To me Coles is the perfect fit for us. Why not?? I have more confidence that he will contribute something to the passing game than I do in "Mr. August". Not to mention ... Coles will also blow people up as a blocker. Not sure if I ever saw Clowney do that.
That being said, I really hope he signs somewhere else... he is so over-rated by some on this board its ridiculous... he is washed up, and I'd rather give any one of our young WR's a chance before forced into signing him
Clowney and Smith have had more than enough time and opportunity to prove themselves as NFL wide receivers. If you don't think Coles is better than either of those two at WR (and I specify WR), then I'm sorry but you have no idea what you're talking about. Those are the guys he replaces on the depth chart. Smith will still be utilized as a utility player as he always has been but now we have a legit NFL WR on the field for weeks 1-4 against (Bal, NE, Mia, Buf) and a legit NFL WR for depth after that. If anyone can beat out Coles in camp for that #4 WR spot, then they earned it. If not, we've made the team better.
Aundrae Allison, Marcus Henry, Britt Davis, Larry Taylor I'd like to see what these guys can actually do before signing a has been, sorry call me crazy, but 4 TD's and barely over 500 yards playing with Carson Palmer last year doesn't actually scream sign me... He's washed up... Never been a fan.... just me, I do have a right to my opinion. He's no better of an option right now than Brad Smith, I think Smith is actually a better option... not a fan of signing a guy to play four games at the expense of someone who can do other things... Coles is NOT going to play specials, while anyone of these 4 guys would give their left nut to make the roster, at least one would hope that... I may be wrong, but I think its a mistake
I don't know if you can call a 4th string WR a mistake... Smith is still going to get his touches where he's actually capable of doing something: in the wildcat.
Clowney better learn how to play special teams.. and quickly. At least Coles knows the deal coming in: “If I come in and perform, I’ll stick around,” Coles said. “If not, when Santonio comes back, they’ll show me the door.”
I don't think this is a move made to "push" Clowney. Unless you mean it's to "push" him toward the unemployment line. I think this makes it clear that the Jets have no confidence at all in David Clowney becoming a big contributor to the team. Maybe they can work with him on returning kicks or covering punts as a gunner or something to buy him more time on the roster.
That about sums up where I am with this too. I didn't like his whining when last he was here, but he was a contributor, and he's certainly better than typical #4 or 5. It isn't like he's going to be a #2 or 3 here anymore anyway.....welcome back LC.
On a running team that should only pass more because it has talented WRs, the #4 WR is almost irrelevant. The upside is 20 catches tops? This is assuming the receiver who ends up with that spot has a solid 4 games while Holmes is out. Even if Coles comes here and bombs, then Smith and Clowney are around to replace him. There's very little downside in bringing him in.
The one thing that really surprises me is Clowney... has he ever dropped a pass in a game situation? Maybe once ever? He must be terrible in practice or a silent headcase... he's got the natural ability, his hands have been good in game situation... Oh well, that's why they're the coaches and we're the shmucks doing internet debates.
I think Clowney is a little like Clemens. He shows promise, but then every single time he gets a shot, he fails to take advantage of it. No matter how well you hit it at the driving range, the game changes when you address the ball and the stroke counts.
His route running is awful. He has dropped a couple, but he has shown pretty good hands. A guy with his speed should be able to get separation fairly easily, but his route running sucks. The first 4 games are huge against Bal, NE, Mia, Buf. Plus he gives us great depth if someone should get hurt. If Smith or Clowney were worth anything at receiver he wouldn't be brought in. And of course if he's just a washed up has been with nothing left to offer they should easily be able to beat him out for the #4 spot, right? Also, Rex may be screaming ground and pound all off season, but every move this team has made points to the Jets being a passing offense. They must really trust that Sanchez has improved exponentially based on how they built this team in the offseason. I see us passing far more often than last season. Far more. We don't have a guy behind Greene that can be a legit work horse, but we are looking to sign a legit 4th WR. We brought in 2 RB's with great receiving skills. We ditched a great run blocker with a lot of pull in the locker room because he sucks in pass protection. Oh and we brought in some guy named San Antonio or something? The Jets will be a passing offense in 2010. Brad Smith - Career (4 seasons) 60 receptions, 513 yards, 2 TD's Laveranues Coles - 2009 43 receptions, 514 yards, 5 TD's I love Smith, but he's not an NFL WR. Coles is. Again, if any of these guys can beat out Coles in camp they will start over him. They won't because Coles is still, even in the twilight of his career, a MUCH better NFL receiver.
It could be a number of things with Clowney. I was surprised not to see him get more targets since he never seems to drop. It's hard to tell how a receiver runs his routes because of the camera focus you get from the network, but he doesn't ever seem to be getting much separation when he is on the field most times I have seen him. Route running maybe?
I think Coles is a solid depth signing. Clowney appears to really just be a deep threat IMO. That and one hell of a preseason player. Like Abyzmul said it's hard to tell how a WR runs his routes but Clowney had a chance to step in last year when Cotchery was banged up and did nothing to show the Coaching staff that he is anymore then a number 4 or 5 WR who could serve as a good deep threat for this team. Even though Coles has concussion problems and has clearly lost a step he is not going to be asked to play a big role in this offense. Once Holmes gets back he is going to see very few snaps anyway. I like this signing for the Jets.
WSW, it's hard to compare a #1 or #2 WR's stats to Brad Smith's stats up until this point. Granted there is a reason why Smith has that role though.
