I am going to assume that Favre retires; I doubt he wants to keep playing with his signature arm strength clearly dimishing and I also don't think the Jets are going to be sitting by the phone hoping he comes back. But that's okay, because I think this team can be a very QB friendly team if just a few moves are made. Here are the moves that I suggest. 1. Trade for Lito Sheppard. The Eagles shopped him last off-season and fielded numerous offers to unload him. He is currently playing as their nickel and they would probably still unload him for the right price. I would offer Coles and a 5th rounder for him. Philly needs WRs (as someone who sees them at least twice a year, trust me) and Coles fits that bill as he has some speed and much more experience than any one WR on that roster. Sheppard is young, but the 5th rounder should sweeten it enough to make the deal happen. Adding Sheppard to this defensive backfield allows Lowery to play 3rd DB, thus easing his development. You could actually use Sheppard as the nickel when you put in that package and move Lowery to cover the #2. The Giants are doing this now with Terrell Thomas & Kevin Dockery (both alternate as #3 DB). Many CBs say it's harder to cover the slot than a flanker, so this could be good for Lowery. 2. Acquire a speedy WR. Coles going puts Cotchery at #1 and I don't think he has the speed to consistently beat the double-coverages he would see at that position. Clowney and Stuckey have speed, but hoping they can draw doubles is putting a lot of faith in unproven talent. My suggestion is to acquire a fast WR via FA. The first candidate that comes to mind for me is Devery Henderson. In NO they have Colston and Meachem as the top targets. I doubt they shell out big money for a #3 WR. Henderson and Cotchery could be a sort of WR-by-committee. Cotchery has the better hands, route-running, and toughness while Henderson brings speed, quickness, and the big-play threat. I'm not saying to make Henderson the #1 WR, but I am saying he can help take doubles away from Cotchery. Look at what happened to Amani Toomer on the Giants after Burress was put on the NFI List. When he found himself facing double coverage more consistenly, his production dropped. Henderson could prevent this from happening to Cotchery. 3. Sign Grady Jackson. Jackson is on Atlanta now, but will be a FA at the end of the season. Jenkins has been nothing short of amazing for this run defense. But now I think he's just tired and broken down. NTs shouldn't be every down linemen, even when remaining in a base defense. In a perfect world this would be the case, but you can't expect a 360 lb (that he admits to) man to play 3/4 of the defensive snaps. Jackson can back up and even mentor Jenkins. Jackson's career at NT is much longer than Jenkin's. Jackson could teach him how to save his body for later in the season and probably improve his technique as well. Jackson could also spell Jenkins. Even if he only comes in for 2 consecutive plays out of every 8, this could do wonders for keeping Jenkins fresh so he can rush the passer (which he may be the best NT in the league at doing, considering his undertackle background) and shut down the run as you've all seen him do earlier in the year. With these moves made you would have a power running game (still in place from 2008), a lackluster but still servicable WR core, and (most importantly) a defense that can stop the pass, keep its NT rested, and make games easier on the QB position. Even if Ratliffe is cutting his teeth at QB next year he would still have all these things working in his favor and easing his transition into the NFL. So there, I have put on my GM cap and done a bit of work. Let me know what you guys think.
I think those are all smart moves. I haven't paid attention to Grady Jackson but I like the idea of getting some NT depth. I'd also be OK with giving Clowney and/or Stuckey a shot at being the deep threat but it's hard for me to evaluate their talent because they have not been given many opportunities on the field.
They could still be the #3 & 4 WR. This would let them see the field, but wouldn't put a ton of pressure on them in terms of need to produce and defensive attention.
1. Coles for Sheppard straight up...no 5th rounder. 2. Chad Johnson. 3. Jackson or Haynesworth...either one would be fine with me, but don't think we can afford it. Rather look to the draft.
1. I doubt Philly takes that deal. 2. Chad Johnson + Young QB = EPIC fail in the making. 3. Haynesworth is obnoxiously far out of your price range. An NT could still be drafted, but keep in mind that Jackson is coming in to spell and mentor Jenkins. A rookie can't really provide tips on how to play the position.
1. They really don't want him around, and to get a reliable receiver for D-Mac should be enough, though I don't see it happening either way. 2. Pipe dream, I know. I also think tall is more important than speedy at this point. Stuckey is our little slot-speed demon. 3. For a backup salary, Jackson would definitely be worth it, but we had the chance to pick him up off waivers when our D was in shambles last season and didn't, so maybe the CS just really doesn't want him around. One common thread in all the guys we've been talking about is reputation. They all have bad ones. This is something the FO seems to have shied away from in the past, but at this point who knows?
1. The Eagles would have to be dumber than I give them credit for. 2. Even if he isn't a distraction, he's too expensive and our cap room is going to be too slim to pick him up. 3. Jackson and Haynesworth are two different types of players. Jackson would be brought in to spell Jenkins, Haynesworth would work better as a DE. Also, Haynesworth hasn't had to 2-gap before and there's no guarantee that he'd be comfortable with the idea. 3-4 DEs don't usually make the pro-bowl and their stats are much lower than 4-3 DEs and undertackles which is how Haynesworth makes his money. He's not going to be the pass rusher he was in Tennessee if he comes here. Lastly, money: we don't have it.
Grady Jackson would be a good player to bring in for nt depth. Chad ocho-sinco would not be the type of player this team needs he complains to much the Jets don't need a drama queen. Hopefully Clowney and Stuckey can turn out to be diamonds in the rough. The Jets still also have Marcus Henry on the practice sqaud. All of our answers for wide out could be on the team already.
Who are we getting rid of? All of the back-ups and rookies who don't even play or cost us a freakin' dime?
1. I doubt getting Lito would be a good idea. He will command sizable salary. I'd prefer to see another pick on the secondary - CB (meaning Lowery moves to FS) or another safety. 2. Definitely. Fast, physical receiver with height will be very helpful. (That means you need one too on Giants after Burress disaster.) Meanwhile, moving Coles (and his massive cap) surely wouldn't hurt either. If Jets are going to invest in yet another WR, it makes no sense to keep Coles while doing that. 3. Grady Jackson - if that happens, that's really a brilliant move.
He has been injury prone, but having Elam as his backup isn't bad. Maybe he'd be less expensive due to injury history. He's played all 15 so far this year.
Word. I mean you'd have to worry about him breaking a nail and going down for the life of his contract, but he's a damn good player when he's on the field. Other players I'd like to see the Jets to take a look at... Top Tier: Karlos Dansby (!!!!!) - The single most underrated LBer in the game IMO. Compliments Harris well inside, and has the ability to take snaps at ILB/OLB/4-3 OLB. Albert Haynesworth - Imagine Haynesworth and Jenkins on the same line. rool: Everyone else: Leonard Pope - Iunno if the Cardinals will resign him, but he's big, athletic, and would be a great compliment to Keller in our TE game. Stacy Andrews - Mangini and Tanny tried hard for this guy two years ago. I remember him being brought for a visit twice in '07, and he's become the Bengals best lineman. Sucks our line is kind of set unless they're secretly unhappy with someone on the right side. This is more of wishful thinking, but hey shit can happen. Chris Canty - Since Haynesworth is a bullshit dream of mine, I definitely would not mind going after this guy. Everything you want in a 3-4 end. Might have to be let go because the Cowboys may not even be able to afford him. Channing Crowder - Young 'Phins linebacker. Honestly the only reason he makes this list is because he's young and talented. He's kind of a dumbass from what I've heard. Sean Jones - This guy would just be nasty next to Rhodes. I doubt he actually hits the market unless the Browns are really that dumb. He's one of the few pieces of that D worth keeping. Dunta Robinson - Underrated as hell because he's a Texan. Jermaine Phillips - Another good secondary talent. Kelvin Hayden - ^^^ Probably half or even most of these guys won't hit FA...and I'm probably missing a couple...but it's early and I'm bored so I thought I'd throw this out there.
we cannot start thinking about roster moves until the coaching staff, including the head coach, is etched in stone for 2009. jil
Why the Hell not? It's not like what we say here is actually going to have any effect on who gets fired or hired. What is his current salary? If we trade for him that'll be what we're paying him.
Sheppard makes 3 million next year. Not too bad for a starting corner. His deal never gets too bad. Check it. http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/player_contract.aspx?sport=NFL&id=755
Interesting ideas. I think Grady Jackson would be a great pickup, but it seems like he's set on finishing his career in Atlanta. http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=3510205
