<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kassel signs with Jets; will vie for starting spotBy Len PasquarelliESPN.comThe New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agent Brad Kassell in an effort to strengthen their linebacker corps for the anticipated switch to a 3-4 front under first-year head coach Eric Mangini.Kassel, a four-year veteran, figures to vie for a starting job with his new team. He had played his entire career with the Tennessee Titans, starting 28 of a possible 32 games the last two seasons. Kassell started in 14 games in 2005, and appeared in two other contests as a backup, and registered 89 tackles.Details of Kassell's contract were not immediately available.Kassel is he second veteran linebacker go sign with New York in free agency, joining former Patriots backup Matt Chatham. Chatman will probably contribute mostly on special teams but, given his familiarity with the 3-4 alignment, could compete for playing time.Mangini has said he hopes to implement a defensive scheme similar to the one that he coordinated with the Patriots, a basic 3-4 front but with the flexibility of moving to a 4-3 alignment at times. Kassell is regarded as a two-down player who probably will come off the field on third down.In his two seasons as a Titans starter, Kassell averaged 108? tackles. Primarily a run-stuffer. Kassell could become a prominent player for the rebuilding Jets, and will probably pair with Jonathan Vilma, the team's best defender, at the inside linebacker spots.Kassell signed with the Titans in 2002 as an undrafted free agent and spent much of his first two seasons on special teams. He moved into the starting lineup part-time in 2003, then took over at middle linebacker full-time in 2004 when former starter Rocky Calmus was injured. Starting in 14 games that year, he collected 128 tackles.In 56 games and 32 starts during his career, Kassell has 259 tackles, one interception, nine passes defensed and a pair of fumble recoveries.Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com</div>Excellent Signing IMO.Jonathan Vilma - Eric Barton - Victor Hobson and Brad Kassell should be a very good starting Linebacking core.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Apr 11 2006, 10:17 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Kassel signs with Jets; will vie for starting spotBy Len PasquarelliESPN.comThe New York Jets have signed unrestricted free agent Brad Kassell in an effort to strengthen their linebacker corps for the anticipated switch to a 3-4 front under first-year head coach Eric Mangini.Kassel, a four-year veteran, figures to vie for a starting job with his new team. He had played his entire career with the Tennessee Titans, starting 28 of a possible 32 games the last two seasons. Kassell started in 14 games in 2005, and appeared in two other contests as a backup, and registered 89 tackles.Details of Kassell's contract were not immediately available.Kassel is he second veteran linebacker go sign with New York in free agency, joining former Patriots backup Matt Chatham. Chatman will probably contribute mostly on special teams but, given his familiarity with the 3-4 alignment, could compete for playing time.Mangini has said he hopes to implement a defensive scheme similar to the one that he coordinated with the Patriots, a basic 3-4 front but with the flexibility of moving to a 4-3 alignment at times. Kassell is regarded as a two-down player who probably will come off the field on third down.In his two seasons as a Titans starter, Kassell averaged 108? tackles. Primarily a run-stuffer. Kassell could become a prominent player for the rebuilding Jets, and will probably pair with Jonathan Vilma, the team's best defender, at the inside linebacker spots.Kassell signed with the Titans in 2002 as an undrafted free agent and spent much of his first two seasons on special teams. He moved into the starting lineup part-time in 2003, then took over at middle linebacker full-time in 2004 when former starter Rocky Calmus was injured. Starting in 14 games that year, he collected 128 tackles.In 56 games and 32 starts during his career, Kassell has 259 tackles, one interception, nine passes defensed and a pair of fumble recoveries.Len Pasquarelli is a senior writer for ESPN.com</div>Excellent Signing IMO.Jonathan Vilma - Eric Barton - Victor Hobson and Brad Kassell should be a very good starting Linebacking core.</div>We still need and edge rushing OLB...
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Apr 11 2006, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We still need and edge rushing OLB...</div>A part of me wants to believe that Eric Barton and Bryan Thomas can fill that need.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Jets | Thomas to move to OLBMon, 10 Apr 2006 16:25:33 -0700NewYorkJets.com reports the New York Jets are attempting to move DE Bryan Thomas to outside linebacker. They believe his speed and athleticism are better suited for the position. The knock on Thomas is his lack of experience. Thomas is currently penciled in as the starter opposite incumbent OLB Victor Hobson.</div>
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (AdropOFvenom @ Apr 11 2006, 11:12 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Jon_Vilma @ Apr 11 2006, 10:01 AM) <{POST_SNAPBACK}></div><div class='quotemain'>We still need and edge rushing OLB...</div>A part of me wants to believe that Eric Barton and Bryan Thomas can fill that need.<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE </div><div class='quotemain'>Jets | Thomas to move to OLBMon, 10 Apr 2006 16:25:33 -0700NewYorkJets.com reports the New York Jets are attempting to move DE Bryan Thomas to outside linebacker. They believe his speed and athleticism are better suited for the position. The knock on Thomas is his lack of experience. Thomas is currently penciled in as the starter opposite incumbent OLB Victor Hobson.</div></div>And you're happy with Just Thomas?
[quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='40221' date='Apr 11 2006, 10:14 AM'][quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='40220' date='Apr 11 2006, 11:12 AM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='40214' date='Apr 11 2006, 10:01 AM']We still need and edge rushing OLB...[/quote]A part of me wants to believe that Eric Barton and Bryan Thomas can fill that need. [/quote]And you're happy with Just Thomas?[/quote]Not really, but overall our LB department looks fairly good on paper, maybe throw in someone like Wimbley in the second for your pass rusher and wed be set.Jonathan VilmaVictor HobsonEric BartonBrad KassellBryan ThomasMatt ChathamDarrell McClover
[quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='40227' date='Apr 11 2006, 11:46 AM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='40221' date='Apr 11 2006, 10:14 AM'][quote name='AdropOFvenom' post='40220' date='Apr 11 2006, 11:12 AM'][quote name='Jon_Vilma' post='40214' date='Apr 11 2006, 10:01 AM']We still need and edge rushing OLB...[/quote]A part of me wants to believe that Eric Barton and Bryan Thomas can fill that need. [/quote]And you're happy with Just Thomas?[/quote]Not really, but overall our LB department looks fairly good on paper, maybe throw in someone like Wimbley in the second for your pass rusher and wed be set.Jonathan VilmaVictor HobsonEric BartonBrad KassellBryan ThomasMatt ChathamDarrell McClover[/quote]That's kinda who I'm hoping for, him or Lawson. I'm not big on Bobby Carpenter, but I'd be satisfied with him.McClover runs a 4.4 40, and Thomas isn't slow. But it's like betting on Sione Pouha to be our NT. Physical skills don't always translate, even though I may like some of these guys, it's just risky to not have a rookie or proven vet as a backup plan.
