When Quinton Coples took a draft of his visit to the Jets last week, coach Rex Ryan did the talented defensive Lineman promises.
"If we had to choose, and I was still there, he was definitely going to take me," Coples said on a conference call tonight. "I am grateful that he is a man of his word."
The Jets used their No. 16 pick on a two-year starter from North Carolina, believe he can improve traffic rush them. This is the second time in two years that the Jets used their first round pick on defensive Lineman, by choosing Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson last year.
Coples has excellent physical properties (6-foot-5 and 284 pounds) and athleticism. Ryan worked out at Pro Day Coples North Carolina is joining him on the defensive line and linebacker drills, and found that he could not tire him out. Then, Ryan recalled saying, "I think I did just that person lots of money."
"If we had to choose, and I was still there, he was definitely going to take me," Coples said on a conference call tonight. "I am grateful that he is a man of his word."
The Jets used their No. 16 pick on a two-year starter from North Carolina, believe he can improve traffic rush them. This is the second time in two years that the Jets used their first round pick on defensive Lineman, by choosing Temple's Muhammad Wilkerson last year.
Coples has excellent physical properties (6-foot-5 and 284 pounds) and athleticism. Ryan worked out at Pro Day Coples North Carolina is joining him on the defensive line and linebacker drills, and found that he could not tire him out. Then, Ryan recalled saying, "I think I did just that person lots of money."
While Coples said he could play outside linebacker - the need for the Jets - Ryan said it's not the team he brought here to do. He will play defensive line, where he can line up at end or also slide inside.
"This young man, what he does is put his hand on the dirt and rushing the passer," Ryan said.
Coples had 24 career sacks at North Carolina. 10-Sack junior season was his best, but he was criticized for his production dipped to a 7.5 sacks as a Senior. But the Jets said they spent "much time" with Coples, meeting with him as soon as Senior Bowl. They also interviewed Wilkerson and teammate Coples' at Hargrave Military Academy.
Manager Mike Tannenbaum core activities of spies report Wilkerson is: "He's a great teammate, and he is a better player than me."
Tannenbaum said the Jets made the area some call the store-frenzied first round but was comfortable to stay at No. 16, where they believe they received excellent value for Coples. Ryan joked that Tannenbaum was not there when he made a draft of his promise to Coples, but he was going to do everything he could to make sure that happened.
The Jets have been associated with South Carolina in Melvin Ingram and Syracuse in Chandler Jones in some pre-draft predictions, the Jets selected Coples both still on the table. Ingram was taken as a whole with 18 chargers. The Patriots traded up to 21 spot in the NAB Jones.
It is interesting that the Jets have used their top pick two straight years of defensive linemen. In the 3-4 system, are high numbers generally operate outside linebacker position. Ryan acknowledged that fact, but said both Coples and Wilkerson "result in the production."
He added that the Jets defense 'is at its best with a pass-rushing defensive linemen, as they had in 2010 with Shaun Ellis and Trevor Pryce. Coples, Ryan said, reminds him of both.
Coples, as opposed to some college defensive linemen who projects to outside linebackers will play the position he played in college - but he will transition from the 4-3 system. The Jets, of course, the pitfalls of the position change with 2008 first round bust Vernon Gholston.
In the pre-draft process, Coples said one of the most common questions he fielded was, "How much do you love football?", Probably the result of a dip in his production as a senior. But Ryan pointed Coples changing aspects of the defensive line and also have four different position coaches.
Coples endured a tumultuous period in North Carolina, where the agent scandal led to the head coach Butch Davis be fired shortly before the old time Coples'. But Coples "was clean through it all," vice president of college scouts activities Joey Clinkscales said.
Now for the first round draft pick, and 16 members of his family in attendance at Radio City Music Hall huddled around the merchandise stand to buy the jets draft caps.
"It's amazing that it took perseverance," Coples said. "To get the award and will be Jet's amazing."
