Whispers ? league wrap-up By PFW staff - April 19, 2009 ~ AFC Whispers ~ ~ Don?t expect the Jets to be heavily involved in the Anquan Boldin sweepstakes despite a glaring need at receiver. The way we hear it, they?d rather not trade for a veteran, top-flight receiver ? and dole out the cash that would come along with it ? without yet knowing if they have the real deal at quarterback in Kellen Clemens or Brett Ratliff. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/Whispers/2009/wrapup041909.htm _____________________
Jets Quarterback Battle Can't Start Until Next Week Posted Apr 21, 2009 10:13AM - By Dan Graziano (RSS feed) Filed Under: Jets, AFC East, NFL Draft FLORHAM PARK, NJ -- For a guy who was generally acknowledged to be "winning" the first couple of days of the competition, Kellen Clemens had an interesting take on the fight for the Jets' starting quarterback spot. "We're getting a lot of attention through all of this, but really, if you look at the five guys in front of us, our offensive line, they're going to make it easier for whoever the quarterback is," Clemens said. "Add in our special teams and our defense, and the way I look at it, whoever's playing quarterback for this team, the group that surrounds him is going to make it easier to perform." Coming as it does from a man who very much wants the job, this is a jolting dose of perspective. Clemens is almost saying that it doesn't matter who the Jets' quarterback is, because the rest of the team is so good. But maybe it shouldn't be a surprise that Clemens has done so much deep thinking about this. After all, the competition for the Jets' starting QB job can't really start until after this weekend's NFL draft is over. With the Jets sitting at the No. 17 pick in the first round, there's a chance they could select a quarterback who would come in and compete with Clemens, Brett Ratliff and Erik Ainge for the starting QB spot. Matt Stafford looks as if he's going No. 1 overall to the Lions, and Mark Sanchez looks as if he'll be long gone before 17, which means the Jets would have to trade up to get either of them. But Josh Freeman could still be there when the Jets pick, and since none of the current options is a slam-dunk NFL starter, they'd have to at least consider a talent like that. Right, Mike Tannenbaum? "Right now we're comfortable with the three guys we have," Tannenbaum, the Jets' GM, said during Friday's pre-draft press conference. "Those guys have earned the right to compete for the job, and that's based on the long period of time they've been here and the work ethic they've demonstrated. They've done enough good things to earn the right to go forward and compete." Which may be true, may be a draft smokescreen and may be both. Tannenbaum said he's very comfortable at the No. 17 pick and fully anticipates taking a player at that spot (meaning, not trading up). But the truth is that nobody actually knows what's going to happen come Saturday night. Surprises early in the round could lead to Sanchez (or even Stafford, really) dropping down the board and enticing the Jets to trade up and out of their spot to land a potential franchise QB. They could decide that Freeman is the best player on their board when it does come time to draft. And if they pick a quarterback, then Clemens, Ratliff and Ainge will find a new face in the QB competition when the next minicamp arrives on May 11. "The way I look at it, any extra work that we can get is better for us," Ratlliff said. "Where then that much further ahead than whoever comes in, whether it's a veteran or a draft pick. We have a head start."It seems fair to assume that the Jets will address offense with their first-round pick, since their offseason to date has been so focused on addressing the defense. That point was made to head coach Rex Ryan in his own press conference Friday, and Ryan smiled at his questioner and said, "You can presume anything you want." Ryan and Tannenbaum both joked that offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer has been pestering them to make sure they pick an offensive player in the draft, but coach and GM both stuck to the pre-draft script, repeating their plan to "let the board dictate" who they pick."If it happens to be that clearly the best player on the board is a defensive player, then Schottie is going to go crazy, but we've got to be fair to our football team and get the best guy," Ryan said. As Josh Alper pointed out in his rundown of the Jets' draft needs in our "Perfect Draft" series, the Jets have needs at wide receiver and maybe even running back on the offensive side of the ball. Given the strength of this year's WR crop, picking a receiver would seem to be the Jets' best move at No. 17. There has also been some talk around the team about interest in Oklahoma State's Brandon Pettigrew, the draft's top tight end. But as long as the big three QBs are on the board, the post-Brett Favre Jets are going to look like a good landing spot for one of them. Joey Clinkscales, the Jets' director of college scouting, offered thumbnail breakdowns of Sanchez and Freeman during Friday's press conference: "Sanchez is a fantastic leader. He's played in Los Angeles, which is like the 33rd NFL team, and he's led that team. He doesn't have a large body of work, but the body of work he's put together has been really good. Really special." "Freeman is physically gifted. He has a big arm. Maybe hasn't has as much success as Sanchez, had at USC, but he's a very talented, athletic kid." If the Jets get either one of them, we're sure to hear much more from Clinkscales and the rest of the team about how great they are. But whether they take a quarterback this weekend or not, once the draft is over, the Jets will finally, at long last, really know what their quarterback competition looks like. > http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2009/04/21/jets-qb-battle-cant-start-until-next-week/
Mark it down Sanchez one trade Jets won't regret By Matt Sohn (msohn@pfwmedia.com) - April 29, 2009 The manner in which Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum executes football decisions is very much in line with the New York City mantra. He?s unashamedly seduced by brand names and isn?t afraid of doling out primo dollars to get the merchandise he craves. Sounds shallow and callous, but it?s not. It?s simply the mold he?s crafted for himself ? with the help of his coaches, of course. Two years ago, the Jets traded up in both the first and second rounds to acquire the players they eyeballed as defensive cornerstones, CB Darrelle Revis and ILB David Harris. Last year, after having already picked OLB Vernon Gholston at No. 6, they traded back into Round One to nab TE Dustin Keller. The veteran trade winds netted them Kris Jenkins and Brett Favre, and high-profile free agents Calvin Pace, Alan Faneca and Damien Woody were more than happy to collect the wads of cash the Jets offered.With so many headlining transactions, some are bound to work out, and some aren?t. Two years after the fact, Revis and Harris have developed just as the team hoped, while Favre, well, we all know the inglorious ending that saga produced. The Jets aren?t the only heavy hitters in the high rollers? suite. Nearly anytime a Q-rated footballer is traded or signed to a blockbuster deal, an element of risk comes with it, free of charge. ?Nearly? is the operative word here, because every once in a while, such a move is so obvious ? either good or bad ? that judgment can be passed down immediately and absolutely. Tannebaum?s trade with old pal Eric Mangini to move up and grab Mark Sanchez is one of those rarities. It was undoubtedly the correct call.The move that mandated the Jets part with a first- and a second-round draft pick and three middling veterans is not evidence that they were high on hot air when they continuously praised their obscure cast of quarterbacks in the weeks and months leading up to the draft. If they were truly as dubious about Kellen Clemens and Brett Ratliff as some suggest, then they would have pressed all the more for Jay Cutler. As we?ve seen numerous times before, Tannenbaum does what?s needed to get the guys he craves. The Jets simply saw brilliance in Sanchez, and that?s a quality worth pursuing. Does he have Michael Vick?s legs or John Elway?s arm? Nope, though his physical qualities are still impressive. More importantly, he?s unflappable. He?s vibrant. He?s engaging. And he knows exactly what he?s supposed to be, and what not to be.When Matt Leinart packed his bags for Arizona in 2006, there were more than a few outspoken voices who believed USC coach Pete Carroll should have tabbed Sanchez for the Trojans? starting gig over John David Booty. Those voices only grew louder in 2007 after a good but not great debut season from Booty. Yet Sanchez didn?t so much as utter a groan in a situation in which many other elite recruits would jump ship. When he finally was called up from the bullpen in 2008, the one-time wallflower unleashed his inner William Wallace. It wasn?t an artificial personality shift, he merely knew it was his time to assume the reins. Those close to the USC program insist neither of the other top-10 QB picks of the Carroll era ? Carson Palmer or Leinart ? had the innate leadership qualities of Sanchez. Palmer has rarely been one to rally the troops, whereas Leinart has had a notoriously tough time shaking the perception that he?s more in tune with Page 6 than the five-step drop.The son of a fire chief, Sanchez learned a thing or two about performing under duress. He steps up in the pocket, will take the lick and pop right back up. Just like the Jets will do. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/NFL/AFC/AFC+East/NY+Jets/Features/2009/sohn042909.htm
thank you... this is what made me love this kid and want him on the team. his intangibles are the essence of why he's going to be so good. He carries himself like a champion.
Great article, thanks kelly. What is awesome about Tannenbaum is that he doesn't just trade everytime he's infatuated with someone, he waits to make the right deal. He was definitely infatuated with Cutler but the price wasn't right for him. Because of Tannenbaum's patience in finding a good deal, it turns out we might be even better off as a result. We have a great GM.
Hutch: Jets Like Smith and Clowney by John B on Apr 30, 2009 10:30 AM EDT Dave Hutchinson says the Jets claim to like Brad Smith and David Clowney as potential options to replace Laveranues Coles at receiver.It's getting difficult to decipher fact from fiction when talking to Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum these days. Let me try to figure it out. Tannenbaum, whom I respect and like very much personally, has been talking out of both sides of his mouth recently, and I don't know what to believe. I understand that Tannenbaum didn't want to tip his hand leading up to the draft. But perhaps he could have side-stepped the questions instead of telling the media -- and fans -- outright falsehoods about his contentment with the Jets' situation at quarterback and running back only to trade up and draft a quarterback and running back? Turns out, the Jets targeted quarterback Mark Sanchez from Day One and running back Shonn Greene was the top running back on their board.Well, I'm hearing that Tannenbaum was at least telling the truth when he said the organization is excited about wide receivers David Clowney and Brad Smith and that's why the team didn't draft or trade for a wide receiver.Clowney makes sense. Although his reps have been limited, he has looked really good whenever given a chance whether it be preseason or regular season. If nothing else, he has value because his speed can stretch the field. He will play a role even if he is only a one-dimensional deep threat. Smith is more of a head-scratcher. Maybe he has refocused with a fresh start under a new coaching staff and because Coles' departure gives him an opportunity. All I saw in him was a guy who runs sloppy routes and does not have good hands. His athleticism has never translated to productivity with the ball in space either, no matter how often Brian Schottenheimer force fed gadget plays with Brad.Chansi Stuckey was more of a threat to do damage after a catch. Considering how good he looked early in the year, it is surprising to not hear his name in the discussion. His opportunities only fell because Dustin Keller emerged as Brett Favre's favorite target. Stuckey has proven more than either Smith or Clowney, although that is not saying a whole lot. What are your thoughts? > http://www.ganggreennation.com/2009/4/30/859979/hutch-jets-like-smith-and-clowney
News: Clowney-Smith WR Battle Sounds like Clemens-Ratliff II Posted on April 30th, 2009 by Angel Navedo > http://www.thejetsblog.com/2009/04/30/news-clowney-smith-wr-battle-sounds-like-clemens-ratliff-ii/
Sanchez' impact on Jets ( video ) April 30, 2009 at 07:31 p.m. > http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-network-total-access/09000d5d81016268/Sanchez-impact-on-Jets
I have to admit, Tanny is not shy about finding his targets and going after them aggressively. Bradway would have had a brain hemorrhage dealing with the acquisitions of the past couple of offseasons.
Braylon Still Possibly Going To The Big Apple ? Posted by Mike Florio on May 4, 2009, 1:02 p.m. EDT In the days and weeks preceding the 2009 draft, there were many rumors and reports linking Browns receiver Braylon Edwards to the New York Giants. In the end, the Giants opted to address the void created by the release of receiver Plaxico Burress by drafting wideout Hakeem Nicks.But Edwards still might end up in New York. Tony Grossi of the Cleveland Plain Dealer recently floated the possibility of the Browns sending Braylon to the Jets in a trade that would reunite running back Thomas Jones with Browns coach Eric Mangini.The disclosure came in response to a reader question regarding the possibility of the Jets cutting Jones, who is skipping offseason workouts apparently due to displeasure with his contract. ?Rex Ryan knows that Mangini would scoop up Jones in a New York second if Jones were released,? Grossi writes. ?More likely is a future trade involving Jones and, yes, Edwards. You heard it here first.?The move would make plenty of sense, for both teams. The Jets haven?t replaced receiver Laveranues Coles, and they traded up to the top of round three to get running back Shonn Greene, who could be paired with tailback Leon Washington.And since the Browns could use help in the backfield and have been beefing up their passing game with second-rounders like Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi, an Edwards-for-Jones swap would improve the Browns right away ? if either of the rookie receivers can fill the void created by Edwards? departure. The challenge, in our view, will be for the Browns to get something more from the Jets in addition to Jones. And that?s where the action would be on any such transaction, regardless of whether the Browns want yet another of Mangini?s former pupils or whether they want one or more 2010 draft picks. > http://www.profootballtalk.com/2009/05/04/braylon-still-possibly-going-to-the-big-apple/ _______________ > http://www.thecure.com/default.aspx
I've been thinking a Braylon-Jones trade for weeks. It really would make a lot of sense, but we probably would have to give them more.
That Edwards-Jones thing has already been discussed between the Jets and Mangini. Long before the draft. The Edwards thing took a new twist around the time of the draft and there are rumors all over about why the Giants backed away. I won't get into it here but I'm sure you can find out why if you google around.
I'm not thrilled with Edwards. I'd rather get a quality receiver than someone who will simply fill the position. Edwards will keep defenses honest because he can stretch the field, but will he catch the damn ball if we do indeed go deep? I want to say right now, Jones is more valuable to us, but we are thin--so to speak--at the WR position with unproven talent. I'd give them Jones and next year's 4th which could get bumped up to a 3rd for Edwards. But as of right now, IMO, I think Jones is more valuable to us than bringing in Butterfingers Edwards.
I think Braylon Edwards is a hot dog who has stone hands. Why else would he be on the trading block if he is so talented? He has negatives and he doesn't even know it, based on his behavior and performance. Why spend money on trouble?
That's true, nobody would ever trade anyone who is talented. Hell, look at the mistake New England made by trading for Randy Moss. What a cancer.
He did last year but the year before he was make impossible catches. He looked good frighteningly good and then he took a step back but i think he is a talent and worth the risk.
