Jaguars Add DE Mkristo Bruce to the Active Roster

by silencecs on Dec 4, 2008 10:54 PM EST in Jacksonville Jaguars News

"Pat, I'd like to buy a vowel".

That's the first thing that came to my mind when I heard that the team had picked up Mkristo Bruce, an UDFA (in 2007), to play DE while the "Harvey Holdout" was underway. Well, Mkristo made the most of his opportunity and lodged 2.5 sacks in a Jaguars' preseason game earlier this year. That play earned him a spot on the practice squad once Harvey inked his deal, and Mkristo has been improving ever since.

Fast forward 14 weeks. Now, the coaching staff has decided to give him a try on the active roster, promoting him when they sent Mathis to IR. I would expect to see him on the active roster for the final four games, as I'm sure the Jags want to see exactly what they've got in Bruce. He's a tall rangy DE, but he doesn't play up to his size, hopefully that has changed. The team obviously thinks he's improved, or he wouldn't have gotten called up.

Click here for a great piece Chris did early in the season immediately following Mkristo's 2.5 sack performance.

The last 4 games of this season are all about evaluating our needs for next season. We're out of the playoff hunt, but that doesn't mean these games are meaningless by any stretch of the imagination. If Bruce can show he's ready to play in the NFL, we may have a quality DE on our hands that nobody expected. The guy has the size to play the role. He needed to become more physical and increase his pass rush maneuvers. We'll find out in the next month whether he's accomplished that.

-Collin

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We found Bobby McCray in the 7th round

and he managed to become one of our best pass rushers since Del Rio has been here. Maybe lightning strikes twice

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Dec 4, 2008 11:01 PM EST reply actions

He had a fantastic season... 10.5 sacks I believe. He has been doing ok in New Orleans this year too.

I think he has 6 sacks so far, although he’s only had a little over 20 tackles. I’d take that right now though, given how poorly our DE has played.

by silencecs on Dec 4, 2008 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

I meant D-Line, not just DE's. They all are underperforming... save Derek Landri.

by silencecs on Dec 4, 2008 11:12 PM EST up reply actions

I'm actually really happy for this guy

I was bummed when he didn’t make the squad in August.

by Adam Stites on Dec 4, 2008 11:56 PM EST reply actions

He was a pac 10 player...did you ever see him play Socal?

I’d be interested to hear you take on the guy if you got to see him regularly

by silencecs on Dec 5, 2008 1:25 AM EST up reply actions

No unfortunately

College football isn’t nearly as big a deal here as it is for SEC country so I don’t really follow everyone. I don’t watch Washington State at all because they’re just plain awful. They’ve given up 50+ points in 6 games this season.

by Adam Stites on Dec 5, 2008 1:36 AM EST up reply actions

Yeah Wazzu is the enigma of the Pac-10, they suck for 5-6 years, then make a Rose Bowl run

"I smoke. If this bothers anyone, I suggest you look around at the world in which we live and shut your mouth."-Bill Hicks

by Jonathan Loesche on Dec 5, 2008 1:48 AM EST up reply actions

I saw him play

but only against UCLA. To be totally honest from what I saw, he didn’t look like much of an athlete. But he played smart and he was very savvy. He’s not fast and he’s not strong, but he’s pretty agile. He usually tries to make you beat yourself. Bur he is quicker than he is fast, but not by a whole lot. lol
He has a decent spin move, and an ok speed rush and together they are great for counter moves. So it works out ok. He’s never gonna have a 10 sack season, but he can have an upside of 4 or 5ish. In tandem with our really fast DE’s (Groves and Harvey), he can lull the tackles to sleep and the change of speed can allow the fast guys to get more sacks speed rushing.

by Ewdtrey on Dec 5, 2008 5:17 PM EST up reply actions

Talent evals

I agree that talent evals should be the focus during the last 4 games. I really don’t care about W’s or L’s at this point (OK – I admit I’d prefer W’s). These final games should be treated like another pre-seaon. I’d like to see Mkristo get some playing time along with other young players.

This is a great opportunity when you also consider that all 4 remaining opponents are in the playoff hunt and really have something to play for. Take advantage of the opportunity.

by OGN on Dec 5, 2008 7:28 AM EST reply actions