You can never have enough defenders.
The Jets continued to flesh out their roster, picking up three defensive players -- linebacker
Larry Izzo and defensive linemen
Howard Green and
Marques Douglas -- over the past three days. The moves won't send waves of fear across the league, but adding depth like this could make the difference over the long haul.
Izzo, the former Miami Dolphin and New England Patriot, probably won't see much action at linebacker, but he was named to the Pro Bowl three times for his special teams play. He will fill the void left by
David Bowens, who signed with the Cleveland Browns. Izzo is getting up there in age (34) and he's been linked with the Barry Bonds/Balco investigation. I disliked Izzo when he wore the aqua and couldn't stand him during his time in New England, but he should be an asset on special teams if he has anything left in the tank.
Green comes over to the Jets from the Seattle Seahawks. Green is big (6'2, 320) and will probably slide in as Kris Jenkins' primary backup at nose tackle. This move was in response to tackle
C.J. Mosley's defection to the Cleveland Browns (Eric Mangini sure likes surrounding himself with familiar faces). I liked Mosley and think he has a chance to be a solid player in the NFL. Anyway, Green finished with 21 tackles and a sack last season. The six-year veteran played under Rex Ryan with the Baltimore Ravens in 2002.
Douglas is the latest ex-Raven to follow Ryan to New York. The nine-year vet finished with 36 tackles as a backup defensive end with Baltimore in 2008. Douglas is said to be a high-energy guy and good locker room presence.
Speaking of following coaches, a few more ex-Jets are now Cleveland Browns. Cornerback
Hank Poteat signed with the Browns and linebacker
Eric Barton is the latest addition to the Dawg Pound. Safety
Abram Elam reportedly signed an offer sheet with Cleveland. The Jets have seven days to match the one-year, $1.5 million offer (the contract was signed March 10 so it's less than seven days now. Tick tock). Elam has potential and I'd like to see him re-sign with Gang Green. He's a hard hitter and would rather see Elam team up with newly signed safety Jim Leonhard than Eric Smith. Time will tell.
Maybe familiarity doesn't breed contempt.
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