One Jets LB Is Getting Used To The New York Pace
The Jets-let’s face it- had a stellar offseason full of rock solid free agent signings that many think will surprise teams in 2008. One of the more popular acquisitions for the Green and White had to be Calvin Pace, the FA linebacker who emerged last year with career highs in sacks and tackles on a Cardinals team that has lost its upside. Pace transferred to New York this past offseason, and life is already getting better for the former Wake Forest linebacker.
One important aspect of Pace’s game now that he’s in New York is the preparation. In order to get used to the defensive installments that the Jets have provided Pace, he needs to make things easier by looking over the package a day before the team discusses things.
Calvin is in a new environment, and with it comes new people, and new friends. Pace’s perspective of the Jets locker room contrasts with that of his time in Arizona.
“The difference is here there are a lot more checks. There is a lot more verbiage and a lot more guys talking,” he said. “And you’ve got the music going, so they’re really putting you in a game-type environment, so that’s good. Sometimes with a guy like me whose mind is already racing and I can’t hear and you’ve got five people talking — that’s when you have to focus in.”
Pace, who was a defensive end out in the desert at one point before switching to OLB, talks about the transition and how he’s now reaping the benefits of guys who can protect in front of him, allowing Calvin to wreak havoc on the outside.
“What makes it better for me is it’s sometimes a matchup thing. It’s hard to go out and play against the D’Brickashaws and the Damien Woodys,” he said. “You play outside linebacker on a running back and the matchup is different. That’s where the game is played — on matchups.”
Pace will be ready to replace Victor Hobson at OLB, and I see him doing even better than last year simply because of the atmosphere he comes to in New York. This organization was able to semi-rebuild in a very short period of time, and it looks like they are more legit than people may think, coming off of a four win season. This gives me even more of a reason to say that Pace will have a better year when he’s surrounded by big men who have talent and experience.
Filed under: Main Page, Opinion
I think he’s saying I don’t have the pysical tools to rush the passer as a DE consistently. If you watch his interviews he keeps saying that he’s only 275 and those 325 tackles are hard to beat. Abraham did it pretty often here at about 260 playing DE. I am not putting Pace down but he basically admits he can beat a tight end or running back for a sack as a linebacker but not a tackle as a DE. Again he’s not a passrusher guys, he’s strong against the run, can drop into coverage and provide pressure in passing downs.
Will anyone really care about sacks if we keep other teams in 3 and 8 situations? If RBs have 30 carries for 50-60 yds? We post shut outs? Sacks are a luxury. Victory a neccessity.
I saw one site where CP was listed as the Jets “overrated.” I think there is nothing like learning a system like the Jets to get you going. I think he’s just the guy to love it. Plenty of time to get it down!
I agree I think sacks are overated. Having a strong run defense puts the offense in bad position on third down often. Also Pressuring the QB to throw away a pass or hurry a throw that turns into an interception are very underated.
Sacks are alot like money, they’re no big deal, unless you don’t have any. And the JETS have very little.
Al I agree with your premise, but the more pressures you get the more sacks you will have. They go hand in hand.
I dont believe Pace was brought in to be the beast Pass rusher sack machine. Bryan thomas and vernon gholston are the quicker OLB who should be producing around 8-10 sack per year. Pace needs to be a dominant run stopper who can also put pressure on the QB. He is a major upgrade from Hobson- who was so weak at the position that at times it led to bryan thomas being doubled team. now with solid players at all positions in the front seven- teams will have to pick their poison on who to double team and who will be coming after the QB. Personally last year I dont know why David Bowens wasnt playing OLB in place of Hobson. Think Bowens and Thomas should of both been on the field at the same time playing OLB, not thomas and hobson
It’s safe to say that Pace will certainly have more sacks than Hobson did, and, too, without any drop off against the run. While I liked Hobson, his limitations were obvious and a big factor in the Jets’ sack deficit.
Pete57,
I meant more that as an example under parcells we had a great defense that was strong against the run and didn’t get lots of sacks but created alot of pressure on the QB.
I for one really like Pace I seen him play in some games last year with the Cardinals and he looked like a beast on the field.
He is very similar in measurables to Suggs I think he will be very productive with the Jets and can only wonder where they are going to play Gholston.
He’s not going to be a Merriman/Ware/Suggs-type pass rusher. Read that quote about match-ups, he basically sums it up himself that he’s not a guy you can rely on to beat NFL caliber left tackles. That is why it was key to land Gholston, Long, or Groves in the draft. He’s a guy with great speed for his size and will take advantage of match-up problems as they present themselves. He was good against the run and solid in coverage too, he can be a good all around OLB for the team.
The Parcells/Belichick-esque 3-4 the Jets run isn’t like that of Wade Phillips’ scheme where there are at least 5 guys rushing the QB on almost 50% of the plays. The 3-4 base defense itself is less aggressive and it’s usually 4 guys(standard pass rush) and sometimes 5. Basically, Gholston is made to be that fourth guy coming off the edge while Pace would best be used as the guy that the defense doesn’t know whether is rushing or dropping into coverage.
Bassett:
You’re right on about Pace “raising havoc on the outside” I don’t understand what is so hard to understand that he loves to play the edge and that his game (and football in general) is about match ups.
I have two questions about Pace doubters: 1)If sacks are overrated then why was J Allen passibly the highest paid “D”player in the NFL (because of stopping the run? what a joke !!) and 2) The object of the game is to stop the guy with the ball and the QB touches it on every play. With two guys on Jenkins and Vernon attacking on one side how many will cover pace on the edge?
Sacks ARE the most important plays on defense except for inteceptions, period. Not only it motivates your the team and the fans but your enemy looses yardage, a down and shows them you can penetrate their fort !!!! As we all know (unless you are from the opposite team) nobody enjoys being penetrated.
I don’t think the point is Pace makes is about not being able to beat an OL but that fighting one every down is not his forte. If a player must protect against the run every down and be concerned with rushing the passer it wears him out. If you are mainly concerned with rushing the passer on certain play calls it gives you the element of surprise as well as rest. Having multiple players able to rush the passer, which is now nearly everyone on the line other than Jenkins (yet including him for his double team absorption), takes a huge load off having to face down an OL for rush and pass responsibilities.
I truly have a feeling that coaches are fearing what the Jets will bring this year.
RK:
You are right on. The whole question lies on Mangini.
Don’t get me wrong, I love this guy from day one, but he must motivate , pump-up, his team a lot better than he did last year. If he does, we will be feared.
Hey Al:
Read RK and you’ll see he is not saying that at all. What Pace is saying is that he can’t beat everyone all the time , that football is a game of matchups, therefore in his new position he can pick his mach ups and kick some butts. He is going to be twice as good with the Jets than the Cards. Tens sacks at least this year. Mangini will use all his skills, just watch, and I know, have confidence!!!
Who would you guys take Adalius thomas or Calvin Pace?
INTs and Fumbles then any play for a loss either run or sack is the pecking order.
Sacks are not overrated . Just ask The Giants? Pace has mentioned before that going against ELITE TACKLES every down was diffucult especially on the weakside. He’s happy playing LB so as long as he plays the run tuff and can cover TE’S and have 5-7 sacks i think he has done his job
People just take things so literal. Sacks are great, but they aren’t the end all be all. If Pace gives 6 he is better then Hobson. I like the Pace signing because he plays the ball. We have real defenders. Wow! We need more then 29 sacks. We can win without getting sacks tho. They just make it easier to win.
Reprocity:
In answer to your question, I would take Pace over A. Thomas in a NY second, hands down. Thomas is on his down side @30 and Pace is all upside, better than a rookie in a new position @ 27. Look at last years stats and Pace out played him while learning a new position. He will be even better with the Jets because he has a lot more help
If a defese can not crush the pocket or atleast have the potential to do so with a decent QB, GAME IS OVER folks.
sacks can’t be over-rated if we want to beat the Patriots. look at the Giants
Again I think the point about sacks being overrated is not that the stat in unimportant but that the don’t tell the whole story exclusively.
Just because you don’t get the sack doesn’t mean you didn’t force a turn over or pressure the passer time and again into throwing the ball away or creating holding penalties and then punts.
Sacks are just one metric and do not always give a clear indication of how effective or ineffective a defense is. That being said, watching a team give up 11 sacks in a game pretty much tells that story.
RK:
I don’t quite understand your last statement :”Sacks are just one metric and do not always give a clear indication of how effective or ineffective a defense is. That being said, watching a team give up 11 sacks in a game pretty much tells that story.”
Seems contradictory, however you can pressure all you want but if you don’t break through a decent QB will tear you appart.
11 sacks in a game can pad stats but it’s only one game and most likely a horrendous loss by the team that gave up the sacks but having 3 or 4 sacks in a game doesn’t mean you won or lost or that you shut a team down. On the contrary that may mean the opposing team had the ball so many times it gave you the opportunity to get a few more sacks or the sacks came in garbage time.
Sacks are only one metric but getting 11 in a game usually is a good indicator of destruction in a game.
So a game in which there are 11 sacks by one team the outcome of that game is evident but 3 or 4 sacks maybe not so much.