At the end if the season there seemed to be a large consensus (at least from what I was reading) that the Jets needed to draft a young safety to replace the trainwreck that is Eric Smith. Most mock drafts had the us taking Mark Barron, however, as of late ive heard very little talk of safeties in the Jets draft and it seems like we're going to have to go into free agency. What would your ideal situation be for how we fix the safety position? Which player would you specifically want to go after?
Hell no to Barron in the 1st. No way in hell that happens. Other safeties that could be targeted- George Iloka, Harrison Smith, Markelle Martin and Barron if his injury causes him to drop far enough. These players could be drafted anywhere between the 2nd and 3rd round. All might not make an immediate impact though, and might not be able to start right away. But in order to get a starter who can make an impact Day 1, we will have to look to FA- Reggie Nelson, Tyvon Branch and Michael Griffin should be targets in FA.
I'm not sure if he's an FA but Bernard Pollard played well last year. His history vs NE is enough to warrant consideration. Baltimore handled NE TEs well in the AFC title game, and yes I am aware of how stacked Balt D is. If we sign Pollard, draft a passrusher, things could be good in that dept. I heard Pollard is an FA, if he isn't, Laron Landry is intriguing although he could cost too much.
There is not a whole lot out there. Best senario, We draft a guy in round two to start and bring Leonhard back on the very cheap side. I'm not in love with the Safteys likely to be available. Goldson is getting tagged, Landry is going to be expensive and can not stay healthy, no one else jumps out as a gotta have him type of guy. We will more than likely focus on some backups/ part time starters from otehr temas. Guys like Tom Zbikowski, to bring them in to compete. That or see the return of some old Jets like Lowery, Erik Coleman, or Elam.
We need two safeties. I'm also hoping we use pick 2 or 3 on a serviceable one. But definitely not the first round pick, fuck Barron.
If Barron is there in the 2nd it might be worth a chance. However, I prefer Pool, Leonhard, and Lowery back. Possibly a UDFA Aladdin. The Cook move was really strange to me. We never heard the real reason he was cut. I think he was much needed depth. Although not a starter (yet?) he would have been a good fill in.
Funny you mention Smith since I believe he is the only one of the three that is likely to be back. I don't get the love for Pool around here. And Leonhard has had two season ending injuries in a row. The CS loves Smith. He's the best hitter in the secondary, and can't be blamed for all those TE receptions against the Jets.
Id love to see us target nelson think he would be perfect in our system. Draft a safety in the 2nd or 3rd and try to resign leonard (if money is right) and use him to mentor draft chocie in case he gets hurt again
Pool has been good in coverage for the most part, that's why people like him. Smith is nice in the 46 role, but sucks in coverage. And while Smith shouldn't be blamed for ALL the TE receptions against the Jets he's certainly responsible for his fair share. The only safety that gave up more receiving yards than Smith this year was Rolle who played 150 more snaps.
I think LaRon Landry would be great, but there is no way he will be signed. Way too expensive and injury prone. I think Harrison Smith would be a decent choice in maybe the third (not sure where he is projected to go). If Leonhard can stay healthy and we can sign some one like Goldson, we should have a pretty good secondary.
Tyvon Branch and Landry IF Landry doesn't ask for huge money. I want Branch at a bare minimum. If you get Branch, you could bring back Leonhard on an incentive deal. Despite his injuries, JL is still a gamer.
I have said it over and over again , don't draft safties high in this draft with the intentions to start them. None, IMO, are ready to start out of the gate and we can't afford a liability in coverage. We need to address the safety position in FA maybe sign Landry on a one year flier similar to what many guys do, go to a team with a good D, shine in the secondary, and hope for a huge contract once proven effective and healthy. Also, we have veteran options like Reggie Nelson or maybe hope that Michael Griffin doesn't draw a huge market and able to sign for cheaper than projected. We have plenty of options, the smartest one would be to bring in a solid safety and maybe bring back Jimmy.
Pool is soft, can't tackle well and if Buffalo's Jackson had caught that very catchable ball, the Jets would have lost that game largely due to Pool's lack of good coverage.
Barron is a very good player worthy of the 16th pick. I would have no problem taking him at #16. He's not my first choice though. If TRich, Ingram and Floyd are gone,I'm fine with Barron.
Pool is the best safety on the roster. He's also the best coverage safety on the roster which is the problem. I like Reggie Nelson from Cincy. Physical player who is a pretty good athlete. Nelson & Pool is a solid 3rd down safety tandem to go along w/ Smith & Leonard in game plan specific roles. As for the Cook move..bare in mind they released him to pick up another young safety named Tracy Wilson. Wilson was an undrafted supplementary pick out of Northern Illinois. I watched some youtube of him from college and he has some ball skills. By week 16 he had worked his way onto the active roster(partially due to the disaster the position became) & Rex said in a PC that he has quickly become one of the hardest working players in the building.
http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nfl-s...landry-big-incredible-hulk-big-225404479.html I want that /\ Or Tyvon Branch, Michael Griffin, Mark Barron, or Harrison Smith I like a bunch of options
Come on, man, like BB said, you can't blame Smith for all of those TE receptions that he gave up so obviously to anyone who knows anything about football. Sometimes I think he chooses the losing side of the argument on purpose.
