Pettine: Kroul a ‘Viable Part’ of the Defense
Last year, Iowa Defensive End UDFA Matt Kroul showed some flash in the preseason – like his takedown of Mike Vick – but like most UDFAs in his first year, Kroul was relegated to the team’s practice squad, unable to contribute on Sundays. Now with a year under his belt, are Rex Ryan’s Jets looking to get more out of the unheralded lineman? DC Mike Pettine talked to Rich Cimini about the young player.
2. A Real Sleeper. An unheralded player creating some buzz on defense is first-year DT Matt Kroul (6-3, 280), who spent last season on the practice squad. Coordinator Mike Pettine praised Kroul, all but handing him a roster spot. Said Pettine: "He’s a viable part of what we’re doing this year." Kroul will get a great opportunity in training camp because the coaches plan to limit Kris Jenkins’ reps. Jenkins is coming off major knee surgery.
Picked as a UDFA by Ryan last year, you could sense that either he or Ty Steinkuhler were likely project players. While it’s still early to know just hoe much someone like Kroul will factor in, watch and see where he’s used. Shoulde the Jets keep their depth as it stands, I’d expect him to fill in on something akin to the Howard Green (12 games, 23 combined tackles) role from last year.
29 Responses to Pettine: Kroul a ‘Viable Part’ of the Defense
-
Le' Sean Roberts says:
What? Get rid of that Drob number. Kroul has done nothing but get cut in training camp. He’s not the next Tui…remmeber him.
-
Bent says: Pettine has Kroul intentions? Interesting…
He’s definitely a notch above Steinkuhler, but I would be pleasantly surprised to see any contribution from him this season.
-
SackDance99 says:
Bent,
I found that comment Kroul and unusual.
-
War Machine says:
Um wats going on at the ota?
-
JetOrange says:
6’3 280, I would hope Kroul bulked up in the off season to about 295, so he is another defensive lineman that will be watching his weight. The thing about Kroul is that he hustles and can run, so he can contribute on special teams, and also be part of the DLine rotation. Still 280 is pretty small for a NT. Kelley Gregg made a career at NT in Baltimore but he was about 300 even, hence the thought of bulking up to 295.
-
I love this quote from Big Jenks via Cimini:
“I’m not a big trash talker, but I promise this much: Anybody who lines up over me, they better bring a lunch because it’s going to be a miserable 60 minutes,” Jenkins said last week, sipping a sports drink in the Jets’ cafeteria. “I’m bringing everything I can.”
-
Ohhh I cannot wait. Just ask Chris Myers of the Houston Texans what “everything” for Kris Jenkins entails.
-
brian311 says:
the fact that the team doesnt seem to be bringing back green or douglas proves this guy has a great shot to make the team.
-
BigKatFan says:
this guy worked side by side with Mitch King. i knew he was gonna be something special the moment i saw him
-
Doctor K says:
Hey guys, don’t be Kroul. The guy can play. Or should I say, “You have to learn to Kroul before you can run?”
-
tish says:
I don’t see how you can view Kroul as a NT at his size. The weight difference between Jenks and Krould is Woodhead. Could he be useful as a DT when they go to a 4 man line, perhaps? Does he have enough speed to be in a DE rotation, I haven’t seen enough to even guess. If Pity is one backup and Goldstink is another, this unit may be a bit weak, despite the presence of Jenkins, Ellis (hopefully still here) & DeVito. I would not be opposed to bringing back Douglas, but I believe that Rex has intentions of playing Taylor on the line quite a bit.
-
juunit says:
This is always what excites me the most about every new season. Especially when there really wasn’t much to cheer about as a Jet fan, it was always nice to see some young guy come out of nowhere and make some big plays. Of course, more often than not they were the guys we all hated and ridiculed. But that’s just part of the game, hopefully we see this guy have an impact.
-
Hey management or whosoever, can you all supply video of Kroul (obviously in the pre-season) to remind us what this guy did? I’m struggling here.
-
sunsetmusic says:
Wheter or not Kroul makes the team its plus that he’s even thought about.
Obviously we can’t follow everyteam as deeply as we follow the Jets…..but it seems to me the Jets make better use of players on the Practice squad then other teams…..yet another reason to applaud this Front Ofiice.
-
droseatwork says:
No video of this guy Le’Sean! I just checked
-
BigKatt says:
I want to see Potty, not Kroul. Or both. We gotta keep the DL fresh this year.
-
I remember this kid was an after thought when we picked him…. Wasnt his teammate M King a bigger prospect…
As I and some others have been saying for months Rex finds DE’s in his sleep …DL is not an issue for this team. Just go look at Rex’s history already.
-
Aka….agreed.
-
Francesca the goat says:
Anyone know the name and the status of the DL out of Texas? The dude had a cup of coffee with the Fins and then was out of the NFL for a year? Is he still under contract and has he opened anyone s’ eyes??
-
Marvel says:
Best highlight vid ever .. I really hope Rodrique Wright makes the team ..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O494WSyP3Oc&feature=youtube_gdata
-
Wolf says:
Gholston will play some nose.
-
miketaliaferro says:
At his size, is Kroul being touted more to tweak Ellis than Jenx?
-
BigKatt,
We’ll see Potty. I would believe, since he actually dressed for some games last year, he’s higher than Kroul on the depth chart.
-
Jet set says:
Kroul is pronounced croll, not cruel. Learn it, he’s
One tough farm boy from Iowa, whereever that is!!
He’ll be playing. -
Reprocity says:
300lbs min to be an effective NG…
-
Guys, Jenkins is playing DE a lot this year. Kroul is a defensive end, it doesn’t say he’s a nose tackle. And since the defense was in more 4-man fronts than 3-man fronts last year, they will be playing alongside each other at times, I’m sure.
-
Zartan says:
Remeber him in pre-season, didnt know who he was but was inpressed!
Defensive line is (still) not an issue.