Calvin Pace Inks 6-Year Deal with NY Jets

Linebacker Chooses New York Over Rival Dolphins

The Jets have been making many off season acquisitions in an effort to improve from their awful season in 2007. One of their most recent free agent signings was line backer Calvin Pace, a former member of the Arizona Cardinals. The deal is reported to be 6 years and worth $42 million.

Pace was a 1^st round draft pick by the Cardinals, 18^th overall, in the 2003 NFL Draft (espn.com). In his career he has made 187 tackles and sacked the quarterback 14 times. Pace had been considered a bust for the last four seasons prior to his breakout campaign in '07. This past season he recorded 98 tackles, 80 solo, and 6.5 sacks. He also forced one fumble and recorded one interception. These stats are what led to the big contract offer from the Jets.

Pace had also been in contact with the Dolphins, the Jets AFC East rival. It had been reported that it had come down to these two teams before Pace decided to sign with New York. Pace fits a 3-4 style defense best, which is what the Jets play--Miami plays a 4-3 base defense.

Even though this is a nice pick up for New York, the Jets still have a lot of work to do. Other pick ups so far this off season have included Kris Jenkins via trade and the signings of veteran guards Damien Woody and Alan Faneca. These two definitely should help shore up the shaky offensive line and help open up holes for Thomas Jones to run through in 2008. Woody and Faneca also offer flexibility to Coach Mangini as they can play all positions on the line. The pick up of Pace was big, especially since star linebacker Jonathan Vilma was traded to the Saints for a draft pick.

Regardless of these moves, the Jets still are a few years from competing with New England in order to make a run at a divisional championship. Many experts are picking the Jets to draft either stud RB Darren McFadden should Oakland pass up on him, or DE Vernon Gholston from Ohio State. If the Jets were able to grab McFadden, he would become an immediate contributor and a rookie of the year candidate,, similar to Adrian Peterson in 2007 with Minnesota.