I found this at: http://www.profootballtalk.com/rumormill.htm POSTED 12:05 p.m. EDT; UPDATED 4:24 p.m. EDT, August 21, 2006 SPECULATION MOUNTS THAT JETS INTENTIONALLY FLUNKED SUGGS In the wake of the trade that sent running back Kevan Barlow to the Jets from the 49ers, there is growing speculation in league circles that the Jets knew that Barlow was available before deciding that Browns running back Lee Suggs was not able to pass a Jets-imposed physical. The Jets acquired Suggs last week in a trade with the Browns, but Suggs failed the physical due apparently to a knee injury that Suggs had suffered in college -- and that had not prevented him from practicing with or playing for the Browns. The speculation (and we emphasize that it is only speculation) is that the Niners offered up Barlow after word broke of the Suggs trade, that the Jets then nixed the Suggs trade by finding that he had flunked his physical, and then that the Niners and the Jets opted to wait a few days before doing the deal, in order to defuse any suspicions regarding whether there was any winking and/or nodding going on between the 49ers and the Jets before the Suggs deal went down the tubes. Meanwhile, one league source has offered up an opinion regarding our story from earlier on Monday as to the Jets' emphasis on character guys and the decision to acquire Barlow: "If they were that concerned about high character and people, this trade that they just made really goes against that thought process." The source added that Barlow's reputation in league circles is far from stellar, and that he's not regarded as a high-character guy. Also, to the extent that the Jets are being perceived as doing things the "Patriots way," there are other deviations. The team's decision to circulate a depth chart with the players listed in alphabetical order is something that not even the facts-frugal Bill Belichick has ever tried to get away with.
Who knows, but I seriously doubt Mangini would have screwed Crennel like that so publicly. And Tannenbaum would be stupid to do it as a yearling in the GM circles. On the question of Barlow's character, like Mangini said yesterday, Brian Cox was thought to be a bum in the "insider circles" but that proved to be wrong. Is Barlow a choir boy? No, but he's a bit more mature now and with Curtis around (hopefully) all season, he'll be on his best behavior. I'm sure they consulted Curt on this.
LOL @ the media who are going to flog the Jet's media inaccessibility until the corpse is no longer visible under all the lash marks. The best thing about the Mangini signing is that if he's successful the NY media will have been marginalized into just doing their jobs instead of trying to foment stories on a daily basis to keep up in the tabloid race.
You know what? It sucks for the Browns, but F everyone on this subject. It was okay that KC tampered with our coach all year, not just behind closed doors, but through Vermiel's press conferences. I didn't see Tagliabue jump to the Jets defense when we were trying to get a stadium deal done, other than to offer a Super Bowl to the city. However, he had no problem for years going on and on about LA needing to get a team back. No offense to the rest of the league, but the Jets have been the doormat for long enough. Hell, even when we are competitive we are treated like second class citizens. If we took advantage, GOOD for us. Tough luck NFL. Tough luck beat writers. We have been everyone's little ugly stepbrother for long enough. Now we have a hair or two on our chests, so you are shitting bricks.
Who cares.. Barlow is better than Suggs. If we purposely failed Suggs, good choice. But I highly doubt we would actually do that.
Completely agree..if barlows name came up after the trade was made..and we somehow found an out...good for us. It doesnt go in the w column...but it got a smirk out of me...thats good enough right now.
I am not usually one for playing dirty, but I think you bring up some good points there. It is a dog eat dog world out there. Why growl when you can bite? :up:
[/QUOTE]....to the extent that the Jets are being perceived as doing things the "Patriots way," there are other deviations.[/QUOTE] Patriots? hmmmm... the Patriots?? wow, Aren't they the bastages that won 3 superbowls?? this point is moot.
well if its true, good thing ill take suggs over barlow anyday of the week, except sunday (see how i switched the names there, im priceless)
We discussed this at length when Herm first left. It all started opening weekend last year, when Herm and his wife had a nice comfy dinner with the Chief's GM. Sure, it's speculation, but is anyone foolish enough to believe that something along the lines of this conversation didn't happen: (I don't recall the GM's name, so he will be referred to as CGM) CGM: Hey Herm, it's great to see you! Herm: It's great, yeah, great to see you, here, in this nice restaurant, I hear they have good food here, it's great to see you here. CGM: Herm, just order whatever you like, we have something important to discuss. Herm: Ooo, they have chicken. I ever tell you the chicken story? I used to chase them chickens. Hard to catch, those chickens. Somebody caught them though, because they have them on the menu. I'll have the chicken. CGM: Okay, great Herm. Now lets talk about your future. Herm: My future? No man knows the future, I'm the coach of the Jets. Long year coming up, but we're ready, and I'm the coach of the Jets. CGM: I mean your future here in Kansas City Herman. We have spoken to Dick Vermeil, and he is retiring. He wants you to take over the reigns here. Herm: Dick said that? Really? He's my mentor you know? Dick is. My mentor. CGM: Yes, we know Herm. The question is, are you interested? Herm: Am I interested? I'm the coach of the Jets. CGM: We have Holmes and Johnson Herm. Herm: Oooo, that's some good options on 3rd and 15! CGM: Well, do you want the job? Herm: Do I have to bring my own chickens? CGM: No Herm. Herm: I'm in! CGM: Lets just keep this quiet until after the season ends okay Herm? Herm: Keep what quiet? CGM: Perfect!
OR maybe Suggs had physical problems and just failed the physical that the Jets have in place..Lets see if anyone else trades for Suggs who needs a solid back up..
I think you are on the right track. This is a media ploy to get at Mangini by hurting his rep in the league. He pissed them off by making them work for a living and they pay him back running unnamed league sources saying he cheated the browns. The Media knows that 90% of readers know this story is bullshit but after 9 or 10 such articles and maybe a blow up by him down the road at a reporter and people will start to think maybe he did cheat the browns way back then.
This sucked way bad for Suggs. He now has a black mark on him for the rest of his carrer. "He Failed the Jet's physical based on an college injury". That will be hard to live down and has lowered his stock to about half what it used to be. Most teams won't touch him know.
