JETS 101

Aaron Maybin was a revelation for the New York Jets this season, one that they just happened upon after he was cut by the Buffalo Bills. The Jets almost ruined their own find by cutting him to make room for some waiver wire pickups following the final cuts of training camp. Luckily for them, Maybin was still without a team when they asked him to return to the team prior to the game versus the Baltimore Ravens. Now that the season is over and Maybin's contract is up, does he have a future with the Jets?

The Maybin signing was a no risk move that netted a very nice reward. He had a team-high six sacks despite not being on the roster for the first two games of the season, sitting out the entire game versus the Denver Broncos and their run-heavy offense, and having a very quiet end to the season. His speed and hustle created some plays and he also forced four fumbles. On a defense that struggled so much to get pressure on the quarterback, it's almost scary to think about where they would have been without Maybin.

But are there expectations now? What kind of contract does a six-sack season from a former no. 11 overall draft pick warrant?

While it's a nice story and Maybin gave the Jets some nice production, he still can't be counted on as a regular producer. His speed is a real weapon on the edge, but he's a huge liability defending the run and even when rushing the passer his slight frame can lead to him being manhandled by offensive linemen. In the end Maybin can be a very nice piece of a complete pass rush, but he's not the solution to a team's pass-rushing needs. That might be what keeps him with the Jets.

It's hard to believe that Maybin would want to move on. He seemed comfortable for the first time in his NFL career and Rex Ryan used him perfectly, not asking him to play outside of his capabilities. He's a speed rusher and Ryan kept him in that role. He can challenge tackles by using his speed to force them up the field, which also opened opportunities for blitzes designed to take advantage of that. The Bills wanted him to live up to his high draft selection by being an every-down player and he just couldn't hold up physically. The Jets had the luxury of viewing him as just that – a luxury.

When training camp opens next summer, expect Maybin to be back with the Jets. He won't be getting a ton of offers on the market as teams aren't going to pay a high price for a player who is so limited in what he does. Rex Ryan likes him and he enjoyed the best success of his career with the Jets. Unless the Jets wind up being stacked with pass rushers and good outside linebackers, something Jets fans can only hope happens, they will be able to find a roster spot for Maybin. The team has struggled too much to get pressure on the quarterback to let six sacks just walk out the door, especially with a chance to potentially improve upon that by working with Maybin during the offseason.

The coach who has been credited with helping Maybin resurrect his career, previously unknown intern Mike Smith, has been hired as the outside linebackers coach. His relationship with Maybin mirrors the team's relationship with the speedy linebacker: Smith basically earned his promotion by saving Maybin's career, just as the Jets desperately needed Maybin's production while he desperately needed another chance. 

Sometimes it's just a fit. Maybin should be back in green and white, working with the coach who helped save his career.

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