I agree that the starting group is solid. They do lack the big time pass rusher that defenses need to take account for all the time. I'm not talking a Merriman, since guys like him just don't come along often, but a Joey Porter, Colvin, McGinnest, is missing from this team. I couldn't disagree with you more about the depth at LB. Schlegel didn't play for a reason and Kassell/Chatham were shaky at best. If you really want to know what LB depth in a 3-4 defense is, take a look at those 98-99 defenses with Dwayne Gordon, Chad Cascadden, Pepper Johnson and Roman Phifer.
i dont think kassel was that bad...but that shclegal dude...the only times he got PT he got noticed...for the wrong things....i do think we need a speed rusher off the edge...a quick OLB would serve us well.
Everytime Kassell was on the field he either missed a tackle or got blocked out of the play.I thought he was going to be our run stuffing LB but showed nothing all year. I dont remember once when he made a play. Also he is so slow RB's run right around him. IMO we need a backup at OLB and ILB.
I dont think we need a new starter immediately. But I think we need a pass rush specialist who we can mix in packages. Kassell is fine as a 2 down backer cuz hes a good blitzer. Chatham is garbage needs to be released. And Schlegel was subpar at best, he might be Mangini's first mistake with "character guys"
Clearing up an early argument on this thread Kassell accidentally got hit in the butt while blocking on a punt. Schlegel accidentally hit a ball with his hand while hitting a guy who was going to recover an onside kick in the Green Bay game. I really dont expect Barton to return to the Jets next year. He and Kassell split time last season which isnt a good indication of a coaches assessment of your value or durability. Particularly when Kassell really seemed to struggle against the run. Barton has some injury history, will be in the last year of his contract next year, makes a fairly high salary, and will actually save the Jets money if they get rid of him. They wont resign him after next season, so they might look to move him for a mid round pick to a team that needs veteran LBs and save themselves half a million dollars. If that happens I expect Kassell and Schlegel to compete in camp for that spot and to split time early in the season until one of them wins the job out right. Big Cotch is probably gonna attack me for this, but my money is on Schlegel. I think we've seen what Kassell can do on game days and he was at best adequate and at times a liability. They drafted Schlegel for a reason and I think it was to replace Barton in 07. At this point he's had a year to learn the system, a year to adjust to being a pro, a year to work with NFL position coaches who can teach him coverage and block shedding techniques, and a year to get stronger and faster. We dont know what he can do yet and I'm not sure its fair to dismiss a guy based on two bad plays in his second professional game. I think Kassell is one of the players who looks great in practice, but struggles on game day. As for him being an effective run stuffer, I didnt see it on a consistent basis and thought Barton was much better. By the end of the year O Coordinators ran the ball right at Kassell for consistently for 5+ yds every time he was on the field. As for Kassell being an effective blitzer I cant think of a single time he touched the QB on a blitz -- I think he did bat a ball down in a game once. Chatham was a real weak link and couldnt even fight off the blocks of TE's and WRs. Maybe he should move to be an assistant coach next year. Thomas was great. Hobson was well above average. Vilma was good but not spectacular. I expect the Jets to draft an OLB to replace Hobson when his contract runs out, unless they decide to extend him.
The JETS need some young fast linebackers to help out because Kassell, Chatham, and Schelgel are not the best back-ups that can makie an impact if one of the starters goes down.
I agree 100%. I maybe missing something that these Kassell and Chatham supports are seeing but these guys are horrible on D. Chatham is solid on ST but Kassell also sucks on ST also, he has to get cut. We should easily be able to upgrade these two backup spots. We havent seen what Schelgel can do so I will wait untill he gets on the field to comment.
What the Jets need is a good D-Line. If you put this group in front of the Patriots front 3 they are instantly 1000% better. Vilma would have room to run and there would be no 10 yard outside runs every other hand off. In fact I think this LB core could be every bit as good as the Pats core if we had a front 3 like that. The FO needs to keep building this team in the trenches. You improve there and every other position player gets better by default. Mangini is not stupid. I think that is exactly what he will do. It may take a year or two to radically improve the O-line and D-Line. However, when they do, with this coaching staff and talent the Jets will be an elite championship contending team.
No offense but who is he its not like he had a great season he had 43 tackles and 5.5 sacks, the sacks are alright but id rather keep barton over him.
LOLB Banta-Cain LILB Barton RILB Vilma ROLB Thomas Hobson will sub in and out to give the other starting LBs a breather once in a while and will sub in and out with Banta-Cain
Even then we couldn't get pressure >__< Matt Chatham is not your answer either....... I like Schlegal though, IDK why......
They def need a pass rusher at the LB position and they'll probably be best off drafting someone. If someone is a FA and they really are a good pass rusher they'll probably end up getting way overpaid.
