Do people still not understand the 3-4??? An OLB pass rush is definitely more important ATM than a DE. We have guys who can play DE at the moment even if they arent spectacular. Look at our OLB for next season Pace Thomas Westerman ..... That hasn't nor is gonna cut it. You guys keep on complaining... oh our D line isn't opening up blitzing lanes for our lbs. Our OLB's shouldn't need blitzing lanes. They should be beating tackles one on one to the qb. Rarely does Demarcus Ware, Woodley, or Harrison get an "open" lane. They beat a man and then destroy the quarterback.
Woodley and Harrison can run around tackles because the front 3 do a great job at drawing double teams to leave Woodley and Harrison singled up on tackles. Our DLine doesn't. Don't get me wrong, our OLBs have been disappointing to say the best of them. Both DE and OLB are priorities this season given the age of both units and fixing only one of them isn't going to improve much. The only positions we are set at are weakside DE(DeVito) and MLB(Harris and Scott) - and even Scott is getting up there. The reason there would be a higher value on DE than OLB early in the draft is because the top end talent is much better at DE than at OLB.
Not saying they need open lanes, but if you go back and watch the games the majority of blitzes result in 3 or 4 guys running into a traffic jam.
You're right, mostly because opposing defenses have to identify the elite pass rushers before a play and make sure they're accounted for. A pass rushing OLB is the primary way to get to the quarterback. But we do sorely need a youth infusion on the defensive line.
Thank you. This is why we need to improve both DLine and OLB. Bring in a guy like JJ Watt will help keep the OLine off of our OLBs and allow them to get the single matchups that would make them effective. That's part of the reason why Thomas is outperforming Pace, DeVito is doing a better job. Upgrade just the DLine and we'll see marginal improvement. Upgrade just OLB and we'll here complaints. Upgrade both and we'll be complaining about the secondary having holes.
100% agreed. Saying our OLBs aren't getting the job done only because of their fault is like saying the play of a RB doesn't depend on the OL too. Both OLB and DE have to be addressed... the only difference is we already have some young (Kroul, Dixon, Gilbert, Gholston?) or injured (Pitoitua) prospects at DE while we have no one at OLB (Westerman is good at ST and is solid but not a pass rusher).
We have a lot of bodies at DE but they are either low percentage chances to be starters or they're playing on borrowed time(Gholston). Kroul, Dixon and Gilbert are fighting to make the active roster for game time or are trying to work their way off of the practice squad. As for Pitouitua(sp?) he is still a relative unknown after little playing time his rookie season and a knee injury this offseason. If we skip DE this season and go after a NT then the "we have the bodies" argument might be worth it. However, if we don't wind up with a future starter at NT and we don't end up with a top talent OLB in the first round then it could hurt us to pass on the talent that would be there.
Actually Dixon is listed as a NT... I know he played some snaps vs the Bears... what position did he play? at 6-4 295 it looks to me as if he is more of a 3-4DE. That said I think there is a very good chance the BPA where we pick will be a DE and we'd be stupid not to draft him... the fact we have bodies (And that I'm optimistic) doesn't mean we don't need an upgrade! that's why I have Watt in my mock draft
*doenst get to watch many games lately* How are we replacing? Pool or Leonard? What is wrong with either of them?
Well played. But to the people questioning taking a RB (there was a few, so no need to quote): It's not a smart thing to avoid looking hard at a position because you've invested a lot in it in the recent past. I understand the Jets have taken Greene and McKnight with decent picks over the last couple years and have dealt a few extra to get them; however, by no means does that mean they shouldn't take a running back if they have an opportunity to get a good one. Now, it's certainly not the best way to build a team, but if there was ever a position that needed to be set on this team it's running back. Maybe it's just me, but I'm not too fond of the idea of this team headed into 2011 with only Greene and McKnight. Could the Jets add a back in free agency? Sure, but they could also get a safety, defensive lineman, offensive tackle, etc. in free agency. I'd MUCH rather get a young back to use as a co-feature guy with Greene early in the draft and look for serviceable vets at the other positions than to pick a safety or DL to start right away and a second hand, older RB. The Jets aren't going to be able to bring back Holmes, Braylon, and Cromartie, that's a fact no matter who the Jets go after. Taking a RB early won't make the return of Edwards and Holmes any less likely, because it's already pretty low. In fact, it'd be easier for the Jets to get bang for their buck from the draft (low first rounder money) than in FA. The better backs available in UFA (Ronnie Brown/Ricky Williams/Cedric Benson) would all cost a lot more money than they deserve to get, and the Jets won't be in a position to pay a lot to get one. They could go for a lesser guy, but how much would a Mewelde Moore really add to the run game? They could also opt for a RFA, but that would require giving up a pick and paying out bigger money, which wouldn't help anything. When it comes down to it, BPA is the best policy, and if they player is a running back this team will be a lot better for it. People can list the needs in certain orders all they want, but it's foolish to think that the best thing for this team to do is to follow it right down the line.
How about if they take a back late in the draft? If your assuming that Mcknight and Greene are the Rb's next year and you draft another RB, how are they splitting carries? I think they are setting it up for Greene/Mcknight to be the main backs and they will bring in another back either through a a late round draft pick or free agency. The jets have so many needs on the defensive side of the ball I can't possibly fathom drafting another running back in the first three rounds.
I think with the nonexistence of Joe McKnight this season they aren't too sure that he's going to have much of a place in the offense next season, so I'd be real hesitant to claim him as a main back. If they add a back he'd probably get Greene's share of carries, and Greene would bump up to LDT. If McKnight can play he'd be a 3rd down/2nd and long guy to catch passes. There's also the potential of no Brad Smith, which means even MORE carries would have to be replaced. There are potentially 304 touches (both rushing + Tomlinson receiving, not including Smith as a WR) out the door if Tomlinson and Smith are both gone, that's one hell of a lot for a run-first team. I'm not denying the presence of defensive needs, there are plenty, but I can't sit here and say the Jets should try and snag a 34 end at all costs and let the need for a running back be passed over. Needs can be filled in a lot of ways, and it's simply a lot easier to fill needs at 34 End and Safety by adding a veteran FA. They are also two positions where starters can be found a bit later in the draft. On the other side, RB and passrushers who can contribute right away are best found early on, with only the occasional later round guy who comes out of nowhere as a rookie.
Agree completely on the HB issue. Even if McKnight does get the expanded carries, Greene's playing style is going to require another between the tackles rusher to take some carries away. If Greene is going to take every handoff that isn't a draw or a toss then he's not going to be in the league much longer.
Holmes, Harris and Cro are all restricted do you think we go 1st and 3rd for all three or not? and if so do you think they will be any takers? edit: And what about brad smith.
We're probably going to re-sign Santonio Holmes to a long term deal. Antonio Cromartie will probably get the franchise tag. Braylon Edwards will hopefully take a pay cut, but that's doubtful. I hope we re-sign Brad Smith - he does a lot for this team.
Is it worth franchising Cro we would have to pay him 9.56 mill. he's good but not top 5 good. not even close.
Running backs are a dime-a-dozen in this league. I'd rather pick one up in free agency. The Jets o-line can turn a half-decent HB into a solid rusher.
In my mind Harris, Cro, and Santonio will get the highest tenders and Braylon will get the franchise tag. They won't be able to sign all of these guys, but it'll give the Jets the power to acquire picks or other assets for them. Just for future reference (because it always comes up), if a player is given a certain tender or the franchise tag, they don't need to be traded for the picks that would be exchanged if the player signs with another team. For example, the Jets could deal Cro for a 2nd rounder once he signs the offer sheet even if they tag him 1st and 3rd.
once again is Edwards worth that the franchise tag? It would require us to pay him the avg of the top 5 players at that pos?
