Maybin was an extraordinarily productive DE for Penn State this year, started as a backup but ended up a first team All American, and Bednarik finalist, with 12 sacks and even more TFLs. He's small for a defensive end, probably about 240-ish for his game weight, and would be a Gholston-esque player in that he'd be making the transition to 3-4 OLB. However, he's extremely fluid, and his best move is a great speed rush. I think he'd look great in Green and White.
I think i reminds me exactly of Gholston. We already have spent enough money on 3-4 OLB's. (Gholston, Pace, Thomas). Only two can be on the field. There's no reason why we should draft a rookie OLB. Give Gholston at least one more year. Although a pass rush would be nice, how do you know that Maybin will be any better than Gholston was his first year?
Maybin has a great motor, and never gives up on plays. A lot of his sacks came from chasing down QBs from behind. Gholston seemed to more rely on his athletic ability and took plays off. Maybin never took a play off.
Maybin's got more than a ways to go physically before he's ready for an NFL field, really at any position. He's still 20 pounds shy of playing OLB in a 3-4, and that's being generous because he looks like he's about 190 pounds. There's no way I could ever take him over a kid like Greg Hardy.
I definetely see the Jets taking another OLB in this draft, but it will not be a 1st round pick due to the money. The only way they can upgrade this position is mid round picks. Ideally the new coaching staff will play a more aggressive defensive which takes advantage of Thomas, Gholston and Pace. Regardless, they still have a real lack of speed at linebacker and it has to be fixed.
See the stellers defense. if your going to run a 34 you need to take linebackers and lots of them. We have a lot of money in 34 OLBs and only one good one in Pace. I don;t know much about Maybin, but I feel strongly that we need to invest in a DE or OLB to improve our pass rush.
We have Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas, Vernon Gholston, a more than capable backup in David Bowens & someone possibly capable in Marques Murrell. Ok, I look at the Steelers & they have Woodley & Harrison starting at OLB. Timmons was drafted & he will start spelling Farrior from time to time. Other than that, they really dont have big draft picks at OLB waiting to get in the game. The guy is right. We have other pressing needs right now beside OLB and we have plenty of $$ tied up in that position.
I want to trade up for Everette Brown. He's got the most potential as a 3-4 pass rusher. I hope he falls to 17, but after the combine -- he'll probably be a top ten guy. Aaron Maybin is a solid prospect, but our pick might be a little to high to spend on him RIGHT NOW. After the combine things could change.
$$ Tied up does not = getting the Job done. The Money spent of Thomas is wasted. He is awful in coverage, average angains the run and only a decent pass rusher at best. Pace a a good all around guy, but not dominant in any area. Gholston is a huge investment that did NOTHING in his rookie year. I hope he progresses this season but am not banking on it. Getting to the QB was the biggest problem we had in the last 5 games on D. I would rather take another LBer and be able to cut Thomas if the prospect pans out. Why even included Bowens in the situation. He is a back up and was moved inside this past year. Not drafting a top end pass rusher because of Thomas, Gholston and Bowens is pure folly. As for a a DE. This is a need for two reaasons. Coleman, stout as he is against the run, adds nothing to the pass rush at all. Ellis has been very good for us, but at 31 is no spring chicken. The time to invest picks here is now. Pittsburgh has invested a first and 2nd in the last two years on Linebackers. As thier core gets older the always restock early. The key to the 34 is Backer who can do every thing well. They need Pass rushing skills. They need to take on blockers. They need to be good in coverage. Sure Harrison is a monster and undrafted. Foote was a 4th rounder. But the rest of the guys that see time are 1st and 2nd round picks. This is not a coincidence. I would love to see him, or a stud QB, left at 17. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Actually it probably all starts with Bob Sutton. We all just assume we need new players --- maybe we'll be able to develop what is on our roster with much better coaching. IMO, we'll see a different player in Gholston w/the arrival of Rex Ryan, but then again, I might be overally hopeful. I certainly agree with you about a pass-rushing DE (Tyson Jackson / Evander Hood / even Pannell Egboh), but not another OLB. Are you watching the NFL draft? Pittsburgh investing a first and 2nd in the last two years on linebackers? Granted, Pittsburgh selected Lawrence Timmons (1st round) & LaMarr Woodley (2nd round) in 2007, but other than that, you've got to go back Alonzo Jackson in 2003.
