NY DAILY NEWS By Gary Myers The Chad Pennington era with the Jets appears to be in its final days and the Jay Cutler era could be two months from opening. Even before they insulted Pennington with their offer to slice his pay this year from $9 million to $1 million, the Jets needed to find a new quarterback. They can't count on Pennington, not after two surgeries on his throwing shoulder less than one year apart. Where do the Jets go from here? "They have to do something dramatic," one GM said. The most immediate problem for the Jets is they are picking fourth in a three-player draft. Here's how the top three likely will come off the board: USC RB Reggie Bush to Houston, USC QB Matt Leinart to New Orleans and Texas QB Vince Young to Tennessee. Unless Leinart or Young slip to No. 4, or Mike Tannenbaum finds a way to move up to get one of them - neither scenario is likely - the Jets should take Cutler, the Vanderbilt QB who has been shooting up draft boards after a strong week of practice at the Senior Bowl last month, and sign a veteran to babysit him. So, in order, here's our list of who is most likely to be the Jets' QB next season: Jay Cutler, Vanderbilt: "Cutler has got a real strong arm and he's athletic," said one GM, who added that Cutler could turn out better than Young and Leinart. Matt Schaub, Falcons: A third-round pick from Virginia, he's started two games in his two seasons in Atlanta. His start last season came against the Patriots - he threw for 298 yards with three TDs with no INTs in a 31-28 loss. If Atlanta would take a No. 2 for him, you make that trade. "He's big, real smart, has an above average arm," the GM said. "He's not a great athlete. He doesn't get rattled." Matt Leinart, USC/Vince Young, Texas: It would be hard for Tannenbaum, in his first draft, to give up valuable picks to pull off a blockbuster deal to move up to get one of these guys. But it would be a great move if he did. The Saints are a virtual lock to take Leinart and get rid of Aaron Brooks. Chris Simms, Bucs: The Jets could have had him for a No. 1 pick after Pennington was injured last season. Then Brian Griese was hurt and Simms took over. He's a restricted free agent and the Bucs will certainly tender him at a level requiring first- and third-round picks as compensation. He's got a big-time arm, excellent bloodlines and could handle New York, but it's tough to see Jon Gruden letting him go. Patrick Ramsey, Redskins: He got beaten out twice by Mark Brunell, which tells you all you need to know about him. Joe Gibbs even drafted Jason Campbell in the first round last year to be Washington's QB of the future. Ramsey has ability and needs a change of scenery. But Gibbs isn't often wrong about QBs. He would be worth a mid-round pick. Kerry Collins, Raiders: He's 7-26 in his last 33 starts with the Giants and Raiders. If Al Davis cuts him, he could wind up with Jim Fassel in Baltimore. Drew Brees, Chargers: One problem: Brees tore the labrum in his throwing shoulder in the final game of the year and needed surgery. Just what the Jets need after Pennington, right? Philip Rivers, Chargers: San Diego already paid his $14.5 million in bonuses and his base salaries are manageable. But Brees' injury makes him untouchable and perhaps the Chargers' starter. Jon Kitna, Bengals: Carson Palmer's knee injury means it's imperative for Cincy to re-sign Kitna. Aaron Brooks, Saints: Underachieved all those years with New Orleans. Daunte Culpepper, Vikings: Could be traded, but his '06 availability is in doubt after tearing three knee ligaments last season. Brian Griese, Bucs: He lost his job to Simms after suffering a season-ending knee injury and could be a cap casualty. Would be a good short-term fill-in. Josh McCown, Cardinals: They elected to keep Kurt Warner instead. Is he any better than Brooks Bollinger? NYDN
Let's hope not. If we draft him with the #4 pick we just reached like you can't believe. Also, we'd overpay him like you can't believe. If we can deal down to the lower part of the first round, that's fine, but someone will reach before then. He's just not worth it. I'm sick of getting workout guys.
"He's got the skills to be one heck of an NFL quarterback,'' said ESPN draft expert Mel Kiper Jr. As a senior, Cutler completed 273-of-462 passes for 3,073 yards with 21 touchdowns and nine interceptions. He was at his best in his final three games against Florida, Kentucky and Tennessee, passing for 1,061 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions. In his final game, he led Vanderbilt to a 28-24 upset of the Volunteers in Knoxville by passing for 315 yards and three touchdowns. Imagine, Kiper said, what Cutler could have accomplished had he been surrounded by better talent. Of the 330 players invited to the combine, Cutler is Vanderbilt's only representative. Tennessee has seven players involved in the NFL's evaluation process. USC has 14. The factors that enhance Cutler's draft stock are his size ---- 6-4, 230 pounds -- and physical tools. He has a strong arm and more than adequate mobility. Along with passing for 8,697 yards and 59 touchdowns, he ran for 1,256 yards and 17 TDs http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060219/SPORTS0303/602190503/1004/SPORTS
I dont want him at all. I hate guys that "shoot" up boards like this after the season. Dewayne did the same thing. He wasnt regarded as this good a p[rospect during the season so why all of a sudden do people give him all this credit now? I just dont get it. Look at Alex Smith, Rodgers was regarded as the number one QB all off season until about ten days before the draft Smith shot up. I just dont get it.
Just how is Jay Cutler a reach at #6? Ken Palmer-New York Post-one NFL scout's top ten 1. Houston - USC RB Reggie Bush 2. New Orleans - USC QB Matt Leinart 3. Tennessee - Texas QB Vince Young 4. Jets - Virginia OT D'Brickashaw Ferguson 5. Green Bay - Ohio State LB A.J. Hawk 6. Oakland (wins coin flip) - Vanderbilt QB Jay Cutler 7. San Francisco - Oregon DT Haloti Ngata 8. Buffalo - N.C. State DE Mario Williams 9. Detroit - Penn State DE Tamba Hali 10. Arizona - USC RB LenDale White http://www.nypost.com/sports/63801.htm The Lions at #9 with Mike Martz love Cutler.If the Jets like Cutler as much as they rumored to like him,trading down a few spots and picking up an extra pick just isn't worth the risk of losing Cutler to another club taking him or another club trading up to take Cutler
The fact the writers and reporters who have no idea what Tannenbaum and Mangini are thinking believe the Jets are going to pick Cutler make me think that there is is no way it is going to happen, which is fine with me. If the Jets FO wanted to shake thing up they would fine a way to get Bush or Young. Taking the 3rd best QB in the draft with the #4 pick has bust (tryical Jets) written all over it. Lets look at the first 3 picks in the 1999 draft 1) Tim Couch (Bust) 2) Donavan McNabb (All-Pro) 3) Akili Smith (Who?) Picking Culter at #4 is way to risky...trading down is one thing but I'll pass at #4.
If we don't take Cutler at 4 he will be gone by 6 or 7. It ridiculous to think that we can't take him at 4. If Mangini thinks that he can be the franchise QB we desperately need than we have to take him at 4. Teams are gonna be lining up for him if he gets past us and will be gone in the next couple picks. Reach is the most overrated word when it comes to the draft. If you like him and can't get him with your next pick than you gots to take him when you get the chance.. He is not making it out of the top 10 that is a fact so whats the difference if we take him at 4.. Being a workout warrior is not the same for a QB, he has all the skills it takes to be a top QB in this league and with the right coaching will be. I really don't think its any question we take him at 4 if he is available, I'm just really surprised to hear anyone against this move..
Huge reach in my opinion. I wouldn't touch him before 15. That's just one man's opinion like this Ken Palmer's scout's opinion. I'd rather draft football players instead of workout warriors. Cutler has talent, but before all these workouts, people were thinking 15-25, except for Jabba, to be honest. I'm still in the 15-25 range. These combine things do not sway me much. I'll use them to break ties, but that's about it. I LIKE TO SEE IT DONE on the FIELD. Cutler played well during the season, but not well enough to warrant a top 6 pick. No way in my opinion.
There is no way in hell he makes it to the 15-25 range. Teams will be lining up trying to trade up if he makes it past our pick.. You really want to take the chance on pasiing a franchise QB and having him end up in Miami. Sounds familiar doesn't it??
Now Cutler is Dan Marino? Come on. If he doesn't make it to 15-25, then I'd pass. Honestly, I'd pass on a QB in the 1st round altogether to be honest unless Leinart was available. I'd definitely pass on Young. I'm not a fan. If I wanted Dan Quisenberry as my QB I'd just call him. I'd rather take the lineman, or drop down and get one of the backs (White, Williams, etc) and get more picks. I'm just not a fan of Cutler. You're probably right, he won't make it to 15-25, but that doesn't mean we should take him at #4
He might be, Marino wasn't Marino when we passed him. I sure as hell don't want to take that chance. To each is own but given our QB situation and the importance of the position league wide I can't believe any Jets fan wouldn't think this is the right move. It says alot to me that Saban loves the kid, I think he knows a thing or two about SEC players..
If Saban wanted him badly, the last thing you'd hear about is how much he loves him. We do need a QB but I don't know if this is the year to spend a very high first rounder on a QB who is going to warrant 15M signing bonus without even playing a down. That's 3.75M in signing bonus on the cap + his base (which would most likely NOT be minimum salary like it usually is for a rookie, because he can only get raises of 30% off the base salary in 2007 and forward unless there is a new CBA). QB is a very important position. Some #1 QBs work out (Palmer) and some do not (I could list 100 here). If we take the QB, I will support it because I'm a Jets fan. I will be disappointed though.
My thinking is we are gonna be bad next year no matter what. We might as well clear up the cap mess and get the QB some experience. Next year we have a rookie Qb with a year under his belt and we should be in better shape cap wise.. Not to mention that this draft is very deep with OLineman. My perfect situation is to get the QB first, build the OL and get some pieces for a Mangini D with the rest of the picks. Then next years draft with our Qb in place and line in better shape we can start bringing in the skill positions, maybe a Peterson or Jarrett to go with Cutler..
Hey, all you anti-Cutler guys....... What do we do for a QB if Leinert and Young are gone before we pick?
Personally, Since we're blowing up the offense anyway, I say we'd should just stay with Brooksie. He'll be cheaper than any of the guys on this list.
i like how some yall act like qb isnt a important position. just let me ask you if we draft a lb with #4 ovr who the hell are we gonna build our offense around. you guys are screaming cutler is a bust when i realty know one knows nothing .every pootential pick in the draft can be a bust the draft is a crap shoot. to declare a guy a bust before he is even plays a nfl game is crazy.truth is no one is sayig he is a day 1 startergms and coaches are drooling over his natural albility the can teach him the other stuff
Do not take cutler...with our online and his rapid rise...it just doesn't add up...sign some one on the cheap and rebuild the oline...don't bank the house a qb thats not proven and only has a strong arm, horrible delievery and ability to scramble, sounds like akil smith to me
