Link: Douglas Ready to Lead and Contribute on Big Stage
There’s been a lot of press about the players that the Jets acquired this offseason, but little or nothing was made of the arrival of Marques Douglas, even after he was made the de facto starter once the team traded Kenyon Coleman. Roderick Boone of Newsday talked to Douglas and got a sense of what he’s looking forward to this coming season.
“I am looking forward to [being a leader], man,” Douglas said. “So many years, I’ve had what I look at as Pro Bowl numbers. But at the same time, you are always looked over for a guy who was drafted first or a guy who was the franchise’s choice. So I’m looking forward to being healthy this season, and going out there and putting up some of my biggest numbers to date.”
Douglas has unquestioned durability, playing in all 16 games in each of the past six seasons. Before amassing only 36 tackles with the Ravens last season, he had recorded at least 58 tackles for five straight years. He loves to get in the backfield and blow up plays before they get started.
His 411/2 tackles for a loss from 2003-08 were the third-highest in the NFL, ranking behind only Minnesota’s Pat Williams and Chicago’s Lance Briggs, and he has 19 career sacks. He knows how to use his hands well, is quick for someone his size and anticipates things that many younger players don’t foresee.
That impressive company. Douglas though is no spring chicken, so the loss of Kenyon Coleman to add depth to this unit was somewhat disappointing. Still he’s had good numbers for a 3-4 DE/DT, and for most of his career but his playing time and numbers did slip last year.
It’s worth keeping a close eye how productive Douglas is during the course of this season. Folks who watched the games closely knew that Coleman though a quiet player statistically, was a solid contributor for the Jets in 2008 (once he had a real DT next to him) see how Douglas plays with Jenkins next to him, and if he plays at or above Coleman’s level.
16 Responses to Link: Douglas Ready to Lead and Contribute on Big Stage
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BigKatFan says:
DeVito should start. end of story
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fonzie says:
Douglas is a pig end of story.
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Bent says: Something something end of story, guy.
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Electric Ham says:
Watch who your calling a pig…..
To me Coleman and Douglass are interchangeble basically the same player/skill sets it is nice to see devito improving and he should definatly see some playing time…. im sure Ryan will play whoever he thinks will give him the best chance to win
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Brad says:
Devitto is Douglas’ Backup/rotation guy for the DL. Ropati Pitoitua is Ellis’ backup according to NYJETS.com depth chart. Pitoitua is a big guy with room to grow. 6’8″ 310lbs. Believe he was an undrafted free agent last year that we picked up and spent the whole season on our practice squad. Last year he weighed 290lbs. so its good to see he added some weight and hopefully add another 10-15lbs over the next year or two. I see him being a force for this team in the near future. In the first two preseason games- impact plays- a sack and a batted ball at the line.
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vajet says:
why “a pig?”
he’s a solid contibutor, and not historically, an injury-prone player. considering that jenkins will still be spelled out occassionally, i am very happy rex brought him along from balt. to solidify our line.
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Harvlis says:
A LE, in a 3-4, has a different set of responsibilities then a LE in a 4-3. The 4-3 end is usually lighter, faster, and the teams’ best pass rusher. In a 3-4, you need someone like Douglas who is heavier, has great explosion, and can require a double team. He has to occupy or wall off the Offensive linemen, so that the LB’s can make the plays. Douglas might be the right man for the job. If Ryan, who knows more about Defense than 99.999% of living beings, thinks that Douglas can do the job — that’s good enough for me.
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Excuse me, RE not LE.
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Kirk the Jerk says:
This hasn’t really been discussed much, but the Jets REALLY NEED a strong contribution from Douglas, Devito and Pitoitua. The pass defense last year was WEAK and even with upgrades at S and CB, the team needs strong play at the ends of the D-line. When Jenkins sits, the pass rush suffers. When Pace is out, the pass rush suffers. When Ellis is out,…well you get the idea. It’s the unheralded players on the D-line that will get the difference this year between a playoff contender and a playoff pretender.
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david i says:
I think Ripoti Pitoitua has looked solid and I wonder if he is going to make the team.
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Nikolas says:
Ellis, Jenkins and Douglas will be a load for any OL. This will allow the LB line to make plays. My concern is the two OLB, with Pace out for 4 games. Bryan Thomas is at best average and Gholston has show nothing so far.
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Bent says:
Pitoitua was great last week. One step at a time though. I think he’s earned a shot with the second unit – and maybe even some first team reps. Let’s see how he gets on there. It will be disappointing if he only plays with the third unit.
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Kirk,
This year is different than the past three. It will be the system that is important, not individual performance. Our pass defense will be much better, because we will be putting pressure on the opposition. For the past three years, we have sat back and provided token pressure, allowing rookies and incompetents to look good against us. With Ryan and Pettine, this is a whole ‘nother ball game
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steviek says:
a 3-4 end? hold the line. dont get pushed off your spot or containment. penetration or sacks are just gravy.
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Well I know that Coleman and Douglas are NOT replacable. There is one HUGE difference between the two of them. Coleman was required to hold the line against the run in 2007 and 2008 as a 3-4 base defensive end but he went under the radar because he was not ‘explosive’. Thats fine. I did see the first preseason game during the second series against the Rams. Not only was Douglas turned around, pushed back, and slammed into the ground but I could see that he was dominated because he was mouthing off and trying to pick fights after each running play. His tricks don’t work against a solid experienced offensive line. The patriots offensive line this year (though they are not that strong according to some people) will eat him up all day long. Douglas can only work in Ryan’s scheme and thats it. Coleman is working on improving his 3-4 base play and incorporating new looks of the 3-4. I said this before “When the front seven of both teams meet at the line, will the jets front seven win on the key play to turn the game into their favor?” This point during the game will be obvious to tell it just up to you guys to accept it. The jets are as good as their weakest link and that is the defensive line.
If DeVito is the #3 DE on the roster, who is the 4th on the depth chart? Is there a strong favorite or do we have to wait to find out the answer in the opener when Ellis is out? And why isn’t there an unofficial, depth chart at this juncture? Ryan certainly has a strong clue.
Some signs are indicated by watching the 2 preseason games, but they may be attributable to the Coach experimenting or protecting people from injury.
How about some insight?