As Quinton Coples switches from defensive end to outside linebacker, the fact that he plays in the AFC East poses an extra challenge. Specifically, the division's outstanding crop of pass-catching tight ends.
The second-year defender for the New York Jets doesn't seem worried about going toe-to-toe with the likes of Rob Gronkowski and Dustin Keller.
"Dustin Keller? I wouldn't let him get off the line," Coples told reporters Wednesday, via the New York Daily News. "That's the best way to cover, ain't it?"
Coples will continue to earn his bread and butter rushing the passer, but he's being employed in coverage more than he was at any time during his rookie campaign. Coach Rex Ryan chirped in May about his spotty weight room performance, but Coples -- at 6-foot-6, 285-pounds -- sees his massive size as an advantage in dropping back.
He'll face Keller twice now that the former Jets tight end has joined the Miami Dolphins. Gronk -- who's accounted for 28 touchdowns and more than 2,000 receiving yards for the New England Patriots over the past two seasons -- doesn't seem to cow Coples, either.
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"Yeah. Just don't let him get off the line," said Coples, who added a caveat: "I won't just be one-on-one with him, I'll have help."
For the sake of Jets fans everywhere, we certainly hope so.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
