Matt Grbac with the pick...
Sitting in my office, here at the New York Jets headquarters, I am thinking "Wow, we were two stinking touchdowns away from playing in the Super Bowl, Peyton Manning must be stopped". - Jets GM Matt_Grbac-enbaum
Knowing the New York Jets have the best defense in the NFL, the obvious choice for the first pick in their draft should be offense, well that would be wrong.
The Jets gave up an NFL best 14.8pts per game last season, but somehow gave up 30 to the Colts in the AFC championship. Something happened to the NFL best defense, and its name is Peyton Manning. Manning threw for 377yrds and 3TD. Now I am not basing their draft selection off of one game. But this goes to show that numbers don't always tell the whole story.
When it comes down to it, the Jets had only 32 sacks last season. That is only ten more then yours truly, the Kansas City Chiefs. The Saints and Colts both had more team sacks and forced fumbles then the Jets. Thus the need for defense, a pass rushing OLB to be exact.
With the addition of LaDainian Tomlinson, the Jets fill the need at RB depth. Along with Shonn Greene, Leon Washington, and Tony Richardson, the Jets should be able to once again lead the NFL in rushing yards.
They are set with Mark Sanchez as the franchise QB. They have a franchise TE in Dustin Keller. They have Braylon Edwards and Jerricho Cotchery at WR with no depth at all. But in a run first offense, WR depth will come later in the draft.
So after talking with the great folks up at Gang Green Nation, I have come to the conclusion that the New York Jets need to put pressure on the opposing QB in order to succeed. This is the most important pressing need on an already pretty balanced team.
So with the 29th pick in the NFL Draft.....The New York Jets select...
OLB Jerry Hughes, TCU, 6'2, 255lbs.
Can’t help but notice Hughes’ productivity as one of college football’s top pass rushers over the last few seasons. He’s a tough, instinctive player who does a good job getting blockers off his body. Highly athletic talent who displays range to track down running plays on the back side. Durable. Has an expansive repertoire of pass rush move - NFL.com
- Fourth fastest DL at the Combine with a 4.69 forty.
- One of the best at the Combine with a 4.15 20yrd Shuffle.
- 2009 - 58 tackles 16.5 tackles for loss 11.5 sacks 2 forced fumbles
- 2008 - 52 tackles 19.5 tackles for loss 15 sacks 2 interceptions 6 forced fumbles
No one is more versatile than Hughes who was a running back in high school, played defensive end in college and now is being viewed as a linebacker in the pros. "I think it's just the coaching bringing in the right guys to fit the scheme," says TCU defensive end Jerry Hughes. "Guys who like to come out here and play football, not really with the flashy business or anything like that. They're just guys who want to come out here and play football." - CBSsports.com
I know some may view this as a bit of a reach, but Jerry Hughes may very well be the best Pass Rusher in the draft. He also has the size to take on blockers and the speed to play in coverage. - Matt Grbac-enbaum
See you guys on HBO's Hard Knocks!!