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This personnel decision probably didn’t get the attention it deserved. The more I think about it, the more I think it was an underrated, terrific decision . . .
I really like the Demario Davis trade.
I know I was somewhat critical of Davis’ play at this end of his first stint with the team over his issues in coverage.
I wanted to bring that up at the beginning here, so I’m not accused of revisionist history. I will get back to the coverage thing shortly.
I think this trade was a really good move on a number of levels.
First of all, Calvin Pryor clearly wasn’t in the Jets’ plans. They picked safeties in the first two rounds, and they really like other young safeties like Doug Middleton and Rontez Miles, so he might have been the odd man out. Pryor is a tough SOB who would sacrifice his body in run support, but was so wildly inconsistent in coverage, it would be hard for the Jets to start him moving forward.
So to be able to get a player, who might end up starting, in exchange for player who had fallen out of favor, is a pretty astute move.
And the Jets can say all day the release of David Harris had nothing to do with the Davis trade, but I find that hard to believe. That is just spin in my opinion. Of course the Davis trade had an impact on the release of Harris.
Perhaps the owner wondered why they needed to keep Harris on the books for $6.5 million when Davis could do the job for $1 million.
And that bring me to Davis salary. I have to give Mr. Coffee a lot of credit for not just the trade, but having Davis take a pay cut before the move was consummated. Davis agreed to take a cut from $3.7 to $1 million in 2017.
What a smart move by Maccagnan and it also it shows you how much Davis loves being a Jet, which is important as the team tries to rebuild their culture. While being a Jet isn’t exactly in vogue right now, this guy loves being a Jet.
And he also loves football. This isn’t a guy just in it for the money. He loves playing. This is a very violent sport. You gotta load up your roster with “glass-eaters” as scouts put it. The Jets had a cornerback last year who avoided tackling people. That is really bad for a football culture. Davis loves football, loves the hitting, loves all the contract. He loves everything about it. To some a pay cut like this would tick them off. It won’t impact Davis one iota.
Also, Davis is a great leader, and we all know that Jets need more of those. He’s a really good locker room guy.
Now getting back to the coverage issue. Davis is average in coverage. But you know what, he’s probably better than David Harris at this point who has lost a step. Davis actually has good speed (4.58 forty), but it’s straight-line. He has issues with cutting due to stiff hips.
But keep in mind, he’s playing the MIKE linebacker spot this time around. Last time he was in Florham Park, he was playing the weak-side, where Darron Lee is now, a spot that requires more coverage responsibilities than the MIKE.
And honestly, the Jets need to improve their pass rush. I’ve have mentioned this before. A former NFL inside linebacker has told me on more than one occasion that when you ask linebackers to hold up for 6, 7 seconds in coverage, because nobody is getting to the quarterback, they will all get exposed. So if the Jets improve their pass rush, all of sudden, you will see better coverage from their linebackers.
I like this move.
July 6, 2017
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