Here is my big 5 on the To Do list for the Jets in the offseason at this point: 1. Draft a big defensive tackle on the first day. D-Rob needs to follow the Ty Warren progression and play 3-4 DE, preferably on the strong side. He'd still switch in at the nose, as Warren does, for some downs and packages. 2. Lock-up Jerrico Cotchery to a 5 year extension. To quote Arnold Schwarzenegger: Do eet now! He's only going to get more expensive to sign the longer the Jets wait and it's pretty clear that he is a good #2 with real upside at this point. 3. Sit down with Mangini and rework his deal. The Penguin should be the Jet's coach for the next 10-15 years. Let's make him an offer he can't refuse. What a nice counterpoint it would be if Mangini signed a long extension with the Jets right after Saban signed for 10 years with Alabama. 4. Sign Lance Briggs. Whatever it takes go and get him. He'll play left outside linebacker and handily replace Victor Hobson. The Jet's linebacking corps would be (left to right) Briggs, Barton, Vilma, Thomas. That kinda looks to me like the best linebacking corps in the NFL on paper. 5. Lock-up Mike Westhoff for the rest of his natural life. I don't care what you need to do to keep him just make the best special teams coach in the NFL feel special.
This last point is critical. There's no way to deny that a healthy portion of the success that the Jets have experienced this season is due to field position success gained through special teams play. Signing Mangini is also an interesting concept. It will certainly make it clear whether his focus is really in leading this organization to victory and dominance, or whether we're a 3-5 year stepping stone, ala Belichick in Cleveland (except, you know, not awful). Finally, assume that Lance Briggs goes elsewhere this offseason: who are our other potential FA targets at OLB? Or do we go straight to the draft?
#5 is a must...Mike is the best coach in Jets history...(Non HC of course) As far as the LB postition, how about Adalius Thomas? I'd also like to see the Jets make a run for Leonard Davis. I know he is a LT, but he might do well at RT.
I'm not sure its in Tangini philosophy to spend an absolute boatload, which it will take, to sign Lance Briggs. First off, Hobson has played pretty well, and I'd be happy to see continue to play outside LB for our 3-4. Also does Briggs have any 3-4 experience??
Kimo has been terrible- I'd love to have D-Rob rotating at DE next year. If we can get a huge NT (big IF) then we'd have a mean line. If only those 3/4 nose tackles were readily available! I like Amobi Okoye out of Louisville a lot to play nose- he's young enough to put on serious weight in future years. Once we shore up the line, our linebackers will start to look even better. If Marshawn isn't available at our first round pick, I'm all for going for a pass-rushing LB and then looking at Akoye in the 2nd round.
draft brian leonard! we need a fullback. maybe even get clark harris (well rounded TE). get themselves a rb that they can stick in there as the featured back. i think the DT could be addressed viz FA. the jets are gonna be around 25 mil under the cap. i agree they need to lock up cotch. mangini is finishing up year 1 on his contract...no need to extend him so soon. thats a waste of time and resources at this point. maybe after his second or third year, depending on the teams progress.
Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes! I agree completely on these two points. Leonard is not going to simply be another fullback. We're looking at Mike Alstott with the ability to actualy run-block. This guy can be a huge addition to the run game and his receiving skills are definetly something that'll help out Clemens when his time comes to take over the reigns. Cotchery's improvement and breakout this season speaks for itself, pay the man!
Hard to argue with these, but I would say that from a position/need standpoint, RB, RT and DE (in no particular order) are the biggest holes that need to be filled.
Uh, Dude, Hobson is having a great season and Is one of the reasons our defense is playing so well. Money can be better spent elsewhere
hobson has ben great this year and seems like a great fit for the new scheme, i wouldn't get rid of him. I love our 4 LBs w/ Thomas, Barton, Vilma and Hobson but we need better depth. I agree w/ #1, Herm got a new deal from Woody after '01 so I think the Jets will do the same w/ Mangini, they are working on a Cotchery deal and I expect he'll be signed to a new deal and Westhoff will be here as long as he wants to be.
We need a BLOCKING Fullback. If we take Leonard in round 7, fine, it's a shot at getting a player, but not before (spare me the 'he's projected to go in round 2 or 3' crap... that's a huge reach in my eyes). We need a Lorenzo Neal type fullback.... and those type guys do not need to be drafted. Also, this is the RIGHT time to lock in Mangini. It shows loyalty, and after 1 season, it shows commitment. Not locking him up can only mean he keeps coaching his ass off and demands more or decides to go elsewhere. We do not want that. There is no cap on coaches salaries, so giving him a raise will not hurt.
I don't agree with your point on Hobson. He is having the best season of his career and is definitely a fit for the system. If anybody goes, its Barton. I think that moving Hobson to the inside would only better this LB corps, and then you add your pass rushing OLB opposite Thomas. That would then give you probably one of the best LB corps in the league. To can a guy like Hobson when he is arguably in the top 2 of the unit this year is something I wouldn't even consider.
I think Barton could be expendable as he is getting older though I like him. Along with RT, RB, and DE, I would like too see us draft a CB. Nothing against Hank Poteat, but when he's starting, you need some help there too. This will be an interesting offseason as the Jets have a number of needs, but it's hard to say which one is the biggest. Should be a lot of deabte on here during the offseason. BTW, who are our free agents after this year?
how about this leave bryan thomas on the outside rushing take hobson put him on the inside take vilma put him on the outside and barton in the middle as well. get a solid big dt to help d-rob get a shut down corner and we should be okay
Great post. I agree with all points except #4. Hobson is a beast, he is playing well under Mangini's system, he will be cheaper than Briggs, and he already has a year of experience under Mangini. I would keep him around and if anything give Hobson an extension.
Right on the money with this post. The Jets desperately need better blocking, and a huge part of that is having a fullback who will make blitzers and run stoppers think twice before getting in the way. Lorenzo Neal is EXACTLY this type of fullback and look what it has done for Tomlinson. We need a guy just like him.
Why would you move Hobson inside to a position in which we have no idea as to whether he can be successful? He's done just fine where he is. If we bring in an extra top-line ILB and an OLB then we've added strength and depth, which is what we need to be successful.
Boy there are a million things we could do with the guys we have on defense and I'm not going to pretend I know what the best solution is. So I'll say this. Tangini apparently knows what they are doing and they'll do what's right.
