looking at this from a strictly personnel view - yes - we DO need another body back there who can carry the rock. But this is where some teams go into panic mode and sacrifice too much either in players or picks . i like to look at things with the jets from a long term, building view and i am not too sure trading another player or draft pick is the way to go here... Why? well to rebuild a team the right way (if there is a right way) you HAVE to build the trenches first - the trenches are the offensive line and the defensive front seven (using the 3-4 as your base d). look at the teams that have gone from worst to first during the past 20 years. most of them had an influx of talent along the lines at first and then brought in the skill guys to complement them once they saw what they had to work with. i can tell you that the jets brass, the way it is structured today, has the same plan - build the trenches and then top it off with selective skill guys who may not be bonafide superstars but will get the job done. they rebuilt at least 2/5ths of the o-line this draft and will add a couple more guys next spring. next on the list - d-line - it is almost a given that 2 of the first 3 picks next year will be defense and likely in the fornt seven if not the d-line itself. the other focus next spring WILL be running back obviously, along with a helping of WR. so, lets not be foolish and and propose to give away young players or future picks just get a guy back there. lets wait for the final cuts and see whats out there. maybe we can get a guy for MINIMAL expense, cap hits, or draft pick compensation. jil
I do agree that the coaching staff should work with what they have for this season. There are certainly a few promising young RBs in Cedric Houston and Leon Washington especially. Throw in a veteran in Blaylock and here we have a solid 'Running Back by Committee.' Face it, whoever we acquire (if anyone) is more like a hold-the-fort player. If nothing works out this season at RB, there's quite a few good ones coming out next year.
I agree, let the players in camp play, and whoever wins the job starts if he does not get it done try the next guy, we hav 4 runningbacks (curtis as one), if theycant play why are they even on the roster, and that not including askew or whoevr else is there.. every year it seems there is a runnnig back that comes out of nowhere, why not one of ours
Great post, jil. We've always seen eye to eye on the trenches, and I agree with you on this as well. I'm OK with going into the season with the current running backs, and addressing the position early on day one of the 2007 draft.
The suggs deal was a good deal if he was healthy. You were not giving up much to get a 1000+ yd rusher (if healthy for 16, I know a big if, but it was worth the risk). I wouldn't trade any of the 2nd rounders.
Did you guys see that pre-season game? They need a pass-blocking RB. Anyway, obviously the Suggs deal is an admission by the Jets organization that they don?t have a RB in the roster that could handle the load. Peace out.
You're preaching to the choir Jil. We've been saying all offseason to let the guys on the roster show what they have so Tangini can make an informed decision come draft day '07. I was against the trade and for one am damn glad Suggs failed his physical. We shouldn't be in panic mode at all. Its called rebuilding and last week's preseason game is a prime example of what it looks like..
Why's this even a question? This is basic football knolwedge. Without a good running game opposing defenses will have no respect. I for one dont want to see Pennington blitzed on every down.
I think a lot of people are losing sight of the fact that theres a difference between a good deal and a bad deal. The fear is that since were actively searching for help at halfback, were going to overpay. I dont think thats the case. Strait for Suggs was a good deal. I dont think the Jets are so desperate that theyll make a bad deal and overpay for a mediocre player. So as long as theres no bad deals being made, why would we not want the Jets to go out and acquire an upgrade at halfback?
I agree, if it cost anything more than any of the following then its not worth it...a third stringer or a round 7 pick, then making a trade isn't worth the while...we were not looking to make a run this year - so not having Martin will not affect that
Yes, but who exactly could we bring in to give us a "good running game"? IMO, there's no one available (without costing an arm and a leg) that would be a significant improvement over what we have. I still like Cedric Houston, and think he should see some more time. If Martin isn't ready for the regular season, Houston should be our "hold the fort" guy until the next draft (which should have a good cast of RBs, BTW).
i think we need reggie bush to be honest, give them whatever they want... we can't work with what we have, the current roster is horrendous. How can you expect to lose by less than 60 in any game with our current roster? Are you fo' serious? FO' SERIOUS?
a voice of reason. maybe some folks will realize this and start the "Lets trade for whoeverssecondstringbumthatscoredatouchdowninmymaddengameonce" threads. :breakdance:
This issue should have been addressed WAY before this. The fact that Curtis is 33 and this is a knee injury, they should have added some depth and insurance at the position. If they thought that Blaylock and Houston were that depth and insurance, then why change course after a few weeks of practice and one preseason game?
Absolutely. The Suggs deal was fine - we got a potentially good back without sacrificing any building blocks, but I definitely think this is not the time to panic.
The Jets need to have better than we have back there right now if they want to avoid a TERRIBLE season. The ground game sets up the passing game and without a semi-effective one our rookies on the o-line are going to get too much experience defending against the blitz this season. The difference between an average back and what we have now is probably 3 wins. 6-10 with and 3-13 without.
the problem is that the coaching staff must not believe that houston can be our hold the fort guy. from what i have read he hasn't done a good job at pass blocking and then in the preseason game he almost got our qb killed. yeah, its ok if he isn't a "great" runner, but he has to be able to at least do the little things right so the rest of the team can function, and at this point he might not be able to do those things well enough.
