DbJ Rides Again

I have been away from the Jets forum for quite some time. As many of the denizens of the BS forum are aware, my son was seriously ill and was just released from the hospital after a 65 day stay. For those who don’t stray from the Jets Forum, you can read the whole story here: http://forums.theganggreen.com/showthread.php?t=4557.

I have not posted anything outside the thread on my son, since early April. As such, I’ve got plenty to say regarding our beloved Jets.

Let’s start with the draft. Prior to the draft, my preference was to trade down and try to pick up a RB in round 1. However, I was by no means locked into this. My position was that there were any number of ways to go in round one that could work IF AND ONLY IF they made good moves throughout day one.

Now on the morning of the draft it was hard not to get a little excited at the prospect of landing Reggie Bush, if the price was not exorbitant. When Reggie went to the Saints, while it was not a shock, I have to admit, I had a twinge of disappointment. At pick 4, Brick was not a sexy pick, but a solid one. As I said earlier, the key was not that pick, but what else they did to complement that choice. Mangold was another good choice. With those two selections, they picked up the best LT and C in the draft. Given the state of the Jets’ O-Line, it was hard to find fault with these choices.

Where things got a little wacky was in round 2. I would have really like to have seen the Jets take a RB, but the top tier ones were gone. I had no issue with the trade down. I have no real knowledge of Clemmens, but everything I see I like. I have heard comparisons by many here to Pennington and mostly as negative ones. I don’t understand this at all. Chad Pennington was a top flight QB before he was struck by numerous injuries. If Clemmens is another Chad, I only see that as a VERY positive thing.

So far, so good. Where criticism was at it’s highest was in round 3. Anthony Schlegel and Eric Smith were not players on anyone’s radar screen before the draft…and everyone questioned these choices. However, both players fit the mold that Mangini and Tannenbaum have been talking about…smart, tough, versatile players. I heard the complaints that players like Gabe Watson and Max Jean-Gillies were still on the board. My take is that, for whatever reason, the front office was not interested in these players…they didn’t take them in round 3 and might not have taken them in round 7. You see, from a “value” standpoint these were good potential choices, but the Jets did not find them to be the type of player that they wanted on the team.

On day 2, there were some pretty intriguing choices. Brad Smith could turn out to be a dynamic playmaker. I, for one, eagerly await seeing what Mangini and Schottenhiemer do with this guy. Leon Washington was another guy that could turn out to be better than he was slotted.

All-in-all, when you look at what the Jets did, they didn’t do anything to get overly excited about, but you have to see that there is a definite culture change going on. Tangini had a plan and they stuck to it. On top of all that, the Jets came away with an additional 2nd round pick next year. Smart…very smart.

Speaking of the paradigm shift that is occurring in Jets management, you get the sense that there is really something special going on. You hear Mangini say that every position will be an open competition. However, to me, it sounds like this isn’t just coach-speak. I think he really means it. If Kellen Clemmens is the best QB (I am not saying he is), he will start. If Cedric Houston is the best RB, then Curtis will not get the most carries. This is a dramatic change from the Herm Edwards awarded tenured positions. I hope the tone he sets will get the respect of the players. I really think this guy has a plan (or maybe a “formula” is the better word). None of this means anything if the guy is a crappy game day coach, but being well prepared in the offseason certainly bodes well for the regular season.

I also think that Tannenbaum is proving a lot of people wrong. I’ve been arguing for a while that the “Tannenbaum is nothing but an accountant” talk was utter BS. Smart is smart, regardless of your college major. I am not yet ready to crown him the next Ron Wolf, but this guy has something on the ball and is an aggressive, type-A personality.

Neither Herm nor Bradway was horrible. They had their good points and their bad points…but on the whole, they were just not good enough. Are Mangini and Tannenbaum going to be better? I don’t know, but they are at least going to be different from their predecessors…and for me that is good enough (at least for now).

With regard to Pennington, I just don’t understand the hate for this guy. He has done nothing but play his guts out for the team. The fact that he came back too early last season is not his fault, it is the head coach’s fault. I really want him to succeed and be the starter this season. However, if one of the other QBs is better, I am fine with that. I just want to win.

The running back situation is still a mess. Curtis is the best player this team has had over the last 10 years and deserves every accolade he is given. However, aging superstars are not going to yield big dividends. Can he get big yardage totals? Sure, if you give him the rock 25 times a game. But that is not what this team needs to win. I love Curtis, but his time has passed. I am not sure his successor is on the roster right now. Although, I think Washington/Houston make an intriguing lighting/thunder option. How Mangini handles the RB situation will be telling of his coaching style.

One area that has yet to be addressed is replacing Abraham. However, with a changing defensive scheme, I’m not sure a replacement is needed. I think Mangini and Sutton may find a way to work Bryan Thomas and Dwayne Robertson into their system and have them live up to their potential.

The Jets will not be horrible this season. I think there will be some early struggles, but I expect them to end pretty strong. Playoffs are not impossible but VERY, VERY unlikely. I think the best way to measure success is to look for smart coaching and strong effort from the players. If we can start there, wins will follow…but it will take time. Regardless of wins or losses, I am looking forward to this upcoming season more than any since the 1999 season.

In other discussion topics that have been bantered about, here are my thoughts:

- Chrebet was a clutch player with a great story, but there is no way he deserves his jersey retired. There are many more deserving players…and even receivers.

- Klecko is a borderline Hall-of-Famer. He is comparable to may others under consideration. If the Jets had won a Super Bowl with him, he would be in. Unfortunately, he might just never make it.

OK, I guess that is enough for now.

Happy to be back! :up:

DbJ

 

I was gonna do that, but I'm saving that for post 1,100. Don't worry...those are still coming.