The New York Jets have agreed in principle to a three-year contract extension with NT Sione Pouha.
Pouha has started 44 games in the last three seasons for a defense that ranked first overall in 2009, third in 2010 and fifth in 2011. During that span, the Jets have held opponents to the lowest third-down conversion rate (33.7), the second fewest yards per game (285.3), and the fifth fewest points per game (18.8) and the fourth lowest average per rushing attempt (3.8).
Pouha, entering his eighth season, joined the Jets as a third-round selection in the 2005 NFL Draft from the University of Utah. He has played in 94 games and earned 45 starts, registering 234 tackles, 3.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed, one forced fumble and five fumble recoveries (all since 2010). In 2011, he led the defense with two fumble recoveries and the defensive line with 55 tackles in addition to contributing one sack, one forced fumble, two quarterback hurries and four passes defensed.
