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Premium – So should the Jets consider Missouri DE Michael Sam in the upcoming draft? As we all know by now, Sam made big news last week . . .
The Jets probably shouldn’t pick him, and it has nothing to do with his sexuality.
He doesn’t fit their system.
The Jets play a base 3-4 front.
Sam is a 6-1, 255 defensive end.
In the 3-4 defense, defensive ends are bigger than in the 4-3 defense. They generally look like Mo Wilkerson – 6-4, 315. In the 3-4 defense, you need big bodies at end because they often take up double teams.
So from a defensive end standpoint, Sam is a better fit for a 4-3 defense.
At his size, and with his pass rushing ability, many scouts project Sam to the 3-4 outside linebacker position.
But honestly, he’s not a great fit there.
“He’s a tweener, said draft expert Mike Mayock.
From the uninitiated, a “tweener” is a player who is kind stuck “in-between” two positions, and that is where the term “tweener” came from.
So Sam is viewed by many as too small for defensive end, but not athletic enough to play outside linebacker.
“So he’s got linebacker size, but he’s got physical skill set of a defensive end – he’s a tough fit,” Mayock said. “He’s really kind of tight‑hipped and I don’t think he can play linebacker.”
The problem with having tight hips at linebacker is it hurts your ability to change directions, which is so important at that position . . .
While on the subject of 3-4 outside linebackers, the Jets definitely could use one in the upcoming draft.
And they really don’t have a young one in the pipeline.
Can you imagine how great the Jets Front Seven could bit if they complement Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson, Damon Harrison and Quinton Coples with a dynamic, speedy edge pass rusher at OLB? Wow.
I think the Jets will bring back Calvin Pace on a one-year deal, but he will be 34 next October.
The two best 3-4 OLB prospects in this draft are probably Khalil Mack of the University of Buffalo and Anthony Barr of UCLA.
Mack, from Fort Pierce, Florida, is a terrific all-around football player with a great motor. He lives in the backfield. In college, he had 75 tackles for losses.
Barr is a heck of an athlete for a 6-4, 248-pounder, and he could be an even pass rusher on the NFL level because he was constantly double-teamed in college. In the NFL, he will get more favorable blocking scenarios.
If either slips into the early teens of the first round, the Jets should consider trading up.
A guy whose value could fit right where the Jets pick is Auburn’s Dee Ford, who has a great burst coming off the corner. He is good at getting under tall tackles. Ford has long arms, which is a nice tool to have as a pass rusher. He also pretty loose hips for a 240-pounder so he changes directions well. I personally expect him to light-up the combine.
The Jets really need a guy like this.
As we all know, they have been trying for many years to find one.
February 19, 2014
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