Cool...I am not sure if the Jets can pass on McFadden if Gholston, and both longs are gone. McFadden would crowd the backfield a bit, but TJ won't last forever and we can find ways to get both of them on the field. Example: TJ as the RB and DMC as a slot receiver. I think it could create EXTREMELY favorable matchups.
If I recall, in early 2006 after our abyssmal 2005 season and the first year under Mangini, we were picking #4 in the draft. A lot of us were hoping for Bush to fall to us, but realisically I think we knew this would not happen. A lot of us wanted a QB - Leinart, Cutler, etc. And there were some that were hoping D'Brick would be there for us. Incidentally, we won a meaningless game the last game of that season, too, against Buffalo, which took us out of the #2 spot in the draft or possibly Bush may be here now. Well as it turned out we could of had a decent QB at #4, but D'Brick was there and we took him, and mostly everyone was happy about the pick. It did make a lot of sense given where we were at the time, and when we got Mangold, too, it made even more sense. I think the first couple of years with D'Brick have been interesting, but he has lacked talent near him. That has changed. I expect him to have a vastly improved year in 2008. It could be the first year he really started living up to his pick position. This year is interesting. With the Jets doing major shopping in FA, it has really narrowed down what we would do. Of the big names on the board, who would we draft if they came down to #6: Chris Long Jake Long Vernon Golston Darren McFadden Leodis McKelvin Sedric Ellis Glenn Dorsey Clady? Matt Ryan Cromartie If you look at the list, it is pretty clear that somebody pretty good will be there at #6. It could be McFadden, but Gholston could be there ,too, or both. Or maybe Chris Long would fall to us. Glenn Dorsey could fall depending on how his leg is viewed in terms of risk. There are so many things that could happen. I think if you look at the FA's we brought in and the acquisition of 2 new RB's, I really think we are gearing up to use what we have now for our running game. I could be wrong, but I don't see with what we have done why anyone would think that we would go for McFadden if he fell to us. I really think we have set ourselves up for a Gholston, one of the Long's, possibly Glenn Dorsey (I am sure we will give him a physical between now and April 26th just to be prepared) the other would be the CB Leodis McKelvin who evidently has vaulted up the boards a bit. If you really look at what we have done, we have set ourselves up for drafting for the Defensive Line or Backfield, an Offensive RT, or maybe (if Law doesn't show) a CB. We also have set ourselves up to trade down and still acquire very good talent in the first round teens, plus we would likely have another 2nd round pic, too. Now, if we did pick McFadden, I would not be upset, but I would be in shock only because all the signals pointed away from it and the Jets would have disguised their plan better than I could have even hoped to figure out. I do know that there will be no guessing by the Jets when #6 is called. They will make the best pick for the team based on need, research, athleticism, etc. Or, you will see them trade down very quickly because that is exactly what they wanted all along. When '07 ended, let's face it, things looked bleek. The shopping list was huge - the draft by itself was not going to get it done. The FO really stepped up and didn't mess around in FA, which is exactly what had to happen based on the Line help we could acquire and had to acquire (both O and D). The FB was a bonus. Now, we head into the Draft with optimism. If a couple of key things break our way, we could have a real legitimate shot at going to the playoffs and even getting past the first playoff game with a W.
That would shake the draft up a bit...I think that Chris long would go to the Rams, but it would be a near lock that either Gholston or McFadden would be there.
By dominant playmaker, do you think they are dreaming of "Able To Leap Tall Buildings In A Single Bound"? Regardless of how fast a RB runs the 40, without an OL that pass blocks and run blocks, there will be no plays to make. If we know the OL is producing well, and our skill players still don't run the ball well, then we get some RBs who can and will. But at the moment, we have some FAs and maybe we will also get some draft picks. Why is it that all these guys want to throw out our RBs in favor of a newbie until they see how the OL works with the players we already have....? It's a mystery.
First of all, the jets have addressed their needs on the offensive line...so you can't say "Regardless of how fast a RB runs the 40, without an OL that pass blocks and run blocks, there will be no plays to make." We have our oline! Now is the time to add players who make the plays. Also, even if the Jets do in fact draft McFadden, it does not mean that they will "throw out" our other RB's. WE CAN USE ALL OF THEM! Washington is a great change of pace back and special teamer. TJ still has one or two good season left in him so a RBBC could be implemented. And lastly, McFadden can lineup all over the field. It doesn't have to be in the backfield. He can play WR too. The Jets only signed Chatman to a one year deal. I think they signed him just in case McFadden doesn't fall to them.
I think we need to provide TJ and washington an opportunity to run behind this line. If our running game is not significantly improved then we need to look fo an RB next year.
Nice post. Toatally agree. :up: They really are sitting pretty at 6. If I had to grade their #6 right now I would expect they could do no worse than an A- with who would be there. That's including Ryan Clady. (a little reach) You bring up an interesting point if they sign Law. I don't see them picking a corner if they do that. The only way they screw this up is if they reach too far at #6 or if they trade down and screw that up. And judging by their track record I don't see that happening. Very nice offseason so far. And I see a potential wild card berth as well.
Rodgers-Cromartie played against weak talent his entire college career, and he wasn't feared by any I-AA offensive coordinators. They didn't throw away from him, in fact, they threw right at him and had success. TSU went 5-6 and gave up a ton of points. TSU did have a swiss cheese defensive line...but they also put up a lot of points on R-C's secondary. He's tricking everyone...because he's possibly got I-A starter talent, and he looks like a man among boys in I-AA. I know he's been named an All-American, but that's mainly because he scores TDs (on special teams and he took both of his INTs back to the house). If he pans out, he'll be a MAJOR project, and he'll probably take 3 seasons to catch on the NFL game. His cousin turned out to be a big time corner, so everyone thinks he's going to be this star corner. Someone is going to take a chance on R-C because he had an extremly productive combine. WORKOUT WARRIOR. He could turn out to be a good player, but if he doesn't...some dumbass GM is going to be paying millions to a career backup I-AA corner because he ran a nice 40 time and he looked good in some drills. Ever heard of Mike Mamula? He was a workout warrior also.
I think they are taking a long look at Ryan. Check post #10 http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=30852&highlight=Ryan
