Yes on both counts. You win in the NFL by dominating the trenches and the Jets have real weaknesses on the horizon on both sides of the line, not to mention a few weaknesses in the current lineup. In 2001 the Jets traded up to get Santana Moss, an edge player. The Pittsburgh Steelers, on the other side of the deal, slid back comfortably a few slots and drafted their nose tackle. That's what separates the Steelers from the Jets: they know what is key to have on the field and they know how to get it cheaply. Every time the Jets make a decisive move they write another of the "you shouldn't do that if you want to win" rules. It's not like they're a bad team but they are very much like the Redskins, a team that does not know how to win big and has no organizational model to change that fact.
Just be clear, you are suggesting that there are only certain positions that should be drafted in the first round, right? What are those positions? O-line and D-line only?
What I'm suggesting is that the deepest areas on any team should be in the trenches, at QB, RB, TE and S. In other words the middle of the field should be deep if you want to succeed because the teams that control the middle of the field have an enormous advantage in any given game. Edge players are usually wildcards that can put a team dramatically over the top if the other factors are favorable also, and that have much less impact if the middle of the field is not strong. So a team with no specific needs or needing everything should be drafting from the ball out in the middle of the field. Offensive line, defensive line and QB being the priorities. Safeties and runningbacks are very important to the process also but their contributions rely heavily on the defensive trench players and offensive lines so they get filled in after the must-haves are assembled. Tightends are valuable because they are flex players, propping the trenches heavily (we will miss Chris Baker) and also allowing for unbalanced formations with two tightends in play creating mismatches in the trenches. With the Jets needs right now the priorities should probably be QB, DL, TE, OL and RB. Based on what the team has done during the Bradway/Tannenbaum era - and the two eras are very linked in terms of strategy at this point - the Jets will probably take a wide receiver on the 17 and cause more problems down the road.
So you want them to pick an OL in the first round? And sit who? I wouldn't object to a DL in the first if he's tops on their board.
I think Tannenbaum has put together the 3 best consecutive drafts in Jet history. I don't understand the post saying the Jets need to finally do what Walt Michaels teams did. There was no free agency back then, the draft was the only way to improve your team and you did not have a cap. We already signed 2 DL this year and 2 OL last year, what the hell more do you want. I have total confidence in our GM and Scouts. When did we draft a WR in the 1st rd. under Tanny, not Bradway, Tanny ?
I agree that the Jets have had 3 of the best drafts... I think Tannenbaum is one of the highlights of the Jets organization, and I wasn't bashing him in any way shape or form. In fact, the first two picks of the Tannenbaum era were D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold... both EXCELLENT picks. The second season, I can't argue with the Revis or the Harris trades, because they are both integral parts of our defense. The third draft will also be awesome if Gholston gets his head out of his ass. Our ability to penetrate the oline and cause disruption in the offense is key, and Gholston can be a huge part of that. I'm pointing out that the Jets need to continue to continue working on the front 7 on defense, and the o-line on offense. These will be key if the Jets are going to be a Super Bowl contender. Stop reading what you want to read, and start trying to understand what people are actually saying.
Are you kidding me. Talk ablout back tracking. Stick to your guns buddy, I guess I need to review in the English language because this statement you made is clearly a knock on the current jet FO and that we need to go back 30 years " BUild teams the right way". "I'm hoping the Jets FO treats the draft and future offseasons as opportunities to get back to building football teams the right way. This weekend could be an excellent beginning to all that"
I'm a big fan of Tanny's drafts but I still feel like within the draft mid rounds we abandon the lines WAY too much. We've taken chances on late round guys Bender and Gardner but neither of which have worked out. I would love to see both line depths upgraded w/ young talent in this draft. It's LONG overdue.
youre right. I'd like to see a 3rd round pick used on a OG like Canfield this year. They need a guy who won't take long to be ready to go and can step in if there is an injury. That's why I wish they kept Wade Smith. He could play 3 spots on the line pretty well.
