Content available exclusively for subscribers
New Jersey – Are they really without a starter at this position? That is something that can be debated right now. The depth chart sometimes lacks context . . .
Jordan Jenkins isn’t going to play this week due to calf injury.
So the Jets will be without one of their starting outside linebackers.
Really?
It’s hard to say that yet.
Yes, he is listed as a starter at outside linebacker on the team website.
But he’s missed the last couple of weeks with a calf injury, and did he really win the job in camp?
He was running with the starters quite a bit the first couple of weeks in camp, but that wasn’t based on winning the job.
It was more a case of the Jets wanting to get him a lot of reps, so he would get comfortable, and perhaps be the guy for the job.
This was more an anointing situation than a guy lighting it up in camp and grabbing the job.
I like Jenkins as a prospect – his tough, smart, has arms like vines (which is really helpful at outside linebacker) and has great character.
But this wasn’t a situation like Robby Anderson where the rookie was popping off the practice tape every day.
Like all the other Jets outside linebackers, he was having a very hard time getting to the quarterback.
His run defense was very good.
My point is simple. The Jets aren’t really missing a starter with Jenkins out. He’s never played in an a real NFL game, and he didn’t grab the job and run with it.
I’m not dissing Jenkins, who is a good prospect, but just keeping it real. They aren’t playing without a starter. They are missing a rookie third-round pick.
Mike Catapano will get a lot of reps at Jenkins spot against the Cincinnati Bengals. I also think the Jets will be play some 4-3, to get their all talented defensive linemen on the field together.
But honestly, when Catapano lines up at outside linebacker, to me, it really is a 4-3 defense.
Catapano really isn’t a 3-4 outside linebacker. Andy Reid and Bob Sutton didn’t think so in Kansas City, and I will defer to them on this. He doesn’t have the requisite speed and quick twitch for the spot.
But the guy has really grown on me, watching him in practice and preseason games.
While he’s not going to often beat offensive tackles with speed off the edge, but he takes another approach.
He’s so tough and powerful, and every play, he runs into these tackles at 200 MPH. This wears them down, and it also helps other players get to the quarterback.
The starter on the other side, Lorenzo Mauldin, is playing with a major chip on his shoulder right now. He’s clearly pissed at the media for questioning him as a pass rusher. I can’t remember the last interview he’s done.
So he’s going to play with his hair on fire to prove the doubters wrong. I could see him getting 7-8 sacks this year.
But right now, on paper, the Jets don’t have a dominant pass rusher at the outside linebacker position right now. Perhaps somebody emerges this year and changes that narrative.
So using a guy like Catapano to slam into linemen and wear them down, and occasionally beat them with his motor, isn’t a bad thing.
September 9, 2016
Premium will return by 11:30 pm on Sunday.
