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

Dec 30, 2012; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills running back C.J. Spiller (28) with the ball as New York Jets inside linebacker Bart Scott (57) defends during the second half at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Bills beat the Jets 28-9. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Time to get back to the roster evaluation. Most of you know by now we are going through the roster, and looking at who should be “Out the Door”, and who should be “Back for More”. We have been through the offense already, and we reviewed the defensive line yesterday.  Today we continue our trip through the roster with the linebackers, although I don’t think we are going to surprise too many people with these.  Let’s get right to it:

BART SCOTT: Since Bart Scott arrived on the scene in 2009 with Rex Ryan, he has steadily gotten slower and slower, and his performance has reflected just that. He started with 92 tackles in 2009, and in 2012 finished with a mere 60 tackles. He dealt with a toe injury for a good portion of the season, and it showed. He missed time in 2012, and it’s time to let the young kids play. Bart Scott should definitely be……

OUT THE DOOR

CALVIN PACE: Another member of the old guard. He was brought in here by Eric Mangini and company in 2008 to rush the passer, and his first two years with the team weren’t bad, with 15 sacks over his first two seasons with the team. However, he has proved himself to be getting slower by the season as well, with only 55 tackles in 2012. He is part of the old days, and if the Jets are going to move forward, they have to do it without Calvin Pace. Calvin Pace should also be………….

OUT THE DOOR

DAVID HARRIS: David Harris too has been here for quite a while. The difference is, that he is younger than Bart Scott and Calvin Pace, and more of a consistent performer. He has averaged 106 tackles per season, including leading the team in tackles this past season with 123, 80 solo. He has never had a year where he recorded less than 75 tackles, and has always been a player that the Jets can count on. Anyway, even if the Jets thought about going a different way in 2013, it would be a bad idea financially, because his contract is just as bad as Mark Sanchez’s. He would actually would amount to $20.9 million in dead money if he is released, and $8.9 million against the cap. David Harris will be……….

BACK FOR MORE

We will talk about the younger players on the next page.

Oct 14, 2012; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets linebacker Nick Bellore (54) celebrates after a fake punt against the Indianapolis Colts during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Debby Wong-USA TODAY Sports

NICK BELLORE: Nick didn’t play a great deal in 2012, but showed some versatility, making a reception on a fake punt this past season. He recorded 10 tackles this past year, after 19 in 2011. Personally, I am on the fence about Bellore, could go either way, but feeling is that ultimately, he will be……..

OUT THE DOOR

DEMARIO DAVIS Here is the guy that was supposed to be Bart Scott’s ticket to the bench, but that didn’t materialize as fast as we hoped. He seemed to have a tough time grasping the defense early on, and therefore struggled a bit to see the field. He played particularly well in the games against the rival Patriots, with seven tackles in the first meeting, and six in the second. He is improving, and will only get better. Demario Davis will be……..

BACK FOR MORE

GARRETT MCINTYRE: McIntyre came out of nowhere and showed some nice potential as a pass rusher, especially towards the end of the season. He recorded 2 sacks early in the season against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and recorded 1.5 over the last three weeks. His tackle total was very pedestrian with 35, but 13 of those tackles were in the last three weeks. McIntyre earned more time. Garrett McIntyre will be…….

BACK FOR MORE

RICKY SAPP: Ricky is a tough one to read. He is very fast off of the edge, but he just had so much trouble staying healthy. He was showing great potential during training camp, but then suffered a high ankle sprain that killed his development for the balance of 2012. He found himself stuck on the practice squad for most of the year, only active for 4 games in 2012. You could see them sending him “out the door”, being that he had such a tough time coming back from his injury, but, in my opinion, being so young, and so explosive when healthy, Ricky Sapp will be………

BACK FOR MORE