by Michael Cohen
For a team that waddled its way through the regular season, and then turned on overdrive in the playoffs, there was a glaring weakness on the New York Jets roster all season long --
An edge pass rusher.
Sure the Jets will need to address other concerns this year; they could use another wide receiver, may have to draft another running back to complement Shonn Greene, especially if Leon Washington fails to return as the player he was, and Thomas Jones either doesn't return, or, returns and starts to decline.
The Jets could use another safety to complement Jim Leonhard, and another shutdown type corner to give super star Darrell Revis some help.
But the fact remains that Gang Green did not have a great pass rush this season. They totaled only 32 sacks in the regular season, and their leading sack leader, Calvin Pace had only eight sacks this year.
If Rex Ryan's number one defense is to truly become a dominant, ferocious unit, then they will need to add a player who can put enormous pressure on the quarterback.
Two years ago, the Jets drafted Vernon Gholston in the belief that he would turn into that edge pass rusher, but he never developed into anything in two years with Gang Green, and will likely be released from the team come mini-camp in May.
Drafting another edge pass rusher is certainly within the realm of possibility; that player would be about 21 or 22 years old, and if he has superior talent and is a fast learner, he could make his mark on the NFL for years to come.
But a potential free agent, who has the resume of one of the league's best pass rushers could be soon available. Julius Peppers.
The Carolina Panthers defensive end is a restricted free agent once again this year. During the summer, there were rumors that Peppers would leave Carolina in a trade to play for the New England Patriots in 2009, but any potential sign and trades fell through. Peppers remained with Carolina, that had to pay him more than $1 million a game.
Peppers had another Pro Bowl season, racking up 10.5 sacks, 42 tackles, two interceptions, an interception return for a touchdown, a safety, and five forced fumbles. With the exception of an injury plagued 2007, Peppers has consistently been one of the NFL's best edge pass rushers.He has 81 career sacks, and six interceptions.
His 6'7", 283 pound frame makes him leaner and faster than most defensive lineman. According to a scouting report on Sportsnet.ca, Peppers is "a unique athlete who can play low despite a 6-7 frame, explode out of his stance, and still hold his ground against the run. A tremendous pass rusher with speed to the corner and some inside moves, he pursues very well on plays away from him."
How does a player like this become available?
Well, the Panthers have very few options when it comes to retaining Peppers. They are in a "Catch 22" situation. If they want to keep Peppers, the Panthers will have to place the franchise tag on him which will cost them more than $20 million in 2010.
If they franchise him, the Panthers could always trade Peppers, but Carolina would have to pick up most of the tab.
Peppers wants a long term deal, and since no contracts are guaranteed in the NFL, Peppers would want as much money as he can get up front right now.
As the NFL enters a huge year with the collective bargaining agreement still in the process of being worked out, with the potential for a league wide lockout a year from now, paying this much to one player, collective bargaining or no collective bargaining, might be something a team like the Panthers may not want to bear.
The Jets, on the other hand, are in a predicament as well. As a member of the 2009-2010 Final Four, the Jets could be hampered in how much they spend on potential free agents because of the current collective bargaining policy. According to NJ.com, here is how the Jets offseason plans could be hurting based on the current CBA.
"The final eight playoff teams can’t sign an unrestricted free agent unless they lose one themselves, and the money has to match, much like in NBA trades. That player must have an expired contract and be in the league six or more years.
"Also, more than 200 players that would’ve been unrestricted free agents, such as Jets WR Braylon Edwards and RB Leon Washington, will be restricted free agents under the current CBA.
"However, if a veteran player gets cut by a team, he can be signed by any team on the open market." (www.nj.com/jets).
If there is no change in the CBA by March, the rules above would go into effect.
If the financial details can get worked out within the league, then the Jets should jump to the front of the line for Peppers.
In a story on Yahoo Sports, Peppers said that he doesn't have a preference where he plays in 2010, he just wants a long term contract anywhere.
Peppers will be 30 years old next year, but his presence on the Jets would make too much sense. He would give Gang Green a menacing presence on the defensive line that was lacking throughout the season.
If the Jets had a defensive front of Calvin Pace, Kris Jenkins, and Peppers, along with Marquis Douglas and Bryan Thomas coming in on a rotating basis, the Jets could have one of the best defensive fronts in the game.
Plus, any acquisition of Peppers, will allow Rex Ryan to mix and match more with his blitz packages. He could throw in more corner back blitzes from the nickle position, he could swap Peppers and Pace from right defensive end to left depending on the potential match-ups, and he could even split Peppers on the outside as a linebacker.
At a tall 6'7" 283 pounds, Peppers could be a beast in Ryan's 46 defense.
The only concern would be his age. Javon Kearse was once a great edge pass rusher with the Titans, but injuries and age cost Kearse his athletic gifts during his time with the Eagles and his second stint with Tennessee. Except for 2007, Peppers has been relatively healthy and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Even at 30, he could give a team a good four or five years of productivity.
His addition to the Jets roster will not only make the Jets defense better, it will begin the process of making the Jets into a Super team.
For a team that waddled its way through the regular season, and then turned on overdrive in the playoffs, there was a glaring weakness on the New York Jets roster all season long --
An edge pass rusher.
Sure the Jets will need to address other concerns this year; they could use another wide receiver, may have to draft another running back to complement Shonn Greene, especially if Leon Washington fails to return as the player he was, and Thomas Jones either doesn't return, or, returns and starts to decline.
The Jets could use another safety to complement Jim Leonhard, and another shutdown type corner to give super star Darrell Revis some help.
But the fact remains that Gang Green did not have a great pass rush this season. They totaled only 32 sacks in the regular season, and their leading sack leader, Calvin Pace had only eight sacks this year.
If Rex Ryan's number one defense is to truly become a dominant, ferocious unit, then they will need to add a player who can put enormous pressure on the quarterback.
Two years ago, the Jets drafted Vernon Gholston in the belief that he would turn into that edge pass rusher, but he never developed into anything in two years with Gang Green, and will likely be released from the team come mini-camp in May.
Drafting another edge pass rusher is certainly within the realm of possibility; that player would be about 21 or 22 years old, and if he has superior talent and is a fast learner, he could make his mark on the NFL for years to come.
But a potential free agent, who has the resume of one of the league's best pass rushers could be soon available. Julius Peppers.
The Carolina Panthers defensive end is a restricted free agent once again this year. During the summer, there were rumors that Peppers would leave Carolina in a trade to play for the New England Patriots in 2009, but any potential sign and trades fell through. Peppers remained with Carolina, that had to pay him more than $1 million a game.
Peppers had another Pro Bowl season, racking up 10.5 sacks, 42 tackles, two interceptions, an interception return for a touchdown, a safety, and five forced fumbles. With the exception of an injury plagued 2007, Peppers has consistently been one of the NFL's best edge pass rushers.He has 81 career sacks, and six interceptions.
His 6'7", 283 pound frame makes him leaner and faster than most defensive lineman. According to a scouting report on Sportsnet.ca, Peppers is "a unique athlete who can play low despite a 6-7 frame, explode out of his stance, and still hold his ground against the run. A tremendous pass rusher with speed to the corner and some inside moves, he pursues very well on plays away from him."
How does a player like this become available?
Well, the Panthers have very few options when it comes to retaining Peppers. They are in a "Catch 22" situation. If they want to keep Peppers, the Panthers will have to place the franchise tag on him which will cost them more than $20 million in 2010.
If they franchise him, the Panthers could always trade Peppers, but Carolina would have to pick up most of the tab.
Peppers wants a long term deal, and since no contracts are guaranteed in the NFL, Peppers would want as much money as he can get up front right now.
As the NFL enters a huge year with the collective bargaining agreement still in the process of being worked out, with the potential for a league wide lockout a year from now, paying this much to one player, collective bargaining or no collective bargaining, might be something a team like the Panthers may not want to bear.
The Jets, on the other hand, are in a predicament as well. As a member of the 2009-2010 Final Four, the Jets could be hampered in how much they spend on potential free agents because of the current collective bargaining policy. According to NJ.com, here is how the Jets offseason plans could be hurting based on the current CBA.
"The final eight playoff teams can’t sign an unrestricted free agent unless they lose one themselves, and the money has to match, much like in NBA trades. That player must have an expired contract and be in the league six or more years.
"Also, more than 200 players that would’ve been unrestricted free agents, such as Jets WR Braylon Edwards and RB Leon Washington, will be restricted free agents under the current CBA.
"However, if a veteran player gets cut by a team, he can be signed by any team on the open market." (www.nj.com/jets).
If there is no change in the CBA by March, the rules above would go into effect.
If the financial details can get worked out within the league, then the Jets should jump to the front of the line for Peppers.
In a story on Yahoo Sports, Peppers said that he doesn't have a preference where he plays in 2010, he just wants a long term contract anywhere.
Peppers will be 30 years old next year, but his presence on the Jets would make too much sense. He would give Gang Green a menacing presence on the defensive line that was lacking throughout the season.
If the Jets had a defensive front of Calvin Pace, Kris Jenkins, and Peppers, along with Marquis Douglas and Bryan Thomas coming in on a rotating basis, the Jets could have one of the best defensive fronts in the game.
Plus, any acquisition of Peppers, will allow Rex Ryan to mix and match more with his blitz packages. He could throw in more corner back blitzes from the nickle position, he could swap Peppers and Pace from right defensive end to left depending on the potential match-ups, and he could even split Peppers on the outside as a linebacker.
At a tall 6'7" 283 pounds, Peppers could be a beast in Ryan's 46 defense.
The only concern would be his age. Javon Kearse was once a great edge pass rusher with the Titans, but injuries and age cost Kearse his athletic gifts during his time with the Eagles and his second stint with Tennessee. Except for 2007, Peppers has been relatively healthy and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. Even at 30, he could give a team a good four or five years of productivity.
His addition to the Jets roster will not only make the Jets defense better, it will begin the process of making the Jets into a Super team.