Jets Q&A with Cimini

Ton of stuff in here, only quoted what I found interesting, left out a ton of garbage

Didnt include the Questions, but theyre all self explanatory

http://espn.go.com/sportsnation/newyork/chat/_/id/42572



Updated with the recent part 2

The first question to arrive comes from my man Ira. I think Rex is definitely going to get more involved in the defense again. He stated that at the Super Bowl and he mentioned that he's already discussed it with Pettine.

I'm a Richardson guy, Gary. I think the Jets should make every effort to get him. They need a dynamic back to complement Greene, who is more of a 1a than a true 1. I could see TR falling to 10, but not much further.

as of the other day, they were only $464k under the PROJECTED cap. But lemme tell you something about the cap: It's a myth. There are so many ways to gain flexibility. If a team really wants a guy, they can make it happen. Teams only use the cap as as excuse when they cut players or ask players to take a pay cut.

All legitimate points, Dom, but this is the NFL and things change quickly. Teams can change in a month (see the Giants), let alone a year. If they're smart in the offseason, and they can get Sanchez back on track, they can get back into contention.

It had, Bill. I can see them signing an OL in free agency (maybe a Vernon Carey), but I don't think they'll throw around big money. This is a deep draft for OLM. Their best bet is the draft ... as long as they don't draft another Ducasse.

I don't think Holmes is a No. 1 WR. Look, I know last season wasn't all his fault and he's probably taking too much blame because of the blow-up in the huddle, but let's face facts: Only 1 1,000-yard season and 25 straight games without a 100-yd game. He's a No. 1 WR in the final 2 mins of games, a No. 2 WR for the first 58.

(on how we could afford Peyton)
Well, they'd save $5M in cap space by cutting or trading Sanchez. They could create a lot of room by restucturing contracts (Brick, Harris, Revis, Mangold). Maybe they let Cro walk instead of paying a $3M roster bonus. There are ways to create room.

It's funny, I was having this conversation yesterday with a friend of mine. I'd take JPP. As great as Revis is, JPP is younger and he puts the QB on the ground. That's what this league is about.

(on who we need to draft )

Right now, I'd say OLB and T/G are the strongest first-round considerations. After that, there's WR, S, ILB and RB.

No, I don't think he has reached his ceiling. But he has reached a crossroads. This is it for him. He needs to elevate his game and those around him. I recently mentioned the Sanchez-Eli comparison to a personnel guy. He said even though their numbers are strikingly similar, Sanchez doesn't have Eli's ceiling because of arm strength and ability to be a pocket passer.

Good question. I wrote this a while back. Basically it was a wash: Gave up a 7 for Schlauderaff, got a 7 for Lowery.

He's $2.45M insurance. Even if he's not a starter, every team needs a swing tackle. I can't imagine they want to keep him as the starting RT, but he has value because of his versatility and familiarity with the system. Plus, they would've taken a lot of heat if they released Hunter -- a great team guy -- the same day they kept Holmes.

Safety is a definite need, Scott. Barron is a good one, but he recently underwent double hernia surgery. He's not attending the combine and probably won't be able to work out for teams until just before the draft. Reminds me of TE Heath Miller back in '05 (??). He dropped to the bottom of Round 1 because he couldn't work out, but turned into a good player. I could see the Jets signing a safety in FA.

I'm not a fan of taking guards in first round. (Some think Glenn could be a tackle.) But some feel the game is changing and guards have more value. By that I mean, to stop these prolific passing attacks, teams wants pass-rushing DTs to push the pocket -- shortest route to QB is up the middle. If you have athletic DTs, you need big-time Gs to block them.


Make no mistake, they will miss Plax in the red zone. PT has everything you say, but I don't think his ball skills are as good as Plax.

I feel old because I covered Al during his latter years with the Jets. Nick needs to run a good time at the combine. I don't think he's as good as his dad, but you're right, he could have value in the 2nd or 3rd round. I hear he's a great kid. (on Nick Toon)

No offense, Jimmy, but I think fans spend too much time worrying about the cap. Unless your team is $20M over the cap and needs to dump salary, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If a team really wants a player, they can make it happen. Trust me, the Jets will have money to spend by the start of FA.

Sparano is committed to the running game. He also places a premium on pass protection, especially from the TE. Instead of five-man routes, you will see more three- and four-man routes, keeping extra guys in to block. In theory, that should allow them to be more vertical in the passing game.

To me, Oz, this will be the most fascinating question. The Jets aren't going to get Manning -- no way, no how -- but I could see them signing Henne. You might also hear some Jason Campbell buzz, but he could get expensive. They need a guy who could go in for a 2 or 3-game stretch, if necessary -- a guy that can make Sanchez feel threatened. If he doesn't like it, too bad.

(on our free agents Leonhard, Pouha, Thomas, Folk, Turner, Strickland)
Except for Pouha, you're talking about all minimum-salary guys. Even so, it'll be hard to keep all of them. I don't see Thomas, Turner and Strickland back here. Those spots should be filled by younger, cheaper players. Leonhard is a tough call.

(on Mario Williams)
I wouldn't rule out anybody. Everybody is in play. They had cap issues last summer and it didn't prevent them from throwing themselves at Asomugha.

(on trading up for TRich)
One thing to keep in mind, Ira: Greene is entering the last year of his contract. You have to think ahead.
Fair point, Melissa. I don't think RB is a huge, but if Richardson is the best available player, you have to take him. He'd add a different dimension to the offense. Sanchez would be sending him Valentines instead of Holmes.

(on our drafting)
Thanks for the kind words, Goldy. Lemme explain how the Jets draft: Joey Clinkscales and his scouts, with some input from the coaches, grade the players. Obviously, Rex has more input than the others. Tannenbaum is the CEO, so to speak. He makes the decision with the information presented to him. Tanny isn't on the road, scouting players. If there's a conflict in the draft room, Tanny breaks the tie.

(on Scott)
My gut tells me he's a goner. Coming off elbow scope, by the way. I think he hurt it when he flipped off reporters.

You'll be reading a lot about Henne and Vernon Carey in the coming weeks. Sparano also loves Colombo, but I don't think the Jets would be dumb enough to go there.

yep, I could see the Jets going after Super Mario.

Wilkerson, solid, blue collar. Kerley will be a player, just watch. Ellis ... long way to go. Keep an eye on McElroy; he has something. Maybe he'll be the Jets' version of Jeremy Lin. You read it here first.

 

I have to agree with the sentiment that Joe Mcknight aint ready for prime time yet.

But to be fair look how long it took Bush to break out.

I have no problem using Joe in passing situations once his pass blocking catches up, and its definitely not caught up yet.

Hes definitely not ready to fill a role on our team similar to Leon Washington in the past

 

Updated this with the second part, lotta new/different interesting stuff.

For starters it FINALLY answers the Lowery trade (which fucking sucks), as well as salary cap, and how he strongly feels about us going after Trich