If we lose Leon, not only are we thin at RB but in the return game also. ST was always a strong area for us but we all know what happened there when LW went down.
If Tanny goes and gets OJ Atogwe without giving up picks, this whole Rhodes/Atogwe swap is a success.
Nobody's giving up a 2nd to sign a RB coming off a gruesome broken leg. He'll be here next season. Mike Bell from the Saints would be a decent pickup IMO. Bell would be fine behind our O line.
The Grim Revis: Getting anything for Rhodes already makes that trade a success. I hope that someone takes Washington. Getting an extra 2nd will make up for not having a 3rd, then it gives us the ammo is one of the Safeties drops closer to our pick. Then we can grab another RB, like Bell (if the final 4 rules allow, or through the draft.
until we find a suitable replacement that isnt a downgrade(even though that wont be hard) it is not a success yet.
This. Like him or not, Rhodes was a good player. If Eric Smith is starting at FS, this trade is a huge mistake. I think we'll get his replacement soon enough though.
Success may have been too strong a word. What I meant was (pretty much what everyone else thought) Dude was a liability. I would rather have a guy back there who wants to learn from Pettine and Ryan than a diva like Rhodes. Besides, with Tanny, it's just a matter of time before the other shoe drops IMO.
the jets could look at donte whitner becuase was just placed on the trading block. doubt the bills would give him to a division rival but its the bills so who knows
I think that if Leon walks and we recoup a second, there will be plenty of opportunities to pick up Rhodes' replacement in the draft without having to move up to get him. Berry is an amazing player and someone I would love to see in green and white but another trade up would seriously damage the Jets' ability to build depth behind the starters. There is a lot of age on this team, especially in the trenches. One or two injuries to the trenches and the Jets are in a very precarious position. There are going to be quality safeties in the second round that the Jets could find, along with HBs to fill in the #2 roll and backs available in the 4th to replace Leon. Maybe not everything that Leon does but definitely someone who can catch passes out of the backfield and run draws/sweeps.
I agree about the lack of depth and age. It's just the mere thought of that defensive backfield makes me salivate! Plus, they would all be fairly young and with us for awhile (that is, if/when we reup Revis). Once again this final 8 crap strikes again, and limits our free agent activity. Otherwise, we could supplement lack of draft choices with some depth signings. While I'm on that, I don't see anyone giving up a 2nd rounder for Leon anyways. So it's all kind of a moot point. But, I could be wrong.
If Leon resigns, and he's given a lot more offense plays, his ST time will be minimized. That is, unless we sign a serviceable RB veteran to split time. If we don't, they can't chance Leon returning KO's and PR's. Brad Smith didn't do too badly returning kickoffs, we would just need a PR. This is another reason I really like Golden Tate with our first pick.
What do you think about signing Justin Fargas who was released by the Raiders to a short term contract? I know hes been hurt and hes over 30 but he still was somewhat productive even while playing behind oaklands line which sucked and his style of running is perfect for our team
Reports are that he failed his physical, and his knee is shot. The guy always had promise, but he was injured on the a yearly basis.
Our weakest area in ST was kick coverage which Leon isn't a part of. Our PR game was average but he didn't return punts. Brad Smith averaged 31 yards per return (on 10 kicks). There's no doubt Leon is the more dynamic kick returner but Smith did a very nice job in the return game last season (he's a good athlete that breaks a decent amount of tackles)
