So does anybody watch D'Brick play? Or does everyone think he's subpar because of his sacks given up? I've been focusing on D'Brick ever since we were out of playoff contention (quite early) and he's been pretty good. Those sack numbers don't reflect his play.
This is an extremely important point Very few of the "elite" LT in this league would look good next to the crap we have lined up next to them thanks to the brilliant planning of Tangini.
I think we definitely need to sign at least 2 offensive lineman this off-season and draft another one in the first 3 rounds as well. I am thinking we should go after Jake Scott from Indianapolis because it seems Lilja is more of a priority for the Colts to sign, making Scott available. Scott can play LG or RG equally well. Then we get Stacy Andrews who can play RT, RG or LG. So then in the first few rounds we need to draft either a RT like Chris Williams or a guard like Roy Scheuning. There we have 3 new lineman, and it did not get too expensive as both signings will be relatively inexpensive. Although it is still going to take some time for our o-line to get good because even with all of these new guys it will be improved, but still very young and inexperienced.
Our offensive offensive line I am not a football expert, but the one thing my mama told me about football is that the game is won in the trenches... With that in mind, my mind explodes as I think of all the mistakes the NY Jets have made with their offensive line over the years... Remember the 1-15 season? That was highlighted by the big signings of some offensive linemen who were supposed to life the team to another level... Forgive me if I forget their names. Parcells somehow revived the team AND the line. Where did guys like Fabini, MacKenzie, and Mawae go, anyhow? Who was the IDIOT who forgot how important the OL is? And of course, there's the KEndall situation. In my opinion, this is one of the WORST sports mistakes in NY sports history. The Jets dropped from the playoffs to a lottery team in one stupid move over a lousy $1 mil. (I know this is a lot of money to you & me but in pro sports it's just not that important!)
It's almost comical at this point that some people were on the D'Brick side of the D'Brick vs Mario Williams debates before the '06 draft. LG and RT are absolute musts to upgrade this off-season, and I would feel much more comfortable with a new RG and Moore as depth. And I fully expect changes to be made. Remember, it's not like Mangini/Tannenbaum completely ignored the OL. They made big bids in 06 and 07 for Runyan and Colombo, respectively. And they spent two 1st round picks (one top 5) on OL. They made a mistake, either overrating the talent here, thinking improving RB was enough, expecting the coaching and schemes to minimize the lack of talent, or all of the above. They've learned from it.
Offensive line draft: D'Brick Hey, I was thrilled when the Jets chose D'Brick in the draft. And I was very happy when they chose Mangold. I love tohse guys! Thing is, in the NEXT draft, when they traded all their draft choices to move up... As much as I like those players? (Revis & Harris) I was wondering why the Jets thought they were so loaded with talent that they didn't need any depth. This was the same question I asked myself when the Jets spent their second round draft choice on a kicker a few years before... Look, I am no football genius. I guess a lot of you guys on this board are smarter than me. But as stupid as I am? I could never figure out why the Jets let Pete Kendall go. When they signed him (off the Cardinals roster) all the media fawned over the Jets for getting a Pro Bowl player. When the Jets kicked him out the door? It was like they threw out the garbage. Well the Redskins are going to the playoffs...
I liked the move. Mangini/Tannenbaum are looking to build a contender over the long-term. For the first time I can remember, the Jets were actively doing whatever they could to get the best players for the long term success of the team. Instead of getting 4-5 average/above average players (which has been what the Jets have done for so long), they decided to go all out and get two bonafide stud defensive players. And now we have a Pro Bowl caliber CB and LB for the next decade. Sure, maybe NOT making the move and adding a few extra "decent" players would've made the team better this year, but in the long term (which the organization is working towards), I think we'll be much happier with the two top tier players.
Question: So this means Kendall is the guy reason it happened? Logic dude. Kendall being on a winning team doesn't make him a good player. The man's 35, undersized in today's NFL, and not even that good. But all of a sudden this man is reason #1 why we suck to the anti-Mangini crowd.
Yes, THIS is the reason why the Jets sucked in 2007... A lot of people agree that kicking Pete Kendall off the team was the #1 reason why the Jets fell so far so fast... 1. Kendall was a teacher of sorts, and added attitude to the Jets O-line. (This is according to Ray Lucas, a commentator, who has said over and over that the biggest reason that the NY Jets fell apart this ear was getting rid of Kendall. But what does he know, since he only played for the team under Parcells.) 2. Left guard (Kendall's position) has been a disaster this year--or haven't you watched any games? The offensive line, a strength last year, has been the ruin of the Jets in 2007. 3. Yes, the Redskins are in the playoffs. Apparently, they have an offensive team that can run-block, a coach who can inspire the players, and a defense that can stop the other team. Did the 2007 NY Jets have any of those things? Apparently not. I keep hearing how the Jets lost 10 games by seven points... So who is to say that having a solid offensive line might have helped them win half of those games? Or maybe more? At least this season wouldn't have been such a disaster. Unless you enjoy looking forward to the draft more than winning!
