With the New York Jets much-improved defense still hindered by the range of their linebackers, Gang Green needs to move on from Demario Davis.
I wouldn’t doubt it.
Scott’s departure had a more ominous impact to the Jets future than you’d expect.
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His retirement in 2012 paved the way for the drafting of his replacement, Demario Davis, to step in alongside Jets-lifer David Harris in leading the defense. The Jets took a flyer on Davis, a talented, high-ceiling linebacker from Arkansas State, in the third-round of the NFL Draft.
Four years later, the player once thought of as the future leading-tackler for Gang Green is unemployed. A first-time free agent, Davis, 27, will not be re-signed, according to Jets’ sources.
I kid you not.
The loudmouth, that of Former Head Coach Rex Ryan, once likened Davis to Hall-of-Fame middle linebacker Ray Lewis, comparing their leadership qualities and tackling ability.
Well, one thing is certain: Demario Davis will have a much different path to stardom than Lewis.
After posting 100+ tackles in his sophomore and junior campaign with New York, Davis figured to pick up where he left off and become a major presence in Todd Bowles‘ defensive scheme. Instead, he regressed mightily in 2015, losing himself millions of dollars in the process.
Due to his inadequacies in pass-coverage, Davis became a part-time linebacker for Bowles, serving as half of a two-man rotation with Erin Henderson over New York’s final six games. His 81% of snaps played was the lowest total since his rookie season, and his 16 missed tackles were his most.
Davis’s final stat-line with the Jets: 337 tackles, 6.5 sacks, 1 interception, 4 fumble recoveries, 0 forced fumbles. Obviously, not nearly enough production to justify a new contract.
It is clearly time to move on, and GM Mike Maccagnan knows it. With the 20th pick in a loaded 2016 defensive draft class, the Jets find themselves in prime position to snag an interior linebacker such as Alabama’s Reggie Ragland or a hybrid linebacker like Georgia’s Leonard Floyd.
So it looks like happy trails to Davis.