went from old and slow to suddenly exciting and explosive.  That's all Macc right there. 

besides qb which is an obvious one, the two positions that were in desperate need of upgrades when mccags came were wr and lb.  while a lot of the guys they have in camp are unproven, it does appear they upgraded the talent, athleticism and upside of both units.  throw in amaro's hopeful development (i know he's idzik's guy) and the jets could sneakily have a top 10 offensive talent group.  and that's before we know what jalin, peake or forte will contribute.

[Adoni Beast]

If this kid keeps developing, he'll be a Jet fan favorite for a long time. His motor, attitude, his past, and work ethic make him easy to root for.

[Beerfish]

Good that the young guys are both being taught to be complete players but please pleas please do not tunr these guys into bryan thomans calvin pace, hold the edgers.  To stay on the field for 4 downs you have to play the run but this team needs outside qb pressure more than anything else to bring the D up a notch.

[Jetster]

1 hour ago, Beerfish said:

Good that the young guys are both being taught to be complete players but please pleas please do not tunr these guys into bryan thomans calvin pace, hold the edgers.  To stay on the field for 4 downs you have to play the run but this team needs outside qb pressure more than anything else to bring the D up a notch.

That's not Todds M.O.

See if you can find the Cards vs Pats tape in Gillette in 2014 I believe. Think it was the 3rd game of the year. I remember watching it & saying, damn this Cards defense is legit. They weren't sitting back on their heels, they were attacking.

[Jetsfan80]

1 hour ago, Beerfish said:

Good that the young guys are both being taught to be complete players but please pleas please do not tunr these guys into bryan thomans calvin pace, hold the edgers.  To stay on the field for 4 downs you have to play the run but this team needs outside qb pressure more than anything else to bring the D up a notch.

Becoming a Calvin Pace or Bryan Thomas, after being taken in the 3rd round, would be a big win for us.  The only reason we hate Bryan Thomas sometimes is because we passed over Ed Reed to get him.  But if Thomas had been taken in the 3rd round (a lot closer to where he probably SHOULD have gone in that draft), we'd laud him as one of our bigger draft successes in this century.

You can still be a capable pass rusher despite bulking up; all it means is he won't be a one-trick pony bust on the level of Aaron Maybin. 

[RutgersJetFan]

He's been cultivating mass.

[MaxAF]

Jets have definitely got younger and faster at LB position. Needed that. Can these young guys execute in the NFL remains an unknown. I like the picks especially Jenkins. Moulden had some shades of greatness last year and he can only be better this year. Beefing up to 265 should make him a MON-STAR.

[peebag]

1 hour ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Our LB unit, in just 2 offseasons, went from old and slow to suddenly exciting and explosive.  That's all Macc right there. 

We don't know what we got in the rookies yet....

[Jetster]

13 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Becoming a Calvin Pace or Bryan Thomas, after being taken in the 3rd round, would be a big win for us.  The only reason we hate Bryan Thomas sometimes is because we passed over Ed Reed to get him.  But if Thomas had been taken in the 3rd round (a lot closer to where he probably SHOULD have gone in that draft), we'd laud him as one of our bigger draft successes in this century.

You can still be a capable pass rusher despite bulking up; all it means is he won't be a one-trick pony bust on the level of Aaron Maybin. 

It's amazing the HOFers this organization has passed on with complete head scratchers at the draft. Had Jet fans attending been able to put their two cents in this team would have had Dan Marino, Warren Sapp & Ed Reed, lol. Ouch that hurts!

[peebag]

3 minutes ago, Jetster said:

It's amazing the HOFers this organization has passed on with complete head scratchers at the draft. Had Jet fans attending been able to put their two cents in this team would have had Dan Marino, Warren Sapp & Ed Reed, lol. Ouch that hurts!

You can say that about a lot of other teams as well.

[Beerfish]

20 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Becoming a Calvin Pace or Bryan Thomas, after being taken in the 3rd round, would be a big win for us.  The only reason we hate Bryan Thomas sometimes is because we passed over Ed Reed to get him.  But if Thomas had been taken in the 3rd round (a lot closer to where he probably SHOULD have gone in that draft), we'd laud him as one of our bigger draft successes in this century.

You can still be a capable pass rusher despite bulking up; all it means is he won't be a one-trick pony bust on the level of Aaron Maybin. 

'Capable' pass rushers are things other teams are very happy to face.  The guys that make your whole team better are great outside pass rushers at least from one side, especially when you have the interior lineman we have.  Other teams are more than happy to not have to game plan for an outside rusher.  The Jets haven't had one in ages and it has prevented this team from having truly elite defense.

[slats]

4 minutes ago, peebag said:

We don't know what we got in the rookies yet....

Todd Bowles seemed like a guy who really leaned on his veterans last year, but has Jordan Jenkins getting the primary work with the 1's. That's gotta be a good sign. 

[Beerfish]

22 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Becoming a Calvin Pace or Bryan Thomas, after being taken in the 3rd round, would be a big win for us.  The only reason we hate Bryan Thomas sometimes is because we passed over Ed Reed to get him.  But if Thomas had been taken in the 3rd round (a lot closer to where he probably SHOULD have gone in that draft), we'd laud him as one of our bigger draft successes in this century.

You can still be a capable pass rusher despite bulking up; all it means is he won't be a one-trick pony bust on the level of Aaron Maybin. 

I never hated Brayn Thomas nor pace but they are what they were, steady run defenders that could rush the passer at times an produce sacks if given time to get to the QB, no one ever had to game plan for their outside rush.

[Patriot Killa]

Just now, slats said:

Todd Bowles seemed like a guy who really leaned on his veterans last year, but has Jordan Jenkins getting the primary work with the 1's. That's gotta be a good sign. 

The entire FO had tons of faith in his guy from day we drafted him. I think they knew he would have to start after we let Pace go. But no one expected him to mold in so easily. The linebackers look good.

[Jetdawgg]

Another hardworking, intelligent, tough and stout NYJ defender. Clearly this is a rising team and franchise.

[Jetsfan80]

26 minutes ago, peebag said:

We don't know what we got in the rookies yet....

No, but given how well Mauldin produced as a rookie, and our overall investment in the LB corps so far in the Macc tenure (a 1st and two 3rds), it's hard not to be optimistic. 

[Augustiniak]

throw in Lee and hopefully they won't be regularly getting torched by TEs and RBs.  i like the speed upgrade at wr, lb and specials, so far.

[Jetster]

33 minutes ago, peebag said:

You can say that about a lot of other teams as well.

Not really as no one knows who fans of other teams wanted for the most part. With the draft always in NY, who the fans wanted was pretty clear. 

I love that Jet fan interview right before the Jets took Ken Obrien & shocked the fans...In a NY accent..."well, you gotta think it's Marino here", lmao! Everyone remembers the Sapp chant..."And the NY Jets select...Kyle Brady..tight end, Penn State". 

[Jetster]

15 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

No, but given how well Mauldin produced as a rookie, and our overall investment in the LB corps so far in the Macc tenure (a 1st and two 3rds), it's hard not to be optimistic. 

It was criminal to have such slow linebackers behind such a good Dline. I just remember Brady running from Pace & expanding his lead, lol. Our Dline, Mo, Sheldon & Leo are 300lbers that were faster than Harris & Pace.

Remember Mo chasing down Tyrod Taylor in that 1st game at home with the Bills.

[Spoot-Face]

1 hour ago, Jetster said:

It was criminal to have such slow linebackers behind such a good Dline. I just remember Brady running from Pace & expanding his lead, lol. Our Dline, Mo, Sheldon & Leo are 300lbers that were faster than Harris & Pace.

Remember Mo chasing down Tyrod Taylor in that 1st game at home with the Bills.

Hell, I think Snacks was faster than Harris and Pace.

[jgb]

4 hours ago, Gas2No99 said:

 

How much of that extra weight is hair?