Perhaps a world exists where Kevin Costner could pull off the role of New York Jets general manager Darren Mougey. <\/p>\n
Granted, Costner\u2019s 6-foot-1 stature hardly compares to Mougey\u2019s 6-foot-5, quarterback-esque frame, but he generally towers over his theatrical colleagues. In that regard, the director has plenty of room to operate. <\/p>\n
google [#178]Created with Sketch. Follow Jets X-Factor on Google<\/a><\/p>\n They both have an executive-ish look. Each sports short hair with a CEO-like feel, graying just enough to polish the front-office vibe.<\/p>\n Plus, Vontae Mack, the apple of Costner\u2019s character\u2019s eye in the not-close-to-stellar yet often-revered-for-other-reasons film \u201cDraft Day,\u201d plays linebacker. Hey, this at least loosely fits the Jets\u2019 current No. 2 overall predicament in the 2026 NFL draft. <\/p>\n (And no, sorry, Sonny Styles fans, but this one isn\u2019t for you, despite Mack\u2019s MIKE position lining up more suitably.)<\/p>\n The Costner-Mougey side-by-side instead pertains to the yellow post-it note that should drive the Jets\u2019 actions on the night of Thursday, April 23, 2026.<\/p>\n It should read, \u201cedge defender, no matter what.\u201d<\/p>\n That note is what ensures the New York Jets select Arvell Reese over David Bailey<\/a>.<\/p>\n The difference between David Bailey and Arvell Reese is found in the details and the all-around game. There’s only one EDGE choice for the New York #Jets<\/a> at No. 2. pic.twitter.com\/7DeGcrfaj7<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) March 11, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The position is edge defender<\/p>\n Every time a media member or so-called NFL draft pundit uses \u201cedge rusher\u201d to define a class of prospect, those of yesteryear either roll their eyes silently or make some warranted noise six feet under.<\/p>\n To label this position as \u201cedge rusher\u201d is to spit in the face of football. Yet, using \u201cedge rusher\u201d to describe the 4-3 defensive ends and 3-4 outside linebackers is as common as film junkies calling actual football plays \u201creps.\u201d <\/p>\n Oh, why have we ventured down such a shortsighted and silly road? <\/p>\n Imagine if the NBA norm decided to start calling the 2-guard position the \u201c3-point shooter.\u201d Hey, basketball\u2019s evolution at least makes this hypothetical coherent. After all, the 3-point-hoops explosion has never been so transparent (and appalling). <\/p>\n Yet, calling the shooting guard spot the 3-point shooter ignores fundamental aspects of the game. <\/p>\n What about the 2-guard\u2019s defensive prowess, or his passing ability? How logical is it to label this modern position as the 3-point shooter when his handles are the best on the squad? <\/p>\n Or, what about the point guard\u2019s beyond-the-arc shooting prowess? How exactly does any of this make sense? <\/p>\n Using the label \u201cedge rusher\u201d in football is just as nonsensical. <\/p>\n More David Bailey run D for which a defensive coach needs more. On the play-side this time as a 5\/4T player against Fano and Utah (first play of the game). <\/p>\n Not a zone concept, so no flow up front; can’t lose this much ground 1v1. #Jets<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/danpUVGD9D<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Robby Sabo (@RobbySabo) March 7, 2026<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n How we got here<\/p>\n Why are defensive tackles not called \u201cinterior rushers?\u201d I submit to you, ladies and gentlemen of the pro football court, that it could only boil down to big-heavy discrimination. <\/p>\n \u201cRumbling, bumbling, stumbling,\u201d is how ESPN\u2019s Chris Berman would describe a big, heavy suddenly running in open space with a suddenly tinner-looking pigskin in his gigantic hand. <\/p>\n \u201cThe big fellas are taken for granted, and thus, they\u2019re only around for the boring stuff,\u201d is how far too many involved in this game think. Meanwhile, the more electric guys on the edge \u2014the position born from a newer statistic, which began in the early 1980s and was helped along by the likes of Joe Klecko, Mark Gastineau, and Lawrence Taylor\u2014bring genuine excitement to the table. <\/p>\n Ah, yes, \u201cedge rusher\u201d just has that ring to it, doesn\u2019t it? <\/p>\n It fits better and sounds much smoother. It matches the news pieces done by ESPN and the like, particularly done in the mid-1990s when Kevin Greene was allowing his blonde hair to flow so freely outside of his hat, and when Reggie White\u2019s famed hump move dropped jaws from coast to coast.<\/p>\n These guys hunted the quarterback, the most important position in all of sports. Therefore, to hell with everything else that matters in football.<\/p>\n David Bailey goes rogue in team defense on this one. Just can’t have him so easily give up on the down-the-line\/flow on an outside concept. Can’t allow reach\/seal so easily either.<\/p>\n It’s not like I’m searching for these; they’re just incredibly easy to stumble upon. pic.twitter.com\/240Lhij16d<\/a><\/p>\n\n
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