flgreen Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 Breaking down the Jets' new-look DL May, 16, 2011 May 16 11:28 AM ET By Rich Cimini With two draft picks, the Jets may have transformed the look of their once-aging defensive line. A year ago, this was a long-in-the-tooth unit that relied on three players over 30 -- NT Sione Pouha, DE Shaun Ellis and DT/DE Trevor Pryce. The drafting of DE Muhammad Wilkerson (first round) and NT Kenrick Ellis (third) changes the dynamic. Here's what the Jets' depth chart looks like right now (unsigned players in italics): DE Shaun Ellis, Muhammad Wilkerson, Ropati Pitoitua NT Sione Pouha, Kenrick Ellis, Martin Tevaseu DT Mike DeVito, Marcus Dixon, Trevor Pryce Analysis: It's still early, but it looks like the Jets should be able to employ a six-man rotation. The key question is Shaun Ellis. Will the team's longest-tenured player return? In a normal offseason, the Jets might have been willing to move on without him and hand the job to Wilkerson. But the lockout is preventing rookies from working with their teams and learning their respective systems. That could be huge for players like Wilkerson and Ellis, both of whom played at a lower level of competition in college. The longer the lockout drags on, the more it increases Shaun Ellis' value to the team. When things get settled, Wilkerson and Kenrick Ellis will provide added flexibility. Wilkerson can play 3-4 DE and slide inside on passing downs. Ellis has the ability to play over the center and guard, and maybe over the tackle in certain looks. Nowadays, an inside pass rush is critical because offenses are employing quick-throw passing attacks -- and the quickest route to the QB is up the middle. The Jets also can use Ellis and Pouha at tackle, nearly 700 pounds of wall. They always wanted to use that look with Pouha and Kris Jenkins, but didn't get much of a chance because of Jenkins' injuries the last two seasons. The Jets are high on Dixon and Pitoitua, who, according to Rex Ryan, is doing well in his rehab from Achilles-tendon surgery. On paper, the line looks a lot younger and deeper than a year ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted May 16, 2011 Share Posted May 16, 2011 I too was dying to see Pouha at DE, playing next to a legit NT like Jenkins. If Ellis can progress to starting caliber where we can have lines of having him Pouha and Devito, I would be absolutely shocked if we weren't top 3 in rush defense. From the interviews last summer, it seemed that Rex was getting a half-chubby with how Pouha was playing at DE, so it'll be very interesting to see what happens this year. It'll be good to see Pito get some play if he can come back healthy and also Jarron Gilbert. They moved gilbert down to the practice squad when they needed to activate 11 or so dbacks those few times, but snatched him back up once they heard teams were interested. Rex and the guys must feel he can contribute in some way, with they way they've treated him. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whodeawhodat Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 excited to see that pituatoa guy too. On hard knocks, they seemed to be looking forward to his year more than they were looking forward to pouha's. Either way, our D-line and its depth is going to be much better meow.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 excited to see that pituatoa guy too. On hard knocks, they seemed to be looking forward to his year more than they were looking forward to pouha's. Either way, our D-line and its depth is going to be much better meow.. LOL Meow? I'm sorry. Me of all people shouldn't be making fun of typos. That just cracked me up for some reason Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jetsfan80 Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 LOL Meow? I'm sorry. Me of all people shouldn't be making fun of typos. That just cracked me up for some reason Ever see "Super Troopers"? That was no typo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flgreen Posted May 18, 2011 Author Share Posted May 18, 2011 Ever see "Super Troopers"? That was no typo. No I never saw it, but it did crack me up to. Just one of those days I guess Meow Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CoachTsurfing Posted May 18, 2011 Share Posted May 18, 2011 we need one of our def. rookies to be able to get to the qb, i don't see either of them getting more then a hand full of sacks between both of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Vudu Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Kenrick Ellis is following me on Twitter. I feel special LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
#27TheDominator Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Like broadway Joe said, I am surprised that he didn't mention Gilbert. Dixon is ahead of Gilbert on their depth chart, but Gilbert is actually under contract, unlike Ellis. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BroadwayJoe12 Posted May 19, 2011 Share Posted May 19, 2011 Kenrick Ellis is following me on Twitter. I feel special LOL Dammit DLJ, just don't go having him break someone else's face. Those things can cause men to do crazy things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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