http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/articles/show_article?article_id=694&short_name=news Jets Sign 14 Rookie Free Agents Published: May 12, 2006 The New York Jets announced today the signings of 14 rookie free agents. The announcements were made by Jets? General Manager Mike Tannenbaum. Players signing their first professional contracts included: DL Darrell Adams (Villanova), DT/OT Tui Alailefaleula (Washington), WR Maurice Avery (Memphis), DE/LB Craig Bailey (Nevada-Reno), T Ed Blanton (UCLA), LB Michael Brown, Jr. (Howard), LB Blake Costanzo (Lafayette), P/K D.J. Fitzpatrick (Notre Dame), WR Deqawn Mobley (Texas A&M), RB DonTrell Moore (New Mexico), DT Brennan Schmidt (Virginia), S Jamie Thompson (Oklahoma State), LB Will Thompson (Georgia) and QB/WR/RB Stacy Tutt (Richmond). Adams (6-5, 282), is a native of Bay Shore, NY and a graduate of Islip High School on Long Island. He went on to start 38 times over four seasons at Villanova and collected 153 tackles with 13.5 sacks for minus 90 yards, 44 stops for losses of 161 yards and 25 quarterback pressures. Alailefaleula (6-4, 350), was a four-year letterman for the Washington Huskies, splitting time over the course of his collegiate career between the offensive and defensive lines. Avery (6-1, 208), was a record-setting wide receiver at Memphis, who unselfishly moved from receiver to quarterback midway through the 2005 season after the Tigers? first two quarterbacks suffered injuries, and guided the Tigers to a 5-2 record as the starting quarterback and a bid to the Motor City Bowl. He also was a contributing member to the nationally ranked Memphis basketball squad. Bailey (6-4, 265), was a four-year letterman for the Nevada Wolf Pack. He played in 40 career intercollegiate contests, starting 25 of the games, and registered 83 tackles, 18.5 tackles for losses, seven sacks, two fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles and an interception that he returned for a touchdown. Blanton (6-9, 330), was a three-year starter and four-year letterman for the UCLA Bruins. He was the undisputed leader of the Bruins? nationally ranked squad in 2005, started 36-of-37 games over the last past three seasons and helped Maurice Drew rush for over 1,900 yards in that span. NFL.Com?s Pat Kirwan and Mark Zimmerman evaluate the 2006 NFL Draft and discuss other news around the league Brown (6-4, 250), was a four-year letterman for the Howard Bisons and was a mainstay for the nationally ranked Howard program that competes on the NCAA 1-AA level. He played in 35 career games and collected 89 tackles, 31 tackles for losses and 11 sacks. Costanzo (6-1, 235), is a native of Ramapo, NJ and a graduate of Lafayette College. He was a second-team All-Patriot League selection in both 2004 and 2005 and completed his career for the Lafayette Leopards with 307 tackles and 18 sacks. Fitzpatrick (6-1, 208), was one of the top dual kicker/punters in college football for Notre Dame. He also earned the starting punter duties midway through the 2003 season and finished his career as one of the most prolific scorers in Notre Dame history with 205 points. Mobley (6-2, 210), is a native of the Bronx, NY and DeWitt Clinton High School, played in 22 games for the Texas A&M Aggies after transferring from City College of San Francisco. During his two seasons with the Aggies, he made 35 receptions for 546 yards for a 15.6 avg. and three touchdowns. Moore (5-10, 208), owns University of New Mexico and Mountain West Conference records with 4,973 yards rushing, ranking 13th in NCAA Division 1-A history. He became only the sixth Division 1-A runner to gain over 1,000 yards rushing in each of his four seasons, joining Tony Dorsett of Pittsburgh (1973-76), Amos Lawrence of North Carolina (1977-80), Denvis Manns of New Mexico State (1995-98), Ron Dayne of Wisconsin (1996-99) and Cedric Benson of Texas (2001-04). Schmidt (6-3, 290), was a four-year starter and two-time team captain (2004-2005) at Virginia who started every game of his career on the collegiate level. He became the first player in school history to start 50 games, starting 51 games in his career and tied an ACC record for most career starts with N.C. State quarterback Philip Rivers and Maryland guard C.J. Brooks. Jamie Thompson (6-0, 192), was a three-year letterman for the Oklahoma State Cowboys. He began his collegiate career at Butler Community College in Kansas before transferring to OKSU. He finished his collegiate career with 181 career tackles, seven-and-a-half sacks, five passes defensed, four forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries. Will Thompson (6-3, 255), played in 50 games on the collegiate level for the perennially ranked Bulldogs. He made 37 starts and collected 107 tackles, 24.5 tackles for losses, 14.5 sacks for 110 yards along with an interception, a pass defensed and recovered fumble. Tutt (6-2, 235), departs the University of Richmond as one of the most explosive offensive players in school history. His 6,872 yards of total offense rank him second all-time in school annals. He finished his career with 5,318 passing yards?the third most in school history, while his 160 points are fourth on the Spiders' career list.
This guy is huge! Does anyone know why he didn't go in the draft? Maybe 330 is kinda skinny for someone who's 6-9.
I noticed that. http://uclabruins.cstv.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/blanton_ed00.html http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2006/draft/players/47942.html Ed Blanton Grade: 3.05 Position: T Class: 5Sr School: UCLA Conference: Pacific-10 Ht., Wt.: 6-8, 345 40 Time: 5.52 Grading System BIO: Three-year starter at both the left and right tackle positions. Earned All-Conference consideration as a senior. POSITIVES: King-sized blocker with growth potential. Walls defenders from the play, displays good hand punch and extends to keep opponents away. Plays with a wide base, patient and steers opponents from the action. Gets movement from run blocks, turning opponents off the ball. NEGATIVES: Lacks balance and blocking range. Marginally strong for his size and does not finish blocks. Exploited by quick, nimble opponents. ANALYSIS: Consistent and durable on the college level, Blanton has an NFL body for the strong-side tackle position yet must take his game to another level for any chance of playing on Sundays. PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent That Avery kid intrigues me too. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2006/draft/players/18730.html Maurice Avery Grade: 2.95 Position: WR Class: Sr School: Memphis Conference: Conference USA Ht., Wt.: 5-11.5, 213 40 Time: 4.61 Grading System BIO: Forced to play quarterback as a senior, completing 56.8% of his throws for 894 passing yards and adding 132/570/5 carrying the ball. Receiving totals included 36/422/1 as a junior after career-best totals of 49/72/8 as a sophomore. POSITIVES: Nice-sized possession wideout with natural pass-catching skills. Extends to make the reception away from his frame and possesses soft hands. Flashes skill as a downfield blocker. NEGATIVES: Not a deep threat and has marginal playing speed. ANALYSIS: An undeveloped college prospect, Avery.s size is enticing. Needs to have a big camp next summer for any chance of sticking on a roster. PROJECTION: Undrafted Free Agent
me too. I saw him while I was watching DeAngelo and he is good. Just a natural athlete. Didn't really see him run routes or anything, but he looked plenty quick enough running for his life back at QB - they also did some option stuff which he was pretty good at. Good player.
Alailefaleula (6-4, 350), was a four-year letterman for the Washington Huskies, splitting time over the course of his collegiate career between the offensive and defensive lines. wow 350 lbs. boys i think we've just found are new nose tackle:breakdance: :lol: but seriously it could happen Brandon Moore was drafted as a DT and developed into a decent gaurd, maybe it works both ways.
Add me to the list of Avery fans. Kid was a really talented WR before he moved to QB, might not be NFL quality, but I like to see him given at least a shot. He and Moore are the guys I definitely finding their way to the PS.
I'll say none. It's just training camp competition. Maybe 1 or 2 make the practice squad. Thats it though.
i think we may be able to find a gem out of this group of players. Alailefaleula,mobley,avery,blanton and tutt intrigue me the most.
I'm offically on the Dontrell Moore bandwagon. He could be the next Curtis Martin. Dontrell Moore Grade: 3.59 Position: RB Class: Sr School: New Mexico Conference: Mountain West Ht., Wt.: 5-9.5, 210 40 Time: 4.62 Grading System BIO: Four-year starter named Mountain West Offensive Player of the Year last season after totaling 275/1,298/14 on the ground and adding 31/371/3 as a pass catcher. Junior totals included 1,091 rushing yards with five touchdowns. Career-best rushing numbers of 276/1,450/19 came as a sophomore. POSITIVES: Versatile ball carrier with outstanding football instincts. Patient, waits for blocks to develop and displays vision everywhere on the field. Weaves through traffic finding the open lanes in the defense, runs with excellent pad level and bounces around piles, keeping runs alive. Has a shifty, darting style. Solid receiver out of the backfield who occasionally sneaks it downfield. NEGATIVES: Not a strong ball carrier who picks up yardage off initial contact. Suffered a major knee injury at the end of his junior campaign. ANALYSIS: Perfectly suited for a West Coast offense, Moore is an explosive back with a variety of skill. May never be a feature runner, yet versatility will allow Moore to have a productive NFL career. PROJECTION: Early Fourth Round http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/2006/draft/players/632.html
I'm pulling for Alailefaleula at NT and Blanton at RT. I hope they at least make the PS. I cannot believe Blanton went undrafted, he was a big name (no pun intended) out here. He will settle in at around 350 pounds, and will improve his strength when put in a NFL conditioning profram.
Agreed with both ... and having a hard time believing Moore won't find his way onto the team. I know we are loaded at the position, but this kid is a player. I don't see Blaylock making it past June 1st. Still seems like alot of RB's ... but I am still pulling for him.
The Jets also invited the following undrafted players in for tryouts this weekend: DB Omowale Dada (Washington State), QB John Davis (NC State), DE Tearrius George (Kansas State), RB Nick Hartigan (Brown), DB Rolando Humphrey (SMU), DB Jovon Johnson (Iowa), LB Anthony Jordan (Toledo), TE Joe Kowalewski (Syracuse), DB Pierre Lee (Virginia State), OL Kevin McAlmont (Western Carolina), LB/DE Justin Parish (Kent State), DL Sam Segond (Rutgers), C EZ Smith (Penn State), TE Brian Watje (San Jose State), LB Bryan White (Virginia), WR Wallace Wright (North Carolina).
