All 5 of these guys would come cheap (less then 1 M each) and could be big time contributors for the Jets in 2012. These players are: 1) Jim Leonhard- Although he is an injury risk he is a solid safety who is the “quarterback” of rex’s defense, the defense is significantly weaker without him. I recognize the problems with having 2 starting safeties who have such an extensive injury history but with Smith, Bush, Tracy Wilson, and Allen backing up the Jets are deep enough to make up for it. 2) Cedric Benson- Benson is a good power running back who could give Greene a breather without much of a loss in the ground and pound philosophy 3) Larry English- I know he’s still on the chargers but with Phillips, Barnes Johnson, Ingram, and LaBoy someone has to be cut. English has dealt with 2 season ending foot injuries but I feel he could be successful due to his athletic ability and intelligence (both are a must in Rex’s defense). If he can stay healthy he and Maybin could be serious pass rush threats 4) Donald Strickland- With the Patriots loading up on WRs having a deep CB core is a must. Revis, Cro, and Wilson are as good as any top 3 CBs in the league but after them the Jets have 2 undrafted rookies. Strickland is a good player who could really help add depth to the Jets talented CB core 5) Jason Brown- A versatile lineman who can play both C and G and provide some very good depth (something the Jets desperately need) and could start if Slauson isn’t ready after his shoulder surgery. Also he is a very large man (320 lbs) which is very important in Sporano’s defense. 2012 depth chart with these changes QB- Sanchez, Tebow, McElroy RB- Greene, Benson, McKnight*, Gannaway FB- Conner WR- Holmes, Hill, Kerley, Schilens, White TE- Keller, Cumberland*, Hayden Smith* T- Ferguson, Ducasse, Hunter G- Moore, Slauson, Schlaideraff C- Mangold, Brown DE- Wilkerson, Couples, DeVito, Dixon NT- Pouha, Ellis OLB- Pace, Thomas, Maybin*, English* ILB- Harris, Scott, Davis*, Mauga*, Bellore* CB- Revis, Cromartie, Wilson, Strickland*, Steed* S- Landry, Leonhard, Smith*, Wilson*, Allen*, Bush* * denotes players who will make significant contributions on ST
I would really like the idea of bringing Benson in. He would be that workhorse type of back that we haven't had since Jones, and that would make Greene much more effective like he was in a similar situation in '09.
Add Vernon Carey to the list. Already knows what Sparano does and started at RT for three years with him. Can swing to the RG position too. Might be a cheap backup option.
I'm good with Leonhard, Benson, and Strickland. I think Braybray needs to join that list and I am not against seeing Brown either.
I was all for bringing back Bray, and still am, however if we choose not to I certainly will not be upset given our current WR situation
Don't know much about VC, could he compete with WFH for the spot? Wait..... A fucking road cone could probably compete with WFH for the spot
-I say no to Benson. Jets are going with young competition at RB. There are now plenty of candidates in Greene,Mcknight,Powell, & Gannaway. To me, we only bring in an RB if he is a clear upgrade over Greene. At this stage of his career, Benson is not. Let the TC competition run its course. Plenty of talent in that group. -Leonhard makes alot of sense. Maybe he's only a 2 down player but he's an emotional leader & as previously stated QB of the D. Let Bush/Allen/Wilson compete in TC for the nickel safety spot. -I could see giving English a shot. Perhaps he competes with Sapp & Jones for a roster spot. -I'm all for some experienced O-line depth. I still believe Ducasse deserves his shot at starting now that he will finally have some OTA's to get himself sorted out. With that said, OL depth is hard to come by right now & some of these veteran price tags is way out of whack..which is why i believe the jets have yet to sign someone to fill that role.
I thought Benson got into some more trouble? I would have thought someone would have picked him up if there were no issues?
Sign me up for Jason Brown. It wasn't too long ago he was considered one of the better interior offensive linemen in the league.
I agree completely with Leonhard and Benson. They would fit in well, plus Leonhard knows the system and can pass his knowledge down to the new young safeties. We barely have any money left, but we could probably swing that if we don't have to break the bank.
I agree 100% with your statement but I've read somewhere that he doesn't want to leave Miami because he has played his entire career (high school and college included) there. Plus I just can't see why the Jets haven't signed him yet, either he doesn't want to leave, he's to expensive, or Sporano knows he's done, something is just to fishy because the match just seems to perfect
As much as I like Jim Leonhard, I have to disagree with the idea of bringing him back. Two seasons have been significantly hurt because Rex places so much responsibility in a player who can't stay on the field. The Patriots beat us in the divisional show down two years ago in large part, I believe, because of Leonhard's injury. After a couple weeks the defense adjusted to the new "quarterback" but they looked awful right after. We need to mitigate the risk of that happening again and have consistency out of that position. Additionally, I don't think Leonhard is going to be a viable answer for New England's tight ends, especially working off a twice-injured leg. They need someone with size and speed - I don't know if that guy is on the team, but I'm not sure Leonhard will be able to do it. All that said, I don't have a problem with Leonhard being a backup for the veteran's minimum, but his days of being a team leader in the backfield are over.
Is everyone forgetting we drafted Powell a years ago and Ganaway this year? In no way will we be signing Benson, that could of been done already. We're going into the season with 4 backs who should be able to contribute effectively in Sparano's system.
We also need a RB who can catch passes, unless Joe McKnight is going to replace LT in that role. Benson is solid, but he isn't much of a receiving threat.
