04/21 — A fascinating comparison was made at the Jets’ predraft news conference last Thursday and it had nothing to do with any of this year’s prospects. Terry Bradway, the Jets director of player personnel, was asked about the similarities between Ohio State DE/OLB Vernon Gholston and Green & White OLB Calvin Pace. Bradway, though, immediately found parallels between Pace and a former Jet.

“Calvin, in terms of playing, is a little bit like [James] Farrior was,” Bradway said. “The first year Farrior started was his fifth year and he played very well. He then went to Pittsburgh and has had a fine career.

"You kind of hope the same thing happens with Calvin. He is a good guy who meets all of the character requirements and is a very good athlete.”

The Jets originally selected Farrior, a University of Virginia linebacker, with the eighth overall pick in the 1997 draft. After starting 15 games his rookie season, “Pottsy” started just 11 games for the Green & White from 1998-2000. His totals during that time period included 121 tackles (93 solo), three sacks, 7 PD and 2 FF.

But Farrior experienced his professional breakthrough in Season 5. Starting all of the Jets' 16 regular-season games in 2001, he tallied a whopping 175 tackles (116 solo), one sack, two INT, 7 PD and 3 FF.

Then in the spring of ‘02, the Pittsburgh Steelers targeted Farrior in free agency and signed the blossoming talent to a contract. He was selected the Steelers’ team MVP in 2004 after collecting 119 tackles, four sacks, four INT, 8 PD, 5 FF and 3 FR. He earned a Pro Bowl selection for his outstanding campaign and has been a mainstay on the inside in Pitt’s 3-4 for six seasons.

Over the past two seasons, Farrior has also displayed an improved ability to get to the quarterback. He racked up a career-high 6.5 sacks in ’07, breaking his previous high of four, set the year before.

Like Farrior, Pace was also a first-round pick. The Arizona Cardinals selected the Wake Forest product with the No. 18 overall selection in the 2003 draft. After starting 14 games his rookie season, he started just three time for the Cards from 2004-06. Pace, whose ‘05 season was cut short after he suffered an arm injury during the bye week, collected 80 tackles (54 solo), 7.5 sacks, 5 PD, 3 FF and 2 FR in his first four seasons.

Last season marked the fifth professional season for Pace and he established career highs in his first full year as a 3-4 OLB. He started all 16 games for the Cards, registering 106 tackles, 1 INT, 6.5 sacks, 6 PD, 2 FR and 1 FF.

A free agent in the spring, Pace drew interest from more than 10 teams. In the end, the Jets outdueled the Dolphins and signed him to a multiyear deal. It was seen as a key acquisition in a busy off-season for the Green & White.

There are distinct differences between Farrior, a 6’2”, 243-pound ILB, and Pace, a 6’4”, 270-pound OLB, but the Jets hope their pro journeys continue to mirror each other.