http://www.nfl.com/news/story/10218782 (June 8, 2007) -- This is what I like about the New York Jets' offseason moves: One of the very best trades of the offseason, if not the best, was the Jets' swapping second-round draft picks to land Thomas Jones from the Chicago Bears. This has robbery written all over it. Although the Bears viewed Jones as expendable after deciding to put the bulk of their running game in the hands of Cedric Benson, the Jets wound up with a back who figures to be as good as if not better than any runner they could have selected in the first round. Jones, who gives the Jets the most talented player they have had at the position since Curtis Martin suffered a knee injury in 2005, should do wonders to help Chad Pennington sell his patented play-fakes. As impressive as general manager Mike Tanenbaum and coach Eric Mangini were in making that deal, they displayed more trading prowess during the draft. Rather than wait for the best available players to come to them, they moved up to get the ones they wanted -- former University of Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis in the first round and former Michigan linebacker David Harris in the second. Revis was one of the two best cornerbacks in the draft, along with Leon Hall of Michigan, and immediately becomes the best on the Jets' roster. Revis has enough athleticism to help him overcome the typical mistakes that all rookies at the position make. He needs to refine his skills, but is easily capable of becoming a starter right away and holding his own against quality receivers. Revis has lined up at nickel back with the first-string defense during offseason workouts. Harris is a physical, smart, instinctive player who excels at making plays at the point of attack. He does not possess great athleticism and would likely be a liability in man-to-man coverage. But Harris should function well in Mangini's scheme, which does a nice job of putting players in the right position to succeed. Harris has been working with the second-unit defense in offseason workouts, but should eventually work his way into a starting spot. This is what concerns me: Pennington made a remarkable comeback from two surgeries on his throwing shoulder. The fact he was able to remain healthy and play the first full season of his NFL career was impressive enough, but he also contributed to the Jets' reaching the playoffs. However, it might be unrealistic to believe he could duplicate those accomplishments in 2007. If he can't, the Jets would be in serious trouble because they don't appear to have another legitimate starter in backups Marques Tuiasosopo and Kellen Clemens. The Jets still don't look as if they have much-needed bulk in the middle of their defense. Although nose tackle Dewayne Robertson played better in the second half of the '06 season than he did through the first eight games, he is better at making plays on the move rather than tying up blockers so that linebackers can get to the ball. Defensive end Shaun Ellis has been in a two-year sack slump. Inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma seems like a square peg in the round hole that is Mangini's scheme. If Ellis doesn't step up and play as effectively as he did while generating a combined 23 1/2 sacks in 2003 and '04 and Vilma doesn't find his comfort zone, the Jets' defense is going to be vulnerable.
I'm really pumped to see Revis and Harris in action. Hopefully their presence in training camp is felt and motivates all the other CBs and ILBs to play better.
Frankly, I'm getting a little worried about him myself. I know there are all sorts of arguments that say he'll be fine, like one about some guy Brady coming out of nowhere, but I would have liked to have heard SOMETHING other than "overthrown ball from Clemens" "more sacks than attempted passes" etc.
This is what concerns me: Pennington made a remarkable comeback from two surgeries on his throwing shoulder. The fact he was able to remain healthy and play the first full season of his NFL career was impressive enough, but he also contributed to the Jets' reaching the playoffs. However, it might be unrealistic to believe he could duplicate those accomplishments in 2007. If he can't, the Jets would be in serious trouble because they don't appear to have another legitimate starter in backups Marques Tuiasosopo and Kellen Clemens. The Jets still don't look as if they have much-needed bulk in the middle of their defense. Although nose tackle Dewayne Robertson played better in the second half of the '06 season than he did through the first eight games, he is better at making plays on the move rather than tying up blockers so that linebackers can get to the ball. Defensive end Shaun Ellis has been in a two-year sack slump. Inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma seems like a square peg in the round hole that is Mangini's scheme. If Ellis doesn't step up and play as effectively as he did while generating a combined 23 1/2 sacks in 2003 and '04 and Vilma doesn't find his comfort zone, the Jets' defense is going to be vulnerable. I agree with all of the above. Although the QB situation remains untested.
Vilma is a smart born Leader that will figure it out, his importance to the team extends to off the field as well. The defense has adjusted to the 3-4 and Ellis is working his ass off in the off season.. I am more than optimistic about this team's success this year... we must place our trust in Mangenius..he is the one.
What accomplishments would those be? 17 TDs to 16 INTs and an 82.6 rating? Yea, those are some AMAZING accomplishments......
I think you are being too literal. I took it that he was referring to the fact that IF Chad did get banged up , that we don't have a tried and tested #2 or #3 for that matter.
It's unrealistic to think that Pennington is going to stay healthy? Why, because he's still rehabbing his shoulder? Oh wait, no he isn't, he's completely healthy now. People really overblow how prone Chad is to injury. When he got hurt in '05, it was because his shoulder wasn't healed. Yeah he won a game and almost won another, but that's because he's a good QB. He was clearly still hurt. I really think the injury concerns with Chad are too much.
Also, the hits that he took probably would have taken out any other QB as well. The hit that Spicer put on him in that Jacksonville game to reinjure him was just sick to watch and seeing the still photo of Chad's arm being bent back that far back was unsettling. It's not like he's pulling a hammy every week or hurting himself in pregame warmups like O'Donnell. The injuries he's had are all really freaky injuries that are just flukes.
The fact is that Chad has had some horrendous injuries to his THROWING arm. Had P Manning had the same injury or any other QB it would have affected their game just as much as Chads. He is not as good as new and never will be , but hes making the best of what he has. Lets hope that he doesn't take 'that' hit which will probably finish his career next time around.
I agree, he took plenty of hits last year, and was fine. I don't consider Chad's health a question mark, more than it is for any other QB.
Well, people certainly can't praise the guy...he hasn't shown anyone anything yet. I guess thats a good thing because it means Chad has been taking all the snaps. People used to question Chad too before he finally got the opportunity to play. My gut tells me that Clemens will not turn out the same way though. Hopefully he proves me wrong, I just get the feeling that he won't be the answer post Chad Pennington.
I don't think of Chad as injury-prone, but more that he is just really, REALLY unlucky. The guy gets his thumb caught in the turn at Giants' stadium as he's being tackled. Anyone would have broken a bone. I honestly don't remember the first hit that he tore his rotator cuff, but I definitely remember the second hit and anyone would tear something if they had gotten hit like that. I wish I could find the pic that was floating around on the net. I think some people really need to see it just to show how badly his arm was pulled down.
Is it really that impressive when you give away lots of picks to move up to get somone? Correct me if I am wrong, but I always thought the challange was to get the best talent while retaining your picks. But mabye it is just me.
I don't like that everyone shits on Vilma in the new scheme...he isn't looking as good as he did in the 4-3, and sure, he is not making every play on the field any more, but she still had like 113 tackles last season. The guy will be better in the 3-4 this year, but if people don't start to understand that he is playing well but probably won't be an Urlacher on this defense, then he will be run out of town and will be someone else's gain...big time...
