Ok, where do we stand as of week 7? Our starting Wr's, except for kerley, are all on the D/L with Gates recently being added to the IRL. Our starting backfield is down to 2 guys instead of the hydra headed 3some we all thought we'd have going into the season. Our situation looks bleak considering we have a rookie Qb coached by a pass-happy OC with no one to throw to. We have a running game that could keep us competitive IF they're used effectively. We have a front 4 that can pressure but a back 4 that can't cover and no edge rusher since the one we had is also on the IRL. So, instead of this being viewed as some Darksider wetdream, lets see how Idzik can turn these unlucky, unfortunate events into something positive for 2014 shall we? 1st: Playing conservatively doesn't really reveal the information we need to know going into this upcoming offseason. We need to know if Geno is the one. We need to know if we have to draft a new Qb given that this upcoming class of Qb's should be above average. So far, Geno should be safe but going into 2014, progress has to be shown. We can't afford to miss on this if Idzik plans on making this team a real contender in a relatively brief timeframe. Say, over the next 5 years or so. 2nd: If Geno is the man, and this season plays out like the new reality is dictating, we will not only be in great draft position, but we won't have to draft another Qb, but concentrate on complimentary players instead. For the first time since Keyshawn, we can go after a true, bluechip WR or even RB. 3rd: If Rex stays, it will have to be Idzik making the call, not Woody. If Woody stops intervening in the operation of his team, Idzik can implement his plan w/o interference or pressure from his boss. Stability is necessary for development but it has to be a stability pointing in the right direction. Stability for stability's sake just doesn't make sense. Just ask the Cubs about consistency. They're masters at consistently losing. Stability with improvement has to be the mantra here. 4th: 2014. Crazy enough, this is a critical year and a critical draft coming up for Idzik and his group thinkers. Offense has to be the focus this time. Unless Clowney falls into our laps, we have to sideline Rex and draft guys that fit MM's system. It would be really nice if another Desean Jackson is around but I'd settle for someone of a Julio Jones/Calvin Johnson calibre. I'm sure a lot of you are starting to think about these things as the injuries decimates our roster. We can feel sorry for ourselves, or we can plan to rise again from the ashes of 2013. We'll have cap room, we'll have a plan, we'll have draft position. There's no reason why we can't turn this year into something really positive. I'm not being a diehard darksider, but the reality here is that w/o any viable offensive threat and lousy secondary talent, this season is one that isn't gonna last past week 17. We need to make the most out of this bad luck. If the Colts sucked for Luck and turned their franchise around in short order, If the Browns are having a fire sale to secure draft position for Bridgewater, we can turn our misfortune into something good. It's gonna take a real good plan. A REAL GOOD PLAN...
We just lost Clyde Gates and got Josh Cribbs. Wow talk about it getting better quick!!!!! Nice move Idzik.
You're really campaigning for Darksider Supreme aren't you. Chill out TN. Let things play out as they will. For once, try to come up with a path to progress instead of incessant criticism with every post you make. I'm a Darksider too, but man, your posts are getting really old. JMHO
Stay the course, continue to build through the draft. We need an OLB, 2 WRs, 2 TEs and a S. We are still lacking talent, if we acquire some good players in the upcoming draft, we will have a talented football team that can contend in the AFC. Rex, Marty, Dunbar need to continue to be here for the foreseeable future as well. The QB position is still in question, but I think we are in a better position then we were last season. Can't stress enough that we need to stay the course, do not panic and start trading picks away and signing expensive FAs. 2014 was the year I predicted we would be back in the playoffs making noise, I think we are still on pace.
How is it darksider by being happy we got Josh Cribbs? I have wanted him on our team for a while now because our PR and KR are very weak spots. Cribbs is an instant upgrade. I would like to hear how Mike Westhoff thinks he will be for our STs.
At least Cribbbs will help us on on punt and kicks. If Gates knew how to avoid the kicker, he could have 2 kick offs for TDs by now.
Great post. I'm optimistic about the future. Jets seem to finally have a decent young corps & the ammo to really upgrade the roster. They just need to stay sensible & lean heavily on their draft scouting. Time to upgrade the area they have been reluctant to for over a decade. It's time to add some dynamic skill.
Great post. To the last couple points, I don't think anyone really expected this season to go past week 17, but the last second wins and explosive plays got everyone over excited a bit. You are definitely 100%, Idzik has a real defining year next year, but we also have to realize, we can't expect to completely judge two drafts of his next offseason after just 2 years having them. We knew this was going to be a rebuilding year, the initial success after being told by the media we were worse than Jags or as bad as them got Jets fans a little over excited by starting off 3-3. The real important thing though, Idzik needs to feel secure in his job. We can't have him reaching for a playmaking WR or reaching in general because he feels he needs to have a completed team by the end of next year. If the pieces aren't there, don't push for them, take what's available and keep on moving on.
I just don't want to see us reach in the draft because of our desperate need to upgrade the offense. I still like the BPA approach. We still need a S and upgrade at the LB on defense. I can't understand the people who bitch and moan about giving up draft picks for established players(Blackmon Gordon Nicks). As long as you're not giving multiple picks for 1 player I see it as a more then viable option. As much as I am not a Rex advocate I think keeping continuity with a young QB and finally finding an OC who seems to be the biggest addition to this team in 2013 is imperative. I think MM should have a strong voice in this draft and FA, building this offense to play the type of game he wants to play. Locking up Cumberland, keeping Winslow another year and drafting another TE should be a top priority. We need a top flight WR and my thinking is we should try and make a move at shoring up that position in FA. Most are looking to rid this team of Holmes' antics but I think 1st priority should be to try and reduce his cap # and keeping him on this team.
well said, just one little thing bothered me... You'd rather a DeSean Jackson type player to Megatron? Other than that, agree with most of what you said. However, like a few others have pointed out, I don't want to see us reach in the draft to focus on offense. If at our pick its between someone like Anthony Barr is the BPA and the next best WR is rated lower on our boards, I don't want to see them pass-up on Barr just for the sake of getting a WR
I agree completely. Very well said, but DeSean Jackson isn't even close to the caliber receiver that Calvin is. No one "settles" for Calvin Johnson.
I'd rather anyone of that calibre on our team. Any of those three guys are considered Elite and that was my point. We need an elite Wr just to bring some credibility back to our offense. Desean is a Diva and we've already had enough of that with Holmes. Megatron comes along once in a generation. Jones, Fitzgerald, etc. all are elite. If we come close to any of those three guys, we're good. Lets face it, we have no one presently on the roster that could even back up any of those guys let alone be mentioned seriously in the conversation.
Great post Cman55! I haven't completely given up on 2013 yet, and with continued developement of Geno, I can see us still finishing with 7-9 wins (the schedule gets much more managable after the next 3 games). But, there's no question that the injuries have certainly taken their toll, and our CB play has really dropped off big time since last season and before. I totally agree that the next draft is key, and the BPA strategy is the way to go. Of course, if the second or third best player available fills a need, and there isn't too much of a drop off in value, I wouldn't mind deviating a little bit to fill that need. Regarding the debate of whether or not to use draft picks to trade for FAs, I hate to give up any picks, but sometimes I feel it does make sense. If we can get a player who: 1. Has proven they can play at the NFL level 2. Are still young 3. Fill an immediate need, and 4. We don't over pay with the draft pick or on the contract, then I'm okay with it.
the problem with trading picks for players is that essentially you are trading a player that would be paid according to the rookie wage scale for a player getting paid veteran salary.
