Clemson OLB Ricky Sapp set to visit Jets

[MDL_JET]

http://www.nationalfootballpost.com/...Cardinals.html

Defensive end Ricky Sapp is scheduled to work out for the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals in April, the former Clemson Tiger told the National Football Post on Wednesday.

In addition to the Jets and Cardinals, Sapp has already worked out for the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots.

The 6’4”, 245-pounder recorded 139 tackles and 16 sacks in four years at Clemson. Many experts expect the 23-year-old Sapp to make the move to outside linebacker at the next level.

Sapp tore his ACL against Virginia on November 22, 2008, but battled back and started all 14 games for the Tigers in 2009, amassing 60 stops with 15 tackles for a loss.

He told us on Wednesday that he played the entire 2009 season with his knee at about 60%, but that he’s been working hard to get it back to where it needs to be.

Despite the concerns about his knee, Sapp ran a 4.66 40-yard-dash at last month’s combine in Indianapolis.

[Revi$_I$l@nd]

This kid has the potential to be a great player.

I'm all for taking the chance on him.

[gangGREENinsider]

Kind of an underachiever, like some other Clemson DE's in recent memory.

Good thing though is Clemson utilizes a scheme where their ends are called on to drop back in coverage so I think he's more adept than most to be a 3-4 OLB.

I think he'll be a solid 3-4 OLB but I don't think he'll ever be some terror off the edge. Consistent 6-8 sack guy is my guess after he matures a bit...

[Come Back to NY]

Originally Posted by gangGREENinsider

Kind of an underachiever, like some other Clemson DE's in recent memory.

Good thing though is Clemson utilizes a scheme where their ends are called on to drop back in coverage so I think he's more adept than most to be a 3-4 OLB.

I think he'll be a solid 3-4 OLB but I don't think he'll ever be some terror off the edge. Consistent 6-8 sack guy is my guess after he matures a bit...

not really an underachiever...hurt his knee late in '08 and it was not rehabbed properly so he was playing at 65% last year...finally had the situation cleared up after the season, hence his reason for missing the Senior Bowl....

[Buzzsaw]

A 245lb OLB? That's really light compared to most other 3-4 OLBs

[gangGREENinsider]

Originally Posted by Come Back to NY

not really an underachiever...hurt his knee late in '08 and it was not rehabbed properly so he was playing at 65% last year...finally had the situation cleared up after the season, hence his reason for missing the Senior Bowl....

If you say it's legit, I'll believe it. Kind of sounded like an excuse from him. Adams never did much before him and that all-world kid Bowers after him still isn't playing up to snuff.

[Revi$_I$l@nd]

Originally Posted by Buzzsaw

A 245lb OLB? That's really light compared to most other 3-4 OLBs

I saw 252 from the combine, perhaps CBNY can shed light.

Although, Dumervil outweighs him and is 5 inches shorter.

He needs to bulk up, obviously.

[FijiJet]

Originally Posted by Revi$_I$l@nd

This kid has the potential to be a great player.

I'm all for taking the chance on him.

Good to see what Rex thinks for him. We certainly need a beam riding missile aimed at the qb

[SenorGato]

Sapp's one of those guys who might be a better pro than college player. He's the most fluid of the DE prospects, IMO.

Other guys who fall into that category:

Keiland Williams
DeMaryius Thomas
Greg Hardy (well...he was dominant in college, just not healthy)
Taylor Mays
Corey Wootton
Al Woods
Cam Thomas
Tony Moeaki
Colin Peek
Javarris James
AJ Edds
Dekoda Watson - Gut feel, but he would work really well with Rex.

I'd say Cody, but he was a top college DT. All he needs to do is drop the weight.

[jetsfaneh]

It is just nice to see that a speedy edge rusher is being look at in this draft. There are a lot of guys that fit 3-4 OLB. Not sure if Sapp is first or second round material. Intriguing prospect for sure. He has the tools.

[DefenseWinsChampionships2]

Hell no.

This kid already tore his ACL back in 2008 and lets not forget... We already have a project player in Vernon Gholston; who's also trying to learn the role of a 3-4 OLB after years of playing as a 4-3 DE on the college level. We don't need another one.

No thanks.

[sec.101row23]

Originally Posted by Buzzsaw

A 245lb OLB? That's really light compared to most other 3-4 OLBs

Ricky looks very thin for his size. I met him last season...and the Clemson training staff was worried about him trying to put too much weight on due to his knee situation. He could easily play at around 260 in the NFL...and thats where I think he will eventualy play at.

Kid is fast and is best suited at 3-4 OLB. As mentioned earlier...he was asked to drop into coverage some and did fine. I think he could be nice addition to the defense.

[jetsfaneh]

Originally Posted by DefenseWinsChampionships2

Hell no.

This kid already tore his ACL back in 2008 and lets not forget... We already have a project player in Vernon Gholston; who's also trying to learn the role of a 3-4 OLB after years of playing as a 4-3 DE on the college level. We don't need another one.

No thanks.

Not a lot of 3-4 defenses being used in college. So most 3-4 OLBs are DE conversion guys. I guess you are fine with sticking with the guys we have at OLB? Drafting an OLB will most likely mean that we are projecting a college DE can play 3-4 OLB. Gholston should have never been drafted for the 3-4. Sapp would project better than Gholston. But I hope we grab someone later than 29. Kinda high on Jason Worilds right now.

[David Harris]

We need passrushers, that has to come from the OLB's in our defense. As of now Pace is adequate, Thomas is non-existent as is Vernon.

This needs to be addressed so that we don't have to consistently blitz 7-8 guys to get pressure.

I don't know if Sapp is the one for us or not, CBNY is high on him which says a lot. It's a pretty big need either way.
-----------------------------------------------------

Can someone please answer a question for me, that I didn't want to start another thread on. I really like what I hear about Weatherspoon, I think his personality would mesh well with Rex and Bart. I see him listed as an OLB but it seems he's only discussed with 4-3 teams.

Is Weatherspoon capable of playing as an OLB in the 3-4? Would he offer anything in the way of pass rush off the edge in our system?

[SenorGato]

Gholston should have never been drafted for the 3-4.

1. Not true.

2. Only treated as true because he hasn't blown up in his first 2 seasons as he "should have."

I'm stunned at how little credit is handed to the 3-4 DL in the pass rush. The Pats and Ravens build their pass rush around their DL for a reason...if you can get a pass rush from as few guys as possible then your whole D plays up for it. I don't think we need an OLB as much as we need a talented DL.

[augustiniak]

Originally Posted by SenorGato

1. Not true.

2. Only treated as true because he hasn't blown up in his first 2 seasons as he "should have."

I'm stunned at how little credit is handed to the 3-4 DL in the pass rush. The Pats and Ravens build their pass rush around their DL for a reason...if you can get a pass rush from as few guys as possible then your whole D plays up for it. I don't think we need an OLB as much as we need a talented DL.

if rex thinks he can get production out of a guy like westerman, then much of this is attritutable to the scheme itself. and since the scheme is dependent on having a stout front 3 and capable cbs, i would expect tanny to try to get these pieces for rex to scheme with.

[jetsfaneh]

Originally Posted by SenorGato

1. Not true.

2. Only treated as true because he hasn't blown up in his first 2 seasons as he "should have."

I'm stunned at how little credit is handed to the 3-4 DL in the pass rush. The Pats and Ravens build their pass rush around their DL for a reason...if you can get a pass rush from as few guys as possible then your whole D plays up for it. I don't think we need an OLB as much as we need a talented DL.

Gholston cannot drop back into coverage the way you need in a 3-4. He is stiff. Great 4-3 edge rusher with his hand in the dirt but the guy isn't fluid enough to drop back.

Agreed on the DL pass rush. We need to get a pass rush from the heavies up front. That will open everything up. Ngata would be a dream in this defense. Too bad there is not someone like that available at 29. Cody or Odrick could help though.

[C Mart]

Originally Posted by Come Back to NY

must add how many people continue to undervalue and underrate Ricky Sapp of Clemson- guy has late first round ability in my opinion and in the opinion of others...don't know whether it is because he played on a bad knee last year or whether teams are downgrading players like him from Clemson-

I saw this in another thread from a few days ago. Thanks, CBNY


http://www.jetsinsider.com/forums/sh...d.php?t=210658

[SenorGato]

Originally Posted by jetsfaneh

Gholston cannot drop back into coverage the way you need in a 3-4. He is stiff. Great 4-3 edge rusher with his hand in the dirt but the guy isn't fluid enough to drop back.

Agreed on the DL pass rush. We need to get a pass rush from the heavies up front. That will open everything up. Ngata would be a dream in this defense. Too bad there is not someone like that available at 29. Cody or Odrick could help though.

Dude, they say this about pretty much every 3-4 OLB convert. Right now the ONLY reason that's perceived as correct is because he hasn't done anything yet. Athleticism is the very least of Gholston's problem...getting on the field OTOH...

Also, another factor was that he was extremely inexperienced coming into the league. He played HS football for 2 years and then only started for 2 years of his 3 years at OSU. Most guys have been playing football since they were kids and have double the on-field experience Gholston did.

[dassin]

Originally Posted by DefenseWinsChampionships2

Hell no.

This kid already tore his ACL back in 2008 and lets not forget... We already have a project player in Vernon Gholston; who's also trying to learn the role of a 3-4 OLB after years of playing as a 4-3 DE on the college level. We don't need another one.

No thanks.

+1, and DL and FS are still more pressing needs.