Inside Slant Posted 4/2/2007 8:56 PM ET Help wanted: Successful NFL team seeking defensive lineman, particularly defensive ends. Experience a necessity, but recent experience not a must. Returnees to the NFL welcomed. Apply in person to New York Jets, Hofstra University, Hempstead, N.Y.A casual observer could be forgiven for thinking the Jets have placed such an ad, considering their recent run in signing defensive linemen, especially retreads such as 1998 first-round pick Andre Wadsworth, who hasn't played a down in the NFL since 2000.Not only have they signed Wadsworth and fellow first-round flop Michael Haynes, drafted by Chicago in 2003, but the Jets also grabbed unrestricted free agent David Bowens, who played for Miami the last six seasons. Bowens has 18 sacks over the past three seasons and is expected to be a pass-rushing specialist for the Jets, who would like to get more heat on the quarterback without having to blitz so much. While those blitzes by the likes of strong safety Kerry Rhodes often worked, they also left the Jets vulnerable in the secondary, particularly in their loss to New England in the playoffs.The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Bowens had five sacks for Miami last season and played well for former Miami defensive line coach Dan Quinn, who now is coaching the Jets' defensive line. Bowens' contract is for $6.1 million over three years, with escalators and incentives that could push the total value up to $8.1 million. Earlier in March, the Jets signed defensive end Kenyon Coleman of Dallas. Coleman likely will be a starter and has the versatility to move inside in third-and-long situations in which Bowens likely will be on the field.The Jets obviously aren't expecting Wadsworth and Haynes to be starters, and if they could get some help from even one of them they likely would consider it gravy. Eric Mangini and his staff certainly demonstrated an ability to "coach up" players last season, and Quinn has that ability as well.The run on defensive ends also makes it obvious that the Jets won't be looking for D-line help when they select the 25th overall pick in the first round of the draft. The likeliest option at this point seems to be Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis, although to put it in Mangini-speak, that's a fluid situation. NOTES, QUOTES ?Andre Wadsworth, the third overall pick in the 1998 draft, was signed by the Jets. The 6-foot-4, 272-pound defensive end started 30 games over three seasons with Arizona from 1998-2000, but was plagued by knee injuries. He hasn't played in an NFL game since then."Andre came in for a workout," coach Eric Mangini told the New York Daily News. "He had a really good workout, but spending time with him after the workout was extremely impressive and he looked for an opportunity. In meeting with him, and seeing where he is physically, we thought it would be a good chance for us to give him that opportunity."Wadsworth was drafted right after San Diego selected Ryan Leaf with the second overall pick. Who knows? Maybe the Jets will sign Leaf to compete with Marques Tuiasosopo and Kellen Clemens to be Chad Pennington's backup. Then again, probably not. ?The NFL hasn't released its full 2007 schedule yet, but did throw out some nuggets recently, including the fact that the Jets will visit Dallas on Thanksgiving for the Cowboys' traditional later-afternoon Turkey Day game. "We're excited to play on Thanksgiving for the first time since 1985," owner Woody Johnson said in a statement, "and take part in what has become a great American tradition."The Jets lost at Detroit in 1985 in the Pontiac Silverdome and also lost to the Lions in 1972 at Tiger Stadium. Those had been their only Thanksgiving games since the 1970 merger. QUOTE TO NOTE: "He's an impressive, fun guy." ? Jets coach Eric Mangini to the New York Daily News about free-agent signee Andre Wadsworth, who has been out of the NFL since 2000. STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL MEDICAL WATCH: No updates. FRANCHISE PLAYER: None. TRANSITION PLAYER: None. UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS ?FB James Hodgins' re-signing up in the air after the addition of Darian Barnes. UNRESTRICTED FREE AGENTS (not tendered offers) ?NT Rashad Moore (not tendered as RFA) struggled last season, although he was playing with an injured hand. Won't be back. RESTRICTED FREE AGENTS: None. EXCLUSIVE RIGHTS FREE AGENTS: None. PLAYERS RE-SIGNED ?OT Ed Blanton: ERFA; terms unknown. ?OT Anthony Clement: UFA; terms unknown. ?DE Bobby Hamilton: FA; had been released by Jets; terms unknown. ?CB Hank Poteat: Potential UFA; $635,000/1 yr, $40,000 SB. ?TE Sean Ryan: RFA; $850,000/1 yr. ?C Wade Smith: UFA; 1 yr, terms unknown. ?LB Cody Spencer: RFA; $850,000/1 yr. ?LB Bryan Thomas: Potential UFA, $25M/5 yrs, $9M SB. ?S Jamie Thompson: ERFA; terms unknown. ?RB Stacy Tutt: ERFA; terms unknown. ?WR Wallace Wright: ERFA; terms unknown. PLAYERS ACQUIRED ?FB Darian Barnes: UFA Dolphins, terms unknown. ?DE David Bowens: UFA Dolphins; $6.1m/3 yrs, SB unknown. ?DE Kenyon Coleman: UFA Cowboys; $20M/5 yrs, $5.7M SB. ?DE Michael Haynes: FA; terms unknown. ?RB Thomas Jones (trade Bears). ?QB Marques Tuiasosopo: UFA Raiders; 1 yr, terms unknown. ?DE Andre Wadsworth: FA; terms unknown. PLAYERS LOST ?FB B.J. Askew: UFA Buccaneers; 1 yr, terms unknown. ?DE Dave Ball: Not tendered as RFA/Panthers; terms unknown. ?RB Kevan Barlow (released). ?RB Derrick Blaylock (released). ?QB Patrick Ramsey (released). ?OL Trey Teague (released). Posted 4/2/2007 8:56 PM ET > http://www.usatoday.com/sports/football/nfl/jets/home.htm
"likeliest option at this point seems to be Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis" I stopped reading the article at this point- USA Today once again proving that they have no clue...
How's come? I would say he is the front-runner based on need with Blalock likely choice 1B depending on if Mangini thinks Revis is worth it.
Agreed. Revis may very well be the BPA when we select in the 1st round. He's a guy w/ alot of upside and would make an insanely goodd KR tandem w/ Miller
If Mangini follows the Belichick draft ideology, then there's no chance we draft a corner in the first round.
Revis will be gone by the time it's our turn IMO. I've seen a couple of mocks that have :steelers: taking him.
multicolored i m has t u r ||| |||| ||UUU|| n UU UU UU UU e UU UU UUUUUUU d UU UU UUU UUU into UUU UUU UUU i f | | | | a | | n | n | | | | | u t | | | | | | | | o | | | | | | | (____(^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^)____) it sybolizes the beginning of spring. and I was tired of my portrait. Tim
if he actually falls that far then i hope he would be on or close to the top of the list and as you pointed out...his special teams ability would be a interesting aspect j. miller sucks rants: honestly i would trade justin miller in a heartbeat for any offer...what a bum this is the same system that made chad morton look like the best KO man in the league...cotchery has returned one and even worthless jonathan carter took 2 to the house...(not to mention leon in the preseason) i'm not saying anyone can fill in and be effective and that those mentioned were better(the last thing we want is another lamont jordan returning kicks) but the majority of speedy guys can fill his place in OUR system...i think michael bates averaged over or around 30 yds per KO in our system and he sucked the guy is just so damn worthless he cant even return punts...or play corner he is completely one dimensional and after we draft a corner he will rank 6th on the depth chart behind everyone miller's value is about as high as it will get...so trade him while he has value i dont think it will happen, but i think it should
WOW! That's pretty bad man-- Morton was known for 1 game against the Bills with 2 KO's--none of those guys you mentioned were even in Millers League He consistantly gets us into good position
i think it got a little messed up wen u posted it??? or maybe its suppose to be that way, and if so, WTF???
He signed with the Bucs. Plus I don't think he could play in the 3-4. He is undersized, and I don't think he would be that effective as an outside linebacker in the 3-4.
I think you are severely underestimating Miller's abilities as a kick returner. Morton is essentially known for a 3-4 game stretch, and he never showed a glimpse of the natural burst that Miller has. he is w/o a doubt a top 5 KR in the NFL, more likely top 3. As for his corner abilities, the guy is 22 years old, has played 2 very different systems in 2 very different seasons, and showed improvement as the year went on. Additionally, ask anyone who attended TC last year who our best DB was in drills, scrimmages, etc...and most will say it was Miller. He is extremely gifted. Give him time and at the very least he'll be a very reliable nickel back.
I'm not a Miller fan either. He was our worst cornerback last year by far. One play he'd look great, another play he would look absolutely awful. He can't tackle, he get's turned around all the time. You can't have a player that's so inconsistent playing CB on this team. People bring up his potential, but IMO he's got way too far to go.
I want to like the kid, but he looks like such a jerk. Every time he makes a play on defense, I'm wondering if he's going to get an unsportsmanlike. He's completely out of control. I would not be shocked if he gets cut. All the talent in the world and the Jets started a seventh rounder and a journeyman ahead of him last year AND brought in Mickens before that because they had no faith in Miller. He has to come back with a new attitude. -X-
