Ropati

Pitoitua

A key part of the Jets’ defensive interior, DeVito’s snaps will have to be picked up by NT Kenrick Ellis and DE Marcus Dixon. At 346 pounds Ellis is a massive run-plugger, but his conditioning will be an issue. Dixon, on the other hand, will be playing out of position. The only remaining backup, DE Ropati Pitoitua (knee), is questionable for Sunday. With the line suddenly shook up, Ryan Mathews is shaping up to be an excellent play.

Pitoitua cleared waivers, as expected. If he makes the Chiefs’ final roster, the designated run stopper will play a situational role behind ends Tyson Jackson and Glenn Dorsey in Romeo Crennel’s defense.

Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum had just talked up Pitoitua a few weeks ago. The 6-foot-8, 315-pound “five technique” played well over 300 snaps for New York last season, but added little as a pass rusher and is only a rotational run defender at this point. Pitoitua’s rather large $950,000 base salary plus $200,000 workout bonus will make him unattractive in the waivers process.

Pitoitua had two sacks filling in for Glenn Dorsey (calf) last week, and has been one of the few bright spots in the Chiefs’ defense. If he continues to play at a high level, Pitoitua could be an option to replace Dorsey at right end, who becomes a free agent after the season.

Pitoitua will receive a $150,000 signing bonus and will now make $950,000 in 2012. He’ll also get a $200,000 workout bonus in the second year. The 6'8", 315-pound monster saw 25 snaps in Week 1 against Dallas. He’s set to play in a rotational role behind rookie Muhammad Wilkerson this season.

The backup rotational end has nine tackles and one sack on the year, and his absence isn’t going to significantly downgrade a struggling Jets run defense. It’s just not going to help matters, obviously.

Derrick Morgan and Kamerion Wimbley are easily the Titans’ top two edge rushers, but the coaching staff wants to rotate the two more this season in order to keep them fresh. Pitoitua (6-foot-8, 315) was signed to a one-year deal, and he brings some much-needed beef to a defense that was gashed by the run in 2012. Expect Pitoitua to anchor the strong side when he’s in the game.

The Titans are interested in getting bigger along their defensive line, and the 6'8/315 Pitoitua certainly fits the bill. He had 51 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in a rotational role as a 3-4 end with the Chiefs last year. The Titans likely view Pitoitua as a tackle in their 4-3.

Pitoitua visited the Jets before signing in Tennessee. A rotational lineman with experience both on the inside and outside, Pitoitua is being fashioned as a defensive end in Tennessee. A mammoth 6-foot-8, 315 pounds, Pitoitua played 505 snaps for the Chiefs last season, tallying 51 tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble. He won’t help the Titans’ perimeter pass rush whatsoever.

The Titans appear to be borrowing concepts from the Seahawks, using 6-foot-8, 315-pound Pitoitua as their Red Bryant and Kam Wimbley in the Bruce Irvin role. Morgan will be the Chris Clemons, and Sammie Lee Hill the Brandon Mebane. Jurell Casey is the three-technique tackle. The idea is to limit Wimbley’s snaps, keeping his legs fresh, and utilize Pitoitua as an early-down run plugger.