Anyone have an issue with the team spending upwards of $20+ million on a position that can be very cheaply addressed in the mid to later portions of the draft? There's a lot of very talented RBs in this draft class that would have allowed us spend some of that money else where.
We've been doing this for years and I've always had a problem with it. The most easily replaceable position and the cheapest in terms of draft currency, and we go after veteran backs all day long. Boggles the mind.
A lot of running backs lack the ability to pass protect in their rookie year, I guess they want a proven player at that position that has been productive. They definitely need to get younger and find that workhorse sooner rather then later. I'm rather excited to have Matt Forte and Powell because of the mismatches they will create. Can't depend on a rookie to carry the running game either. See Melvin Gordon.
Plenty of positions I'd bitch about but RB is not among them. Khiry Robinson is a beast we got for peanuts. Powell earned his contract and we're a better team with him. Then we sign Forte 3 years, 12 mil compared to 5 years 32 million for Ivory. Mac has done an excellent job with our backfield.
I liked the Matt Forte signing, but I do question the Robinson signing, so I do agree to an extent. That spot should've been reserved for a rookie in my opinion. Apparently Robinson is a beast, and the Jets don't want to spend a pick on a RB.
I know many of you are still in the honeymoon phase with Mac where he can't do no wrong but questioning the money spent on an easily replaceable position when we have very little cap space does not constitute as "bitching" in my book.
The organization doesn't exactly have a stellar history of drafting great backs either. The recent ones I can think of have all been free agent signings i.e. Forte, Ivory, Jones, even curtis Martin We seem to draft OK backs Powell, Joe McKnight (ick) Lamont Jordan I'm sure I'm missing some for both sides of the argument but I wouldn't feel so confident drafting a RB in the 3rd round and I wouldn't want to use my 1st on one unless he were special.
I'm not in a honeymoon phase at all. He was pretty wreckless last offseason with our cash and we're paying for it now. I'm just in the opinion Powell, Forte and Robinson were all great deals he didn't overpay on. Allows us to use more draft picks and whatever cash we can free up to take care of everything else.
This implies that all 3 of the veteran RBs we signed will be "great backs" next year. What you have to ask yourself is would we be able to get the same production from a draft pick next year that we would get from any of the 3. I'm pretty sure we could for at least 1.
The highlight looks really good, looks like he's got some hands also. As long as he doesn't tip the defense like when Ivory was on the field. Each time Ivory was on the field, defenses knew we would run the football. With Forte, Powell and even Robinson, there's no telling what the Jets call at the LOS.
Nah i wouldn't say great, but I would feel far more comfortable with these guys than, let's say, any 1 of them and 2 rookies. Especially with Forte and Powell that can catch and pass protect in a spread-type offense. And we're not spending $20 all next year. Not that I'm positive but I'm sure we can cut any one of them if it doesn't work out and get out of some of that.
Yes but history tells us that it's MUCH easier to get quality backs in the mid to later parts of draft than any other position. So we are free'd up to "take care of" other positions that might be harder to accomplish in the draft.
I hear you. I still find it as a peculiar approach and something I don't agree with. Side note: The Jets' history with drafting RBs should have no impact on Mac decision to sign those 3 guys.
I thought they upgraded the running back depth chart fairly cheap, no idea where you got the 20mil from. Only have 6 picks right now, it's a good thing to not have to use a pick on one.
mehhh... Powell earned his paycheck and right to return. Robinson is an absolute steal at that price tag with potential to break out. Forte is the questionable one but he's Matt Forte.. While not the same Matt Forte as he once was he will still be a very good player in this offense. Would have been nice to have grabbed one in the draft and we still could but no longer NEED to.
Powell's average salary is now $3.75 million with $6 million guaranteed while David Johnson who was drafted in the 3rd round has an average salary that just a shade over 700K with just $639,373 guaranteed. David Johnson pretty much doubled Powell's production last year while also contributing heavily on STs. He also projects as their future bell cow something that Powell will never be. Its all on how you look at things. I don't think any of the signings were bad deals. I just think we could have gone with a more cost effective approach.