If the Jets get one contributor only (lets say OLB since that seems to be the likely one currently) their biggest hole would be the question mark at RT. If they get a OLB that can generate a pass rush, it can improve the safety situation. Then in the summer when cuts come, they can pick a RT if they feel like Ducasse and Hunter are both struggling as a starter. Hunter was a reliable backup so if they get a RT, it slightly improves depth. They have made some moves, it isn't just 2-3 million sitting around after 0 moves. They resigned Sione, Thomas, Schillens, Landry, Scotty McKnight. While none of these big moves, they addressed the WR and S positions for cheap and still have a solid, old OLB resigned. As of right now, I think the Jets are missing a RT and a OLB as the bigtime holes. 2-3 million + the draft can get that done, especially if they keep on waiting. Now of course if both players turn out wrong and they whiff on a draft, the Jets will struggle, just like any other team that doesn't have an all pro QB. How are getting from competition and then to saying that leads to injuries? Is that worst case scenario, or a legit claim? I don't see how those correlate unless you think one player will order a mob hit on his competition? :smile: The draft will really tell how the Jets view the current situation. After that it will be much better to check on the state of the Jets. Even though we don't know how the talent will translate to the NFL, we will see what the Jets see as holes. I guess we just see "cap hell" differently. The Jets were able to make moves, and resign a key player. Were they not able to sign a big player, yeah but if not being able to sign a Mario Williams is cap hell then 20+ teams better start worrying. Cap hell to me would have been having to let Sione walk and rely on only a Schillens signing and the draft. That would be cap hell. Also, the offensive scheme is up in the air, we don't know what Sparano wants/needs. Draft day, again, should give us some insight on his plans.
Yeah, because instant impact pass rusher are soooo easy to find. By the way, depth related problems are not necessarily "easily fixable." If they were, the Jets wouldn't have had guys like Mulligan playing serious snaps and an undrafted rookie stepping in when Mangold goes down.
You've signed two mid level guys (Landry and Pouha) and everything else has been minimum level guys. If you're cool with a roster loaded with veteran minimum and unproven players more power to you, I just don't think it makes sense to be optimistic about your chances at a Super Bowl, or even the playoffs for that matter. Also, for clarification, I was not suggesting players will get hurt because there will be competition, they're gonna get hurt because players get hurt every year. I don't understand why people on this board are so unconcerned with depth, it's absolutely vital in the NFL.
a reliable backup is someone that can start without a major noticable difference! that is not a hunter or ducasse b/c neither is or should be considered a backup. they are not nfl talent, period. i guess because they are jets, it makes them better some how. i don't know how, but i'll assume i'll have to invest in a green pair of magical glasses, lol.
Nobody was complaining about Hunter in '10 when he played really well as a backup. No doubt he stunk it up last year as a starter but there's no reason he can't still be a viable backup. Now, if they go into the season with him as the starter I'll be as unhappy as everybody else. Hopefully they still have a plan to upgrade the position before then. As far as Ducasse, he was a known project coming in. People wanting to write him off need to take a chill pill. If he doesn't show a big improvement in his 3rd year after a full TC and new OC, then I'll be on the 'dump Ducasse' bandwagon. As for now, the dude is a beast physically and I'm hoping that the Vlad experiment starts to pay off this year.
Im not saying it is easy to find a passrusher. We haven't been able to find one for years. As far as depth we have plenty of late round picks. Every team has holes this team is no different.
Okay, I am worried about depth, the way you worded it, it seemed like the competition would lead to injuries. And while depth is important, it isn't a huge hole as you say. It comes into play if injuries occur, while big holes are there without injuries. The most I am worried about is the O line, they only signed a backup C currently. Turner also left. So there is no depth there. If they can fix that, which they can (1 draft pick, 1 signing isn't too outrageous) it could improve the whole team. I don't know what contract size has to do with future production. They resigned a key part of their D line and improve the S position and WR position. Maybin was a minimum player and look what happened. The Jets aren't signing these guys to be stars. They don't need stars, just someone reliable. Could these guys not work out, of couse, it happens to every team. Considering the team was just one play away from making the playoffs, that is why I'm not worried. For how much the media and everyone wants to be negative, that Jets team went 8-8 and were one win away from being in the playoffs again. Of course they were also a few plays from being 7-9, but thats the way it works. At what many consider their absolute worst, they plugged away for 8-8. The team I think has made improvements by removing Schotty. Now when training camp comes along, we will see how they made improvements based on players. I said slight improves depth because he came in 2010 and did a great job replacing Woody. The drop off was not noticeable. That is why he could improve depth. He was a solid backup. I never mentioned Ducasse as depth, you did.
You're a clown. I mean that as indifferently as possible. Hunter has been an NFL backup for about 100 years. That is an NFL talent. Backups come in during a game. They come in for one week. They don't have to get every team in the league throwing the kitchen sink at them every week with plenty of video to exploit them to the max. Get a grip son. Ducasse will surely become a better player than Hunter even if he is a "bust". I don't think you understand what a backup is. I don't think you understand what an NFL talent is. I don't think you understand much of anything.
First off, Mario Williams is an upgrade over any of our LBs, be it inside or outside, left or right. Are you telling me we had BT on our roster, hence we didn't need Mario? You made an argument about Mario, fair enough. What about a speedy 1/2 WR? Definitely NEEDED someone like Vincent Jackson, except we were strapped for money. Landry is a replacement for Leonhard. I agree he's decent, but its not like we spent $8mils to get him. He was relatively cheap at $1.7mil plus per game bonus (which may not add up to be a lot considering he's missed almost an entire year in last two seasons). Oh trust me, Im one of the guys who wants us to build through the draft. Im merely pointing out the fact that we do have cap issues this year (a lot of the people deny that including you). And we have TONS of cap issues next year and thats why I want us to hit on at least 6 draft picks as starters in this years draft and next years draft. Thats the only way we can possibly get our selves out of cap hell without mortgaging our future. I also predict next year we will trade away one of our two starting CBs (Revis or Cro), one of our QB (Sanchez or Tebow), and possibly Santonio. Out of the three trades I mentioned, I think we'll see two of them taking place next year. If we sign Edwards and he plays well this year, AND we draft a WR early in the draft, I can see Santonio getting traded for a 3rd or 4th. If Tebow and Sanchez do well together, they might both manage to stay here, but I think Tebow has a higher chance of getting traded than Sanchez next year. Revis will be a FA in 2014. He's not going to hold out this year or the next. And he wont resign with the Jets until he reaches FA and engages in a bidding war. Thats why I believe Jets would be smart enough to trade him away while he is at his peak and coup up possibly a couple of first rounders. If not, then they need to offer a contract extension that he can't say no to, which probably means $15mil a year. Then Cromartie will definitely be traded.
We have six 6th and 7th rounders. It'll be a success if even two of those picks remain a Jet for 4+ years as backups. Those late rounders are nothing more than UDFA, and we seem to let our UDFAs go to our rivals.
in 2010 we had more UDFAs on our team than any other team in the playoffs and so its wrong to suggest we dont get good value out of UDFAs. also i get so tired of Pats fans acting as though their FO are these magicians at roster management - everything on that team is dependent on brady and as soon as he goes (which cannot come too soon) they will see exactly how full of holes their team really is.
That depends on how deep the draft is. These maligned 7th picks are a way of tagging the best potential-UDFAs - I see them as quite valuable as long as the draft is stacked.
Most of those UDFA in 3010 were not drafted by Jets. Jets picked them up via FA knowing very well what their value would be. I would like us to pick up an UDFA every year and turn him into gold. It doesn't happen every year. It might happen once in 5 years, but that's about it.
I would be happy to be wrong about the value if these 6th and 7th rounders since we have plenty if them. But my expectation is we'll be lucky to have two long term backups out of it. Getting anything more and the entire draft will seem like a success.
They aren't magicians, they just believe in putting more resources into the middle and bottom of their roster than the Jets. The Patriots aren't the only ones that do this either, most of the premier franchises (Ravens, Steelers, Giants, Packers) have similar strategies.
, Though I agree with most of what you say, I think you are dead wrong about the ease by which the Jets can trade some of their players. For example yoiu think the Jets can get a 3rd or 4th for Santonio. No you can't, because along with the player, the team also gets the player's contract, and NO ONE is going to give the Jets a draft pick AND take on a $10MM/yr contract. Think about it. All the Steelers could get for this turd was a 5th . And he was coming off a couple of more productive years than he's had with the Jets....with a much lower contract....a better lockerroom rep... and he was that much younger. Why would another team give the Jets MORE....for less. They won't, especially at the WR position The same goes, to a lesser degree, for the other guys you mentioned. Those contract are going to weigh like an anchor on trade possibilities. No doubting Revis' talent, but what team is going to want to play him and enormous salary in 2013....and have the prospect of paying him even MORE the next several seasons....as he leaves his prime. AND give up draft picks besides. Trading those guys ARE an option, but not one that's a great one, given that ALL the teams will be squeezed by the cap in the next few years.
You refer to those franchises who just also happen (with the exception of the Ravens (and I dont agree with their inclusion)) to be the other teams with top flight QBs - a top QB makes everyone on the roster look better than they are and your roster loook better than it is. Even if you are correct that those teams have great depth (and I dont know enough about their rosters to comment) a top QB enables you to invest more in depth players because you dont need as many top flight players elsewhere on the team. edit: if you look at the offseason needs for the Pats, the Steelers, Giants and Packers (the packers probably being in the best position) all have glaring needs
Good points. With a top flight QB, you can afford to miss on picks because a top QB will still keep you competitive.
Im not denying it at all. Im saying we have holes but we have cap trouble because there is so much talent on teh team already with big contracts. Every team has holes and we are no different. I'd rather build through the draft and not worry about signing people like Mario Williams who would be amazing but just leave even more holes.
