… the Jets select Anthony Schlegel. Schlegel is known for his tackling ability and sees himself as a typical inside linebacker. Says Schlegel about his game:

“I’m a straight inside linebacker. If there’s a team that might have some issues up the middle with the run or like people who blitz, that’s what I’ve done my whole career.”

Well, with no real 3-4 nose, the Jets definitely will have issues up the middle, Anthony. The Jets might have been a bit premature with the pick, but it’s clear that he fits the team-first guy who knows how to take care of the fundamentals, most notably, blowing up running plays and taking on and beating blocks for Mr. Vilma. If he did it at A.J. Hawk’s side for a few years, that’s good enough for me. That being said, having heard Belichick on “running free” like Ray Lewis, Belichick said that the notion is ridiculous, and players should take their cues from a guy like Pepper Johnson who’s attitude on blocks was “everyone is going to get blocked, and I will beat anyone you put on me.” Schlegel rated out as a 6th rounder on ESPN and on SI.com as a practice squadder. I am not sure what to think of the Jets picking Schlegel, especially at this point of the draft, but time will tell. With yet another LB, who will the Jets get rid of… McClover or Hobson? Here’s Schlegel’s analysis:

Strengths: His biggest strength is his tackling efficiency. He takes great angles and is a technically sound tackler that will get his head around the ball carrier and wrap up in space. He possesses adequate height, great bulk and is well-built. He has explosive power and is naturally strong. Plays with leverage, is thickly built and has very good lower body strength. He is disciplined, reads his keys well and won’t make many mental errors. He’s a downhill striker who fills hard and shows explosive initial pop at the POA. Does a very good job of taking on and disengaging from iso-blocks. Matches up very well in the phone booth. Shows good instincts on the blitz. Has been an effective pass rusher when turned loose. Is tough and relentless. A leader and high-character person with good intelligence and the mental capacity to pick schemes up quickly. Also has a great makeup for special teams in the NFL.

Weaknesses: Possesses marginal speed and below average athletic ability. He is stiff in the hips and loses too much in transition. Has decent range vs. the run in college and will be nothing more than a tackle-to-tackle run plugger in the NFL. He is too much of a straight-line player. Will have trouble adjusting in space vs. quicker and shiftier backs. He lacks ideal COD skills. Has limited range in zone coverage. Will be a liability vs. most NFL RB’s man-to-man. Does not show good ball skills in coverage and has never been a big playmaker in that facet. Durability is a minor concern after offseason knee surgery prior to senior year (2005).

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