Draft Buzz (jets News)

hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

Jets favor Leinart over Ferguson

By Todd McShay
Scouts Inc.
http://insider.espn.go.com/nfl/draft06/insider/columns/story?columnist=mcshay_todd&id=2422261

According to a source, the Jets are far more interested in USC quarterback Matt Leinart than they are leading people to believe. They have attempted to play it cool recently, but the organization came to a near consensus that Leinart is the top quarterback prospect after working out all three of the top prospects (Leinart plus Texas' Vince Young and Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler) during a six-day span more than a week ago.

The Jets likely will take Matt Leinart -- if he's still on the board at No. 4.

The Jets' trip to Eugene, Ore., to visit privately with QB Kellen Clemens was not a smoke screen, but it did help draw attention away from their interest in Leinart. If Leinart comes off the board in the first three picks, New York likely will take Virginia offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson at No. 4 and address the need for a young quarterback with Clemens in the second round (pick No. 35).

The Jets own seven of the first 117 overall picks in this draft, and general manager Mike Tannenbaum and new head coach Mike Mangini subscribe to the Parcells/Belichick "more is better" theory -- particularly with a draft class so deep in talent. With that in mind, do not expect New York to part ways with picks to move ahead of the Titans, who are rumored to be undecided about whether to pick Leinart or Young at No. 3. However, the Jets apparently will pull for Leinart to slip to them at No. 4.

Although New York is hoping for the best with starting QB Chad Pennington, there is a strong feeling around team offices that Pennington will not be ready for the start of next season and can't be trusted to hold up for the entire season. Patrick Ramsey is a decent backup, but the team realizes his limitations. That's why, despite contrary reports, we've been told the Jets will gladly select Leinart over Ferguson if faced with that decision at pick No. 4.

• The 49ers are flat-out committed to Maryland tight end Vernon Davis at No. 6. One of the reasons we know this is because they turned down a proposal from the Broncos, who wanted to trade up to the sixth pick. Instead of making that deal, which would have allowed Denver to land Davis, the 49ers traded one pick each in the second and third rounds to gain an additional first-round pick (No. 22).

The Niners are now able to use their first pick on Davis, then address one of their several defensive needs 16 selections later. The team could use the 22nd pick on one of many defensive backs projected to be available or on Manny Lawson, who would fit an even bigger need at outside linebacker in the 49ers' 3-4 scheme.

There has been some speculation that the Packers are considering Davis with the fifth pick. If that becomes the case, Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk would be San Francisco's choice, but only after it attempted to move out of the sixth pick.

• Baltimore is willing to trade out of the 13th pick for the right deal. So far, there seems to be an awfully big market, mainly because teams interested in USC offensive tackle Winston Justice know they need to move ahead of the Eagles (No. 14) to secure him. The Cowboys (No. 18) and the Buccaneers (No. 23) are two of the teams interested in Justice.

There is also a rumor floating around that the Patriots (No. 21) have interest in moving up to the Ravens' spot. One report has New England doing so for Florida receiver Chad Jackson, but that's not coach Bill Belichick's style. If the team does move up, it's more likely to be in pursuit of linebackers Kamerion Wimbley (Florida State), Ernie Sims (Florida State) or Chad Greenway (Iowa).

According to a source, the Eagles would take Jackson if Justice is off the board. Although Jackson is a better fit for the Eagles because of his size, speed and overall upside, the Broncos prefer Ohio State receiver Santonio Holmes over Jackson. The Broncos need to use their 15th pick on a player who can help right away, and Holmes is clearly the more polished route runner and more proven commodity at this point.

There is concern among the Denver brass that Holmes could be gone by the 15th selection, but the Broncos don't like Holmes enough to package picks to move up for him. If Holmes is gone, the Broncos will first entertain trade-down offers, then, if they can't find an appropriate suitor, will make a tough decision between Minnesota running back Laurence Maroney and NC State's Lawson. As a side note, one of the reasons the Broncos value Maroney over Memphis' DeAngelo Williams is because of Maroney's experience in a similar zone-blocking offensive scheme at Minnesota.

• The Dolphins have time to develop a receiver behind Chris Chambers and Marty Booker, which explains why they value Jackson over Holmes. If Jackson is gone, the Dolphins will aggressively look to trade down in an attempt to gain back a pick in the second round. If Miami gets stuck, Virginia Tech defensive back Jimmy Williams is rumored to be the team's preference. Although some teams have Lawson graded out in the middle of the first round, I'm told the Dolphins consider that a reach.

• There also is some trade buzz regarding the Rams with the 11th overall selection. According to a source close to the situation, the Rams would consider moving back for the right deal, but only if quarterback Cutler is off the board. That obviously begs the question of how interested new head coach Scott Linehan truly is in Cutler. If the answer is very interested, the Rams might also be in the market to trade up a couple of spots to snatch Cutler ahead of the Cardinals, who are leaning toward Cutler at No. 10. As far as a trade-down partner is concerned for the Rams, I've been told Miami is one of the interested teams.

• The Lions evidently are crossing their fingers that Texas defensive back Michael Huff falls to them at No. 9. If Huff is off the board, Detroit currently rates Florida State's Sims ahead of Justice on its pecking order of prospects who fit positions of need.

• The Browns' dream scenario would be for Oregon nose tackle Haloti Ngata to fall to them at No. 12. The 338-pounder could help spell Ted Washington as a rookie and eventually replace the aging veteran as the anchor in the middle of Cleveland's three-man front. However, the Browns are correct to assume that Ngata will be gone by the time they go on the clock. So, Plan B becomes Wimbley, who would make an ideal fit as an outside linebacker in coach Romeo Crennel's 3-4 defensive scheme.

• It's no secret that Auburn offensive tackle Marcus McNeill has a back condition (spinal stenosis). What is difficult to gauge, however, is how much of an effect it will have on his draft status. McNeill has been considered a late first-round prospect for much of the draft process and has been in competition with Miami's Eric Winston to be the third offensive tackle taken in this year's class -- behind Ferguson and Justice. As the draft nears, it's safe to say McNeill's back condition will become tougher to overlook. At this point, it wouldn't be surprising to see Winston come off the board ahead of McNeill and see McNeill slip to the early stages of the second round.

• Western Michigan receiver Greg Jennings continues to skyrocket up many teams' draft boards. Jennings lacks elite size (5-11½), but he is a polished route runner with reliable hands and better-than-average top-end speed (4.46). In what is widely regarded as one of the weakest wide receiver classes in the past decade, Jennings could come off the board early in the second round.
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PennyandtheJets · Apr 26, 2006

Matt Leinart would be awesome, but I just don't think the Titans will pass on him...

jaybo1015 · Apr 26, 2006

titans will shock people and take vince young... ***hopefully***

hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

it just nice to se the eam be realistic about pennington situation . unlike some on this who believe pennington is coming back to save this team.

JETSFAN5180 · Apr 26, 2006

The Jets are gonna shock the world and pick Vince Young.

JetsFan · Apr 26, 2006

I would rather have any of the three QBs over Furguson. If we are going to pay that much money, I at least want the guy to touch the friggin ball and score some points.

xVILMA51x · Apr 26, 2006

JETSFAN5180 said:

The Jets are gonna shock the world and pick Vince Young.
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You know, I'm having the same feeling...

Big Poppa Naich · Apr 26, 2006

I'd love either Leinart or Young, but I love Young's upside!

Tony · Apr 26, 2006

JETSFAN5180 said:

The Jets are gonna shock the world and pick Vince Young.
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Man, that would be sweet. I've been wondering if the apparent disinterest in Young has been a smoke screen this whole time. I doubt it, though...

alwaysbeenajetsfan · Apr 26, 2006

JETSFAN5180 said:

The Jets are gonna shock the world and pick Vince Young.
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ihonestly wouldn't mind him. not the typical type of jet's QB, i dont' think weve ever had a qb with the ability to run like young. but i thought he played well in college, though some of the things questioning his smarts concern me, if young is rated higher then dbrick, then the jets should take. him. will be intersting to see.

BleedinGreen · Apr 26, 2006

I've been wondering for a while if the Jets were purposely playing it cool regarding Leinart. I had a hard time understanding why there was very little interest. If they are not going to take Leinart/Young, then hopefully they grab Williams.

PennyandtheJets · Apr 26, 2006

Tony said:

Man, that would be sweet. I've been wondering if the apparent disinterest in Young has been a smoke screen this whole time. I doubt it, though...
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Yeah, I like Vince Young too, but I doubt we draft him. Matt Leinart, D'Brickashaw or Mario Williams are safe bets...

RobA · Apr 26, 2006

Titans will take vince young, jets will trade down.

jets1960 · Apr 26, 2006

Young is dumb. I want a smart QB to rebuild around this team.

AlioTheFool · Apr 26, 2006

The Jets won't take Young. I'm sure of that. (No, I have no inside information, this is my opinion.)

I hope Tenn listens to Chow and grabs Leinart. I want nothing to do with the guy who spent an extra year in college to continue partying in LA.

Williams, Hawk, or trade down. I'd be okay with Davis or Cutler at 4, but I wouldn't be happy.

EcKo151 · Apr 26, 2006

Leinart will make me happy, i'd scream for him if he falls to 4!

But I just think Tennessee will take him, even with this Young talk, I hope i'm wrong...

28rogerblaze51 · Apr 27, 2006

I really don't like none of the QB's this year.. I hope mario falls to us.

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