Jabaal Sheard received a second chance to play for the New England Patriots.
The newly signed edge defender believed he would be drafted by the Patriots when he came out of Pittsburgh in 2011. He spent four years with the Cleveland Browns after being a second-round draft pick, and after hitting free agency, winning was key at his next destination.
“Coming from a not-so-good program to a great Patriots program that’s been winning and doing well, I’m just really excited,” Sheard said Friday in a conference call with the New England media. “I want to win in the league. I want to be part of a great organization. That was a big part of me signing.”
Sheard’s sack totals dropped when the Browns switched from a 4-3 to a 3-4 in 2013, but the fifth-year pro wouldn’t blame the scheme change or a 2014 foot injury for his lack of production. He had 15.5 sacks in his first two seasons and just 7.5 in 2013 and 2014.
“My career has been shaky,” Sheard admitted. “It’s been up and down. I just didn’t have the best year last year or the year before. I just have to learn how to finish, and hoping being with the new coaches over here, I’ll be able to work on that and get that accomplished.”
It’s still unclear what role Sheard will play for the Patriots. Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones are expected to start at left and right defensive end, but Sheard could rotate on both sides, giving the starters some much-needed rest.
“I envision that they have some great plans for me,” Sheard said. “Just knowing the system they run, I’ve been around three different systems in my last three years. I’m ready for whatever. I’m always ready to embrace something new and something different. I’m up for the challenge, whatever it is.”
Sheard is a solid pass-rusher, but he’s also an accomplished run defender, so using him strictly as a situational pass rusher might be a waste of his talents. Ninkovich and Jones play nearly every snap when healthy, and an occasional breather could keep them fresh for when they need to rush the quarterback on third down. Sheard also might be able to contribute as an interior pass rusher on third-and-long.
“I think I can play anywhere up front,” Sheard said. “My main strength is knocking guys back and creating penetration at the line of scrimmage, ultimately stopping the run and being a big factor there. Getting after the quarterback or dropping, whatever else might come with it. Ultimately, my initial strength personally is knocking guys back and creating penetration.”
Sheard already has spoken to the Patriots’ starting edge defenders, and he’s excited to start working with Ninkovich and Jones during the spring and summer.
“We’ll make a nice three-tandem,” Sheard said. “We’ll get after guys and create a lot of havoc in the backfield for the quarterback.”
Thumbnail photo via Andrew Weber/USA TODAY Sports Images
