? With ex-Steeler Alan Faneca reportedly agreeing to terms with the Jets on a four-year, $32 million contract, the $8 million a year plateau has been reached by a guard. That continues the recent trend that saw Seattle guard Steve Hutchinson jump to Minnesota in 2006 for $7 million a year, and Arizona guard Leonard Davis strike it rich for more than $7 million a year in Dallas in 2007. Faneca has been a very productive player for a long time in Pittsburgh, but he's 31 and some feel his play has started to slip in the past year or two. While he was clearly one of the most proven commodities available in free agency this year, he's also a prime example of a player hitting the free agency jackpot with his third contract. Ideally, free agency works best when you reward a player who has just earned his second contract after out-performing his rookie deal. And here's another way to look at the Jets' signing: Is Faneca really miles and miles better than Pete Kendall, the veteran guard they traded to Washington in the preseason after becoming embroiled in an nasty contract stalemate? After dumping the disgruntled Kendall, New York tried to make due with the ineffective Adrien Clarke as his replacement. Clarke started 14 games at left guard before being benched. He was released earlier this week. ? The Jets traded for Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and feel like his presence at nose tackle will solidify things in the way former '03 first-round pick Dewayne Robertson never could. But has anyone bothered to ask Jenkins how he feels about playing New York's zero-technique nose tackle position? Because people I've talked to don't think he'll be all that excited about the assignment, which is a lonely job at times, drawing near constant double-team blocks. ? When it's all said and done, I think the Saints will wind up picking the Jets' pocket in acquiring middle linebacker Jonathan Vilma for a 2009 conditional fourth-round pick -- even if his playing time bumps that choice to a third-rounder. I never could really understand why Eric Mangini's 3-4 defense couldn't find a spot for Vilma, and it may have been more the fault of New York's trouble at nose tackle, where Robertson couldn't keep enough blockers off Vilma. The former NFL defensive rookie of the year may be a bit undersized, but it certainly never hurt him when he was starring at the University of Miami or in his first two years with the Jets. He's a smart, aggressive tackler and he upgrades the Saints 4-3 defense, which currently has Mark Simoneau at middle linebacker. Damn, Donnie Brasco! Das a cold tony! What do you have for your next report, my mother never loved me and you just took a dump in my corn flakes?
How about Jets upgraded from a Traffic cone to- better LG If Jenkins didnt want to come here, he would have been more vocal about it to the Panthers, we would have known too. And Vlima? How about that knee doesn't heal and then all of the sudden the 3rd/4th rounder we got was a steal? Lets stop making predictions hours after things happen, good and bad.
If he bothered to do some research before he spewed that garbage, he would have read the article which states Mangini talked to Jenkins, and Jenkins is excited about the new assignment of 3-4 NT. What a dope. Atleast fact-check your nonsense.
Mr. Banks has got his nose pressed to the window as he looks in and it bends to the side. Not a pretty picture. He is a little far from the action and apparently has a quick deadline today...
The Jets traded for Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and feel like his presence at nose tackle will solidify things in the way former '03 first-round pick Dewayne Robertson never could. But has anyone bothered to ask Jenkins how he feels about playing New York's zero-technique nose tackle position? Because people I've talked to don't think he'll be all that excited about the assignment, which is a lonely job at times, drawing near constant double-team blocks. Oh I would bet Mr. Mangini had a conversation with Mr. Jenkins about what his job would be before he got here..They'll be no surprises on his part.
I thought bell would have been better value, but throwing some dough at a 7-time pro bowler isn't such a bad thing. If Jenkins didn't like his assignment, he wouldn't have signed a new 5-year contract. If Vilma does return to his pre-3-4 form, anything less than a 2nd feels like we got jacked.
A sports writer criticizing the Jets........... what next Bradwaysux or Don posts something negative? Nope can not say I believe it.
Information Banks has wrong in his column. 1) Jenkins took an extension, therefore is pretty clear on what his role will be. 2) The trade for Vilma was for a 4th this year, and a pposiible 2nd next year(swap). 3)I must have missed Kendall's pro bowls. John Madden quote"Players like Faneca don't come around very ofen and it would be a mistake for the Steelers not to resign him" 4) Faneca's deal averages more money, but is shorter than Hutch's and Davis's. 5) Did he notice that no other 3-4 teams persued Vilma? Either Vilma didn't want to play in it or they saw he couldn't.
One of the main reasons we traded Vilma is because he will be a free agent after this year. I couldn't see giving this guy a big contract because he doesn't fit in our system and he is coming off a major knee injury. If he was signed for 3 or 4 more years I could have seen the Jets holding on to him.
