Quinton Coples
The Jets gave up 74 points in back to back losses last December to Philadelphia and the Super Bowl winner and cross town rival Giants. Rex Ryan was not going to allow that to happen again. The draft and free agency addressed a few of those defensive shortcomings. Quinton Coples, the 16th overall pick, was not selected for his pass rushing ability but rather for his size and strength to stop the run at left end. Last year’s loss of Shaun Ellis cannot be understated. Coples played his best as a junior in 2010 at defensive tackle. Plaxico Burress was not re-signed, but the Jets feel like second round draft choice, Stephen Hill, will add speed and big play ability to the offense. Ground and pound will also benefit from Hill’s downfield blocking ability. The Jets sent two late round picks to Seattle to move up four spots to draft the ascending talent. Quinton Coples was running with the first unit in OTAs. He is projected to be a run stuffer as he learns a variety of pass rush moves. He will line up as an anchor defensive end. He plays with knee and hip flexibility to leverage and get under the blocker. When he’s reduced he gets good inside push. He has good first step quickness and explosive force on his first step. Coples possesses an immense amount of talent and has the size to stack the run and control the blocker with strength. Stephen Hill created a buzz in rookie mini-camp with his impressive catches over the middle. He has enough skill and big play ability to start opposite Santonio Holmes in 2012. Hill picked up his game in OTAs and is adjusting to the NFL playbook from his simplified routes on the triple option offense. Demario Davis has experience at both inside and outside linebacker. He has good range, quickness, and speed to cover a back in the flat or on a wheel route. Athletic with good knee bend, he can turn speed to power when rushing the passer. He works his way downhill through traffic to make a play. Davis should contribute on kickoff coverage units. He has good instincts to read and react quickly. Josh Bush is an instinctive and smart safety who converted to that position from corner in 2011. He started three years at Wake Forest and finished last season with 59 tackles, two tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and he led the team with six interceptions. In order to make the team he needs to stay healthy and add more overall body strength. Terrance Ganaway led the Big- 12 in rushing. A big downhill North/South power runner, he flashes explosiveness on inside zone plays. He has good awareness to pick up his feet in traffic. With his low center of gravity he is not easy to tackle once he gets rolling. He drives his big legs on contact and was the short yardage and goalline back in the Baylor offense. Robert Griffin will be competing for a roster spot at left guard. He is a wide-bodied guard with size and strength. Generally he played in a two point pre-set stance in the spread offense. A mirror wall off type blocker, he plays a little top heavy at times. A size prospect with inconsistent skills, he is physical on down blocks. Antonio Allen played the hybrid linebacker/strong safety position. He is better in zone coverage than man-to-man at this time. A big safety with good athletic ability, he will compete, has good foot quickness, and is sudden to read and react to his keys. A contact player, he has tackling courage and is active and aggressive. Jordan White was ultra productive, setting a Mid-American Conference record with 1911 receiving yards. He has the grit to go over the middle and catch the ball. He has top end field awareness to find the open cavities in zone coverage. A competitor and playmaker, he is tough and physical. A willing and aggressive blocker, White fractured the 5th metatarsal bone on his left foot in OTAs and is out for 6-8 weeks. GRADE: AVERAGE.
Box 235 Hiawatha, IA 52233