The Jets brought in free agent LB Jon Alston for a visit on Thursday, according to the Newark Star-Ledger.
Alston, a four-year veteran, wasn’t tendered by the Raiders, making him an unrestricted free agent who can sign with any NFL team. A former third-round pick out of Stanford by the Rams, he had 23 tackles last season in nine games, four starts, before going on injured reserve following a pair of concussions.
The Jets likely view him as a back-up outside linebacker and special teams performer.
Hold up a sec, if the Jets are playing a 3-4, even a madcap Rex Ryan 3-4 then a 6-0 220 lb OLB shouldn’t be exactly what the team is looking for, unless it’s in substitution packages like a nickel or whatever. First and foremost, I do agree that his role would be as a special teamer, something the team is likely looking to fill with the losses or Murrell, Wright and Izzo. Beyond that, consider that Rob Ryan was the DC in Oakland for a while, so should know how to use him, and would likely share that information with his twin brother.
At that size, I’d more expect to see him in a 46 safety. There was even a report last year of the Raiders using Alston in a 4-4 alignment in practices/warmups.
More concussions????
Training camp is beginning to look like Special Class.
This has got Westoff asking for ammo written all over it….
to add to miketaliaferro’s comment. Did we get a new checklist this season for players?
-Tough
- Love football
- Fit the Rex scheme
- needs to have at least 2 documented concussions?
I wouldn’t mind him if the contract $ is low
Guys
Concussions are a part of football…the difference is that now more and more people are talking about it
How many guys back in the 70s and 80s probably played with BRAIN DAMAGE let alone concussions.
I played small college football and Ive had my share…they suck, you cant be around bright lights, you get sick, hell I couldnt even pull my pants up one time when I was on the bowl…
They can do some tests but the doctor tells you that ONLY you know how bad it really is. So its on the individual to tell the right people how he is feeling. If the guy says he can go and he has all his wits about him, thats all you have to go on
But if its bad enough, trust me, someone will speak up…
He ran a 4.40 at the combine the fastest LB that year.
Good call, Bassett. When he was drafted, some were projecting Alston as a possible convert to safety.
If I was James Ihedigbo, I’d be biting my nails about now.
Eddie
The point is the league is coming down very hard on head injuries this year. The point is doctor or not a guy with 4 concussions in 4 years is prone to getting more.
andin return not being on the field. Once again I think its a decent signing and there isnt really a risk since he has skills and is better than Smith and Digs
Another safety candidate, the more the merrier. Mix and match.
Eddie, You are the best. You are always positive. If the jets went 1 and 15you would talk about what a great win that one win was. I love it. Dont ever change.
Where is my reply???
Well here we go again
@Reality Jet fan
1-Thanks for the sarcasm- I ripped Mangini, Coles, Schotty to name a few on this site. I rip people when I think they deserve it, not every time they lose. Hell, I even said I thought trading Rhodes was bad if they didnt bring in a competent veteran who had proved he could start in the NFL. (Pool has, BTW). Look it up
2-I said from Day 1 when Rex came on, that I believed and supported his regime, and last season’s run was proof positive that the guy and Mr T deserve some good faith put into them
3- Just because I dont root for the Jets from the “Joe Benigno Guide to Being a Jet Fan” or regurgitate everything I hear on WFAN like you, doesnt make me some kind of cheerleader. You are outright ridiculous with the way you question, whine and moan about the decisions the Jets make sometimes. You do it just to do it, even if its unfair. Im not the first or only person to say this to you
So everytime I think you are unfair or ridiculous in your posts, I will be right there to counter your BS. That wont change, dont worry about it….
I wasnt being sarcastic honestly im sorry if you thought that . You are really my one of my favorite guys to read.
Eddie that is a little harsh man
If you weren’t being sarcastic
My apologies to you
RJF- Im a Rex Ryan guy, I cant help it. I like the dude and Im always going to root for him
But dont get me wrong, if we traded like David Harris for some idiot WR, Id be FUMING PISSED
But it’s just the way I root for my teams…I go down with the ship, ride or die
RJF
Sorry, I thought you were insulting me…my apologies once again
And i give you credit for that. I am getting there slowly.
RJF- yea it was a little harsh, sorry man I had older brothers and cousins and had to learn to stick up for my self from a very young age
My Italian blood gets a little too hot sometimes
No problem bud you are a great jet fan
RJF
I also forget sometimes, I am only 30 years old. My first Jet teams were the end of the Sack Exchange, when they were still decent, then the Coslet-Kotite-Carroll slim years but in my prime- it was Parcells and the 98 team.
Herm and Mangini at least took the team to the playoffs
Point being- I forget that Jets fans that have a little more time in than myself, have been put through some really hard times with this team…they drove my Dad insane for awhile
Well as you know im insane when it comes to the jets. But i am very excited about the coach and qb.
Its funny i talk about my yankees the way you talk about the jets
LOL I have no mercy on the Yanks- but I cant complain about anything they are doing because they are freakin silly good again this year
FYI – Jon Alston was the next pick after Schlegel was selected in the 3rd round by the Jets. GRRRRRRR!
Are u a met fan?
NO WAY DUDE- I am a total Yankee fan- I just meant when they dont win, I want to trade everybody, fire the manager, the whole nine
I just have more patience with the Jets than the Yanks because in baseball there are less restrictions, and lets face it, the Yanks have more money than US Steel, but they also spend it the right way which is why they are gonna repeat again
Ok i got it.Thats funny more patience with the jets then yanks . Well thank god we got the yankees.
Mr T has done a good job lately but i will not be happy if they offer lt the money that wouldve kept tj.
RJetFan-
I got ya, give up a runner over 30 who had a beast of a year for another guy over 30 who sucked…you do have a point
I just dont think LT2 is coming here, he is going to Minnesota and he is using the Jets to squeeze every cent out of the Vikes that he can
LT2 has some versatility but I d rather have a guy who can stick up in there inside the tackles like TJ could also
Also RJF- if the kid develops into a good NFL QB, all this other stuff is gonna be trivial
If Sanchez becomes really good, the Jets are going to be really good. We can win with him being decent, but its that much more pressure on the rest of the Defense…but if he is good consistently this team is gonna be a nightmare to go up against
All i have ever wanted was a stud qb that we picked on our own and if we got that we should be fine u r right.
L johnson a redskin