1) OLB- One of the keys to a 3-4 defense, along with NT. Jets obviously blundered when they missed out on Gocong. Either Hobson or Barton will have to step, but they are stop-gaps, and not the permanent solution. 2) OT- Adrian Jones may have all the athleticism in the world, but with him on the right side and "Brick" on the left side, our run game will suffer. A bigger, stronger tackle is needed- whether Adrian Jones can become that man is another issue altogether. Im not calling for a Mike Williams type mammoth either, but the fact that we made a strong bid to sign Runyan should definitely say something. 3) RB- Martin may be entering his final year and we need a franchise back that will serve as a catalyst for this offense. Washington and Houston will likely serve as a solid platoon in the meanwhile, but neither has proven they can be a feature back. 4) WR- McCareins has not proven anything in the 2 years he has been here. He must either shape up or ship out. He may have been hampered by an injury this past season, but his hands have always been questionable, especially for a #2 receiver. 5) OG- Kendall is nearing the end and Moore's one decent year may have been a fluke. A developmental prospect at the very least is needed, to groom for the future. Feel free to add your own and comment on mine.
I don't think that the perceived holes at WR and RB are going to be addressed with any haste between now and the beginning of the 2006 season, although these guys have made me wrong a time or two so far. We have a lot of untapped talent at WR, RB and TE that was atrophied through neglect, I think Mangini might want to see what he can get out of these guys himself before he start cutting a bunch of young guys. Platooning RBs is how I see it happening in 2006, and I think there will be an open and exciting battle between McCareins and Cotchery for the #2 WR position. TE is also going to be an area with a lot of attention paid to it. I'm not sure if these guys ever got practiced under Herm. Baker could end up going to the Pro Bowl as easily as he could continue on his current path. If he stays healthy, that is.
1) NT - Need a big beefy guy on the line somewhere on the depth chart. Maybe that kid they got in the 7th, but as of right now, the D-line needs some beef. 2) OT - RT if Jones or Clement does not work out. But another OT for depth would be good. 3) OG - Kendall is only getting older. Need his eventual replacement. 4) DE - Kimo will be gone next year IMO, and Thomas is an lifetime backup. 5) S - I know they just drafted Smith, but Washington is a bust. They need to get rid of him and get a player for some solid depth. 6) WR - They need a speed guy. Someone to stretch the field. Maybe Dwight or Smith can be the guy. I am not sure. I think they might do something about this next year in the draft.
The biggest hole at the moment is NT. The Jets have nobody on the roster who has played NT in a 3-4 defense in the past. D-Rob might be the answer but he might also be unable to make the adjustment and if that's the case the Jet's have no reasonable plan B on the roster at the moment. Pouha's lateral quickness is completely inadequate for the role. The NT has to be able to get in either guard's way to keep them off the inside linebackers and Pouha wouldn't be able to make the shift consistently. The second hole is at RB, with Curtis being the only seasoned rusher on the roster and looking a bit old at 33. Blaylock will never be able to carry more than a 3rd down back's load and Houston and Washington are unknown quantities who both have primary issues to overcome. Houston looks like he's going to have issues as a mainstay, it's not any single thing that handicaps him but the sum of his abilities. He's not a particularly strong runner inside or a quick one to the corner, and he has little to no escapability. Washington is really short to be an every-down back. 5' 7 1/2" is just not tall enough to pick up blitzers and make them keep their hands down. That cause problems for the QB in terms of deflections on short passes over the middle. He'll also be a liability in the receiving game with a much smaller target box than the average 6' runningback. Good hands are always nice but they don't help you when the QB throws the ball a bit high and to the outside because he's worried about a lurking safety and you're not tall enough to make the catch. The third hole would be outside linebacker. The Jets really need a playmaker who makes things happen opposite Barton. Hobson is basically on his last chance to prove that he's worth keeping. Slow and steady is not an admirable trait in an outside linebacker. Forcing fumbles, sacks, interceptions, tackles for a loss, these are what make for really good outside linebacking play and Hobson has failed to produce any of them. Looking at the Jets right now compared to where they were 6 months ago is like night and day. But they still have their work cut out for them this summer.
"Biggest holes" may not have been the best title...biggest "question marks", perhaps? Its quite possible any of the given players on our roster step up, but it is unlikely. I also agree TE should be on the list, but it is less of a concern, especially if RB and WR are addressed first. As for McCareins, I really see absolutely nothing in him, and I have voiced my opinion of him numerous times before. When we traded him we were supposed to be getting a deep threat with great speed and solid hands. I believe that limited playing time as the slot receiver in Tennessee (only played the #2 for a limited extent) was what made him look better than what he truly was. He has not displayed solid speed or the ability to get a quick release off the line here. His hands are worse than questionable- people were critcisizing Moss for his hands in the Pitt game and praising McCareins, but the fact of the matter is Moss only dropped 2, McCareins dropped 4. Im really hoping hes not here for a long time
I wouldn't say TE. Baker IMO is a very good pass catching TE. He even has that swagger (celebrates alot).
It's time for the Jets to give Jerrico Cotchery a real shot at the #2 job. Going into the last camp he really had no chance to compete with Coles and McCareins and Chrebet was still a lock as the slot guy. This year the Jets need to throw him into the mix in a big way and find out if he's worth something. Otherwise they'll wind up in the same situation they were in with Coles in 2 years when Cotchery finally has a big season just before his RFA year comes up. You need to get production out of your potential stars early in their careers or you wind up just developing guys for other organizations to exploit.
Ugh, I cant believe I forgot about 3-4 DE, that definitely ranks up there as far as our needs go. Titus Adams might fill that hole, but chances are that as a 7th round pick, he wont amount to more than just depth. I think NT is more a "question mark" than a "hole". I believe that Robertson will rise to the occassion with great success. Size really isnt an issue, for those who claim it is- he's the same size as Pitt's Casey Hampton and NE's Vince Wilfork. Agility isnt an issue either, hes got some of the quicker feet you'll ever see out of a 320 pounder at any level. I dont believe strength is an issue. At 6'1'', 320 pounds hes an absolute bull, and once he gets under your pads, theres no chance getting any push whatsoever on him. But if you look at his weaknesses, his one major weakness has always been that he appears lost in blocking schemes. Well, as a 34 NT, his job will be simplified and he wont have to make the same reads a 43 DT would. A change in position may very well be in his best interest and finally help him to take that next step
I think it really depends on Training Camp, and how Mangini evaluates their ability. If Cotchery shows that he deserves the #2 spot, then I'm sure Mangini will do the right thing. It was weird that Herm raved about the kid last spring, yet completely neglected to include him during the regular season. Oh well, hopefully that's just a thing of the past now. I guess I'm in the minority when I think McCareins is a total waste. He was brought in to be a deep threat, and has disappointed vastly. Yeah, I know...our QBs can't throw a pass over 5 yards, yadda yadda, but McCareins really didn't make it easy for them, either. He doesn't get seperation, and just doesn't show the speed he had when he burned us as a Titan. Now, it wouldn't be so bad if he was a decent, physical, over the middle WR, but he can't even catch the ball. He drops way too many to be considered a 'possession' WR. I'd rather see what Cotchery can do, instead.
KVO and Ellis should give us some real play at DE. KVO is coming right out of Pittsburgh's 3-4 so he'll have very few adjustment issues. Ellis has too much talent as a two-way player not to be able to make the adjustment. So they need one more guy for the rotation or as injury cover. A NT's life can be hell if he can't figure out which guard he's supposed to be on in a given play. D-Rob, as you point out, has had more than a few "who - what- where?" moments in the 4-3. I don't think he gains anything from moving to the 3-4, probably somewhat the opposite effect. I'm thinking the odds are 50/50 at best that he makes the adjustment. We'll see. If he can't make the adjustment he might well be moved to DE. The Patriots drafted Ty Warren to play the nose for them and then wound up moving him to DE for 90% of the snaps. They took Wilfork in the next draft to close the hole for good.
u have a problem with brick on the left side?????he will not hurt our run game he will help it greatly!!! i bet a majority of martins runs will b to the left side this year................but we do need........ 1) RT 2) OLB 3)NT
Well, I meant a future 34 DE...Kimo's certainly a good player but hes not the future. There arent too many impact 34 DEs in college right now, so we need to draft one ASAP to give him time to transition to the position. As for NT, I cannot say anything with certainty concerning the position, as it is a position I have never played and have no prior experience with. But from what I do know, Drob's sole responsibilty will be to hold gaps, rather than try to get to the quarterback. Most likely such a simplification in responsibilty would benefit him
You're judging OLB, and RB before you've ever seen any of our players in a 3-4, and before you've seen what both Houston and Washington can do over a season. Guard, Receiver, Nose and offensive tackle are by far our biggest needs.
It works both ways you know...you're criticizing me for placing OLB as a need before weve ever even seen the 3-4 here, but if thats the case, why are you content to place NT as a need then? I think OLB is a need because I do not see Hobson's (or Barton's) skill set transfering over to the 3-4, but on the other hand I believe Robertson is perfectly suited for it. Washington might prove me wrong, and hes shown flashes he can be a nice player, but can he carry the load and be a feature back? I dont know that he can
we cant fill any of these holes from now until the beginning of the season. the last thing the jets need are quick fix 30 year olds. they had about 5-7 glaring holes before the draft, and theyve still got about 3-4. just wait till the next season, or we could develop a player this season. we cant fill nemore holes now.
