Contain your excitement but it looks like free agent DE Howard Jones is visiting...Just what we need another DE.There will be no cupcakes or free merchandise for his arrival to the building....only sad faces. http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/14/howard-jones-will-visit-the-jets/
Howard Jones would likely play OLB for us (he is 6'4'' at 240-250 lbs). And he actually wouldn't be the worst signing: He surely would be cheap (maybe even around the minimum), is relatively young (27) and has shown some pass rushing potential (5 sacks as a rookie in 2015). If he's healthy (torn ACL in 2016) I would not mind his signing. These are the kind of guys (undrafted, young, potential, desire to play/stay in the game) we actually should take chances on (with cheap/minimum contracts)...
He could be the edge rusher we need. Depends on his health and his asking price. Good physical and low dollars would be OK.
He was a 25 year old rookie .. He entered that he benches 405lb and runs a 40 time of 4.31 on his hudl page. Lets see what happens. Bring on the competition. Below is an excerpt from his first year: You'll have to forgive Steelers undrafted free agent Howard Jones if he's a little confused. The Division II defensive end was recruited to play wide receiver before getting moved to outside linebacker, en route to breaking Shepherd University's all time sacks record with 34.5. They tell him he's undersized after packing on 50 pounds in the last four years - he weighed in at 235 after starting his receiving career at 185. He ran a 4.54 40-yard dash time at the Combine, but wasn't drafted. He ended up in Pittsburgh as part of the rebuilding Run-and-Hit Defense the Steelers are looking to employ. And maybe that's the part of Jones' journey that makes the most sense. His speed and explosion off the edge is more than intriguing for a coaching staff with experience utilizing such players. Jones probably blew past all his teammates in sprinting drills, but now, he may not even be able to outrun all of his fellow linebackers. Perhaps that's the kind of lead-horse mentality he needs; both to push himself as well as push those around him. Speed isn't the issue and it certainly won't be. The problem is with technique. Not only does he lack position experience (he was moved to defensive end), but he lacks defensive experience - let alone high-end competition experience.
Leave no stone unturned. I hope between Jones and Josh Martin (I think I wanna see what he can do in an expanded role) you can get two more LB's to pair with Lee and Jenkins
Mac has acquired 5 linebackers in two seasons and yet Toilet still has Sheldon playing OLB? Can someone please explain to me HTF everyone keeps making excuses for him? After 2 seasons, 3 draft choices, 2 free agents, he's still looking for more. I just do NOT understand why people won't call this what it is?
This is what happens when a GM makes a MAJOR mistake in letting Snacks walk (best NT in football) so he can keep all 3 d-lineman when he only needs 2.
I respect your opinion, but I see it differently. I see just bad drafting of linebackers? Mauldin and Jenkins can't even get into starting roles? I think the DL is definitely a disappointment, but it will rebound. There's too much talent for that not to happen.
The D line cant get to the qb when he gets the ball out to an open WR in 1 second.We have no corners ...I figured this would be Macs top priority in FA .How did he not get 1 corner..
If Mac were doing his job, the linebackers at the very least would be considered a FINISHED product by now. Now, I am not saying that Mac would not select another LB if he saw a great value in the later rounds? But if Mac had done his job with the 3 draft choices and 2 FA's, the Jets would have a LB corp that is raved about like DL normally does. They would be calling LB one of the major strengths of the team. Instead, because Mac has been so poor in acquiring linebackers, he just keeps trying to get a finished product? It's like the truck that is stuck in 1st gear for crying out loud? Mac deserves scathing criticism for not at least having a MUCH better line backing corps overall by now..........
I am pretty sure as the year went on the 3rd round pick Jenkins started for us. If I remember correctly he ranked only behind Bosa as rookie edge setters. Jenkins will be a good player for us, in the same vein as brandon thomas( always doing the dirty work, raking up 5-7 sacks a year, solid all around player but no von miller). I agree with you on Mauldin, guy showed us nothing last year and looked a step slower than his rookie season.
It's both, bad drafting of LBers (although it may have been the best he could do) and letting Snacks skate in favor of keeping all 3 D-ends. When Macc came in and was handed a boatload of free $ ($60M+) and he opted for expensive FAs (Revis, Skrene, Gilchrist, Carpenter, others) in stead of locking up his own home grown talent (Damion Harrison, Wilkerson, etc). Macc then drafted Leonard Williams which bailed him out.....Macc could trade Wilkerson, re-up Richardson & Harrison, and have the best D-line in the NFL for the next 6-8 years. Richardson-Harrison-Williams would be unparalleled anywhere in football. But he totally blew it. He KEPT Wilkerson (which meant he'd have to come up with $60M to resign him) and he CUT Harrison, the best NT in football. So instead of the best D-line in football we now have a bloated, out-of-shape Wilkerson who plays uninspired and who plays next to a Kleenex Tissue in the middle who can't stop a nose bleed, and a 320 pound outside linebacker 'dominating' the flats. We went from potentially BEST situation ever to a total nightmare, all because Macc refused to re-up Snacks and refused to trade Wilkerson in favor of Richardson/Williams. When I think of how good and set we could have been right now it makes me sick.
