I am very worried about NT, b/c I don't think D-Rob's knee can stand him playing at NT weight. He missed half the year and he was around 315, which is small for an NT. Next, I say it's the lack of an offensive playmaker. There isn't one player that can hit a home run on this offense, not one. Lastly, name one guy you think can get 7 sacks this year on this roster? I don't feel comfortable that any of the front seven will generate much heat on opposing QB's.
If TREVOR JOHNSON can stay healthy, he has the necessary speed to make a difference. Kenfall will be replaced by Adrian Jones! Leon Washington and DONTRELL MOORE might make CURTIS expendable! When BRAD SMITH gets some training, McCairins is gone! JOLLEY & BAKER will have great years! I worry about getting a widebody DT! Anthony CLEMENTS can do the job at RT incidentally! He is massive!
I like your analysis--you hit the nail on the head on the first 2 areas--OLB and RT. I think RB and WR are NOT need postions anymore--the jets got three backs with loads of potential--Houston, Washington and Moore--now if they'd ever get the balls to tell Martin to hang it up, maybe one of these backs could develop--WR? I actually like the proposed conversion of B. Smith and the ex-Ball State WR Dante Ridgway. They could push Coles, JMAC and Cotch.
1) RB- I dont buy Leon washinton being our future back,he went in the 4th round for a reason and i didnt really see any games i which he dominated in he only rushed for 430 yards last year and was basically a backup.The jets should adress rb in one of the first 2 rounds next in the draft. Solution-Adrian Peterson or Tyrone Moss 2) OLB- In a perfect world Gocong would have fell to us at 76, but for some reason Tangini was greedy and wanted an extra 7th rounder who will probably be cut when the season starts.Any way this is a need that should be adressed because Hobson doesnt fit and will only be a backup in the 3-4. Solution-Gaines Adams 3) WR- Hopefully Cotchery has a monster season this year entering his third season, but it might not happen.Since it hasnt this a top need or question mark whatever u wanna call it. Soultion-There is none Cotchery will be that guy, and if not hopefully get somebody in free agency or draft. 4) DE-Kimo is not a long term option as he 35 coming into this season , Bryan Thomas is too small and Bryan Johnson isnt good enough to be that starting end in the 3-4. Solution-Baraka Atkins a player who fits us pefertly could be a player we target in 07. 5) CB-I think Justin Miller will prove why he was supposed to be first rounder in the 05 draft.He will start most of the season and either take Dyson or barett's job.I dont think Dyson is a long-term option for us he's young at 26 but is on his 3rd in the last 3 years, somethings up.Barett would be a very good nickel back for us, but thats it. Solution-Free agent i would mention some names out there but i dont have the info on upcoming free agents.
Baraka Atkins? Isnt he like 260? Hed have to gain a helluva lotta weight to even consider playing 3-4 end
1.DE - Thomas and Kimo are both under-avg. players at this point. 2.DT - We've got great depth, but we don't have a "star" here. 3.OG - Our line is great now, but we could really use 1 more player. 4.WR - Our WR corps are just avg. Our QB situation is a little jumbly also, so we need great WR's. 5.S - Way too young is where we are...we need experience and depth.
RT - Still scares me some but maybe Jones will fill it, he looks to have put on some weight WR - Still do not have threat at WR that can go deep or be a target int he endzone DT - Well I sure hope Dewayne has the strength but this looks scary for our new line Rush back - Thomas may fill it but just as easily he may not Overall I am not thinking we will do well this year but we are going through a rebuild that will take alot more than one off season
I have absolutely no problems with the LB's we have on the field! Guys trash Barton when he was actually one of our best LB's and Hobson because he does dirty work and is actually a sure tackler.... Adding that next LB for the 3-4 is key but as long as they don't try and have a DE like Thomas go back in coverage it's all good. Here's an Idea for you.... Bring in a Safety and Play him @ the 4th LB position Like Pete Carroll Used to do! IMO- That's better than trying to get a DE to cover space.
Atkins is 260 but is strong enough to play DT cause he started at it last year at 258.He will probably gain 10-15 pounds from now until the draft.
Still, playing it on the college level is alot different from the pro level. Hed have to get up to 290 at least before we could even consider playing him there. Thats just how the 34 works
NT no longer concerns me. My thought is - with Mangini being a defensive minded coach he recognizes the importance of stopping the run. NT being the keystone to a stout run defense. The Jets didn't even make a run at any of the available FA NT's. Coming into the draft I was sure that they would be looking to draft a young guy to plug the middle. When that didn't happen a light bulb went off in my head. Mangini must have seen something in Robertson to make him a believer. There is no way that Mangini would go into this season without making a move otherwise. All I've read about our 7th round choice Titus Adams screams 3-4 DE. It's said that he would operate best as a 3 technique DT. It's also said that he could possibly benefit from shedding some weight. Unless we sign a cap casualty I'm going to have to trust that Mangini would not lead us into this season with a gaping hole at the most critical point of our defense. Here's to hoping Robertson will shine with the expectation only being to eat up a double team. http://insider.espn.go.com/nfldraft/draft/tracker/player?id=9722 http://www.nfl.com/draft/profiles/2006/adams_titus
I'm mostly concerned with run blocking on the right side of the O line. Moore is very average, and I'm not sure Jones can drive block well enough to re-establish the run blocking and running game. That second round pick we got from Washington is going to be HUGE next year. The Jets could draft a guard there, and still use the two higher picks for an RB and a NT, WR or OLB, if needed. We should have the cap space to fill another hole in FA next year. Maybe a DE for the 3-4.
We are covered in most areas, it is now up to the coaching staff to get them to play to their abilities. NG - My biggest concern but apparently not with Mangini. He must see something in DRob, Pope and Pouha where he is satisfied. OLB - Hobson used to be a decent pass rusher and Barton is good when healthy. We dont need specialists if the D disguises its blitz packages wisely we will get many sacks. DE - I think the future is Titus Adams and Darryl Adams. one of these guys will be groomed to replace Kimo as a 3-4 DE. How Bryan Thomas does this year with the new coaching will be very interesting. RT, RG - We have an open competition btn Clements, Jones and even Teague. We have 3 guys doing a nice job in NFLE in Missant, King and Snell. I'll bet one of those 3 will replace Kendall and maybe even Moore in 2007. S - A lot of folks questioned picking a SS on day one but I think Coleman regressed last season and like many have said, Washington hasn't done much. We also have the kid Maddox from NC State but there is no clear cut starter next season at SS or FS IMO. WR -Cotchery has 80 catch potential if given the opportunity. If he gets a fair look, he will start this year. We have many questions like most teams but I think several of the youngster will step up and take over next season. I also expect a big contract or 2 to get cut June 1st (McCairns? Blaylock?). That is why we have saved so much cap space IMO.
