inside linebacker targets for the Jets"Welcome to the 2019 Jets Free Agency Profile series! Up until the start of the 2019 free agency period in March
Robby Anderson Jersey , I’ll be running through a bunch of names the Jets could potentially bring in with their hoard of cap space. Let’s get into it!Inside linebacker is not near the top of the list of needs for the Jets, but it isn’t an untouchable position, either. Avery Williamson and Darron Lee made up a decent duo last year, but it’s far from formidable, as both players have their share of weaknesses and are rather one-dimensional.With the Jets sticking in a 3-4 base, I’m OK if inside linebacker isn’t addressed and the Jets head into 2019 with that aforementioned pair, but there are a couple of names on the free agent market that caught my eye.If the Jets think one of these guys can be a substantial upgrade over Lee, then they should by all means go for it, as long as the pursuit doesn’t restrain them from going after priority targets at positions of greater need.Let’s take a look at C.J. Mosley and Kwon Alexander.Name: C.J. MosleyBirthday/Age: June 19th, 1992 (age 27 on September 1st)Height/Weight: 6’2, 241FA type: UnrestrictedCollege: Alabama (drafted 17th overall by the Ravens in the first round of the 2014 draft)Team(s): Ravens (2014-18)Position/usage: 3-4 inside linebacker2018 stats: 15 games, 105 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 5 passes defended, two QB knockdowns, one interception, half sackPrevious salary: Ravens accepted fifth year option. $8.7M cap hit in 2018Spotrac Market Value: $9.7M/year (would currently be 6th highest among inside linebackers)Jets connections: Alabama teammate of James Carpenter (impending free agent)Measurables (via mockdraftable.com):Mosley is a four-time Pro Bowler for the Ravens. Since joining the team, he’s played in 80 of 83 possible games, usually playing 100% of the defensive snaps. He’s primarily been a top-notch run stopper, but I think he’s more solid than given credit for in coverage. He’s a notoriously crushing hitter and a quality big play producer.Name: Kwon AlexanderBirthday/Age: August 3rd, 1994 (age 25 on September 1st)Height/Weight: 6’1, 227FA type: UnrestrictedCollege: LSU (drafted 124th overall by the Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 2015 draft)Team(s): Buccaneers (2015-18)Position/usage: 4-3 outside linebacker2018 stats: 6 games, 45 tackles, 6 tackles for loss
Womens Kelvin Beachum Jersey , two passes defended, two QB knockdowns, two fumbles forced, one sackPrevious salary: Signed a 4 year, $2,758,322 rookie contract. $2.0M cap hit in 2018Spotrac Market Value: $10.2M/year (would currently be 4th highest among inside linebackers)Jets connections: LSU teammate of Jamal Adams and Rashard RobinsonMeasurables (via mockdraftable.com):Alexander has had trouble staying on the field in Tampa Bay. He suffered a torn ACL six games into 2018, after missing four games each in two of his first three seasons.Only 25 years old this August (just two months younger than Lee), Alexander has primarily been a 4-3 outside linebacker for the Buccaneers, but I think he could project well into the role Lee has been playing for the Jets. I could see Alexander matching or even beating Lee in coverage, while representing an upgrade in run defense. Alexander is similarly athletic and smallish for the position. He’s been solid in coverage for the Buccaneers and a very high level playmaker.Speaking of playmaking, this is the primary reason I think the Jets should at least consider the idea of trying to upgrade off of their current duo. Williamson and Lee both can do a few things pretty well, but one thing that neither has proven able to do at a high level is make big plays. It’s really something that the Jets defense as a whole has struggled to do for a while, though some steps forward were taken in 2018. Conversely, it’s something that Alexander and Mosley have done exceptionally well.In the chart below, I compared the amount of “splash plays” (interceptions, passes defended, fumbles forced, fumbles recovered, sacks, and tackles for loss) each of these have players averaged per game in their careers, projected over a sixteen game span.Alexander and Mosley blow the Jets duo out of the water.Here’s a more detailed breakdown of how those numbers were compiled.Here are a couple of interesting bits I found. Since 2015, Alexander has collected eight tackles for loss in the passing game (T-7th in the league). Mosley has seven (T-16th).The Jets duo has combined for only four, with Lee notching three
https://www.jetslockerroom.com/authentic-keyshawn-johnson-jersey , and Williamson, one.Let’s look at third down stops since 2015 - tackles short of the sticks, sacks, pass deflections, and interceptions on third down. Mosley has collected 43.5 (11.4 per sixteen), Alexander, 38 (13.2). In comparison, the league leader in total third down stops since 2015, Alexander’s Tampa Bay teammate Lavonte David, has averaged 14.8 third stops per sixteen games, with 54.5 in total over the past four seasons. Alexander’s average is equal to Luke Kuechly’s.The Jets duo? Williamson has 26 (6.6 per sixteen), Lee, 18 (7.2).What do you think? Should the Jets make a play at inside linebacker? Having looked at each of the Jets’ draft picks in detail, we’ve now moved on to discuss each of their undrafted free agent signings. We continue today with a breakdown of Tennessee defensive..." />Skip to main contentclockmenumore-arrownoyesGang Green Nation homepageHorizontal - WhiteGang Green Nationa New York Jets communityFollow Gang Green Nation online:Follow Gang Green Nation on TwitterFollow Gang Green Nation on FacebookFollow Gang Green Nation on InstagramLog in or sign upLog InSign UpSite searchSearchSearchGang Green Nation main menuFanpostsFanshotsJetsOddsAboutMastheadCommunity GuidelinesStubHubMoreAll 321 blogs on Horizontal - WhiteFanposts Fanshots Jets StoriesScheduleRosterStatsYahoo Jets NewsYahoo Jets Team PageYahoo Jets ReportYahoo Jets Depth ChartYahoo Jets TransactionsYahoo Jets PhotosOdds About Masthead Community Guidelines StubHub ✕Scouting Jets UDFA Kyle PhillipsNew,3commentsEDTShare this storyShare this on FacebookShare this on TwitterShareAll sharing optionsShareAll sharing options for:Scouting Jets UDFA Kyle PhillipsTwitterFacebookRedditPocketFlipboardEmailPhoto by Donald Page/Getty ImagesHaving looked at each of the Jets’ draft picks in detail, we’ve now moved on to discuss each of their undrafted free agent signings. We continue today with a breakdown of Tennessee defensive lineman Kyle Phillips.The 22-year old is listed at 6’4” and 277 pounds and started 20 games in his career with the Vols. He set career highs in his senior year with 55 tackles, four sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss.BackgroundPhillips was a four-star recruit out of high school, but redshirted his first season in 2015. He didn’t make much of an impact during his first two seasons, as he totaled 23 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, two passes defensed and just one sack.He entered his junior year as a reserve, having started just one game - a 2016 match-up against Tennessee Tech - in his first two years. He got off to a slow start in 2017 too, with just nine tackles in the first five games. However, when starting defensive end Darrell Taylor was suspended following an altercation with a teammate
Brent Qvale Jersey , Phillips moved into the starting line-up and remained there for the last seven games.During those last seven games, Phillips had 24 tackles and recorded his only two sacks of the year in a win over Southern Miss. However, that was the only one of Phillips’ seven starts that Tennessee won.As a senior, Phillips developed into a leader as a full-time starter. He racked up a career high 55 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss and four sacks and made some impact plays that led to a couple of touchdowns.Phillips was not invited to the scouting combine or the senior bowl, but had a good week at the East-West Shrine Game and was projected as a mid-to-late round pick in the draft following a good pro day. The Jets signed him as an undrafted free agent after he went unselected.Now let’s take a look at what Phillips brings to the table, divided into categories.Measurables/AthleticismPhillips has adequate size and length for a defensive end role, but was viewed as an undersized interior lineman during much of his college career.He turned heads at his pro day by running an impressive 4.68 40-yard dash at 277 pounds, but his other workout numbers were less impressive. His strength and explosiveness numbers were about average and his agility numbers were poor.On film, Phillips has flashes of spectacular athleticism such as this play, for which he was awarded the 2018 “Piesman Trophy” which goes to the “big guy” with the most spectacular athletic play during the season.UsageAs noted, despite being ideally sized for a 4-3 defensive end role, Phillips also got plenty of reps on the interior during his collegiate career. He also saw plenty of reps as a five-technique end and started to play more reps as a stand-up edge rusher in his senior year.That versatility to play anywhere along the line can be a blessing or a curse as teams may not be sure what his role would be at the NFL level and he could end up being labelled as a tweener.MotorPhillips is a player who works hard in the trenches and coaches have praised him for giving good effort in pursuit, even during practice to set a good example for his teammates. Phillips was double-teamed a lot, but kept working.He has shown he can handle a starter’s workload, playing over 50 snaps five times as a junior and six as a senior. He played 75 snaps against Alabama in 2017.Pass rushPhillips wasn’t a particularly productive pass rusher in terms of sack numbers or pressure percentages at Tennessee, but - as noted above - that’s partly due to the fact he spent plenty of time on the interior where he saw a lot of double teams.He displays good burst out of his stance but generally seems to have more success when he takes a more patient approach and looks to make a counter move.On this play, he uses speed around the edge to chase down the quarterback and force a fumble that was eventually recovered for a touchdown.Phillips is able to use both his quickness and power to generate pressure and get into the backfield.Run defensePhillips gives good effort in the trenches and has produced plenty of stops in the running game over the past two seasons. He stays at home and reacts well to make this play in the backfield.At the point of attack, he has mixed results and can struggle to hold up against double teams. On this play, he tries to shoot a gap into the backfield off the left edge but the tight end ends up driving him back into the end zone.Phillips shows an ability to set the edge at times, gives a good effort in pursuit and can fight off blocks, but is not always consistent against the running game.TechniquePhillips mainly relies on effort as a pass rusher, but occasionally shows off some potential with some pass rush moves.On this play, he takes a patient approach
Womens Marcus Maye Jersey , drives his man back and then uses a jerk move to get to the quarterback cleanly.TacklingPhillips became a more productive tackler as his playing time increased over the last season and a half. He’ll help bottle up runs and will chase down plays in space. However, he will also overrun plays and take bad angles, leaving him unable to recover.Phillips didn’t miss a lot of tackles during his career but missed two chances to prevent this first down run.CoverageAlthough he saw some reps as an outside linebacker, it was very rare for him to drop into coverage. His pick-six against Alabama last year was simply a good reaction to a misplaced pass that more or less landed in his lap.For his career, Phillips racked up nine passes defensed, including a career high four in his senior year. All of these came on passes batted down at the line.Instincts/IntelligencePhillips was an outstanding student who graduated a year early to do a masters in his senior year. He won multiple academic awards at Tennessee.On the field, when rushing the passer, Phillips usually keeps his head up and displays good awareness to either chase the quarterback or get his hands up to bat down passes.By contrast, in the running game, Phillips seems to display questionable vision and awareness. He’ll often be pre-occupied with fighting off a block as a run goes right by him or will take himself out of a play by attempting to shoot a gap and being redirected out of the running lane.Furthermore, he seemed to be fooled by misdirection and read-option keepers on a regular basis, to the point where some teams may have actively been targeting him as the player to make a read off.Special teamsPhillips didn’t contribute much on special teams, although he rushed a few punts and played sparingly in kick coverage. Most of his special teams snaps were on the kick block unit and he made this play against Missouri.Attitude/DemeanorPhillips has been praised as an outstanding leader and has excellent intangibles. While he was described as quiet, Phillips apparently did everything the coaches asked of him and led by example.He’s a disciplined player who only had two penalties in his college, although one of those negated an interception as he jumped offside.InjuriesPhillips was healthy over the last two years, but had some shoulder issues earlier in his career. He had to have three surgeries, including one that ended his freshman season prematurely. He had also missed a couple of games earlier that year with shoulder issues.Scheme FitAs noted above, Phillips has played all over the defensive line so could be considered to be versatile or a tweener.If he can prove that he’s athletic enough to play on the edge, that’s probably a better bet for him than bulking up and working on the interior. It’s also an easier path to earning a role on this particular team, where the interior depth is good, but the edge depth is spotty.ConclusionsPhillips going undrafted was probably a combination of confusion over his possible role and perhaps concern over his medicals due to his previous ongoing shoulder issues.Would Phillips have been the kind of player that Joe Douglas would have signed? Perhaps not. The modest college production and pro day 40-time might not have impressed him. However, he’s likely to be a fan of his intangibles.The biggest weakness in Phillips’ game seems to be his instincts and awareness against the run, some of which may just have been influenced by the system he played in with the Vols. He needs to bury his head in the playbook to ensure he knows his assignments and plays with discipline to give himself the best chance of showcasing his athleticism and impressing the staff.
Добавлено: 01 ноя 2019, 05:04