Maccagnan was the exec of the year for a reason; as he demonstrated last offseason, he is a master team-builder. And the architect of our 10-6 season that could have easily been 11-5 or 12-4, and that almost made the playoffs (should have made it) is not about to let the foundation of his team get away. Mac understands that our defense is the backbone of our team. The offense played well too, but without the D this team would have no shot at the playoffs, much less contending for a title. And the foundation of our D is our young, talented D-line, filled with Pro Bowlers and players on the verge. So, his top priorities are the following: 1) Lock up Mo Wilk long-term. He should be a Jet for life, or at least until he's over the hill. 2) Re-sign Snacks. Damon Harrison is one of the most overlooked, but important, pieces on our D. A young future pro bowler. 3) Re-sign Fitz. He's not a star, but a better-than-average game manager with guts. He's a winner. Strictly speaking he's not irreplacable, but QB's with his combination of virtues are hard to find. Ivory can walk. RB's are a dime a dozen nowadays...I love the player, but we can draft someone to replace him, and Powell and Ridley are solid returning vets. Plus he faded some towards the end of the season. Thoughts?
Agree with all of this. You can take any semi-talented back and put him behind a good OLine and watch him flourish. I rather focus on the OLine and get a lesser RB than neglect the OLine and go for a premier RB.
You're stating what his top priorities are...Do you have a link to where he states these are his top priorities?
He better get some fucking LBs --that's what he needs to do even if it means we lose some of the redundancy on the DL. _
^ ^ What concerns me about last year's DL was that as good as it was, I think I speak for all here in saying the ability to get to the Qb was not impressive. Let's put it this way - would the Jets D have been better or worse if you took one of Williams, Harrison, Wilkerson and Richardson and replaced that one player with Douzable, but also replaced Coples or Pace with Von Miller? I say better.
That's the issue--they have SUCH quality and depth on the DL but still no edge pass rusher to really bring the heat. Drafting Williams last year made someone redundant and if it means you have to sacrifice one to add that edge rusher you kind of have to do it. The best solution however is to not sacrifice one and find one in the draft. _
Yup. That's the solution. In theory. They have to get an edge speed rushing OLB, and faster at LB. It may may not happen sooner before later tho. If I had my druthers I'd like to see Snacks in there along with Mo and Cat and we some how score a OLB to bring it across from Mauldin. Obviously the Cap and contract situations are not ideal for Mac to necessarily do exactly what he'd like to. So we have to wait and see how he plays it and how it all shakes out with the DL. Mac has his work cut out for him.
Yes, the Jets may have something of a quandary here in grading the cost of retaining Wilkerson versus Harrison, or perhaps not either. But drafting Williams made the overall situation much better than if they had not. And while bringing them both back at an acceptable price would be optimal, I am of the view that that is somewhere south of even money at this point. And regarding WW's next point I also am encouraged by Mauldin's play, but if the Jets can draft another OLB who can get to the Qb, that would/should be high on the list of desirable outcomes.
Damon Harrison will never be a pro-bowler until he learns to stay on the field. You keep the All Pros in Mo and Sheldon. Worry about Sheldon a little later, and don't even think about Leonard Williams. Mo, Powell and Fitz are the 3 major players that led to us getting 10 wins.
I think Mauldin with another year in can be a real factor. He had 4 sacks in limited snaps this season and think he has the tools to be a good one. So I am OK with the Jets looking to retain their DL. But they need to draft an edge rusher for the other side.
To me Harrison is much better here than he would be on another team. And thats because of who he plays between. He's a dominant run stuffer no doubt , but I really think he could be replaced quite easily and would be willing to let him go if we were able to bring in an above average pass rusher. That should be the top priority. We are solid enough up front with or without Harrison. An above average pass rusher puts us over the top.
