On OL, I think Clady's got a 2 year deal - $6 million base this year and $10 million base next year. I think he also has incentives of $1.5 million for this year and $3 million for next year. I think they drafted Shell to be their next left tackle. That's why they traded a fourth next year to draft him in the 5th year and that's why they played him exclusively at LT in the preseason. Whether he'll work out or not is very much unclear right now, but if you can get a good starting LT in the 5th (or for a 4th round pick), then that's a steal. None of Clady's money next year is guaranteed, so my guess is they'll evaluate Shell in training camp next year and decide (i) whether he can be a starting LT in 2017, or (ii) whether he can ever be a starting LT. In the case of (i), then Clady will be traded (or cut), otherwise they'll likely keep him for another year. If they think Shell doesn't have the makings of a starting LT then they'll have to figure out another plan B for 2018 and beyond.
I think they're hoping Shell is their long term answer at LT and Wesley Johnson is their long term answer at C. Shell did not look good in the preseason, but he's a rookie and has a lot to learn. I've been unimpressed by Johnson in the past, but he filled in well at guard against the Bills, so maybe he'll surprise us at center too.
Thanks for the info on Clady's contract. I hope that you're wrong about their drafting Shell to be their next LT. If you're right (and you may be, since they used next year's 4th round pick to trade up to get him), then I believe that he's a long-term project that will ultimately fail. If they are truly hoping he can become their future LT, then I think he will be a 3-4 year project. He has a lot to learn and to work on, but it doesn't sound like he has the natural ability and foot speed to ever be effective at LT. I think if anything, he might wind up at RT or OG, but he sounds like a depth-type player only. If you're right about the Jets hoping he can develop into their future LT, then I think Clady will be here not only for his entire initial contract, but the Jets will probably have to sign him to another 1 or 2-year contract following that. Shell was pretty awful in pre-season games. He played RT his first 3 years at South Carolina and only moved to LT his senior season. According to the draft reports I read, he sounds better suited to be a backup at RT, . It would be great to be able to find a quality LT that low in the draft, but imo that's an extreme example of trying to build an OL with mid and lower-round draft picks. I don't believe in using 1st round draft picks on interior OL, but I believe that one HAS to use a 1st round pick on one's LT. I think one can find excellent RTs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds, but usually they will need to be taken in the 1st round as well. Following are selected quotes from Shell's draft profile at several sites. Italics as emphasis are mine. Part 1 http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/brandon-shell?id=2555193 and http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/1852872/brandon-shell http://walterfootball.com/draft2016OT.php http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/04/brandon_shell_scouting_report_on_jets_5th-round_pi.html
He's listed as the backup LT on the depth chart (http://www.newyorkjets.com/team/depth-chart.html) and they exclusively played him at LT during the pre-season. For those reasons, I think they have penciled him in as Clady's successor. I have a lot of respect for the Jet's scouting and coaching staff. If they believe (after having him in and working with him over OTAs and during training camp) that he could be a starting LT, then I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt. To be honest, I was extremely skeptical with Winters and Johnson and, so far, they are much better than I expected them to be. If they can do what they've done with Winters and Johnson, then maybe they can do it with Shell also.
Yes, for all the reasons you listed, I agree that they see him as a LT. Your reasoning is sound. I have a lot of respect for and and trust in Mac and the Jets' scouting and coaching staff as well. If they still think he can be an LT, great. I hope they're right! It would be awesome if we could find our next starting LT in the 5th (4th really) round. I guess the Jets scouts and CS believes or knows that all the weaknesses the other scouts listed can be corrected with technique/fundamentals work, sound coaching and learning from Clady. I was also skeptical with Winters and Johnson and the CS certainly has done a job with them.
He's also 3rd amongst all rookies in tackles thus far (one being a CB) and from what I've seen he hasn't missed much tackles at all. His athleticism jumps out through the screen but it's been his play recognition ability in which has has really stood out to me. I wish I could find film on it because the ways he read the play, reacted with natural instinct (no hesitation) and shot the gap in order to tackle an athletic LeSean McCoy for a loss behind the L.O.S was something beautiful to watch.
Yea, but scouting and development basically means we haven't been able to draft well. And not being able to draft well isn't an Achilles Heel, that's an Achilles All-Over-the-Body.
Nick Mangold even at the age of 32 can still perform at a very high level of play for another 2-3 seasons. Take Kevin Mawae for example, played with the Jets at a high level until the age of 34 followed by giving Tennessee another 3-4 years of play. Nick Mangold can without question give us another 2-3 years of strong play. With healthy Ryan Clady truly has Hall of Fame pass protection ability and at the age of years 30 I can easily picture him giving us another 2-3 years of strong play @ LT. I'm not saying to ignore the offensive line but if Clady can remain healthy while Winters comes into his own (two big if's) then over the next two drafts and free agency Maccagnan can be in position to really attack skilled player positions early & often (just knowing that our offensive line is in good position for the time being). With Forte being 30 along with an incredible draft class of HB's coming out (I'm in awe of Dalvin Cook out of FSU) I can even see the Jets pulling the trigger and drafting a playmaking RB come the 1st round. Followed by drafting a powerful thumper of an MLB to replace David Harris in order to pair Lee with another IMLB. All I know is that, if both Clady & Winters can solidify our LT & RG position(s) here in 2016, Maccagnan will then have unlimited options moving forward.
this is an excellent post.... i think the issue with our crop of young players though (lets say 25 and under) is that they came in under 2 or 3 different regimes and under 2-3 different systems/philosiphies, and the owner had some meddling input on some of that. in short, its kind of messy. we have 3 young qbs. none likely to get playing time this year, taken under 2 different GMs. none project to be great. any will need high reps to get to even being what fitz is now or close to that. there isnt much high end talent. most of our 1-3 round picks were busts, defense concentrated or need over value moves. and the impact guys are also concentrated on dline. further, alot of our higher selections where guys with injuries in college who were injured early on in the pros as well. its just kind of messy. i think a few more mac drafts and it will look ea little better. but right now i dont have a ton of confidence in young guys to replace revis, marshall, mangold, forte, etc...
Well they need some tough love for Jalin Marshall right about now, Belichick style - put him on the bench with multiple fumbles.
I said it b4 and ill say it again. Anderson needs more touches...Marshall has always dropped key passes...why isnt the red zone as effective as it was last year?
