Just saw a DT for Virginia, Chris Long, pancake a Maryland RB in the endzone for a safety. He looks the part, but I don't follow the college game that much...who is likely to be a Top 10 pick?
He is a defensive end in a 3-4 scheme...right now a lot of people are putting him at their top of the Jets' Draft wish list.
frank okam seems to be the only one right now. I believe he is 350 pounds, so he will most definitely have the size
I just watched him for the first time tonight and I was definitely impressed. He was manhandling blockers, splitting double teams, and getting to the QB. The guy has a non-stop motor. I'd love to see him in green in white.
I'd wonder if FO has him atop list. I think so. He has the IT when it comes to Tangini. He plays for Groh, a Parcells guy, and I'm sure the FO are hearing plenty of praise from Groh himself.
Long would be a great pick and I think he could also line up at OLB because I don't think he's playing anywhere close to his listed weight right now. As far as NT go, there are really only a couple of potential NT in this draft. Top of my list is BC suspended player BJ Raji, who's certainly got the body to do it. Another guy who I really like is Michigan NT Terrance Taylor- he's a little on the light side but he's got great technique and is very strong. He's a junior and I hope he comes out. Another sleeper, though he might be a bit too tall (I don't care too much about that, its all about strength and leverage) is Red Bryant from Texas A&M.
I don't care which side of the ball the Jets focus on this year but I hope they stay on only one side. Spend what they need to in FA and draft to fill the other holes in either the defense or offense. Obviously, it would be better to make the defense whole first as it's easier to win with a good defense then it is with a good offense. Just don't waste picks to move up for a single player that will make no difference at all like they did this year.
Long is probably the best 3-4 DE to come out in years. Maybe ever. He does a lot more then what DEs are expected to do.
I'm alittle leary about Long. He seems like more of a one gap player despite playing in that 34 scheme. We dont specifically need PLAYMAKERS up front. We need guys who dont get pushed backwards and can maintain their gaps. Long appears to be a guy who would occassionally get some penetration and make some plays, but would struggle w/ maintaining gaps in the running game. Which is our DL's main weakness.
Long may turn out to be better overall player, however Carriker was a much better fit for our scheme.. Why? -Long is a penetrator who gets off blocks w/ his quickness and technique. - Carriker was a guy who had some quickness, but what made him so good was his overall strength and his stout ability to stand O-lineman up at the point of attack, hold his ground, and ultimately use his big frame to make plays.
