How does DeMario Davis do it? Or more importantly, can the Jets expect him to keep on doing it? Again and again, year after year, Davis manages to slip father time the same way he slips oncoming offensive linemen. Racking up 100-plus tackles is a given. Hell, in recent years we’ve seen Davis top the 120 tackle marks in three consecutive campaigns.
Now entering his fifteenth season, the Jets are putting a lot on Davis’ shoulders, hoping the 37-year-old vet can lead the way in fixing the Jets defensive woes that plagued them last season. Week after week, Jets fans sat and watched opposing offenses dominate in the trenches, piling up rushing yards at will.
The Jets would allowed a whopping 2,371 yards on the ground (4th worst), 4.4 yards per carry (9th worst) and 133 rushing first downs (t-3rd worst). So the Jets went out and acquired Davis for the third time. The first time came in 2012 when he was a Jets draft pick, then he came aboard for one more season in 2017. Now he’s back, and the Jets are hoping he’s got another season or two in the tank.
Having a healthy Davis playing anywhere near his usual standard will go a long way in slowing down opposing running games, but asking any player not to lose a step at 37 is no small request. Asking a linebacker to do it; to keep running around with backs and tight ends in the pass game, all while taking on blockers against the run? This won’t be a small task.
If Davis is up for it, the Jets will be obviously be plenty pleased. But if the veteran falters, the Jets don’t have much behind him to step in. The current linebacker depth chart is thin on experience and if reinforcements are needed, the Jets currently have the likes of Kiko Maugoa, Mykal Walker and Marcelino McCrary-Ball backing up. With this being the case, don’t be surprised if GM Darren Mougey goes out and uses a day three pick swap deal to bring in a veteran ‘backer as a reliable insurance policy.
