The Jets will host free agent linebacker Gerald Hodges on Wednesday, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reports. In 15 games last season for the 49ers, Hodges registered 83 tackles and three sacks while intercepting two passes, forcing one fumble, recovering another, and breaking up two passes. The New Jersey product seems to have coverage skills and is pretty fast with a 4.7 40 time. If he ran at this years combine he would have tied for 12th among all LB's. Just turned 26.
Hmm..they already brought back Bruce Carter...is this rotational or is Mr. Harris about to pack his bags?
It'll be interesting if he leaves with a contract for sure. NO OVERPAYING .. Hodges wanted to test the waters, hopefully he's not asking for BIG $$,$$$,$$$. Edit- Saw this on Fansided. Seems he might not be too expensive after all. Hodges is considered to be a solid starter. He would be an upgrade over current Redskins starter Will Compton, as he is stronger in run support than Comtpon. Hodges was the 49ers best run stopper and only made $1.7 million last year. Hodges should be signed for $3 million or less, making him a bargain compared to Brown, who may be marginally better. He is a great athlete, as evidenced by the fact that Penn State tried to utilize him as a punt returner in his college days. Greg Manusky, the Skins new Defensive Coordinator is a Pennsylvania native and should love working with the former Nittany Lion.
I am guessing this is the fallout from the Foster draft pick for the 49ers? With Foster and Bowman, maybe they don't need him?
I thought he (Hodges) was faster then David Harris. I don't know if he still runs or plays at this speed but David Harris ran a 4.59 .. funny as he was always considered slow .. especially when hearing comparisons to Demario Davis, who ran a 4.58 with his sideline to sideline ability lol. Bruce Carter 4.57.
Another thing to consider is that they are gonna switch to perhaps a 4-3 "Under" look. In which case you'd likely be rotating Lawrence Thomas/Mauldin/Jenkins at strong & weakside DE/ Lee could potentially play WLB-Harris,carter or hodges at Mike and a mystery at Sam?? That's one way to potentially utilize the big 3 DL in both 1 & 2 gap situations as well as optimize Darron Lee.. Just a thought
The formula window for Compensary Picks was still open keeping teams quiet as to not lose/cancel out any compensation .. the window just closed (annually, the Tuesday following the draft) and so we should start seeing more FA pickups. Regarding the Jets and Comp Picks .. we probably aren't getting squat. NY Jets After extending Brian Winters, the Jets have only 10 pending UFAs for sure. Ryan Clady may be an 11th if the formula does not rule him ineligible to become a CFA due to his renegotiated and declined 2017 team option. Regardless, after cutting many high priced veterans after a poor season, the Jets may be entering a full blown rebuild mode that requires signing multiple CFAs to take them out of comp pick contention. Potential: Very Low The fact of the matter is there was never much of a chance the Jets were going to get compensatory picks at the start of free agency. To get them, you need to have good free agents other teams want. The Jets didn’t. - Per Over The Cap
The Jets definitely should sign Hodges if they can afford it. He rated higher than both Harris and Lee vs the run and the pass last year. Here's an article that shows his ranking vs other LBs in the NFL: https://www.profootballfocus.com/pro-jets-bring-in-ilb-gerald-hodges-for-a-visit/
Signing Hodges would; A- Save us $ B- add a player in his prime C- improve overall team talent It's a no brainer...
I was hoping we would have signed him by now. I don't think he is asking for bank breaking money. If Harris wasn't a positive locker room presence and didn't have another year left in the tank, I'd drive over to Florahm Park and get to the bottom of this. Perhaps Hodges is seeking a long term deal and the Jets don't want to commit feeling they need more versatility at the position. Or maybe they like one of the young LB's already on the roster.
Given the fact that he is a decent young player thats actually available,visited multiple teams that would make sense w. no one pulling the trigger on a deal it could be something medical. Jets might have just been kicking the tires w. their own MD's taking a look