Noone seems to have taken you up on the Vilma question: have to admit I was thinking the same at various points through the season. I think it's obvious that in the swap to the 3-4 some players have thrived, and others haven't, compared to where they were under Herm Edwards. Vilma is one of those players: I'm not saying he's playing badly, but that he played a lot better in the previous defensive set up. If Vilma were to be traded, the Jets would have to demand a high 1st rounder for him, and probably another lower pick as well: he was sensational for us in the 4-3 and is physically at the peak of his career with many years to offer. That said, I can't see Vilma being traded: he didn't have a great season this year by his standards, but an average season for him would be a standout result for a lot of other players who play at his position. You don't throw away proven players of his ilk for draft prospects that may or may not be up to it at the top level. (except if you have good reasons as in the J-Abe situation from last season etc) I would prefer trying him out at OLB to see how he goes: he has lost the outstanding feel he had for where the ball is going to be in the current set-up, and I think his talents are wasted on the inside. If he could adapt to the outside it would also fill a gap we would otherwise have to plug via the draft or through FA.
Vilma will not go anywhere. Sure, his tackle numbers and big play production is down, but that is how this sytem works. In addition, he is playing the strong side ILB..... that is not the stat producing position in this defensive scheme either. He is the QB on the defense, and his "team value" is not diminished at all in this regard. I also think he is still making the adjustment to this scheme, and will continue to improve. I don't think he's trade bait at all, and nor should he be. He's still the heart of the defense, which has also steadilly improved.... I mean heck, the Jets are averaging less than 13 points against per game over the last 8, including the 31 they gave up to the Bills. With Pouha returning, an improving DRob, Mosely for depth, what the D could really use is a 3-4 DE that has some pass rush ability, like Carriker. What has to be rememebered in this defensive scheme is that there won't be a big sack stat player. Pressure must almost always come from an outside player... an OLB or even from Rhodes. that is how it works. The end of year team sack stats will be fine, but very spread out. Even DRob has a few. To Vilma's credot, he has been the good soldier, knowing that a scheme like this knocks him out of pro bowl contention, but he seems to have bought into the system for the most part. He deserves some credit for that.... in fact a lot of credit.
I am sure that Vilma will not be traded. He provides the Jets with (a) leadership on the defensive side of the ball, (b) potential to make big plays, and (c) a lockeroom presence that is unmathced (i.e., hardwork, no complaints). All attributes that Mangini and Tannenbaum covet. Plus this is his first year in the system that is poorly staffed. But I was only making the point that the Jets might hypothetically benefit from exploring other options. Even if they put a top notch DT in front of him, will his skill set translate to the MLB position? Why is the MLB position not a stat making position? How can the team be improved to allow him to stay at MLB and return to his playmaking days of old?
So what does everyone think of Carriker? Will he be there at 26? Everything i've read about him says he would probably be the pick if he was available.
Most mocks have him going earlier. Hopefully he runs a little slow at the combine. That'll ensure him being there at 25.
I think Carriker could be this year's Jay Cutler. Last year around this time everyone wanted Cutler with our 2nd and most people had him going around late 1st-2nd round...he was "the name" everyone was talking about, like Carriker this year, and more and more people started talking about him until all of a sudden he made a name for himself at the Combine and went top 15. I could see Carriker doing the same this year.
I have been discussing Carriker with a draft guru I highly respect today. He has tape of Carriker in a couple of big games this year where he got pretty much owned. The Husker homers swear he's the real deal. So far in the Senior Bowl practices, he's looked great. So, from my viewpoint, mixed reviews. I'm not jumping of the bandwagon just yet, but i am more cautious about him now. While the pro scouts put more into the practice week of the senior bowl, I want to see how Carriker fares against the best in the actual game.
Judging on the reports coming out of Seniors week, we'll be very lucky if he's there at 25 for our first pick.
Draft Daddy reports the Steelers are particulary interested in AC, and that would take him with their first pick, 15th overall. I will be very surprised if he lasts until 25 on his performance this week.
Anyone know much about this guy...... "What A Rush Mississippi State coach Sly Croom stopped by the South practice Tuesday afternoon "to see old friends," he said. Croom's daughter lives in Mobile, so he's always looking for an excuse to come. He stopped his chatting to watch his 6-foot-3, 305-pound defensive end, Antonio Johnson, line up against Auburn guard Tim Duckworth in a drill. Johnson jumped into the neutral zone. "Don't jump offside," Croom said, "like I told you a thousand times!" Johnson got back into position. At the snap, he powered through the 6-3, 304-pound Duckworth like he wasn't there. Croom beamed. "That boy can rush the passer now," he said. "
I am more concerned about NT than DE. Robertson and Pouha were both drafted to be 4-3 DTs and not NTs. Pouha came into camp 20 pds lighter than when he was a rookie. He was 325 coming into the league, so a 305lb NT is not really what we should be looking for. There are really only 2 or 3 DTs in the draft that true 3-4 size. Honestly, I think we are best served filling this spot in FA with a guy like Terdell Sands from the Raiders. At around 6'6" and 350 we are now talking turkey. Now, if we can get that 350 pd artery clogger in the middle, the quesiton becomes what do we do with Robertson. I know people say to plug him in at DT. Logically that makes good sense, weather or not he succeeds is another story. So then what, do we go after a Carriker or then DE is less of a need and we wait and maybe address OLB or RB. Either way I'd like to at least one or two OGs picked in rounds 2-5.
I've been thinking the same thing lately. I love Vilma but if we could get a high 1st round pick + another pick, we could really help the defense.
Why wouldn't they is my question, you can never have enough depth on the defensive line. Just because you have 3 good starters doesn't mean you wouldn't take another stud lineman. Seymour is always banged up, if you had a 4th top notch player to add to that rotation it would only make them better.
Here's a little report on Carriker Nebraska DL Adam Carriker Height: 6-6 Weight: 292 Pre-Senior Bowl Grade: late first to early second round Projected Forty Time: mid 4.8s 2006 Stats: 52 tackles, 16 TFL, 7 SCK, INT, BLK KICK An exceptionally slow start to his senior campaign raised concern that Carriker's breakout junior year may have been an anomaly. He finished strong, but Carriker's production still experienced a considerable drop off and his speed will never be elite. What position would he play? Is he boom or bust? Carriker had the makings of a risky selection, meaning his first-round status was clearly in doubt before this past week. What he did: Carriker lined up at both the three (pass-rushing defensive tackle in a 4-3) and five techniques (containing defensive end in a 3-4) and was called the Senior Bowl's most dominant defensive lineman Monday through Thursday. He is also an especially intense personality, and displayed that to NFL team representatives. What's changed: Barring something unexpected taking place between now and April 28, Carriker looks like a mid first-round, possibly top-ten pick. He's a power player that fits at two positions, giving him extraordinary value. It will be a shock if Carriker falls past the Steelers at No. 15. They're staying with a 3-4 for the time being but most likely will switch to a 4-3 in time and Carriker can be a starter in both schemes.
