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An NFL.com blogger thinks one big position battle this year for the Jets is Bart Scott vs. DeMario Davis.
“The offseason hype machine says Scott is “back” this offseason,” wrote Gregg Rosenthall. “He’s trimmed down and has a new attitude. Don’t forget that there’s no chance Scott would be “back” with the Jets if his $4.2 million salary wasn’t guaranteed. The Jets would have cut him.
“Scott is essentially a two-down player now. He can’t handle covering opposing tight ends. Rookie Demario Davis can. That’s a problem for Scott.
“Davis, a third-round pick from Arkansas State, has wowed Jets onlookers and coaches all offseason. He should play for Scott on passing downs. Based on some of the reports, he might be too good to keep off the field as a starter. His talent is strong and his leadership abilities are said to be better.
“The Jets need to get faster on defense. Replacing Scott with Davis would help take care of that. Davis looks like a long-term building block. Scott is in his final season with the team at best. If the Jets can’t wait to hand the keys to Davis, the team could cutting Scott and eating his salary.
“Projected winner: Ignore the offseason Scott hype. Davis should win this job sooner rather than later.”
This is ridiculous.
Speaking of hype, the hype surrounding Davis is out of control. Let’s slow down a little bit.
Davis is a project right now. He was a college outside linebacker at a low Division 1 school, who is being move to NFL inside linebacker in the NFL. This is a very difficult transition.
Not only is he changing positions, he also has to learn to play in a 3-4 defense.
This isn’t going to be easy. He has outstanding potential, but this idea that he’s going to supplant Bart Scott this year, as a starter, seems like a reach.
Rosenthal said that Davis should be able to cover tight ends better because he’s faster. It’s not as simple as that. True he ran a 4.53 forty before the draft, but when are a young player in the NFL, and you aren’t sure of what you are doing yet, that often negates speed. 4.5 can look like 4.9. He needs to work on reading his keys and diagnosing better. That was apparent when Joe McKnight soundly beat him on a wheel route in minicamp.
And how about this one – “Davis’ leadership abilities are said to be better.”
Better than Scott as a rookie. That is just stupid. He has too much to learn to be much of a leader on defense. Once he’s comfortable with this assignments, and learns to be a 3-4 inside linebacker, which could take some time, he can emerge as a leader. But to say Davis’ leadership ability is better than Scott, now, is just not true.
Honestly, right now, not only isn’t Davis ready to challenge Scott, I’m not sure he’s better than the Jets current backup inside linebackers, Josh Mauga and Nick Bellore.
I think in time, Davis could be a terrific football player, especially with his great work ethic.
But people are getting way ahead of themselves, including Mr. Rosenthal, and even some coaches, at times.
Give the kid time to grow.
You have to be kidding me if you think he’s ready to challenge Bart Scott “sooner, rather than later.”
July 21, 2012
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