This may not be the place for this, but we have some important players scheduled to be free agents this year. Some I'm pretty sure we need to try and get back, and some we will have to replace in other ways. David Harris: Personally, I don't think Jeremiah George is the future starter. I think taking him in the 5th was a good move, because you never know what you're going to get but I have to think he's backup material. What I'd like to do is sign Harris back to a two year deal, with next to no dead money if we decide to part ways with him after 2015. I think we can get a team friendly deal worked out with him, since we made him very wealthy and he has played almost his whole career with Rex. He has lost a step in terms of athleticism, but he still makes plays vs the run and can blitz well. I'll be watching to see if George is moved to the active roster and gets some playing time. Damon Harrison: I think a lot of fans don't realize that Snacks is another reason we are saving cap room. He is an important player and currently only costs us about $480,000. If he plays for us in 2015, he's going to get a multiyear deal and a big raise. Frankly I'd be concerned that another team will offer him significantly more than us, and we will be looking for a new starting NT. I'd like Idzik to do everything he can to secure Snacks' place anchoring our line for the future. Kenrick Ellis: Part of the reason I feel so strongly about getting a deal done with Snacks is because Ellis is scheduled to walk away as well. We could be looking at our full NT rotation getting signed by other teams, and a position of strength suddenly disappearing. Ellis is starting caliber on many teams, and having him as our depth rotation player is a real luxury. Bilal Powell: Powell is a good player and an excellent 3rd RB. I really don't want Powell to walk away, but I have a hard time seeing us match what other teams will pay him since we already have $7 million invested in Ivory and Johnson for 2015. Time will tell if he proves his usefulness to the FO, and injury to one of our other backs would go a long way in proving it. Not something I'm hoping for of course, but if our two RB's stay healthy this season, we may not retain him and then end up needing him badly in 2015. There is also the reasonable chance that a 4th round pick can do a lot of what he does, for quite a bit cheaper. Jeremy Kerley: Kerley is a key player on our offense, and I think we drafted Saunders as a direct replacement for him. Saunders hasn't seen much action yet, but with 14 games to go don't be surprised if we test out Saunders in the slot quite a bit. Kerley is a fan favorite, since he was there when we had nothing else, but with Saunders drafted, I am pretty sure we will see Kerley on another team in 2015. Dawan Landry: Landry served his purpose as a stopgap player on the back end of our defense, and with the drafting of Pryor and the development of Allen, I'm quite sure Landry will be on another team in 2015. Kyle Wilson: Many fans have been waiting to get rid of Wilson for a number of years, and this is probably the year it happens. Wilson will find a spot on another NFL roster, but with the baggage he has accumulated with the Jets I very much doubt they re-sign him even if he comes very cheap. We will be heading into this offseason with Milliner and McDougle as our top CB's, and McDougle being a complete enigma. I have to imagine we will be looking very closely at free agent CB's and draft prospect CB's. Michael Vick: Don't be surprised if Vick cashes in with another 1 year $3-4 million deal with the Jets. a quality backup QB will be important, especially with the team nearing the window for true SB potential. The Jets will be happy to have Vick as a professional QB with experience in Marty's system, and real NFL talent backing up Geno again. Antwan Barnes: Unless Barnes come back from the PUP list and sets the field on fire, I doubt we will be bringing him back again. A healthy rotation of pass rushers is very important, but Coples' improvement, and some flashes from draft picks IK and Reilly make Barnes roster spot expendable. There's no reason we shouldn't look to FA or the draft for more edge rushers, but Barnes age, injury, and potential price tag make it unlikely that we bring him back. I think there is an outside chance he rejoins the Jets, but if I had to guess I'd say he walks. I'll be watching Reilly and IK closely for the rest of the season. Willie Colon: Now that we have accrued some talent around the field, and established depth along the offensive line, I think Colon's injury issues and penalty tendencies make him a great candidate to play somewhere other than the Jets. He is a talented guard in the run game, but I think most of us are ready to see a higher round pick invested in the offensive line, and Willie is the first to go. Leger Douzable: I want Douzable back, and I think he will be. He is a great deal at his cost, and with Mo probably getting his extension fairly soon we will be happy to bring back Douzable as an inexpensive yet productive backup. I think Douzable enjoys playing for Rex, and we should be able to secure his services for another season. David Nelson: I think there's a moderate to low chance Nelson will be back after this year. He's not a bad player, but he is the definition of a possession receiver/red zone threat. With a receiving corps of Decker, Evans, and Saunders, what we really need is another true starter. Whether that's through the draft or FA, I expect us to bring in someone more dynamic than Nelson. If Nelson ends up making our roster as the 6th receiver, I certainly won't complain, but he is not going to be a priority come the opening day of free agency. if we can sign him for $600,000 again, I'm all for it, but if he demands anything more than that someone else can pay him. In summation, the guys I'd really like back (and can reasonably hope for) are David Harris, Damon Harrison, Michael Vick, and Leger Douzable. There are more guys scheduled to be FA, but they are mostly back end players, all relatively easily replaceable.
There's an outside chance George does develop into our next starting Mike backer, but either way he's a practice squad player right now. Ideally he makes the active roster and gets some snaps by season's end, but I'd like to bring back Harris to ease in George or whoever is the future player at the position.
I pretty much agree with you. Davis has blossomed into a really good ILB, but without a solid replacement for Harris, it would be nice to resign him for a Pace-like budget deal, to continue playing while his replacement is being found and groomed. But if he wants a higher end deal, time to say good bye. We should really try to resign Snacks on a reasonable deal. Since he's not really a factor in pass rushing, theoretically he shouldn't be super expensive, but you never know. Between him and Ellis being free agents, I think Idzik has to play it smart and try not to overpay them, using TJ Barnes as leverage. These guys are important to us, but at the same time, they are not superstars, so we don't want to break bank on them. Powell I am not sure about. I don't think it's a good idea to pay millions to 3 running backs, so I think either he or CJ should be let go. Kerley is going to be hard to let go. I was hoping Saunders would show something, but he hasnt so far (or had much opportunity) in the slot, and Kerley is playing really well. But it depends on how much Kerley will want. As well as he's playing, he's still not a big time WR, so it will be hard to justify paying him a lot. Agree on Landry and Wilson. Wilson was passable as the slot corner on a rookie contract, but we need to bring in several corners this offseason. I don't have much hope for McDougle now either. I liked the pick because at the time it seemed like a good risk to take in the 3rd round, since some of his injuries were non-football. But now, with back to back season ending football injuries, and all that other stuff he had in college/high school, I think he might not be built for the NFL. So I think we should bring in at least two corners through the draft early or free agency/trades. Maybe three given Milliner's health issues and to increase our chances of them working out.
The thing people don't realize about Wilson is the things he does off the field with charity stuff.The orginization has a lot of respect for him ,I infact don't but that's a diffrent story.I want Harris,Powell,Kerley and Harrison back,I guess this is what Idzik saved money for that and the return of Revis!!
Good analysis by the way Powell and Kerley depend on how things go this year more than anyone else I imagine. If Saunders looks good, Kerley is probably gone. Powell situation is more unpredictable I think. There are far superior talents in FA next year that would cost about the same but I doubt the FO realizes that. this is all assuming these guys are pushing for their max market values too. Say we go 10-6 and make the playoffs. maybe Kenrick stays on the cheap for a year because he rather be part of the NT rotation of an elite defense on a team geared up for a SB run than pull a Howard and go to the Raiders. Right now my dream scenario is Geno shows steady improvement from start to finish, the back end of the D gets it's shit somewhat together, and Coples breaks out to be a QB terror. We go 9-7 or 10-6. Here's what I'm doing. Shoring up Wilk and Snacks. Throwing all my FA dough at Demaryius Thomas and Byron Maxwell (highly doubt we get either though because were not gonna go raider Joe on it). Some FA RB's that would be study if given the starting role: Roy Helu, Antone Smith, Shane Vereen. I am looking to take Gurley in the draft through, he would be the best RB we've ever had. Let Kerley, Powell, Harris, all the guys you mentioned go. Signing Ellis back if reasonable but probably not. Kerley you gotta keep if Saunders doesn't show up. I can email you his metrics report if you want
The Jets may have respect for his off the field stuff, and is probably a reason they have kept him around. I don't think Idzik is going to consider that enough to bring him back on a new contract. It's not so much that I don't want him back, it's more about a reasonable expectation for him to come back. My opinion on the matter depends somewhat on what Saunders ends up looking like over the course of the season. Kerley has played outside before, but his true value is as a slot receiver. I very much doubt that we will be playing a significant amount of 4 WR sets, so why have two receivers who will basically never be on the field at the same time? I'd rather go after a bigger playmaker to play outside opposite Decker. Saunders was drafted to take over Kerley's role, not as nothing more than a punt returner.
I don't see the Broncos letting DT go, Decker was one thing but Thomas is too important. Maxwell... I suppose it's possible, but I have a feeling Seattle will keep him around as well. Do you really think George is prepared to start in 2015, even if he is the eventual successor? I think bringing Harris back is the smart move, at a reasonable 1-2 year contract. He and George can split snaps, getting George experience but not putting everything on his shoulders.
A lot will depend on the coaching staff. I could see this staff emphasizing two tight ends if Amaro blossoms more than 3 or 4 wides. If a new staff is in, all bets are off.
Idk I'm just a fan. He looked alright to me preseason as a raw rookie. Next year his game should be a lot tighter. Your plan sounds good.
George looked completely lost in the first preseason game but by the last game he looked like a player. Not a fan of his size but he was balling out in the Eagles game.
Harris: Agree. Harrison & Ellis: There's no way that the Jets are letting Harrison walk. They're going to sign him to a new deal shortly after the Jets' 2014 season ends. Ellis might seek out opportunities with another team where he can be a starter. The Jets prefer Harrison, and Ellis knows that if he stays with the Jets he will most likely spend the entire prime of his career as a backup player. Good job security, but not much chance to start and a lower earnings potential. A lot will depend on his own personality and his agent. Powell: He's similar to Ellis- he would be getting more playing time on another team. Behind CJ & Ivory he's not going to see that much action. Running backs aren't really a big deal anymore, aside from a handful. But you just can't base your offense around a running back anymore - even with Adrian Peterson the Vikings were still consistently bad. Powell will wind up in a committee wherever he goes, so there's some chance that he could decide to stay with the Jets if he's looking at it in terms of a career longevity thing. But if he feels slighted that he's not getting enough snaps in games, then he'll be gone for sure. Kerley: I don't see why the Jets would be eager to let him walk. Yes they drafted a similar guy, but he's unproven and in all likelihood won't be anywhere near as good. I doubt that the Jets have that kind of confidence in their rookie wideouts, and I see drafting them as more of a situation where they felt that these guys would be big upgrades on special teams, and had upside to develop into contributors in the passing game down the road. Landry: Agreed, he's gone after this year. The Landry Bros have been good bridge safeties for the Jets. Wilson: I don't think that the Jets will let him walk. Although he's been a great disappointment as a first round pick, he's still a serviceable slot corner and a first round draft pick. (Draft pedigree matters a lot to GMs.) The main reason why he'll be back in 2015 is that the Jets are so weak at cornerback that they just can't afford to let even a mediocre slot corner walk. I think Wilson is smart enough to know that he'll always be a slot corner, and he gets a solid amount of playing time here. Other teams are not going to view him as a starting outside corner- so I don't think he will be eager to leave Rex's system. The Jets have so much uncertainty at corner, and Wilson has not lived up to his draft status- I can see this as a situation where both sides will be willing to "settle" for each other even though it's not really a marriage either is happy with. Michael Vick: This one is very hard to predict. If Geno Smith establishes himself as the Jets' starting QB for 2015 (which he is on track to do so far), then Vick re-signing with the Jets means he will probably never be a starting QB again. How important is that to him, versus stability, protecting his body, and having a longer career? He has a strong will to win; on the other hand I don't see any QB-needy teams just handing him a starting job without a lopsided competition. He may have to "compete" against a 1st round rookie who will inevitably start at some point in the season- so depending on his mentality and outlook and how he feels about the Jets' prospects, he might be willing to stay and mentor Geno. He's said that he could still feel satisfaction in winning a Super Bowl ring as a backup QB and feel proud of it; I feel like if the Jets make the playoffs he just might decide to stay. It'll be a tough choice for him though. A. Barnes: Agreed; he's likely gone. Maybe he signs a 1-year deal with no guarantees or signing bonus, so they can see how he looks in camp. Colon: I think his penalty and injury issues will make him expendable. They might replace him with another free agent guard since they have had no luck in developing their own guards the last few years. Douzable: This is one of the guys on defense that would be a starter on another team. On the other hand, he has a long, long, long history of bouncing around from team to team, sort of a fringe player. It could be that he's just a really good scheme fit for what Rex Ryan needs him to do, and he might be happy to just stay in the league longer and have more stability. David Nelson: The Jets aren't in a position to let productive, mediocre wide receivers go. The Jets have no depth at receiver even if they do add a 1st round receiver. I think you're putting too much faith in these rookie receivers that we have; there's no way the Jets are going to let Nelson and Kerley walk in free agency. They will need him either as a starter, or at least as depth. He's also a high-character guy, and a good locker room presence.
I don't think there's anyway they keep Maxwell if they have a top pass defense again and top ranked defense. The Seahawks have got to look at that corner spot as expendable when you have Thomas & Sherman locked up long term already and still need to resign Chancellor.
No reason to let Kerley walk via FA - retain young talent. I think Harris comes back next year as well. Powell and the FO should make a decision between Ellis and Douzable.
You know what you're right, I forgot how much money they just put into their secondary. Idzik was with them when they drafted Maxwell, so that's probably a pretty good prediction. Wouldn't be surprised or unhappy if we pick up Maxwell.
Trevor Reilly has played 10 snaps all year and i'm not even sure if Enkempaili has played that many. If Barnes comes back and looks like the player he was looking like at the start of last season, it wouldn't be the worst idea to bring him back on a 1 year deal. He's a pretty capable pass rusher when healthy. Granted, we have to see how he looks when he comes back. But IK and Reilly were late round picks, I wouldn't be looking to give them to much unless one really stands out. I'd be shocked if the Jets don't resign Harrison, him and Wilkerson should be, and most likely will be locked up. I don't see Powell coming back, good chance somebody just offers him more playing time then the Jets are willing to give him with Ivory and Johnson on the roster. Things can change though as there is still a whole season left to play, so who knows what will happen. But as of right now I think he'll be running the ball elsewhere next year. I don't see any need for Nelson. He's a marginal player with good height to him. We should be looking to resign Kerley and then draft a receiver early next year to pair with Decker on the outside while letting Kerley and Saunders work inside. That would also help give Evans more time to develop. 101_Gang_Green_101 nailed it. Retain young talent. Especially the ones who have a proven track record. Let Geno grow with guys he's familiar with. No need for constant change at the receiver position. Retain your young guys who are growing with Geno and draft more to come in, learn the system, and grow with the rest of the offense.
I don't agree with letting Kerley go. He's pretty versatile, he can play inside or outside and he's reliable and most importantly Geno trusts him. Letting Kerley go would be making the same mistakes the previous regime did by letting go of guys Sanchez trusts.
