Quinton Coples: Showing Signs of Stardom
THE New York Jets were ridiculed with there No. 16 selection of Quinton Coples in the 2012 NFL Draft. Coming off a down senior year at UNC, Coples was looked at as a "bust-in-the-making." This down year was characterized by "only" 7.5 sacks, a year after sacking the quarterback 10 times, with 59 tackles and being named first team All-ACC. In case you don't know, a college football season is usually 11 to 12 games. So that is 17.5 sacks in just around 22-24 games. Correct me if I am wrong, but that is pretty impressive. Still, with questions about his motor and work ethic looming around football nation, many Jets fans were skeptical about the pick.
AFTER a slow start to the season, we saw Quinton Coples start to gain some traction. With only 6 tackles in the first five games, Jets nation was quietly getting ready to press the panic button. Right on cue, Coples showed some life against the Indianapolis Colts to the tune of 4 tackles and 2 sacks. With very inconsistent playing time until the last four games, Coples' production began to dip back down. It wasn't until these four games that I was ready to jump on the Coples bandwagon.
IN the last four games of the 2012 season, Coples racked up 10 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Coples' playing time increased, but he was still nowhere near starters minutes. Still, he began to explode for great numbers. The 2013 season is crucial for Quinton Coples. Jets nation is done waiting for a pass-rushing star to come along. It is safe to say we have all been starving for one since John Abraham left. With Muhammad Wilkerson quietly becoming one of the best 3-4 defensive ends in the league, Coples should be primed and ready to break out. Coples was coming on strong at the end of the season. His presence was clearly felt whenever he was on the field. If he was sacking the QB, he was right in his face.
THE interesting thing about "Que" is his versatility. Where everyone pegs him as defensive end, they don't realize the damage he does on the interior line at defensive tackle. In sub packages, Coples' size speed combo is too much for many offensive guards to handle. Being able to play across the entire defensive line makes him extremely valuable and very tough to prepare for. With Rex Ryan staying for the 2013 season, Que can take that next step forward to giving Jets fans their first 10+ sack player in 10 years.
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