I don't know what to say. If I were Mangini (or Tannenbaum for that matter) I would have tried my best to get rid of him no matter the cost. The reason is this: he's 34 - yes, freakin' 34. I wouldn't mind him being the backup and mentor of the offensive line, but would I want him as a starter? No. You may be right in that he did have been influential in developing Mangold and D'Brick, but, like I said, if he still wants to compete at the highest level with guys 10 years younger than he is, then he better take a hike, since now it is his role to take over the backup, and mentor. I'd ship him just because he is that clueless. Of course he never said anything about being a starter or whatnot, but think realistically. No GM in their right mind will pay 3M salary to a mere backup. There's been many harping voice about not addressing the O line last draft - and the consensus was that the Jets need a road-grater type of guard, in the mold of some 330 lbs. Does that description fit Kendall? No. He is virtually a non-factor these days in running games, since his atheleticism has deteriorated so severely that he can't even pull - and that was the only means he could make himself useful in running game. How about pass protection? He is a mere 280 lb guard, with waning strength. He will have his hands full against any bull-rusher or fast gap-shooting DTs. Again, his skills and knowledge are more than adequate, but they can help him as long as his body can follow up. I clearly don't think his body can. I don't know why I'm writing this long-winded post about a washed-up, has-been guard, but to summarize, losing Kendall is NOT a mistake for all I can say.
That would make Kendall the best lineman...coach that we have. I'm glad he mentored Brick and Mangold, but the Jets needed to ship him out because he was being a douche bag.
Exactly. No one knows whether Mangold would have developed exactly the same way with or without Kendall, so let's not even go there. Besides, we didn't hire Kendall to develop Mangold, so the point is moot.
I guess it isn't ironic that they redskins haven't exactly set the world on fire since acquiring the jetskins. Snyder will never learn, but hey at least we benefit from it. I find it hard to believe that we have so many people who wanted him around. Just goes to show you how much people have a misguided understanding of football, especially the locker room implications. We are much, much better of in the long term; does this oline's pass blocking seem worse initially sure. But we may sign someone, and even if we don't anyone who thinks Kendell is a good run blocker is insane after last year. In another post I said I was hoping we got a 5th for him. A 4th is steal. If our oline regresses this year, it will b/c of the level of talent we play this year is on another level then last year, not b/c Kendell and with his old guy wisdom weren't hear to tutor are 1st year vets. All this over a declining vet, and after we saw what transpired with Mawae....some of you guys are unbelievable.
Let's not lose focus on that. T-Bird, Kurt and I watched Clarke in early TC and let me tell you, the guy is a f*cking handful when you actually see him in person. Not quite as tall as Kendall, but a real road-grader, low-center-of-gravity solid guy. I didn't get a good look at Bender up close, but he sounds like he's in the same mold. Rawer talent than Kendall, yes. But ultimately built better for what we want to accomplish. Oh and... of course, younger than 34 too.
The problem I have with this is Kendall said (maybe true, maybe not) that the Jets gave him verbal communication that they would make up for what they cut in his salary (or something along those lines). Now when it is time to go on their word, see you later. I do not think the Jets are a better team w/o Kendall and all I can hope for is we find someone to replace him that will make us better.
If we don't sign someone, I'm sincerely thinking at this point in time that Mangini and Tannenbaum have been watching the hell out of Bender and Clarke and honestly think one of these two will step up and fill in quite nicely. My guess is, it's Clarke. Mangini's too good an evaluator of talent and Tannenbaum's too good a chess player (seeing moves way ahead) to have done anything but the right move with Kendall. And for us to improve our lot in the future by obtaining a decent draft pick is only gravy at this point.
I'll take Tangini's word any day over Pete Kendall's. First off, Mangini and Tannenbaum have been professional throughout this entire grievance. The same can't be said for Kendall, so that's suspect right there, IMO. Secondly, Kendall restructured because he wanted to, and pocketed the signing bonus as he signed on the dotted line. Then he came back and was denied a revisit to this same contract, so what does he do at this point? He continually seeks to sneak around the system, approaching the news media and airing his whines publicly, including slapping his HC in the face by revealing so-called private phone conversations that supposedly took place. Now seriously... whose word looks suspect here, The Jets' or Kendall's? I say he's a lying scumbag. I'm telling you, there's too much mercury in those lobsters they've been trapping off the Massachusetts coastline.
I'm still stunned that people think this is a bad move. Kendall can't block for the run to save his life. He's 34 years old. He's now serviceable at best. Teams don't give up fourth round picks for serviceable guards. This is a HEIST. Skins are idiots, they proved it when they essentially gave us a free second round pick.
Wise post. It is too soon to jump to conclusions and there is still a couple more weeks to go before the season starts up. Sometimes you just got to have a little faith. :beer:
I agree. If Kendall was not the best he was the second best offensive lineman. He was older but still capable of being one of the best Guards in the league and he was underpaid. That said, the team seems to try to avoid renegotiating contracts too soon so they needed to set a precedent but I for one am not feeling better about our team because we have a fourth round pick in two years while our already weak offensive line takes a huge hit. Yeah Kendall was a bitch and a baby and went to far but we dug a huge hole today that might cost us the playoffs this year. As we all should have learned in the last 2-3 years is that strong line play is the foundation of team success. That's why we draft Brick and Mangold. Our line has multiple question marks and as such our rushing attack may suffer and our Quarterback may be injured. I'm still positive about the team and am happy the FO could parlay the annoyance into some value in the future but as far as the present goes the team took a clear step back in the talent department. Of course this could all be moot if we are able to acquire a comparable replacement for Mr. Kendall.
My God! A common sense, rational assessment. Not sure I agree with all of it, but kudos for sure. I think Kendall was a little weaker than this assessment. His interior run blocking has really deteriorated. Still pulls well, and is ok (at best) in pass blocking. Jets take a step backward by trading him, but had no choice. You have to remember this is the third team to get rid of him. Jets at least get a draft choice back and a very good one given the situation. Because of Jones, straight ahead interior run blocking is much more important his year. Both Clarke and Bender vastly outperform Kendall on this scale. The question is pass protection. Poster who asked if Chad has taken out life insurance is unduly negative but asked the right question.
A) Why do you say Jones needs straight ahead run blocking and what does this even mean? Are you saying that Jones will only run straight ahead between the tackles? Even if Jones never ran outside, what about Leon who will get a fair share of carries? Unless you have a load at RB like Bettis you are going outside and running off tackle and on sweeps. B) Clarke and Bender vastly outperform Kendall? Are you talking about Clarke of 4 NFL starts and Bender the rookie from Nicholls State? Now I am bullish on Bender and unsure on Clarke but aside from rampant speculation how can anyone (besides maybe Mangini) claim that the two of them vastly outperform Kendall in one obtuse category? Rebuttal?
I smell the smoke, but there is no fire. Jets' lose nothing with the trade of Kendall & gain a needed an valuable draft pick for next year; which can translate into a good young player & added depth. This gives the Jets' 2 4th round picks next season or the season after. excellent move by the "Tangini Duo".
Have you seen Bender run block yet? Bender will immediately improve the running game. Downside is, he will get Pennington killed.
