By Brad Biggs
Jarron Gilbert has found a new home.
The Bears' top pick in 2009 has been signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets, according to his agent Frank Bauer.
Gilbert was claimed by the Jets on waivers Sunday, but the team had a higher prioritized claim on Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Dixon. The Jets were awarded Dixon and Gilbert became a free agent.
Jets coach Rex Ryan called Gilbert late Sunday to personally recruit him to the Jets and the sell job worked.
Jarron Gilbert has found a new home.
The Bears' top pick in 2009 has been signed to the practice squad of the New York Jets, according to his agent Frank Bauer.
Gilbert was claimed by the Jets on waivers Sunday, but the team had a higher prioritized claim on Dallas Cowboys defensive end Marcus Dixon. The Jets were awarded Dixon and Gilbert became a free agent.
Jets coach Rex Ryan called Gilbert late Sunday to personally recruit him to the Jets and the sell job worked.
"He liked Rex Ryan because Rex had come out to personally work him out
before the draft," Bauer said. "He said, 'Come sign on my practice
squad.' I thought I was going to bring Jarron out west, but he made the
decision to go there and it's a good one."
The Jets run a 3-4 scheme that might fit Gilbert better. The Bears originally asked him to be an under tackle in their 4-3 defense. Then, they asked him to slim down to play left end. He dropped to 270 pounds this year on his 6-6 frame and it didn't work out.
"That's what Rex and I talked about," Bauer said. "The scheme might be better for him. Let's see what happens for the kid."
Per Bauer, the Jets were considering Gilbert with the first pick of the third round last year. Instead, they took Iowa running back Shonn Greene, which turned out to be a smart move. Gilbert went three picks later to the Bears.
The Bears did not try to bring Gilbert back to their practice squad, choosing to cut bait. The team owes him $146,500 in a future base guarantee. Baltimore, Seattle and the New York Giants also expressed interest in Gilbert.
The Jets run a 3-4 scheme that might fit Gilbert better. The Bears originally asked him to be an under tackle in their 4-3 defense. Then, they asked him to slim down to play left end. He dropped to 270 pounds this year on his 6-6 frame and it didn't work out.
"That's what Rex and I talked about," Bauer said. "The scheme might be better for him. Let's see what happens for the kid."
Per Bauer, the Jets were considering Gilbert with the first pick of the third round last year. Instead, they took Iowa running back Shonn Greene, which turned out to be a smart move. Gilbert went three picks later to the Bears.
The Bears did not try to bring Gilbert back to their practice squad, choosing to cut bait. The team owes him $146,500 in a future base guarantee. Baltimore, Seattle and the New York Giants also expressed interest in Gilbert.
Now maybe Gilbert will get some professional instruction from a pro team instead of the Bears screwing around with his weight so he can become an ineffective DE. And the wasted draft picks just keep coming.
Yeah right....watch him become a circus act where he cam perform his jumping out of a pool routine. Not much else he can do anyways.
Watch him make the pro bowl with 20 sacks. Way to develop those picks Lovie.