New York Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace will not play in Sunday’s season opener versus the Texans in Houston because he was suspended for four games in July for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances.
In an effort to maintain his strength and conditioning while he is banished until week five against the Miami Dolphins, Pace, 28, decided to travel to Las Vegas to train for two weeks with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legend Randy Couture.
“The Reason why I’m doing MMA is it’s probably the closest thing you can find to football as far as conditioning, cardiovascular and the physical aspect,” said Pace, who signed a six-year contract with the Jets worth $42 million in 2008. “I’m not going to be fighting and I’m not going to get hit. I’m just going to be training my behind off.”
Pace, who was selected 18th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2003 NFL Draft, will be replaced on defense by pathetic underachiever Vernon Gholston.
In addition to Pace, the Jets will also be without defensive end Shaun Ellis, who was suspended one game for smoking reefer last November.
Ellis, 32, and Pace respectively led New York in sacks last season and their absences will badly hinder the Jets pass rush.
“It’s huge,” linebacker Bart Scott said of the losses of Pace and Ellis. “You can’t replace them. Everybody just has to take a little more on their shoulders.”
Pace, who compiled 62 solo tackles and seven sacks last season, is confident that his foray into MMA training will pay dividends while he is inactive.
“I want to come back the way I left – in shape and focused,” said the native of Detroit who menaced offenses with his constant pressure this preseason.
By working-out with Couture, 46, a member of the UFC Hall of Fame, it is safe to predict that Pace will remain “In shape and focused.”
Couture (16-10), the only five-time champion in UFC history, is an absolute warrior and his overall mentality could benefit Pace equally as much as his workout regimen will.
At the very least, Pace could develop into a capable fighter and new Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan has made it clear that he loves scrappers.
One way or another, onlookers can expect the Jets to ultimately have one of the toughest defenses in the NFL this autumn.
Ryan may have to partially thank “The Natural” for that.
Greg Paulus made his debut as a collegiate quarterback Saturday for Syracuse University and the former Duke University point guard nearly led the Orange to an upset win over the University of Minnesota before the Golden Gophers escaped the Carrier Dome with a 23-20 victory in overtime.
Paulus, 23, who graduated early from Duke and received an NCAA waiver to play football for the Orange as a graduate student, completed 19 of 31 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown after four years removed from the gridiron.
“If Paulus had been playing football all this time, obviously he’s one of the top quarterbacks in the country,” proclaimed Minnesota Coach Tim Brewster.
New Syracuse Head Coach Doug Marrone devised a conservative game plan for Paulus that relied mainly on screen passes and quick out-patterns.
Paulus, the 2004 Gatorade National Football Player of the Year, thrived for the bulk of Saturday's game in his rediscovered role behind center.
Unfortunately for Paulus and the Orange, the Wisconsin native threw a crucial interception that ultimately allowed the Gophers to kick the game-winning 35-yard field goal.
“No moral victories,” said Paulus, a 2006 ACC All-Freshman first team selection at Duke. “My interception at the end, that’s a big mistake that I can’t make or shouldn’t make. That’s unacceptable.”
Paulus, who worked-out for the Green Bay Packers in April 2009 and also discussed playing college football with coaches at the Universities of Nebraska and Michigan, said he will learn from his mistakes and improve his game.
“The old Duke saying is, ‘Next Play,’” Paulus said. “Coach K says it all the time. This is one of those next plays. Learn from it and get better.”
The Orange will venture down to Penn State this week to play in front of 100,000 rowdy fans Saturday at “Happy Valley.”
Paulus is confident that he will be able to perform and excel in front of the Nittany Lions hostile supporters.
“Having the experience and opportunity to play for Coach K and Duke, it prepared me for everything,” Paulus said.
The Orange will not be “prepared” to encounter a talented Penn State squad this coming weekend.
However, by the time the NFL Draft is conducted next April, expect Paulus to be a “prepared” and qualified professional prospect at the quarterback position.
Keywords: Arizona Cardinals, Duke University, MMA, New York Jets, Penn State University, Syracuse University, UFC
