Rex Ryan wanted impact players out of the NFL draft, and the Jets coach thinks he got his wish.
So much so that Ryan already declared — although he later backed off — that big defensive lineman Quinton Coples and speedy wide receiver Stephen Hill will be starters for a team determined to get back to the playoffs.
“Yes,” Ryan said without hesitation late Saturday night. “How’s that one?”
Well, it remains to be seen what the veterans will think of that bold and possibly premature statement. But Ryan’s excitement is understandable.
After all, he and his team are coming off a disappointing season and a winter of uncertainty, and this was indeed an important draft for him, general manager Mike Tannenbaum and the rest of the organization. There were some serious holes in the roster heading into the draft and there’s still work to be done, including possibly at right tackle and outside linebacker. But there’s no doubt the Jets improved their overall team speed on both sides of the ball and added some aggressive and physical players — just as Ryan likes ‘em.
“We’ll just keep adding good football players,” Tannenbaum said. “I do like what we got accomplished.”
New York split their eight picks evenly between offense — Hill, running back Terrance Ganaway and guard Robert T. Griffin, both sixth-rounders from Baylor, and wide receiver Jordan White (seventh) — and defense — Coples, inside linebacker Demario Davis (third), and safeties Josh Bush (sixth) and Antonio Allen (seventh).
Oh, and Tannenbaum joked that he also really likes his fourth-round pick. That’s the draft selection, of course, that the Jets traded to the Denver Broncos, along with a sixth-rounder, to acquire backup quarterback Tim Tebow.
The Jets’ offense will have a different look because of Tebow, who’ll play a key role in running wildcat and option-style plays behind starter Mark Sanchez. But Tannenbaum brushed aside thoughts that New York brought in some guys on offense — Hill, Ganaway, Griffin — who are used to playing in a style suited to Tebow’s skill set.
“That would just be a coincidence,” Tannenbaum said.
The rule of thumb is that it takes three years to accurately assess draft picks, but the Jets hope at least a few in this year’s group quickly get the arrow pointed up and keep it there.
It all starts with Coples, a 6-foot-5, 285-pound defensive lineman from North Carolina who has a knack for the sack and creating commotions up front. Although many fans at the draft’s site at Radio City Music Hall were chanting for the Jets to take South Carolina’s Melvin Ingram at No. 16 overall, Coples might be better suited for what Ryan wants to do. And that, of course, is to be the league’s No. 1 defense.
“I’m going to just come in and make an impact as soon as I can,” Coples said after being drafted. “I’m going to come in as a rookie and work my way up.”
May 6th, 2012 
Matt Loede 
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