Kentucky Jet Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 A A A A A DeVito a terrific free agent find for Mr. T. By Gregg Hayim, JC Posted Sep 3, 2007 The odds against rookie Mike DeVito making the Jets active roster were long as Appalachian State's chances heading into Ann Arbor this past Saturday. But DeVito impressed the Jets brass throughout the preseason, and learned, on Saturday night, he had earned a spot on Eric Mangini's 53-man roster. He is the only undrafted rookie to do so. The twenty-three year old Maine product put together an impressive body of work in the preseason. His high intensity play, and quick transition to the 3-4, put him in good favor with the coaching staff, and made him one of the more interesting stories of camp. Yet, with veteran Bobby Hamilton still ahead of him on the depth chart, DeVito was certainly no guarantee to make the team. Having done all he could do, and still considered a long shot, Friday and Saturday were long days for DeVito. Oddly enough, he was waiting for the phone not to ring. "I had the cell phone on me the whole time - I kept checking it." DeVito said on Monday morning. "On Saturday around five or six o'clock I was like OK, now I'm probably alright. I don't think anyone else is calling me now." Despite having to adapt to a new system, coupled with the large jump from 1-AA football to the pro game, DeVito's success certainly didn't happen by accident. His signature throughout camp was his high-intensity play, and it's a trademark that didn't just impress the coaching staff. "There was a couple of times where we were watching film and our offensive coordinator would be like, we know this guy [DeVito] is going to come hard." tight end Joe Kowalewski said. "When an offensive coach is talking about a player, you know he's doing a good job. He came out of nowhere really; a couple plays here and there and then all of a sudden... he played really well and he definitely belongs. He earned it and he deserves it." Since the 3-4 defensive scheme is a rarity to the college game, the stumbling block for many rookies in similar positions is the inability to quickly grasp the system. For DeVito, the transition didn't come overnight, but it did happen quick enough. As training camp progressed, and his reps increased, it became more and more evident that he was grasping the defense and traversing northward up the depth chart. His training camp performance convinced the Jets brass they were better off taking a chance on his youth, rather than hanging on to the thirty-seven year old Hamilton. And if training camp is any barometer of his ability to do so, it won't be long until Jet fans can expect to see him making an impact when the games actually matter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4HCrew Posted September 3, 2007 Share Posted September 3, 2007 free agent find? until this guy makes an impact in a real game he is a non story..I would rather focus on the money spent on free agents and what they actually did..aka Kimo and the likes.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Bit Special Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 free agent find? until this guy makes an impact in a real game he is a non story..I would rather focus on the money spent on free agents and what they actually did..aka Kimo and the likes.. this was an easy story for the media... why should they tackle anything more difficult than a fluff piece on an UDFA who barely made the team and will probably never suit up for a game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoFlaJets Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 damn you guys are getting me depressed-I read the story and started to feel good for my Paisan and then you guys go and pee on my calzone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsrule128 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 yeah no offense to devito but he will probaly be inaCTIVE may even end up on practice squad if we sign someone Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lil Bit Special Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 damn you guys are getting me depressed-I read the story and started to feel good for my Paisan and then you guys go and pee on my calzone it enhances the flavor.... I had lots of sugar today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madmike1 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 free agent find? until this guy makes an impact in a real game he is a non story..I would rather focus on the money spent on free agents and what they actually did..aka Kimo and the likes.. gotta agree with this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUM-KNEE Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Hes a solid player if given the chance, hopefully he sticks around in any capacity. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dbatesman Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 may even end up on practice squad if we sign someone This is what I figure. If we can find a solid guard or defensive lineman through waivers, watch for DeVito to be the first guy knocked down to the PS. Still a good story though, and I hope he gets to see some game action. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUM-KNEE Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 This is what I figure. If we can find a solid guard or defensive lineman through waivers, watch for DeVito to be the first guy knocked down to the PS. Still a good story though, and I hope he gets to see some game action. Yeah, he grew up watching the Jets with his dad whos a huge fan. He could be FKA in 1-2 years for us if hes kept around. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsfan420 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I doubt he would be the first knocked down to the practice squad.. he's 1 of 2 backup DE's. We need him on the active roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUM-KNEE Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I doubt he would be the first knocked down to the practice squad.. he's 1 of 2 backup DE's. We need him on the active roster. True, how long will Hick be here? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Hes a solid player if given the chance, hopefully he sticks around in any capacity. Yep. gotta start spmeplace, and he could develop into something next year, even if he doesnt play much this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUM-KNEE Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 Yep. gotta start spmeplace, and he could develop into something next year, even if he doesnt play much this year. And we dont have a ton of DEs right now, hard to say how long Hicks will be here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehands Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 In my opinion, the last spot on the practice squad is for DeVito. I think the plan is to release him, sign someone off the waiver wire and re-sign him to the practice squad (quietly). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 In my opinion, the last spot on the practice squad is for DeVito. I think the plan is to release him, sign someone off the waiver wire and re-sign him to the practice squad (quietly). No such thing as "quietly" in the NFL. If he is released everyone in the NFL will know about it. I hope they move one of the TE's. That PS spot is being left open for a reason. I hope it is a top line LG Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 In my opinion, the last spot on the practice squad is for DeVito. I think the plan is to release him, sign someone off the waiver wire and re-sign him to the practice squad (quietly). They are more likely to move a TE to the practice squad, IMO. Its more of a glut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 If they release DeVito and re-sign him to the practice squad then they are setting themselves up if an injury occurs. At that point they would be carrying 3 defensive ends. Who moves to DE if Ellis, K.Coleman or Hicks gets hurt? C.J. Mosley? Maybe. I think DeVito is on this roster to be the 4th DE. He might indeed be an inactive each week, but he will be on the roster. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 They are more likely to move a TE to the practice squad, IMO. Its more of a glut. I still believe they are trying to swing a trade for one of the TEs, even Baker. Whether it actually goes down this week is another matter. If they released any of those guys, they would have been signed by another team. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
will Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I still believe they are trying to swing a trade for one of the TEs, even Baker. Whether it actually goes down this week is another matter. If they released any of those guys, they would have been signed by another team. I agree that the Jets may try to move a TE, but how much trade value can any of these guys really have?; I'm guessing not much. I dont see them trading Baker; his value to this team is much greater than the mid or low round pick they will get for him in trade. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drago Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I agree that the Jets may try to move a TE, but how much trade value can any of these guys really have?; I'm guessing not much. I dont see them trading Baker; his value to this team is much greater than the mid or low round pick they will get for him in trade. I don't know about that. The backups at that position are better blockers, and Ryan has proved he can catch the ball. For a team that doesn't use the tightend much, would much rather have the hard nosed blockers than the guy with the 'somewhat' better hands. Trading baker would be good in my book, i like the guy, but i like running the football more and that is what we will get when the other TE's get in the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JetCane Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 I agree that the Jets may try to move a TE, but how much trade value can any of these guys really have?; I'm guessing not much. I dont see them trading Baker; his value to this team is much greater than the mid or low round pick they will get for him in trade. I'd rather trade Baker for a decent guard than trade Dyson, though Dyson hasnt been right all summer with a tweaked wheel. I have no problem with a little TE by committee. Ryan and Pozie are pretty good, and Kowalewski was having a solid camp until he got hurt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kentucky Jet Posted September 4, 2007 Author Share Posted September 4, 2007 No such thing as "quietly" in the NFL. If he is released everyone in the NFL will know about it. I hope they move one of the TE's. That PS spot is being left open for a reason. I hope it is a top line LG agreed! like Justin Smiley! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stonehands Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 If they release DeVito and re-sign him to the practice squad then they are setting themselves up if an injury occurs. At that point they would be carrying 3 defensive ends. Who moves to DE if Ellis, K.Coleman or Hicks gets hurt? C.J. Mosley? Maybe. I think DeVito is on this roster to be the 4th DE. He might indeed be an inactive each week, but he will be on the roster. Very good point. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted September 4, 2007 Share Posted September 4, 2007 agreed! like Justin Smiley! That wuld make me very happy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetfan4hire Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 great to see DeVito make the team. Go Balck Bears Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BUM-KNEE Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 great to see DeVito make the team. Go Balck Bears Black Bear saftey Daren Stone got a 4yr deal with Atlanta also. Here he is jumping over a car. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jetsrule128 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 it looks like his roster spot is safe for week 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbn007 Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 If any def. lineman is knocked to the PS, I think Pohua is the most likely candidate, if he is still here in a few weeks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted September 5, 2007 Share Posted September 5, 2007 If any def. lineman is knocked to the PS, I think Pohua is the most likely candidate, if he is still here in a few weeks. Not eligible Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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