Jets D Linemen Begin Group Workouts

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Jets defensive linemen begin group workouts during NFL lockout

Published: Thursday, June 02, 2011, 7:00 PM Updated: Thursday, June 02, 2011, 7:12 PM

Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger

The location? A high school football field in Morris County.

The equipment? One football Sione Pouha recovered on a fumble in the Jets’ 2010 season opener, plucked from his mantle because he didn’t own any other NFL-regulation balls.

With organized team activities -- and, for that matter, any player activity at team facilities -- a no-go during the current NFL lockout, the Jets defensive linemen were the latest group to take matters into their own hands. For about an hour this evening, five players gathered for an informal session of position drills and team-building.

“Mark Sanchez has Jets West,” joked Pouha, the ringleader and seven-year veteran. “We’re Jets City Club League.”

Pouha called fellow defensive lineman Mike DeVito a few weeks ago to discuss organizing group workouts. He worked on securing a venue via connections in the area and hopes they can gather four times per week.

Pouha reached out via Twitter to first-round draft pick Muhammad Wilkerson, who made the short trip from his hometown of Linden. Third-rounder Kenrick Ellis is currently training in his native South Florida, but Pouha hopes he can make it next week. Ropati Pitoitua, who is rehabbing from a torn Achilles tendon, and hybrid outside linebacker Jamaal Westerman rounded out the crew.

There were no In-N-Out trucks offering free burgers, ala Jets West, and Pouha joked that he was still working on securing sponsors. The high school generously loaned its blocking sleds and set of bags, but the pro players realized how good they have it at Jets headquarters with pass-rush dummies and custom-made equipment.

Nonetheless, today’s session was an oasis in a desert of an offseason. They started with bag drills and blocking sleds, and later moved to technique work out of a 3-point stance, getting their hands, feet and mind in sync.

pouha.jpgPatti Sapone/The Star-LedgerJets' Sione Pouha leads his defensive-line teammates in bag drills during a player-run group workout today.

“Everybody’s going to be running, everybody’s going to be lifting, but the team unity, the team bonding is what you miss during this time period,” DeVito said. “We want to get it any way we can. Even if it’s just the D-line … it will help us in the future.”

This was also the first time the veterans met Wilkerson, who stands to be among those impacted most by the work stoppage. DeVito brought along his defensive workbook, filled with his scrawl of notes from last season, to help Wilkerson, but learned the rookie had a copy of the playbook -- one better than the rest of his teammates.

After position drills, Pouha took the group through the first few defenses they usually install each spring, introducing them to Wilkerson.

“We’re not really trying to be coaches, we’re just trying to give him an edge if we can offer that,” Pouha said.

The rookie impressed his teammates by how quickly he picked up direction. DeVito called Wilkerson a “natural,” adding that he only needed to receive instructions once. Tomorrow afternoon, the veterans planned to begin going over the playbook with the Temple product.

“I was looking forward to this,” Wilkerson said. “Before, I was just going out on my own. I got in touch with my teammates but wasn’t meeting up with them. Now we’ve got a plan; we’re going to be meeting up and doing things. It’s very exciting.”

After the workout, Pouha shook his hands, pointing out that his wrists are still getting used to the jolting of his position. And his reads, he added, are “coming out of hibernation.”

But that’s what this time of year is for -- even if this year, it’s left to the players. Pouha will take care of his position group first and, as quarterback Mark Sanchez suggested last week on NFL Network, he would welcome full-team sessions next.

“Considering the circumstances, it’s a really good idea for us all to get together,” Pouha said. “When Mark makes the call, when our leader makes the call, we’re there.”

* * *

Jets center Nick Mangold will be on Sunday's episode of NFL Network's "The Top 100: Players of 2011." Players ranked between 41 and 50 will be presented, and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer will present Mangold.

Jenny Vrentas: jvrentas@starledger.com.

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Pouha is everywhere.

Seems like he is really embracing the veteran leadership role.

Wish Ellis would get his fat butt there. If for no other reason then to get a copy of the play book

[Bleedin Green]

Pouha is everywhere.

Seems like he is really embracing the veteran leadership role.

Wish Ellis would get his fat butt there. If for no other reason then to get a copy of the play book

It's amazing how quickly things change in the NFL. Pouha and Devito are now veterans on the DL and the ones leading this thing. And the fact is, they both seem very willing to do their part. Everything from Pouha putting this all together to Devito bringing his notes and playbook for Wilkerson are great to hear. And while only mentioned briefly, I'm really happy to see that Pitoitua and Westerman were there. There is no question that Ryan is really high on Pitoitua and it's good to see that he's recovered enough to be participating. Even with the addition of Wilkerson, I'm sure he'll be getting plenty of playing time especially if Shaun Ellis doesn't come back. And Westerman is really the Jets best hope of someone to emerge as a pass rusher at OLB.

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Pics if you click on the link.

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2011/06/jets_defensive_linemen_organiz.html