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Jets hope Coleman fits the scheme
Saturday, June 16, 2007
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- It was right there on film. The Jets were looking for a defensive end who could play every down in their 3-4 scheme and couldn't believe their eyes.
Dallas Cowboys unrestricted free agent Kenyon Coleman was making plays. He was available. And he had the stamp of approval from none other than Bill Parcells, who is a mentor to Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.
"We had done a lot of work and research on Kenyon," Tannenbaum said yesterday on Day 2 of the Jets' three-day, no-pads minicamp at Hofstra. "On film, we saw him in a similar defense, in a similar position and he improved each year. He kept getting bigger and stronger and that's a tribute to his work ethic.
"I try to bounce a lot of things off Coach Parcells. He did say nice things about Kenyon, about his work ethic. You could see him responding to the program in Dallas."
In desperate need of a quality defensive end to fit their 3-4 defense, the Jets were faced with the option of Coleman or Cleveland's Alvin McKinley on the free-agent market. They decided on Coleman, signing the career backup to a stunning five-year, $20.5 million deal that included $6 million guaranteed.
The Jets were forced to pay such a high price because Coleman was a hot commodity. Several teams, including the Browns, were interested.
Coleman, who is entering his fifth season, is expected to replace Kimo von Oelhoffen in the starting lineup. At 6-5, 295 pounds, he's expected to be a force against the run and the pass.
Coach Eric Mangini said Coleman "has excellent strength at the point of attack. That's what jumped out."
Last season, Coleman, 28, played 30 percent of the snaps, finishing with 31 tackles and four sacks. He has played behind first-round pick Marcus Spears the past two seasons. Before that, Coleman backed up first-round pick Greg Ellis for two seasons.
"It's just opportunity," said Coleman, who has 74 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks in 57 career games. "I've learned a lot but you get experience on the field. The way I look at it, God ordered my steps. It worked out perfectly. I just look forward to getting a chance here to do what I can do."
Coleman played four seasons for Parcells.
"He was going to get the best out of you," Coleman said. "He was going to work you hard. Not only that, but he prepared you for life. He put you in high-pressure situations. He demanded a lot of his players. He's a great, great coach."
Asked about his relationship with Parcells, Coleman said, "Honestly, through the years I don't think a lot was said, but obviously enough was said. He lets you know if you need to pick it up."
Coleman, who does ministry work to give back to the community, has played in the 3-4 the past four seasons under Parcells after being traded to Dallas from the Raiders. He spent one season in Oakland -- playing in one game on their Super Bowl team -- after being drafted in the fifth round out of UCLA.
"It's not so much the 3-4 or 4-3, I think it's what they want from you," Coleman said. "Some defenses they want you to get upfield. Some defenses they want you to play physical. I just think the defense here is a physical defense and that's what fits me."
Coleman admits he was surprised to strike it big in free agency after never being a full-time starter.
"To say I wasn't happy about the situation would be wrong," Coleman said. "I was glad that someone wanted to give me an opportunity and that's pretty much what free agency is about. I was in a situation where teams wanted to give me an opportunity. It was more a product of that rather than anything else.
"As far as the money goes, you play this game because you love to play. The money takes care of itself. The NFL can stand for Not For Long or Nice For Life. I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunity."
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/118197204231180.xml&coll=1
Saturday, June 16, 2007
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff
HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. -- It was right there on film. The Jets were looking for a defensive end who could play every down in their 3-4 scheme and couldn't believe their eyes.
Dallas Cowboys unrestricted free agent Kenyon Coleman was making plays. He was available. And he had the stamp of approval from none other than Bill Parcells, who is a mentor to Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum.
"We had done a lot of work and research on Kenyon," Tannenbaum said yesterday on Day 2 of the Jets' three-day, no-pads minicamp at Hofstra. "On film, we saw him in a similar defense, in a similar position and he improved each year. He kept getting bigger and stronger and that's a tribute to his work ethic.
"I try to bounce a lot of things off Coach Parcells. He did say nice things about Kenyon, about his work ethic. You could see him responding to the program in Dallas."
In desperate need of a quality defensive end to fit their 3-4 defense, the Jets were faced with the option of Coleman or Cleveland's Alvin McKinley on the free-agent market. They decided on Coleman, signing the career backup to a stunning five-year, $20.5 million deal that included $6 million guaranteed.
The Jets were forced to pay such a high price because Coleman was a hot commodity. Several teams, including the Browns, were interested.
Coleman, who is entering his fifth season, is expected to replace Kimo von Oelhoffen in the starting lineup. At 6-5, 295 pounds, he's expected to be a force against the run and the pass.
Coach Eric Mangini said Coleman "has excellent strength at the point of attack. That's what jumped out."
Last season, Coleman, 28, played 30 percent of the snaps, finishing with 31 tackles and four sacks. He has played behind first-round pick Marcus Spears the past two seasons. Before that, Coleman backed up first-round pick Greg Ellis for two seasons.
"It's just opportunity," said Coleman, who has 74 tackles and 6 1/2 sacks in 57 career games. "I've learned a lot but you get experience on the field. The way I look at it, God ordered my steps. It worked out perfectly. I just look forward to getting a chance here to do what I can do."
Coleman played four seasons for Parcells.
"He was going to get the best out of you," Coleman said. "He was going to work you hard. Not only that, but he prepared you for life. He put you in high-pressure situations. He demanded a lot of his players. He's a great, great coach."
Asked about his relationship with Parcells, Coleman said, "Honestly, through the years I don't think a lot was said, but obviously enough was said. He lets you know if you need to pick it up."
Coleman, who does ministry work to give back to the community, has played in the 3-4 the past four seasons under Parcells after being traded to Dallas from the Raiders. He spent one season in Oakland -- playing in one game on their Super Bowl team -- after being drafted in the fifth round out of UCLA.
"It's not so much the 3-4 or 4-3, I think it's what they want from you," Coleman said. "Some defenses they want you to get upfield. Some defenses they want you to play physical. I just think the defense here is a physical defense and that's what fits me."
Coleman admits he was surprised to strike it big in free agency after never being a full-time starter.
"To say I wasn't happy about the situation would be wrong," Coleman said. "I was glad that someone wanted to give me an opportunity and that's pretty much what free agency is about. I was in a situation where teams wanted to give me an opportunity. It was more a product of that rather than anything else.
"As far as the money goes, you play this game because you love to play. The money takes care of itself. The NFL can stand for Not For Long or Nice For Life. I'm just trying to make the most of my opportunity."
http://www.nj.com/sports/ledger/index.ssf?/base/sports-0/118197204231180.xml&coll=1
