There’s no question that Aaron Maybin is a talented athlete, but one of the big knocks on him as he entered the league was his ability to play at a weight that is more that of a defensive linemen rather than a safety.  Maybin is extremely fast, but his ability to be redirected out of plays by much larger offensive linemen and players was something that Maybin has had the opportunity to overcome in his time with the Jets, writes Brian Costello for the Post.

Also, his metabolism is craaaaaaay! and the Jets are wisely planning to use that to their advantage this season.

The problem for Maybin has never been playing fast, though. His problems have based on poor technique and being too light. When the Bills released him, general manager Buddy Nix said he did not know if Maybin would fit into any system at the weight he was at (around 228 pounds).

This offseason, Maybin has packed on the pounds. He reached 254 pounds before dropping down to 240 before camp. It is a challenge for Maybin to keep weight on. He said he’s needed IVs during camp because he has lost as much as 10 pounds during a practice.

At lunch, he puts on a show. He said his usual lunch consists of 4-8 chicken breast, a steak or fish, a salad, a vegetable, and a “really big” bowl of fruit. Maybin said the Jets plan on using his metabolism to their advantage this season. If they face a run-heavy team, he will add weight. A pass heavy team? He will lose it.

“I can gain or lose 20 pounds in a 3-day period,” Maybin said. “It’s ridiculous.”

Brian Bassett, theJetsBlog.com

That’s utterly amazing.  I’ve seen some of the pictures he’ll put up of his lunches from training camp onto Twitter, but I didn’t realize it was at that level.  I also think that this is the inventive nature of the Jets and their coaches.  Rather than implement a rigid system that players must adhere to, Rex Ryan and Mike Pettine have done the complete opposite, using their players individual strengths even their metabolism to the benefit of the team.  You have to love coaches who think this way rather than forcing Maybin to play at a consistent weight and benching him if he’s not holding at the expected weight.