Scouting Profile: Calvin Pace
So who is this guy the Jets just got named Calvin Pace? Here’s a quick compiled scouting report on the former Cardinal DE/OLB Calvin Pace, after the jump:
Physical Attributes: At 6’4″ 272 pounds, Pace has some quickness he can flash … short-area explosiveness. Pace is the typical 3-4 DE OLB “tweener” who who has the right adequate combination size and speed. He is undersized at end, and he doesn’t have the quick-twitch athleticism or rare motor to compensate. Long arms.
Attitude: Intelligent player who plays hard with a ‘high motor.’
Skills: Shows good awareness and can chase the ball from the back side in running plays. Has shown success in rushing the passer with his hand up, but can play with his hand down in a pinch. Had the flexibility to drop back into coverage in AZ.
Questions: He appears to be a less effective player with his hand down, and there are concerns as to whether he was worth the money guaranteed by the Jets.
Season Summaries
2007 – Pace started all 16 games for the Cardinals and set the tempo on the defense. He tied with Gerald Hayes for tackles with 98. Pace tallied a career-high 6.5 sacks and one forced fumble.
2006 – Pace appeared in all 16 games and started in five. He had 29 tackles and one sack.
2005 – Pace played in five games with one start. Pace’s season was cut short when he suffered a laceration of his arm during the bye week. The team sought to recover parts of his salary. Before Pace was placed on injured reserve he posted 11 tackles and a sack.
2004 – 14 games with zero starts. Pace registered 12 tackles and 4.5 sacks.
2003 – In his rookie campaign, Pace started in all 16 games. Had 32 tackles and one sack .
15 Responses to Scouting Profile: Calvin Pace
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Peter says:
I think another OLB with some pass rushing skills, and a defensive line that does its job (see: decent NT) will help BT immensely. The whole defense pulled a disappearing act last season, so it’s hard to pin the troubles to one player. BT underperformed no doubt, but Pace will command some attention, which will only help him. And Pace had a tremendous year when he switched to the OLB; 98 tackles is pretty great for someone who is supposed to be a pass rushing specialist.
One more thing — BT, at only about 250 pounds, is not built to be the proto 3-4 tweener. Pace is a hefty 272. -
billvv says:
Then you should have heard Adam Schein go on about him this morning on SNY. That would have settled your stomach.
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Matt says:
I think this was a bad signing…way too much money for an unproven guy. 1 year of success in the NFL doesnt mean much..just ask Bryan Thomas
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Russ says:
This move is definitely one that is a bit scary. However, I feel like we need to trust the Jets brass here and PRAY they know something we don’t. I do feel that the fact Pace is a 3-4 guy is a good thing. We’ve seen too many DL and LB’s that just don’t fit into the 3-4, and its killed us. Some pressure on D is needed, especially on 3rd down!!
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BigBadBob says:
Not sure why, but I’m not worried about this guy. I’m actually excited to see what this guy has, hopefully this guy blows up. Sure its a LOT of money, but its already spent. At least we aren’t hoping that someone “falls” to us in the draft. Unfortunately I don’t us being able to trade out of the #6, but at least the pick can be looked at as a little more luxury instead of straight need. There are two things that I’m worried about right now. 1. We need to make sure that Rhodes stays for a long time to come. 2. We need to get rid of D-Rob, hopefully for two picks. Maybe a 4 and 6 rounder. However, I would take almost anything at this point.
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Sean says:
Rich, I will take 1300 and 6-8 TDs for TJ. But I do think 1500 and 10 is attainable. Did anyone ever think Cmart (my favorite Jet of all time) was going to win that Rushing title? TJ is younger, stronger and faster than Cmart was that season. And, with the revamped line, is it unreasonable to think that TJ can gain 380 more yards than he had last year?
This signing scares the heck out of me. I would rather have invested in Gholston than a guy who has had 1 fairly productive year. If he doesnt pan out, we are stuck with 2 bad OLB in Pace and BT. I was of the feeling that if you signed a younger, faster and stronger player like Gholston you could hide BTs weaknesses. But hey, just looking at his size and what others have said, this guy could turn out to be the next Clark Haggans.
For those of you talking about Farrior playing well in Pittsburgh, I think you are simply looking at his #s the same way people are talking about KC leading the league in tackles for a DE. Farrior does not make impact plays or plays behind the line of scrimmage (ever). Neither does Coleman. They rack up #s with RBs falling at their feet after a 5-7 yd gain.
Why are people looking for a change at ILB? I am perfectly comfortable with Barton. Am I missing something?
If they dont sign Gholston, I agree with many other, trade the pick and look for a Big Fast WR.
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BBB, completely agree re: Rhodes. Cant afford to let a young stud like him leave.
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cbiscuit says:
Agree there is risk here, but I think the FO should have had plenty of info to go on following Gholston’s combine and interviews. There must have been something there they didn’t like, or something in Pace they really did like. Remember this guy was touted before FA, the Fins (& others) were high on him and there are just not that many 3-4 OLBs floating around. Note: before we get worked up over the money, let’s see what the real deal is. Agents like to include first year salary, performance bonus etc. as guaranteed money for their street cred. Check the Jenkins contract. Doesn’t look so bad right now does it? – but the media have already moved on.
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jvsvn says:
I’ll leave it to T-baum on the finances. The issue really is whether we are manging the cap relative to the other moves we need and want to make (both now and in the future). Every year, on every team, some guys get overpaid and some guys are underpaid. Which is which is mostly luck regarding the timing of when they negotiated their deal relative to the market conditions at the time. Pace definitely hit the jackpot. He was a free agent in a very week free agent class at a time when a lot of teams were flush with cap space. OK, lucky for him, he probably got overpaid somewhat. The question is whether he got overpaid in a way that hamstrings the Jets payroll going forward. Well, I don’t know about that but my guess is that the answer is NO, or at least NOT REALLY. T-baum seems pretty adept at stucturing deals relative to the cap. When the details on this contract are known, my guess is that there will be a lot of flexibility for the Jets to manuever around. That seem to be T-baums MO. Now, can Pace play at the level that we all will expect of him? I’ve got some ideas on that too but I’ll leave it to another post.
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Much as I hated to lose last year when they just seemed not to be able to close the deal when they always seemed close, I’m looking forward to this team’s attitude when they can deliver the knockout punch. Even two years ago I was always holding my breath until it was over. It was one and done.
We’ve all pointed out what was missing and, thankfully, we seem to have the FO seeing the same thing for once!
Pace will turn out fine. I read from a Cardinals fan that he was playing out of position as a DE and was finally moved to OLB last year, the position he will have on the Jets. He has the height and weight for the position. Thomas moves to the other side, where he played most effectively. He, too, will be fine. Of the two inside LB’s only one can be had in the draft, K Rivers, so I think Barton is safe. Harris is a nobrainer, he here to stay!
Safety and CB need depth as does WR. There’s your draft.
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Bent says: Peter, BT was listed at 266 not 250.
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Jeff Lageman says:
Trading the #6 for a #1 and a #2 would be a good move. While I still think Gholston would be a good pick (I don’t want the pats to end up with that guy). Taking Groves, a WR, and a corner would set us up. If Tuck showed anything, having depth at pass rush can be successful.
Is everyone convinced our defensive line is resolved?
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BT is awful
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Osaigai says:
I find it quite interesting and very illogical that the same posters that at least admit that Pace had at least one extremely decent year in the 34 are opposed to him being paid almost the same as a Ghoulston would be paid. The more ridiculous observation is that unlike Pace, Vernon has not ever played a snap in the NFL, has not proven anything, but, is considered a far better prospect than Pace. Pace has shown a tremendous upside playing at the SOLB in the 34. Prior to that he was playing in the 43. Another fact is that of his 98 tackles and 6.5 sacks, 65 tackles along with 5 plus sacks were made after he played his seventh game. This shows that as he got more comfortable with the 34 defensive scheme and the OLB position, his game dramatically improved. This is why the Jets, Patriots and Dolphins wanted him . . . big upside. If he is this good in only his first year in the 34, imagine how impactful he could be moving forward with the proper coaching. One ca only dream. GO J-E-T-S!!!
I pray this move works out or else the FO will be crucified for overpaying a BT clone