I know Cimini has been down on us lately, but this assessment of the Robertson mess can only be read as a fair one in my view. Anyone else hitting their knees each night and thanking the Gods that Bradway is no longer calling the GM shots?.... Cimini blog on nydailynews.com: 3/14/08 "On April 25, 2003, the Jets drafted Dewayne Robertson for all the wrong reasons - and they’re still paying for it. They’ve been trying to trade him for nearly a month, but have found no takers - shocking, considering he’s only 26 and, from all indications, has no off-the-field baggage. Let’s take a look back at the decision that continues to haunt the franchise. The day after the draft, then-GM Terry Bradway, sometimes too candid for his own good, admitted they made the bold move for Robertson (trading two No. 1 picks to move up), in part, because he sensed the organization was demoralized in the aftermath of the Redskins Raid. Remember, Bradway was widely criticized that offseason for losing Laveranues Coles, Randy Thomas, John Hall and Chad Morton to the Skins. “Yeah, I do feel a lot of relief,” said Bradway, reveling in his aggressive move. “You don’t win championships in the offseason, but you want people feeling good about your team. As a result of this draft, we’ve been able to do that. I think we’ve been able to put a little spark in here.” It was a curious move because, several weeks earlier, they had paid a $3 million option bonus to retain DT Josh Evans, who was starting at the position (3-technique tackle) that Robertson was drafted to play. Shortly after the draft, the news broke that Evans had tested positive and was facing a long drug suspension. The Jets found out before the draft, which explains why they felt compelled to trade up for Robertson. Presumably, they also knew he had a bad knee coming out of college. That didn’t become public until August, 2005, when Robertson, experiencing discomfort, left training camp to visit Birmingham-based orthopedist James Andrews. The Daily News reported that he had a bone-on-bone condition, and then-coach Herm Edwards confirmed it the next day when questioned about the News’ story. “Bone is rubbing on bone,” said Edwards, adding that Robertson had no cartilage and would have to deal with the condition for the remainder of his career. Robertson has missed only three games in his career (none because of the knee), but he hasn’t lived up to expectations. At the same time, he has made more than $26 million in his career, making him one of the highest-paid defensive tackles. That contract, which still has two years, $18 million remaining, has irked owner Woody Johnson, according to a source. Now, after trading for Kris Jenkins and signing backup Sione Pouha to an extension, the Jets have no use for Robertson and want to trade him. But they can’t. Ever since a tentative trade with the Bengals fell apart, there have been stories about Robertson’s knee condition. The word is out. The Broncos are interested in making a deal, but the Jets would be lucky to get a box of doughnuts for him. Everybody knows that Robertson is due a $3 million roster bonus in early June, which means they will cut him before having to write that check. Considering the enormity of their investment in Robertson - both the money and the draft picks - it would represent a blunder of epic proportions if they cut him loose and receive nothing in return. GM Mike Tannenbaum must feel like he’s trying to peddle a knock-off Rolex to street-corner salesmen. It’s hard to hustle hustlers."
Bradway is such a dope. He responds to the loss of 4 key players by putting all his eggs in one basket and drafting a defensive tackle from Kentucky with a degenerative knee condition. He thought that was the right response to his failure to retain his own key players?
Okay man...no one likes Bradway, but at the time, the Jets ran a 4-3 and needed help on the defensive line. No one knew about D-Rob's knee problems. That is a just bad luck. Everyone was excited to have two first rounders that year, and Bradway traded up. It could've turned out either way. Robertson was supposed to be the next Warren Sapp, and he didn't pan out. It sucks.
I am glad Bradway is no longer calling the drafting shots or especially invovled in any contract negotiations. We didn't name him Dumbway for nothing.
He was always a need-based drafter, and never had a great strategy. He also drafted marginal guys, no one who truly kicked ass minus a healthy J. Abe, and Ellis for a couple of years. He is still here to evaluate talent, but he is not to touch come draft day. Its all Mike and Eric, and I wouldn't be surprised if Joey Clinkscales has more of a say than Bradway. Terry should never be given the command of anything ever again. He has not given us one sure-fire perennial pro-bowler in those 5 years as GM, Rhodes isnt there yet because fans are allowed to vote. Tanny may have given us 3 in Mangold, Harris, and Revis, and could add more with Jenkins, Faneca and Richardson, and could add even more with this draft a la LB or WR, SS or even CB. Hell, what if Kellen Clemens makes one Pro-Bowl in his career?? It might happen. Maybe this team is ready to turn around, but it ain't Bradway who did it.
It looks like we have 2 options. Either cut him after June 1st and take the cap hit over the next two seasons, or play him and have him rotate in and out at DE and at DT when we use 4 down linemen. I think I am leaning towards option number 2
If we keep him without restructuring his contract we're probably going to have to create some cap space somewhere else in order to sign all of our draft picks. We're dangerously close or below the amount of cap space (4.5) that we will be allowed for the rookie cap pool.
can one of you football Xs and Os nerds explain to me what exactly is so special about this 3 technique tackle I hear about so much? I remember that draft like it was yesterday. Kevin Williams of the Vikings was an equal or higher rated defensive tackle than Robertson, but we traded two picks to get this guy. Meanwhile Williams has gone on to sack QBs at a nice pace and I think made the pro bowl. Why couldn't he have palyed 3 technique tackle for us??
Choice 3 - Force him to restructure. Give him the roster bonus now as a signing bonus, and spread this years salary over a 3 year deal. Give him permission in the contract to seek a trade. Once his deal is redone more teams will bite. Otherwise, he stays at a reasonable price.
What really gets me going on this is not only did they trade up to #4 to get him in 2003 costing us (2) 1st round picks, but they signed him to a 7 year gig out of the gate from college - that is almost never done. A normal deal is around 5 years with gauranteed money; too bad we didn't do that; Robertson would have been a free agent right now and we would all be saying "see ya". Instead the idiot brain trust at the time go 7 years; now he has 2 years to economically plunder us while we get little production out of the guy. It is pretty sad. So, if we cut him before June, what would the cap hit be? Would it be for this year or would it be for 2 years? Here is a biopsy of the contract from 2003 which took till Mid-July that year to get done: http://espn.go.com/nfl/columns/pasquarelli_len/1582994.html
If we cut him before June the cap hit will be 3.6 million and we'll save 8.4 million off the cap. Not sure about next year but I don't think we get hurt next year. edit: as of right now he's counting $12 million against the 2008 cap.
Yikes, I didn't realize we were that close to the cap. If it is only a $3.6 million cap hit before June 1st, then I actually change my thinking. If we cannot trade him by then, we should by all means release him.
I was an Evans fan - but knowing his suspension was coming and knowing how important a big inside DT would be for our defense, I was in favor of the "bold move" to trade up and draft Robertson in 2003. But, I was among the many who had no idea that the underclassman already had a bone on bone condition in his knee and that he was damaged goods to start with. Given that information I would not only have not made the trade, but I would have thought twice about picking him at all... ...the Jets traded the #14 and #22 for the #4 to take Robertson. Looking at that draft, we could have taken instead with the two picks: 16 Troy Polamalu 29 Nick Barnett 31 Nnamdi Asomugha 33 Eric Steinbach 54 Anquan Boldin 56 Osi Umenyiora Or we could have still trade up - although not as high - and had Ty Warren #13 for less... Looking at the 2003 draft it wasn't strong at the top. Guys like Lance Briggs 3rd Round Asante Samuel 4th Round Rien Long 4th Round came out of the 2003 draft but it still seems like an average year with a weak 1st round. But, imagine had we drafted Polamalu and Barnett in round #1 then Boldin or Umenyiora in Round #2! BTW the Pennington contract will forever be Bradway's worst decision as GM!
I think that pretty much seals the deal right there. We will have no choice but to let him go at the end of May. If it frees up $8.4M it's a no-brainer. DRob is not even close to being worth the cabbage we are on the hook for.
Yes, he was. I just don't think he had any autonomy or control. His instructions probably were, "Just get it done....".
I have a feeling it was more Bradway having the final say, because if Tanny had say most of these guys would be earning the money through incentives or the contract would have not as hard of an impact on the cap.
Kevin Williams is an All-Pro for the Minnesota Vikings, Kevin and Pat both make it every year. He can't play tackle for us because Bradway is a complete douche.
If we aren't planning on signing any more free agents we only need to free up about $3 million to be in fine shape. If they want to sign a few more guys, d-rob is as good as cut already.
I'm not really a football nerd, but I was reading about this recently. This is a good site for this kind of info. Taken from the page about the Defensive Line:
