How far can Lorenzo Mauldin grow in 2016?
Blitz. Tackle. This is all that was asked of a rookie linebacker in 2015. Can Lorenzo Mauldin take it to the next level in 2016?
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How a changed Lorenzo Mauldin is answering Bowles’ rare fire | New York Post |
| Source: nypost.com/2016/06/11/how-a-changed-lorenzo-mauldin-is-answering-bowles-rare-fire/ | |
Lorenzo Mauldin is a surprise after being drafted in the third round in 2015. As a rookie, he was only supposed to pass rush quarterbacks in certain situations. As the season progressed, he changed from a specialist to a dependable linebacker on the team. His best attributes are his acceleration and speed, which are a major improvement over those of decrepit Calvin Pace and stiff Quinton Coples.
His talents were seen on the many times that head coach Todd Bowles called a blitz, resulting in QB hurries and pressures. The best example is when the Jets played the New England Patriots in the 2nd half in Week 16. On 3rd down, as Muhammad Wilkerson, Sheldon Richardson and Leonard Williams broke down the pocket, Tom Brady stepped up, only to get wrapped up at the ankles by Mauldin. There were other times when he contributed when a blitz was demanded by the head coach, resulting in the Jets’ offense getting the ball back.
So what can you expect from Lorenzo in his 2nd season with Gang Green? Physically, his 6-foot-4, 259-pound frame will get stronger with more conditioning and training camp. Mentally, he will have a better grasp of Bowles’ system after an offseason of film study and having experienced and played in it last year. “He understands, positionally, things he has to do to drop and rush, and he understands how people are trying to block him. So from that standpoint, he’s matured some.”
As the head coach states, familiarity will put Mauldin in position to make more plays than last season. He will have to start calling the plays on the field for his team mates and take over the leadership role from linebacker David Harris, who is now in the twilight of his career. Lorenzo will also have to bring in rookie LBs Darron Lee and Jordan Jenkins and teach them the ropes of this defensive system so that the 11 players can be on the same page.
Developing swim moves and getting off run blockers will improve him overall as a LB and help him set an example for the younger players. 90 tackles along with 6 sacks is not out of the realm for him in 2016 and it will be interesting to see how this talented LB develops his game over the years.
