The New England Patriots have been penciled in as the AFC East Champions for the up coming year. If your not Joe Namath you should probably stay away from the predicting and guaranteeing business. That however is an arguement that I would hear out. The Patriots have owned the regular Season in the AFC for a decade. That doesn't mean they will win the AFC this year, but it looks pretty good. Coming off of a Super Bowl appearance that they were one incompletion away from winnning is another reason to think they will be on top. Many like their Draft picks, but they haven't struck gold too often. The Patriots may be the top dog, but who could possibly challenge them?
The New York Jets have been the only thorn in the Patriots side for the past few years, and the match up is one of the biggest rivalries in Football today. The Bills snapped a ver VERY long losing streak against the Pats and have made some huge improvements to their roster. The Miami Dolphins are still in the gutter, so it seems as if this is going to be a three team race this year for the AFC East Title and Wild-Card Playoff spots. The Bills finished 6-10 last year which was expected while the Jets finished 8-8 which was a dissappointment. The New England Patriots will have to worry about both teams this year, but which AFC East underdog will have the better year? Well, who has the better team?
The Jets are spearheaded by a Defensive minded Head Coach while the Bills are lead by an Offensive minded Head Coach. Chan Gailey is an above average Offensive Coach while Rex Ryan is arguably the best if not the second best Defensive mind in the NFL over the past 10 years. The Jets will be in the top 5 in overall Defense for as long as he is the Coach of the Jets as they have been since Rex Joined the team in 2009. Gailey hasn't had such an impact. Gailey does seem to be just what the Bills need though, but the better Coach is leading the Green and White.
No other position on the field is more important than the Quarterback. The Jets have been talked about as a team on the cusp of having a QB contraversy ever since they pulld off a trade for Tim Tebow. The Bills however may fall in the same boat since they signed Vince Young this year as their backup. Young has won more games than the Bills curren starter Ryan Fitzpatrick and if it wasn't for a clash with his former Head Coach he would still be the starter with the Titans. Ryan Fitzpatrick is a smart and capable QB. He grasps the Offensive system and makes the most out of his throws. He is not elite, but he can be dangerous at times. Tim Tebow is with the Jets to run the Wild-Cat. He will not replace Sanchez as the starter, so we will move right along. Sanchez is harder to figure out. He is more physically gifted than Fitzpatrick, but he makes some pretty bone headed throws. He is younger and not as seasoned, but he has a higher ceiling. Sanchez had career numbers even though he played behind the worst Right Tackle in the NFL last year, an injured LG, a Center on a bad ankle for a few games and zero deep threat at the WR postion. Sanchez may or may not have a huge year, but for now the edge goes to Fitzpatrick.
The Bills Offense was hurt badly when starting Running Back Fred Jackson ended his season early due to injury. He may have finished the year as the #1 RB in the NFL. The Jets got their first 1,000 yard season from Shonn Greene who ran behind the same Offensive Line that hampered Sanchez. The Bills have another star on Offense in WR Stevie Johnson. He was the only WR to make Darrelle Revis look Human last year. If one of the other WRs can become a threat opposite him the Bills Offense could really open up. They still have issues on the Offensive Line, but a strong running game from Jackson and back speedster CJ Spiller can mask that problem. The Bills run a spread Offense which will test most opponents secondary. The Jets have a new Offensive Coordinator in Tony Sparano. The team will return to the ground and pound that lead them to two back to back AFC Championship games. This should take the pressure off of Sanchez. The key will be new WRs Stephen Hill and Chaz Chillens. If either can come in and use their 6'4 heights and 4.3 speed to be a vertical threat opposite Santonio Holmes then the passing game can have huge plays this year that they haven't had since the departure of Braylron Edwards. Of course if Wayne Hunter has another dismall year then none of that matters. The Bills will have the better Offense this year unless Shottenheimer really was the reason for the Jets poor performances on Offense.
So far nothing besides the Coaches has been a clear cut winner. Much has been made of the Bills aquisitions on Defense. Bringing in DE Mario Williams and DE Mark Anderson from the Patriots was a big bold move that should have Bill fans very excited. They now have one of the premier pass Rushers in the League on their team and another up and comer. The Bills are also switching back to a 4-3 Defense which will help Kyle Williams return to his natural position and Marcel Dareus should be even better than he has been when he returns to the middle. The Bills also Drafted CB Stephen Gilmore to help out an already decent Secondary. The Bills will have a better year on Defense and it may be the strength of the team. The Jets already had a dominant Defense and Head Coach Rex Ryan has already stated that he will be more hands on this year. If he was last year the Jets would have went from 5th in Defense to 1st. The Jets added players to fix their weaknesses on that side of the ball. Safety LaRon Landry is a question mark due to his injury, but when healthy is one of the best Safeties in the League. The Jets also added another big hitting Safety in Yeremiah Bell. Two Rookies were drafted at the position as well, Josh Bush and Antonio Allen. DE Quinton Coples fell to them in the 1st Round of the Draft and they Drafted Demario Davis and ILB with 4.5 speed in the 3rd round. What makes these moves so impressive is that they are just add ons to an already dominant and impressive group. Darrelle Revis is hands down the best CB in the NFL today and they have another #1 Corner opposite him in the 2 spot by the name of Antonio Cromartie. The Jets easily have the best secondary in the NFL and their Defensive Line looks better than mosts. Sione Pouha is a dominant run stuffer that demands double teams, and 2nd year DE Muhammad Wilkerson will be much improved after a full off season. Marcus Dixon is an above average Role player and Mike Devito will not come off of the bench and that just adds to the depth. The scary member of this group is Quinton Coples who is and athletic freak. The Jets will mix up their Defense and create havok for the opposition. The Defense will be the best in the League this year and could be the best in the last decade depending on injuries. I have no clue why people aren't talking more about this defense. I guess that Tim Tebows new socks are a bigger story to the "experts" but the Defense alone is enough to put the Jets over the Buffalo Bills.
You have to give credit where it is deserved. The Jets were a fractured team, but that was last year. The Defense is a min stay for as long as Rex is there and there won't be a team this year that performs well against them. Be afraid......be very afraid.
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Thursday, June 21, 2012
My Thoughts On The New York Jets Entering Training Camp
The 2012 Off-Season has been an interesting one for the Jets, to say the least. The team traded for the most famous back up in NFL History. The Media loves this move if only for the headlines of Tim Tebow in the Big Apple. The Media has also created a Darrelle Revis hold out and pedictions of a losing season. Since the "experts" clearly don't know what they are talking about I am going to share my thoughts and opinions on the New York team wearing Green & White.
First thing is first, Revis will be at training camp. This is a story that isn't a story. Revis never said that he will hold out and he has a clause in his contract that would essentially ruin his career if he did hold out. He has a 3 year extension clause for minimum money if he holds out and the Jets would OWN him for the next 5 years. The media needed something to talk about so they threw darts at the wall. Expect Revis to give the QB, and WRs trouble all season long, but the Jets only the best CB in the League.
If you are one of those people that thinks Tim Tebow will ever start at QB for the Jets for any other reason BESIDES a Mark Sanchez injury, then Football should not be the Sport you follow. Tebow was brought to the Jets to play in the Wild-Cat formation and for short yardage situations. He will obviousy get practice reps at the QB position, but even Brad Smith spent plenty of time during Training Camp from the QB position. Mark Sanchez is head and shoulders a better QB if you only use the play from the 2011 season. Expect for Sanchez to improve greatly now that Shottenheimer is on a team far far away from here and Sanchez is entering his fourth Season as an NFL starter. During OTAs and Mini-Camps it has been clear to even the die-hard Tebowmaniacs that Sanchez is far more accurate and the more polished player at the QB position. The best QB will play and even Ron Jaworski rates Tim Tebow as the #30 QB in the NFL.
The Free Agents are looking good. The Jets were not as aggressive attacking Free Agency as they have been in years past, but the players they did go after seem to be fitting in perfectly. LaRon Landry is coming off of an injury so it will be some time befoe we fully understand how he jells with the team, but his recovery is moving along much quicker than anyone had anticipated. If he stays healthy for this upcoming Season the Jets will have the best secondary in the NFL, hands down. Yeremiah Bell is the other Safety they brought in with expectations to be the starter (sorry Eric Smith). He has REALLY impressed so far in his short stint with the team. Like Landry, Bell is known more as an in the box player, but both have covering skills that are over shadowed due to them being such aggressive players in the run game. Expect for the Coaching staff to put them in positions where they can be the most impactful. Chaz Shillens is a WR from the Raiders who has been injured his entire career. He is a tall body with 4.3 speed much like Braylon Edwards and 2nd round Draft pick Stephen Hill. He comes with a lot of question marks, but he did have a spectacular catch in the End-Zone over Darrelle Revis. For that alone we will be keeping an eye on him.
Speaking of Rookies, it seems like the Jets might have another year like 2007 in this department. That year they landed Revis and David Harris. One is the best CB and the other is a top 10 ILB who may end up in the top 5 when this season is said and done. DE Quinton Coples has been compared to Julius Peppers, WR Stephen Hill has been compared to Calvin Johnson and ILB/OLB Demario Davis has been compared to Ray Lewis. I am dizzy just from imaging the possiblilities, but we have to keep in mind that these players must make their own names for themselves. So far Coples has lined up all across the front 7 on Defense. The Jets will be using more 4-3 allignments as well as the 46 Defense created by Buddy Ryan, Father to Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan, and used by new Defensive Lines Coach Karl Dunbar who was an assistant Coach under Buddy Ryan in Arizona alongside fellow assistant Rex Ryan. Coples has also spent time standing up at OLB in the Jets base 3-4 allignment. Coples is so incredibly athletic that there is no limit to where Rex can put him in the Defense. Stephen Hill has been running all over the field so far. He was clocked in the 4.29 range prior to the Draft and he certainly has showed that speed running down the field for some impressive catches. Hill looks like he may be the #1 WR later on in the Season. Lets see if he can still get open when the pads come on. I am expecting for Hill to be in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year. ILB Demario Davis has shown leadership qualities early on, but it is his 4.5 speed that has impressed me the most. Bart Scott has lost some weight and looks like he will return to the player he was during the '09 and '10 season, but Davis would still be faster than He was at those years. Davis will also recieve the benefit of learning from Bart Scott which will benefit him greatly in the years to come.
The Jets got their Safeties in Free Agency, pass rushers in the Draft and if they play to the level expected, then you can bet on the Jets having the #1 Defense this year. If you add in comparisions, then we are talking about having one of the best Defenses EVER! The Jets sufferred from Chemistry issues last year and not so much holes at certain positions. They just improved themselves greatly. They need their WRs to get open and make plays down the field in order to help Mark Sanchez and the running game. All of the new players will be on display when the pads come on for Training Camp and we will see just who will have some impact in the upcoming Season.
What expectations do you have for the new players? Comments and opinions are more than welcome.
First thing is first, Revis will be at training camp. This is a story that isn't a story. Revis never said that he will hold out and he has a clause in his contract that would essentially ruin his career if he did hold out. He has a 3 year extension clause for minimum money if he holds out and the Jets would OWN him for the next 5 years. The media needed something to talk about so they threw darts at the wall. Expect Revis to give the QB, and WRs trouble all season long, but the Jets only the best CB in the League.
If you are one of those people that thinks Tim Tebow will ever start at QB for the Jets for any other reason BESIDES a Mark Sanchez injury, then Football should not be the Sport you follow. Tebow was brought to the Jets to play in the Wild-Cat formation and for short yardage situations. He will obviousy get practice reps at the QB position, but even Brad Smith spent plenty of time during Training Camp from the QB position. Mark Sanchez is head and shoulders a better QB if you only use the play from the 2011 season. Expect for Sanchez to improve greatly now that Shottenheimer is on a team far far away from here and Sanchez is entering his fourth Season as an NFL starter. During OTAs and Mini-Camps it has been clear to even the die-hard Tebowmaniacs that Sanchez is far more accurate and the more polished player at the QB position. The best QB will play and even Ron Jaworski rates Tim Tebow as the #30 QB in the NFL.
The Free Agents are looking good. The Jets were not as aggressive attacking Free Agency as they have been in years past, but the players they did go after seem to be fitting in perfectly. LaRon Landry is coming off of an injury so it will be some time befoe we fully understand how he jells with the team, but his recovery is moving along much quicker than anyone had anticipated. If he stays healthy for this upcoming Season the Jets will have the best secondary in the NFL, hands down. Yeremiah Bell is the other Safety they brought in with expectations to be the starter (sorry Eric Smith). He has REALLY impressed so far in his short stint with the team. Like Landry, Bell is known more as an in the box player, but both have covering skills that are over shadowed due to them being such aggressive players in the run game. Expect for the Coaching staff to put them in positions where they can be the most impactful. Chaz Shillens is a WR from the Raiders who has been injured his entire career. He is a tall body with 4.3 speed much like Braylon Edwards and 2nd round Draft pick Stephen Hill. He comes with a lot of question marks, but he did have a spectacular catch in the End-Zone over Darrelle Revis. For that alone we will be keeping an eye on him.
Speaking of Rookies, it seems like the Jets might have another year like 2007 in this department. That year they landed Revis and David Harris. One is the best CB and the other is a top 10 ILB who may end up in the top 5 when this season is said and done. DE Quinton Coples has been compared to Julius Peppers, WR Stephen Hill has been compared to Calvin Johnson and ILB/OLB Demario Davis has been compared to Ray Lewis. I am dizzy just from imaging the possiblilities, but we have to keep in mind that these players must make their own names for themselves. So far Coples has lined up all across the front 7 on Defense. The Jets will be using more 4-3 allignments as well as the 46 Defense created by Buddy Ryan, Father to Jets Head Coach Rex Ryan, and used by new Defensive Lines Coach Karl Dunbar who was an assistant Coach under Buddy Ryan in Arizona alongside fellow assistant Rex Ryan. Coples has also spent time standing up at OLB in the Jets base 3-4 allignment. Coples is so incredibly athletic that there is no limit to where Rex can put him in the Defense. Stephen Hill has been running all over the field so far. He was clocked in the 4.29 range prior to the Draft and he certainly has showed that speed running down the field for some impressive catches. Hill looks like he may be the #1 WR later on in the Season. Lets see if he can still get open when the pads come on. I am expecting for Hill to be in the conversation for Offensive Rookie of the Year. ILB Demario Davis has shown leadership qualities early on, but it is his 4.5 speed that has impressed me the most. Bart Scott has lost some weight and looks like he will return to the player he was during the '09 and '10 season, but Davis would still be faster than He was at those years. Davis will also recieve the benefit of learning from Bart Scott which will benefit him greatly in the years to come.
The Jets got their Safeties in Free Agency, pass rushers in the Draft and if they play to the level expected, then you can bet on the Jets having the #1 Defense this year. If you add in comparisions, then we are talking about having one of the best Defenses EVER! The Jets sufferred from Chemistry issues last year and not so much holes at certain positions. They just improved themselves greatly. They need their WRs to get open and make plays down the field in order to help Mark Sanchez and the running game. All of the new players will be on display when the pads come on for Training Camp and we will see just who will have some impact in the upcoming Season.
What expectations do you have for the new players? Comments and opinions are more than welcome.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012
The 2012 NFL Draft is HERE!!!
The New York Jets are historicaly bad when it comes to the draft. Past GM's have chosen Ken O'Brian over Dan Marino, and ignored a screaming Radio City crowd and passed on Warren Sapp. The current GM Mike Tannenbaum has made a first round mistake when he listened to his then Head Coach, Eric Mangini and chose to Pick Vernon Gholdston #6 overall. Tanneanbaum traded back up to draft the player that HE wanted in TE Dustin Keller.
Mike Tannenbaum is at his best when he goes after the players that he wants. Besides the Gholston debacle, Tannenbaum hasn't missed in the first round or on players that he has traded up in the draft to pick. 2006 1st Round D'Brickashaw Ferguson T, and Nick Mangold C, 2007 the Jets traded up in the 1st round for Darrelle Revic CB (The best defensive player in the NFL) and again traded up in the 2nd round for David Harris ILB. 2008 was the wasted pick on Vernon Gholston, then in 2009 the Jets traded WAY up in the 1st round for Mark Sanchez QB and again in the 3rd round for Shonn Greene. 2010 the Jets Selected Kyle Wilson in the 1st round and he looked to be a mistake in his first year, but then proved the Jets right in his second year giving the Jets the best starting CB trio in the NFL, and later in the draft the Tannenbaum traded up in the 6th round for John Conner FB. 2011 1st Mohammad Wilkerson DE and traded up in the 5th for Jeremey Kerrley WR.
Other players still with the Jets that were drafted by the Jets including Sione Pouha NT, Bryan Thomas OLB, Eric Smith S, Joe Mcknight RB (Lead the league in kickoff returns last year), and Matt Slauson G. Mike Tannenbaum has been regarded as a numbers guy since he took over for the New York Jets, but he has selected a number of long term players for the Jets and pulled off a few trades over the years. Jets fans should be excited to see who is added to the roster during this years draft, but who will be the 1st round pick and be added later on?
Mark Barron S Alabama and Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama were the 2 early favorites to be selected by the Jets in the 1st round. Since then Michael Floydd WR Notre Dame has been linked with the pick with reports that Melvin Ingram DE/OLB S. Carolina is the players that the Jets would run to the podium for. There are also reports that the Jets would trade up to select Trent Richardson RB Alabama, so it is hard to figure out just what the Jets would actually do. The good news for the Jets is that none of these would be a bad idea. This years draft is deep in the DE/OLB position and extremely loaded in the WR position so the Jets could end up double dipping in both positions and with Calvin Pace OLB and Bryan Thomas OLB probably playing their last years with the Jets, that sounds like a very good idea.
Option number one in my opinion would be to select Melvin Ingram in the 1st round and trading up for Alshon Jeffries WR S. Carolina in the 2nd round. This will allow the Jets to get their starting OLB for the next 10 years and give them the #2 WR to compliment Santonio Holmes and help out their QB Mark Sanchez.
Option number two would be to select Michael Floydd in the 1st round and pick Vinny Curry DE/OLB Marshall in te 2nd round and trade up to select Bruce Irving OLB in the 2nd round as well. This will give the Jets a WR who could potentially push Santonio Holmes for the #1 WR spot and help block in the running game while adding two pass rushers in case one doesn't pan out. This move could solve both starting OLB positions afterthe young players learn their roles and improve their skills in the pro system.
The Jets have a number of different options to choose from and a lot depnds on what moves the other teams make of course. What moves would you like to see the Jets make in the early rounds of this years draft?
Mike Tannenbaum is at his best when he goes after the players that he wants. Besides the Gholston debacle, Tannenbaum hasn't missed in the first round or on players that he has traded up in the draft to pick. 2006 1st Round D'Brickashaw Ferguson T, and Nick Mangold C, 2007 the Jets traded up in the 1st round for Darrelle Revic CB (The best defensive player in the NFL) and again traded up in the 2nd round for David Harris ILB. 2008 was the wasted pick on Vernon Gholston, then in 2009 the Jets traded WAY up in the 1st round for Mark Sanchez QB and again in the 3rd round for Shonn Greene. 2010 the Jets Selected Kyle Wilson in the 1st round and he looked to be a mistake in his first year, but then proved the Jets right in his second year giving the Jets the best starting CB trio in the NFL, and later in the draft the Tannenbaum traded up in the 6th round for John Conner FB. 2011 1st Mohammad Wilkerson DE and traded up in the 5th for Jeremey Kerrley WR.
Other players still with the Jets that were drafted by the Jets including Sione Pouha NT, Bryan Thomas OLB, Eric Smith S, Joe Mcknight RB (Lead the league in kickoff returns last year), and Matt Slauson G. Mike Tannenbaum has been regarded as a numbers guy since he took over for the New York Jets, but he has selected a number of long term players for the Jets and pulled off a few trades over the years. Jets fans should be excited to see who is added to the roster during this years draft, but who will be the 1st round pick and be added later on?
Mark Barron S Alabama and Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama were the 2 early favorites to be selected by the Jets in the 1st round. Since then Michael Floydd WR Notre Dame has been linked with the pick with reports that Melvin Ingram DE/OLB S. Carolina is the players that the Jets would run to the podium for. There are also reports that the Jets would trade up to select Trent Richardson RB Alabama, so it is hard to figure out just what the Jets would actually do. The good news for the Jets is that none of these would be a bad idea. This years draft is deep in the DE/OLB position and extremely loaded in the WR position so the Jets could end up double dipping in both positions and with Calvin Pace OLB and Bryan Thomas OLB probably playing their last years with the Jets, that sounds like a very good idea.
Option number one in my opinion would be to select Melvin Ingram in the 1st round and trading up for Alshon Jeffries WR S. Carolina in the 2nd round. This will allow the Jets to get their starting OLB for the next 10 years and give them the #2 WR to compliment Santonio Holmes and help out their QB Mark Sanchez.
Option number two would be to select Michael Floydd in the 1st round and pick Vinny Curry DE/OLB Marshall in te 2nd round and trade up to select Bruce Irving OLB in the 2nd round as well. This will give the Jets a WR who could potentially push Santonio Holmes for the #1 WR spot and help block in the running game while adding two pass rushers in case one doesn't pan out. This move could solve both starting OLB positions afterthe young players learn their roles and improve their skills in the pro system.
The Jets have a number of different options to choose from and a lot depnds on what moves the other teams make of course. What moves would you like to see the Jets make in the early rounds of this years draft?
Sunday, April 15, 2012
The Ups and Downs of the New York Knicks
For those of you that have followed the Knicks 2012 Season it must be a confusing time for you. It is hard to figure out just where this team stands. Once you have them figured out they undergo a dramatic change and become something completely different. The Knicks started the season 8-15, then became the hottest team in the NBA and Sports in general when the World was infected with Linsanity. The Knicks won 7 straight anf the teams Point Guard questions seemed answered. With help from some injuries the Knicks struggled again and Coach Mike D'Antony decided to hit the road. Since then Jeremey Lin, and Amare' Stoudemire missed significant time and the Knicks have gone 13 and 4 behind Carmelo Anthony who has averaged 30 plus points for the last month.
The Knicks still have not played significant games with a complete roster under interim Coach Mike Woodson. Lin is expected to be back with the team if they make it past the first round of the Play-Offs, but Stoudemire may be back as early as this Wednesday. When Melo and Amare' were out with Lin and the Knicks thriving the question on most peoples minds were 'Are the Knicks better without it's two Superstars?' Now with Melo on a tear the new question is 'Are the Knicks better without Lin and Amare'?' With the loss to Miami fresh it is clear that Melo can't do all of the scoring. He needs someone to take some of the pressure off. Insert the Superstar that started this return to relevancy for the New York Knicks.
What has been most impressive with Carmelo Anthony of late is his effort outside of just scoring. Melo has been very solid on the defensive end and has helped the team with assists. Stoudemire like Melo was not known for his defense, but has also played better this year. Coach Woodson has been able to get Anthony and the rest of the Knicks to dial all in so why won't he be able to do the same with Amare' Stoudemire? If Amare' can get healthy and commit to defense it is scary to think how good this team can be. The Knicks are 5th in defensive efficiancy since Mike Woodson took over and if they can add Amare's long frame and rebounding ability, then they could reach even higher.
With the return of Stoudemire though the Knicks will face yet another transformation and it is hard to judge what kind of team the Knicks will be. What do you think? What kind of team can/will the Knicks be and are they better or worse with Amare' returning?
The Knicks still have not played significant games with a complete roster under interim Coach Mike Woodson. Lin is expected to be back with the team if they make it past the first round of the Play-Offs, but Stoudemire may be back as early as this Wednesday. When Melo and Amare' were out with Lin and the Knicks thriving the question on most peoples minds were 'Are the Knicks better without it's two Superstars?' Now with Melo on a tear the new question is 'Are the Knicks better without Lin and Amare'?' With the loss to Miami fresh it is clear that Melo can't do all of the scoring. He needs someone to take some of the pressure off. Insert the Superstar that started this return to relevancy for the New York Knicks.
What has been most impressive with Carmelo Anthony of late is his effort outside of just scoring. Melo has been very solid on the defensive end and has helped the team with assists. Stoudemire like Melo was not known for his defense, but has also played better this year. Coach Woodson has been able to get Anthony and the rest of the Knicks to dial all in so why won't he be able to do the same with Amare' Stoudemire? If Amare' can get healthy and commit to defense it is scary to think how good this team can be. The Knicks are 5th in defensive efficiancy since Mike Woodson took over and if they can add Amare's long frame and rebounding ability, then they could reach even higher.
With the return of Stoudemire though the Knicks will face yet another transformation and it is hard to judge what kind of team the Knicks will be. What do you think? What kind of team can/will the Knicks be and are they better or worse with Amare' returning?
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Time For The Young Jets To Show And IMPROVE.
This Off-Season the New York Jets have been pretty quiet with Free-Agent signings. Entering this years NFL Draft the Jets have plenty of holes to fill. You could say that the Jets traded for a back up QB when they traded for one Timothy Tebow. Their signings this year have included LaRon Landry SS, Chaz Chilens WR and that is it for new Jets.
The Jets have 10 draft picks and QB is the only position that should not be drafted. The Jets need a RT, a #2 Wide Receiver, a complimentary Running Back, a starting Free Safety, a pass rushing Outside Linebacker, a blocking Tight-End, and depth along the Offensive Line and Cornerback positions. Their are a wide view of which position is the most important and needs to be addressed in the early rounds. Which positions need to be filled at all though and which ones already have young players ready to take over if given the chance?
Ladanian Tomlinson has not been brought back and his replacement has not been signed as of yet, but don't the Jets have a young explosive RB named Joe Mcknight on their roster? Mcknight was an embarrassement entering his Rookie season when reporters caught the young player vomiting during drills. He shined at the end of that season against the Buffalo Bills and continued the excitement in his Sophemore year when he took over duties as the Kick Returner. Many Jets fans called for the "Night-Rider" to get more playing time and I am in full support of Mcknight taking over as Shonn Green's partner in the back field. If the Jets are going to Draft a RB I hope it will be a late round pick and more so for a camp body to push Bilal Powell.
The Jets last year were going to run a simular double Tight-End as the New England Patriots with Dustin Keller and Jeff Cumberland. Cumberland blew out his achilles tendon early on in the season and that idea was scrapped. The injury caused the Jets to elivate Josh Baker from the practice squad and he proved to be a servicable TE/FB hybrid. With a full Off-Season under Cumberland and Baker the Jets now have 3 TE that can contribute to the team. None are capable blockers , but that is a part of the position that they can learn and improve on. The Jets are also on the verge of signing a young Rugby player and using him as a TE. The player in questioning is reported to be 6'7 and 265 lbs. There goes your blocker. I dont believe the Jets should use any of their 10 picks on a TE.
Wayne Hunter earned a contract due to the play he showed in practice and the great job he did when starter Damien Woody was injured during the 2012-2011 season. Somehow he was anything but great last season entering the year as the starter. It was a very bad year, but was it just that, a bad year? If it is more than that the Jets do have a young Offensive Lineman named Vladamir Ducasse who has been shuffled all across the Offensive Line during practice and showed promise being called in as an extra Lineman during running plays last year. How good can Big Vlad be at one position of the Jets ask him to learn just ONE position? The Jets are going to need to draft a tackle for depth, but Vlad and Hunter should be given a chance to duke it out for the starting RT position and a player should be drafted in the middle to late rounds to develope for the future.
Last year the Jets signed a Buffalo bust TWICE and Arron Maybin who just got a 1st round tender is hoping that the 3rd time is the charm. Last year Maybin introduced "Mayhem" to Jets Nation. Aaron "Mayhem" Maybin lead the Jets in Sacks and Forced Fumbles. The Coaching staff gave Maybin keys to work on during the Off-Season and he will enter this year knowing the system and looking to increase his role. With Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas being nothing but run stuffers at this point in their careers the Jets do need to Draft an Ouside Linebackker of the future. Even if Maybin turns into an every down player the Jets are gonna need an OLB on the opposite side. Many draft Gurus have the Jets drafting either Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama, or Melvin Ingram OLB/DE S. Carolina with the #16 pick. If Ingram is available when the Jets pick it should be the quickest card heading to the podium as Ingram is regarded as the best pass rusher in this years draft. Their are players like Vinny Curry OLB/DE Marshall and Bruce Irvin OLB NC State in the 2nd round. The Jets are going to have to draft an OLB with one or both of their first 2 picks.
The Jets signed LaRon Landry, but he should just be able to do a better job than Eric Smith, but neither player is elite in pass coverage. The door isnt closed for Jim Leanord, but he is comig off of his 2nd straight season ending injury. Barron Davis S Alabama would be a stretch with the 16th pick, but the Jets could trade back to select him while picking up and additiona draft pick. When you have the New England Patriots in your divison it is essentia to your Playoff chances to have Safeties to cover their TE's. Barron is by far the best S in this years Draft, but the Jets finished last year 5th in total defense. Do the Jets really need to focus on the defensive side of the ball?
The Jets have a chance to pick up the #1 reciever in this years draft with #16 pick. Michael Floyd is quickly showing that he may be the best WR this year, but character issues may make a few teams pass on him. The Jets want to run the ball this year and establish the Ground & Pound that was so dominant the first year of the Rex Ryan era. You need a threat in the passing game to keep defenses honest, and the team just invested a lot of money in Mark Sanchez, so it would be beneficial for the GM to back up the investment with play makers to help out his young QB. If it comes down to Floyd and any other player I feel that the Jets have no choice but to pick up the young WR.
Where do you think the Jets should go with the #16 pick and which Jet do you think will step up this year?
The Jets have 10 draft picks and QB is the only position that should not be drafted. The Jets need a RT, a #2 Wide Receiver, a complimentary Running Back, a starting Free Safety, a pass rushing Outside Linebacker, a blocking Tight-End, and depth along the Offensive Line and Cornerback positions. Their are a wide view of which position is the most important and needs to be addressed in the early rounds. Which positions need to be filled at all though and which ones already have young players ready to take over if given the chance?
Ladanian Tomlinson has not been brought back and his replacement has not been signed as of yet, but don't the Jets have a young explosive RB named Joe Mcknight on their roster? Mcknight was an embarrassement entering his Rookie season when reporters caught the young player vomiting during drills. He shined at the end of that season against the Buffalo Bills and continued the excitement in his Sophemore year when he took over duties as the Kick Returner. Many Jets fans called for the "Night-Rider" to get more playing time and I am in full support of Mcknight taking over as Shonn Green's partner in the back field. If the Jets are going to Draft a RB I hope it will be a late round pick and more so for a camp body to push Bilal Powell.
The Jets last year were going to run a simular double Tight-End as the New England Patriots with Dustin Keller and Jeff Cumberland. Cumberland blew out his achilles tendon early on in the season and that idea was scrapped. The injury caused the Jets to elivate Josh Baker from the practice squad and he proved to be a servicable TE/FB hybrid. With a full Off-Season under Cumberland and Baker the Jets now have 3 TE that can contribute to the team. None are capable blockers , but that is a part of the position that they can learn and improve on. The Jets are also on the verge of signing a young Rugby player and using him as a TE. The player in questioning is reported to be 6'7 and 265 lbs. There goes your blocker. I dont believe the Jets should use any of their 10 picks on a TE.
Wayne Hunter earned a contract due to the play he showed in practice and the great job he did when starter Damien Woody was injured during the 2012-2011 season. Somehow he was anything but great last season entering the year as the starter. It was a very bad year, but was it just that, a bad year? If it is more than that the Jets do have a young Offensive Lineman named Vladamir Ducasse who has been shuffled all across the Offensive Line during practice and showed promise being called in as an extra Lineman during running plays last year. How good can Big Vlad be at one position of the Jets ask him to learn just ONE position? The Jets are going to need to draft a tackle for depth, but Vlad and Hunter should be given a chance to duke it out for the starting RT position and a player should be drafted in the middle to late rounds to develope for the future.
Last year the Jets signed a Buffalo bust TWICE and Arron Maybin who just got a 1st round tender is hoping that the 3rd time is the charm. Last year Maybin introduced "Mayhem" to Jets Nation. Aaron "Mayhem" Maybin lead the Jets in Sacks and Forced Fumbles. The Coaching staff gave Maybin keys to work on during the Off-Season and he will enter this year knowing the system and looking to increase his role. With Calvin Pace and Bryan Thomas being nothing but run stuffers at this point in their careers the Jets do need to Draft an Ouside Linebackker of the future. Even if Maybin turns into an every down player the Jets are gonna need an OLB on the opposite side. Many draft Gurus have the Jets drafting either Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama, or Melvin Ingram OLB/DE S. Carolina with the #16 pick. If Ingram is available when the Jets pick it should be the quickest card heading to the podium as Ingram is regarded as the best pass rusher in this years draft. Their are players like Vinny Curry OLB/DE Marshall and Bruce Irvin OLB NC State in the 2nd round. The Jets are going to have to draft an OLB with one or both of their first 2 picks.
The Jets signed LaRon Landry, but he should just be able to do a better job than Eric Smith, but neither player is elite in pass coverage. The door isnt closed for Jim Leanord, but he is comig off of his 2nd straight season ending injury. Barron Davis S Alabama would be a stretch with the 16th pick, but the Jets could trade back to select him while picking up and additiona draft pick. When you have the New England Patriots in your divison it is essentia to your Playoff chances to have Safeties to cover their TE's. Barron is by far the best S in this years Draft, but the Jets finished last year 5th in total defense. Do the Jets really need to focus on the defensive side of the ball?
The Jets have a chance to pick up the #1 reciever in this years draft with #16 pick. Michael Floyd is quickly showing that he may be the best WR this year, but character issues may make a few teams pass on him. The Jets want to run the ball this year and establish the Ground & Pound that was so dominant the first year of the Rex Ryan era. You need a threat in the passing game to keep defenses honest, and the team just invested a lot of money in Mark Sanchez, so it would be beneficial for the GM to back up the investment with play makers to help out his young QB. If it comes down to Floyd and any other player I feel that the Jets have no choice but to pick up the young WR.
Where do you think the Jets should go with the #16 pick and which Jet do you think will step up this year?
Saturday, March 10, 2012
To Trade Or Not To Trade???
Last year the New York Knicks made a big splash by trading for Carmelo Anthony. They Knicks gave up a lot of to land the star SF, and quite frankly, He hasn't lived up to the hype. I know that some people want to blame the coach for Melo's drop in production, but this simply isn't the case. LeBron James had different coaches and is still leading MVP voting. Kobe Bryant has a new Coach this year and is leading the NBA in Scoring. Melo is having career lows and noone is to blame, but Carmelo Anthony.
Would it be a smart idea for the Knicks to trade away their lack luster star though? When Melo was out with injury the Knicks went 7 straight without a loss and surprising players were actually able to shine. Since the All-Star break the Knicks have only won one game and are at risk of losing the 8th seed in the playoffs. The trade deadline is coming up and the question has to be asked, is it time to make some sort of trade to fix the Knicks?
Rumors are saying that the Knicks could have Dwight Howard for Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony AND Dwight would be willing to sign a long term contract to stay with the Knicks. This move would actually free up some money for the Knicks too. As good as Chandler has been for the Knicks Dwight Howard is better Offensively and Defensively. Getting rid of Melo would also bring back the fluid Offense that the team had while he was on the bench.
It has been very evident that the 2nd unit for the Knicks is actually better than the starting unit and that is just strange. The Knicks need to figure out a way to become a better team and fast. They have far too much talent to lose this many games. Chemistry goes a long way and it may be time to admit that Melo does not fit in with the rest of the team.
What do you think? Should the Knicks trade Carmelo or any other player, or should they wait and see if the team can perform better?
Would it be a smart idea for the Knicks to trade away their lack luster star though? When Melo was out with injury the Knicks went 7 straight without a loss and surprising players were actually able to shine. Since the All-Star break the Knicks have only won one game and are at risk of losing the 8th seed in the playoffs. The trade deadline is coming up and the question has to be asked, is it time to make some sort of trade to fix the Knicks?
Rumors are saying that the Knicks could have Dwight Howard for Tyson Chandler and Carmelo Anthony AND Dwight would be willing to sign a long term contract to stay with the Knicks. This move would actually free up some money for the Knicks too. As good as Chandler has been for the Knicks Dwight Howard is better Offensively and Defensively. Getting rid of Melo would also bring back the fluid Offense that the team had while he was on the bench.
It has been very evident that the 2nd unit for the Knicks is actually better than the starting unit and that is just strange. The Knicks need to figure out a way to become a better team and fast. They have far too much talent to lose this many games. Chemistry goes a long way and it may be time to admit that Melo does not fit in with the rest of the team.
What do you think? Should the Knicks trade Carmelo or any other player, or should they wait and see if the team can perform better?
Friday, March 9, 2012
Marky Mark And The Funky Bunch
When Peyton Manning was released by the Colts and became available for all other NFL teams the Jets inquired about the first ballot hall of famer, as they sould have. The Jets looked into all ways to imprve the team and they decided that the best way was to stick with te Quarterback that got them to the AFC Championship game 2 out of the 3 years in his professional career. Make now doubt once the information becomes available, that GM Mike Tannenbaum manufactured a way for the Jets to have enough Cap space to negotiate with Free Agents in a few days.
Jets fans, you have your Quarterback. Your stuck with him whether you like him or not. I for one love it! I am a big believer in Mark Sanchez and now the team can focus on the real reasons for last years downfall. They need to adress the Offensive Line so their newly extended franchise QB stays healthy, a deep threat Wide-Reciever to stretch the field and take some of the coverage away from Santonio Holmes, a pass rusher to put pressure on opposing QBs, and some help in the Safety position to shore up the middle of the defense. It will be interesing to see if the Jets are now IN the Mario Williams sweepstakes.
Mark Sanchez joins a growing list of players who have signed extensions to be Jets for the next few years. He joins CB Darrelle Revis, C Nick Mangold, LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, ILB David Harris, S Eric Smith, CB Antonio Cromartie, WR Santonio Holmes, and soon to be NT Sione Pouha. What sticks out to any of you about these names? Well if you notice, with Mark Sanchez included that is 7 players that the Jets drafted during the Tannenbaum era. This goes to show that our GM seems to be making the right desicions during the draft, so lets see what Gem he gets the team next month.
The Jets made a bold move today and it will be very interesting to see what else they have up their sleeves. There are rumors that the Jets are trying to shop RT Wayne Hunter, and ILB Bart Scott. If either is moved, then that would be one more need that becomes even more important during the Draft, but it also frees up even more cap space. The Eagles need an ILB and they have a WR that has been disruptive. Could we see a trade consisting of WR Santonio Holmes and ILB Bart Scott for WR DeSean Jackson? Could we see WR Vincent Jackson signing with the Jets during Free Agency? How about DE/OLB Mario Williams becoming the game changing pass rusher that the Jets have lacked since they traded Abraham to the Antlanta Falcons in 2005?
Leave a comment on what moves the Jets could or should make once Free Agency begins March 13th. Who should they trade and who should they sign?
Jets fans, you have your Quarterback. Your stuck with him whether you like him or not. I for one love it! I am a big believer in Mark Sanchez and now the team can focus on the real reasons for last years downfall. They need to adress the Offensive Line so their newly extended franchise QB stays healthy, a deep threat Wide-Reciever to stretch the field and take some of the coverage away from Santonio Holmes, a pass rusher to put pressure on opposing QBs, and some help in the Safety position to shore up the middle of the defense. It will be interesing to see if the Jets are now IN the Mario Williams sweepstakes.
Mark Sanchez joins a growing list of players who have signed extensions to be Jets for the next few years. He joins CB Darrelle Revis, C Nick Mangold, LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson, ILB David Harris, S Eric Smith, CB Antonio Cromartie, WR Santonio Holmes, and soon to be NT Sione Pouha. What sticks out to any of you about these names? Well if you notice, with Mark Sanchez included that is 7 players that the Jets drafted during the Tannenbaum era. This goes to show that our GM seems to be making the right desicions during the draft, so lets see what Gem he gets the team next month.
The Jets made a bold move today and it will be very interesting to see what else they have up their sleeves. There are rumors that the Jets are trying to shop RT Wayne Hunter, and ILB Bart Scott. If either is moved, then that would be one more need that becomes even more important during the Draft, but it also frees up even more cap space. The Eagles need an ILB and they have a WR that has been disruptive. Could we see a trade consisting of WR Santonio Holmes and ILB Bart Scott for WR DeSean Jackson? Could we see WR Vincent Jackson signing with the Jets during Free Agency? How about DE/OLB Mario Williams becoming the game changing pass rusher that the Jets have lacked since they traded Abraham to the Antlanta Falcons in 2005?
Leave a comment on what moves the Jets could or should make once Free Agency begins March 13th. Who should they trade and who should they sign?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)