Beat me to it. Nice post. I can't believe how many people who call themselves Jet fans did not follow the team closely enough in 13 to realize Cro was hurt and that is why he had a bad year. Guess what, Arizona checks him out, decides to sign him, and 14 he played great. Is he hurt now? No. Yet some are sure he will be bad again, like 13. If Idzik had retained Cromartie last off season, he might still have a job.
Ftr Milliner is not a question of giving up on him. He will be in camp, and he will get a chance to show he belongs. The real question is can the Jets depend on him to stay on the field and play up to his draft status? The answer is no.
Exactly, a backup plan. And a backup plan is not bringing in a #1 CB, or 2 #1 CBs. If we have the budget for it, then great. I think $50M will dry up faster than people realize.
I think most fans knew he was hurt. He's also not young. And most people attributed his decline to injury/age catching up to him. I didn't want him back because I thought he was a player who always relied on natural ability, not technique. Throw in the injuries and age concerns, and that's a player you wouldn't want on your team when they're losing a step or two. And he proved us wrong.
I don't follow your post. Cro proved he was a very good to excellent Cb in Arizona, but you don't want him back because you didn't want him back last off season? That doesn't make any sense, but at least you're honest about not making any sense.
But the trouble is that we don't know what we have in either player - McDougle hasn't even played a down yet. We need insurance and insurance is a good CB
We were terrible at all 3 CB spots the entire season. Need more than a backup plan.. I'd put it as the major priority, along with QB and OT/OG.
I didn't say I don't want him back. I'm saying I didn't want him last year for those reasons. Maybe I just misunderstood your post. I'm also saying I don't want to invest heavily in the CB position because I think it's a luxury position and isn't the real problem with our D. Our D rarely generates a pass rush, and that leaves the CBs to cover WRs for days. As for Cro, I think it'd be foolish to offer him more than a 2 year deal or a deal with outs BECAUSE of his age and injury history. He is still a player that relies on his talent. I'm shocked he stayed healthy all year. He proved he was an excellent CB in AZ, but that doesn't turn back the clock either, and now he'll be looking for much more than he got last year. They don't call it a "prove it" deal for nothing.
I agree that it doesn't have to be an either/or situation. It just all depends upon how Big Mac wants to do things. We don't know how aggressive he will be in FA or the draft. We don't know if he will draft strictly BAP, how strongly he will consider need, or if he will "fall in love" with certain players and target them. I would guess that he will draft primarily BAP and look to use FA to fill holes with lower-tier FAs. I'd be very surprised if he looked to make a big splash in either FA or the draft by being very aggressive. I'll be somewhat surprised if he signs a starting-quality player at a position other than OG. At CB, I think he has to give Milliner a shot and think that surely Milliner will have to stay healthy this season. McDougle is probably penciled in as their replacement for Kyle Wilson at the slot CB position. He may sign another vet for insurance/depth purposes. He could sign Maxwell or another starter that is only asking for $3-$4 million per season, but can't see him paying much more than that. I think he'll look to lock up Wilk and the other FA Jets, keep some cash in reserve for the period following training camp, and perhaps some emergency cash for during the season and to carry over to next year.
Since there's an excellent chance Wilson will not be back, and ftr I don't think he should be, either, CB is right up there with starting Qb as a huge need for this team. I rank it ahead of OL, question being how much ahead. The answer to taht in part depends on what to do about Ferguson and his contract, but I digress. Even hoping one of Milliner and McDougle comes on to play well, the Jets arguably need THREE new cb's. But it should be clear at least two starting level quality players. At least two. It is a huge priority.
I don't rate it above OL. I think they are relatively equal. If you have a better than average OL, you keep your defense off the field and you actually score, which could result in, gasp, the Jets playing with leads more frequently. Moreover, considering the depth of talent on the defense, I think the CB position is less of a priority than the OL, which has doomed the offense for years now. I think that if you're ahead, significantly, you make the offense one-dimensional, which allows your corners not to be in zero coverage so frequently. I'd like to see the OL addressed as THE offensive priority.
We do not need a #1 corner. We need somebody opposite of Dee and for McDougle to be ready to fill Kyle Wilson's shoes fast. Dee is our #1 corner.
Injured not just his entire professional career, but McDougle only played one and a half GAMES his entire senior year of college due to injury. He also suffered a serious injury in high school. Nothing against Dexter, but only Idzik and Rex (who labeled Dexter the steal of the draft) would have wasted a high 3rd round pick on a guy with such a serious injury history. (And then, surprise, he misses his entire rookie season due to injury).
Hopefully with all the cap space they have they fill all needs via Free Agency that way they leave themselves the luxury of truly picking the best player available at the #6 spot.
was projected round 1.. after acl injury we could probably grab him in the 3rd and it would be a steal!
We should address the following positions in free agency this year without fail: QB - Even if we are in the position to draft a QB the chance that we can do so without passing up a better player at another position is very low. We are not anywhere good enough to pass up superior talent with any of our picks. Geno at worst needs to be replaced and at best needs to be pushed and backed up. CB - Even if the super studs Millner and McDougle live up to their potential we need to replace Wilson at the nickel. Given the history of injuries and suckitude we have seen at the CB position we should at the very least secure a # 2 starting CB in free agency (the smart move would be to get a # 1 CB if we can). OLB - Pace, Babin, Coples, etc. scare no one. We need at least two pass rushers. Even if we spend our # 6 pick on a pass rusher we still need another one across from him. OL - Breno is safe for a year thanks to his guaranteed contract. Brick gets very expensive after this year. Our guards all suck. While I think I am more willing than most to use high draft picks to build our line we should bring in at least one free agent. Sure we could upgrade other positions but these are four needs that must be addressed before the draft.
agree on most... coples has potential give him a year in the bowles system. I really hope we draft shane ray at number 6.. pace and babin will be gone (babin is a bonehead anyhow. how many personal fouls can a man get in a season) qb any vet FA qb like Fitzpatrick, hoyer, matt moore etc would be good enough. as fo OL many people forget Breno has experience playing some guard.. I say we move him into RG and draft a RT like daryl Williams in the 2nd AND sign a FA tackle. let winters and aboushi battle for the LG position
We should bring in one free agent corner (hopefully Kareem Jackson) and draft the other and let the 4 of them go at it in camp. Best 2 start.
