UFC's Randy Couture Could Help the New York Jets Defense

New York Jets outside linebacker Calvin Pace will not play in Sunday’s season opener versus the Texans in Houston because he was suspended for four games in July for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing substances.

In an effort to maintain his strength and conditioning while he is banished until week five against the Miami Dolphins, Pace, 28, decided to travel to Las Vegas to train for two weeks with Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) legend Randy Couture.

"The Reason why I’m doing MMA is it’s probably the closest thing you can find to football as far as conditioning, cardiovascular and the physical aspect," said Pace, who signed a six-year contract with the Jets worth $42 million in 2008. "I’m not going to be fighting and I’m not going to get hit. I’m just going to be training my behind off."

Pace, who was selected 18th overall by the Arizona Cardinals in the 2003 NFL Draft, will be replaced on defense by pathetic underachiever Vernon Gholston.

In addition to Pace, the Jets will also be without defensive end Shaun Ellis, who was suspended one game for smoking reefer last November.

Ellis, 32, and Pace respectively led New York in sacks last season and their absences will badly hinder the Jets pass rush.

"It’s huge," linebacker Bart Scott said of the losses of Pace and Ellis. "You can’t replace them. Everybody just has to take a little more on their shoulders."

Pace, who compiled 62 solo tackles and seven sacks last season, is confident that his foray into MMA training will pay dividends while he is inactive.

"I want to come back the way I left—in shape and focused," said the native of Detroit who menaced offenses with his constant pressure this past preseason.

By working out with Couture, 46, a member of the UFC Hall of Fame, it is safe to predict that Pace will remain "in shape and focused."

Couture (16-10), the only five-time champion in UFC history, is an absolute warrior and his mentality could benefit Pace equally as much as his workout regimen will.

At the very least, Pace could develop into a capable fighter and new Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan loves scrappers.

One way or another, onlookers can expect the Jets to ultimately have one of the toughest defenses in the NFL this autumn.

Ryan may have to partially thank "The Natural" for that by season's end.