“Out the Door”, or “Back for More”: DL Edition

Dec 23, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets defensive end Quinton Coples (98) rushes San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the second half at MetLIfe Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Ed Mulholland-USA TODAY Sports

Granted, we may have a general manager in the fold by the end of the day, but that won’t stop us from continuing our game. Out “Out the Door”, “Back for More”, game. We finished the offensive side of the football, so we move on to the defensive side. We start with a position that was a huge strength in 2012, the defensive line:

QUINTON COPLES: After a slow start to his rookie season, Quinton Coples came on and began to show the talent that made him the 16th pick in the 2012 draft. He finished the year with 5.5 sacks, and seems primed to be even better in 2013. Obviously, Quinton Coples will be………

BACK FOR MORE

MIKE DEVITO: This will be a sensitive one for Jets fans, as he is loved by most, if not all. He is a guy that worked his tail off, and earned his way into the starting lineup after coming to the team as an undrafted free agent. This season, he set a career high with 52 tackles to go along with one sack and 2 forced fumbles. However, last year he did have a $2.5 million cap number, and I am sure would want a raise in order to stay. With Damon Harrison on the team, and younger, DeVito will likely have the opportunity to sign elsewhere, because Mike will be…….

OUT THE DOOR

MUHAMMAD WILKERSON: I don’t think we need to say very much here, do we? “Beast Mo” was receiving consideration for the Pro Bowl with the way he came on in the second half of the 2012 season. After a lackluster 2011, Wilkerson benefited greatly from the teachings of Karl Dunbar, and showed the ability that earned him a first round selection in the 2011 draft. He finished the year with 70 tackles, 38 of them solo, five sacks, 4 passes defended, 3 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Big Mo will be a force in 2013, and be a force for years to come. Obviously, Mo will be…………

BACK FOR MORE

Aug 30, 2012; Philadelphia, PA, USA; New York Jets defensive tackle Kenrick Ellis (93) along the sidelines during the third quarter against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. The Eagles defeated the Jets 28-10. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

KENRICK ELLIS: He may have had some legal troubles in the past that he had to take care of, but he has been well behaved since he entered the league in 2011. In 12 games he was active for, he recorded 18 tackles, including 3 tackles in the final game of the 2012 year. He played especially well in the game early against Houston, recording 6 tackles that night at MetLife stadium. He is still young, and counts less than $500,000 against the salary cap. Kenrick Ellis will definitely be………

BACK FOR MORE

DAMON HARRISON: Here is another guy that is a fan favorite, especially with fans that interact on Twitter. #TeamHarrison is a huge group, and Damon, known as @BigDame900, has a great following, and communicates regularly with his fans. After joining the Jets in 2012 as an undrafted free agent from William and Penn, he began the year on the practice squad. However, he didn’t lose his focus and earned his way on the active roster, active for 5 games last year. At 6’4″ 350 pounds, he is the perfect build for a defensive tackle. He is young, a hard worker, and makes nowhere near enough money to be a salary cap concern. Damon Harrison will be…..

BACK FOR MORE

SIONE PO’UHA: Sione is another one who, like Mike DeVito, who has worked hard and carved out quite a nice career with the Jets. For his career, he has recorded 263 tackles and 4.5 sacks, to go along with 11 passes defended and a forced fumble. He has been a mainstay on the Jets defensive line since the Herman Edwards days. However, he couldn’t get past the injury bug this past year, only being active for 12 games and starting in 10 of them. He developed a back problem that wouldn’t go away, and limited Sione’s production to a mere 29 tackles. At 33 years old, it may just be time to turn the tables. His cap hit would be a bit over $2 million is he were released, but it still will be something to consider, and I believe something that ultimately will happen. I believe Sione will be……….

OUT THE DOOR