Veteran Leadership is often downplayed, but its definitely a piece to winning a championship. I personally think teams like the Cowboys, Chargers, Eagles, Falcons, and Redskins consistently underachieve in the playoffs because of the void in leadership. Yes we need to get younger and cheaper, but theres gotta be a group of guys to set the tone in the locker room of whats not acceptable.
I think 'veteran leadership' is over stated. Look, the difference in age between a rookie and a 'vet' is only 6 or 7 years. Not 20. Plus I can rattle off a bunch of 'vets' that I wouldn't want anywhere near my team. I think teams get it right by trying to get quality players from the draft. Kids that were raised right and have a good head on their shoulders. Demario Davis was talked about as being a natural leader with a solid character. The Jets should continue to identify and retain/obtain 'good guys' from any age group, be it the draft or their own 35 yr old vets. Where teams go wrong is valuing talent over character. I don't want rookies who are more interested in running with their posse and making it rain in 'script' clubs. Rex has ALWAYS emphasized the importance of drafting high character 'good guys'. Seeing Hill on stage last year grinning from ear to ear leading the Jets chant is a good example.
2010/2011 I'd agree with this premise 100% (it showed as the team crumbled in 2011), but as is, this team is probably going to suck, so may as well take a knock out blow now, than death by a 100 jabs........ Although, something can be said for having someone to hand off the torch and lead by example
I agree. My dream scenario for this season is for the Jets to pull a "2012 Colts" and make a first round exit in the playoffs, but that is highly unlikely due to our QB situation unless one of the scrubs beat out Sanchez and plays lights out but that is just my own personal fantasy. I would be cool though. :jets:
I'd rather let Idzik do his thing right now. While I can't believe he will scrap all the current talent on this team, I'm sure he doesn't want to keep overpaid players that would prevent him from building his team in the future. Give him a chance, it will take awhile to clean up Tanny's mess.
If London fletcher is not considered a leader, no man in the NFL should be. The reason the skins consistently suck is trying to build a team through free agency.
While I agree about the Jets not fostering a Positive Culture within the Organization and the Locker room, The list you provide are not really good Examples of players left out to dry or treated poorly. Edwards: While he played really well for us and shed his tendencies of dropping balls , he did not command the 14 + millions he wanted and that was proven when he left the team ( injury yes, but did not garner what he wanted), Woody: While a solid Offensive linemen , he is pretty much done in the NFL. Cotchery: Solid receiver and one of my favorites for while there , I was actually sorry to see him go , but not a difference between a super bowl trophy and not. Jenkins: In my opinion he had one good fully year and then injuries spoiled and chance he ever had to remain a Jet. He got paid one season a ton of money but missed virtually all of it. Taylor: ?? Who??...Oh Jason. Yeah He can go fuck himself-Dolphin bastard! Brad Smith: Role player , much better then Tebow has panned out , but his play in Buffalo shows we didn't make the wrong choice here. Tomlinson: definitely lost a major step and 2010 was his last hurrah.. Pace: Calvin fresh legs as I like to call him played his contract out and no one can possibly think we treated him poorly and should have kept him. Scott: Ridiculous contract to begin with and served his purpose in-between the tackles. He didn't garner the amount and length of contract he got. Real Ryan's guy type of contract and player ; meaning he wouldn't have gotten that type of contract from any team in the NFL. Thomas: does anyone actually think we treated Bryan unfairly?? He's played a very long time and earned every penny we have paid him .. strange example. Its now time for the Likes of Cromarti , Mangold, Holmes-(please dear god let him become an adult already), Harris to be the Veteran leaders and locker room presence that keep mal-contents from creating issues.
