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Last season Calvin Pace came over from the Arizona Cardinals and out played the Jets sixth overall pick Vernon Gholston, for the starting position at outside linebacker.
The outside linebacker positions are very important to any defense but especially in a 3-4 defense like the Jets run. In that formation the defense only uses three linemen up front as apposed to others that use four (4-3 defense).
In a 3-4 you need bigger stronger linebackers as they need to be able to come up and stop the run more often. Yet at the same time they need to be fast enough to "blitz" the quarterback and apply pressure on him.
Calvin Pace is key for the Jets because he does both of these things well, and his seven sacks last season only show why he needs to be on the field for this team.
Can Gholston replace Pace?
With Pace now out the Jets will have to rely on last years top pick Vernon Gholston to replace him. At first glance one would think this should not be a problem. Even more so you might even say that Vernon would be a better player as he was the sixth overall pick in the draft.
Unfortunately just because you are a high draft pick and paid a lot of money, it does not insure that you will be successful. Gholston did not start a game last year and only had 13 tackles for the season!
This production has many fans and media outside of the team concerned that Gholston is a bust. But if you ask head coach Rex Ryan (Buddy Ryan's son) about Vernon he has backed him so far in camp.
If Vernon can play up to his drafted ability's the Jets defense should be fine in the first month of the season. But if he should struggle, then New York fans will be calling for his head.
Writer: Sean E. Douglas
Email: fantasyrankings@mail.com
Sean's Blog: http://www.fantasy-info.com
Posted July 3rd, 2009 by Sean Douglas
