Sixteen days until the draft, and here?s what I?m hearing about the Jets: If they stay put at No. 6, they?ll probably get a shot at RB Darren McFadden or DE/LB Vernon Gholston. The Raiders (No. 4) hold the key. They?ve been linked to both players, but you never know what?s going to happen in the wacky world of Al Davis. The latest buzz is that he likes Gholston. In my opinion, Gholston and McFadden are two of the most intriguing players in the draft. Both have so much potential, yet there are legitimate questions about them. For Gholston, it?s inconsistency. Seven of his 14 sacks last season came in two games (Wisconsin and Michigan), which means he had seven in the other 11 games. That?s not awful, but you?d expect more from a truly dominating player, and that?s what you should expect from the 6th overall pick. Granted, he did beat Michigan?s highly-regarded OT Jake Long for one of the seven sacks in his two signature games, but some scouts are concerned about his hot and cold performances. For McFadden, it?s the off-the-field baggage - two bar fights and paternity issues. If the Jets give $20 million in guarantees to this guy, roughly the cost of the 6th pick, and he winds up on Roger Goodell?s naughty list, it could be curtains for Tangini. Don?t think for a second that hasn?t crossed the minds of Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini. Colleague Don Banks of SI.com writes that the Jets are very interested in QB Matt Ryan. That?s not what I?m hearing, but there are a lot of smokescreens out there. I really think they like QB Joe Flacco, the rifle-armed passer from Deleware. But he?s considered a late 1 or an early 2. Ideally, I think the Jets would like to trade into the 8-13 range, and their chances of auctioning the 6th pick would be enhanced if McFadden and/or Ryan is on the board. Between 8 and 13, they could make a value pick for one of the top corners, Leodis McKelvin or Dominique Rogers-Cromartie. Remember, the Jets have yet to address the cornerback issue in free agency, save for street free agent Andre Woolfolk. They?re still interested in re-signing Hank Poteat, the old standby, but they can?t offer him more than the minimum because they?re being strangled by Dewayne Robertson?s $11 million cap figure. Starting Monday, I?ll begin a daily position-by-position breakdown of the Jets? needs and draft prospects, continuing a tradition that goes back ? back ? back ? to last year. *** Thoughts on the Kerry Rhodes deal: It?s hard to give a definite opinion without having seen the exact numbers, but this was a no-brainer for the Jets. He?s one of their top young players; it had to be done. They probably could?ve saved some coin by doing it before free agency, before some of the salaries got ridiculous (see Gibril Wilson).
But who would trade up? 8. Baltimore: They'll sit tight because if Ryan is available at 6, they know N.E. won't take him, and they have McGahee at RB, so no reason to move up. 9. Cincy: Don't need a QB, but maybe trade up for McFadden? 10. Saints: Don't need a QB or a RB, but perhaps trade up if Ellis is available? I doubt it 11. Bills: Maybe trade up for Ryan, but would we want to do this deal with an in-division team? 12. Broncos: Don't need a QB, maybe McFadden but they always seem to make RB pearls out of 6th round oysters... 13. Panthers: Maybe, could use a QB, RB and (given our trade with them) a D-tackle 14. Bears: Seem the most likely, they need a QB, they need an RB but many say they'll sit tight to get the best Offensive Tackle available, but would they move up to get Clady?
I think Cimini is just voicing his preference and basing nothing on actual facts. Seems he has his head in the sand about McFadden too. Those off field issues seem to have been cleared up. Yeah, he got into fights trying to keep one brother from being killed and another's car from being stolen. ! of the two paternity suits has already been dismissed as testing proved he wasn't the father. The second is still awaiting the blood tests to come back. Most GMs are now saying McFadden makes and excellent teammate and great locker room presence.
Sweed? I like Sweed but I think you go w/ Harvey or one of the corners. Also, based on some of the press clippings the Jets may also take a close look at Medenhall(sp) if they end up closer to 13 than 8.
i heard boomer/carton talking about it this morning. they're saying that with the signing of rhoades, the jets are looking to trade out of the #6, because of the $. i'm hoping they get either gholston, or dmc. i would'nt be unhappy about picking up an extra pick or 2, and getting one of the corners, but we've just been talking so much about dmc, and gholston, i kinda got my heart set on one or the other. any thoughts on lawrence jackson, from USC? think he's worth a look if we move into the teens?
I don't think the difference between the top 5 WRs or so are that big where you can take one high in round 1.
If this is true, then I have to assume a few things. #1) The Jets have already discussed with another team about a trade down and got something in the works. Or, #2) they will cut DRob. Or, #3) They will cut Chad. Or, #4) Nobody really knows how well Mike T is at working contracts, and in reality, everyone should shut the hell up and let the man worry about the numbers.
I think i'm gonna go with #4 on that one. Yeah. That sounds about right. I doubt the FO will back us into a corner financially where we can't trade down or create a holdout situation at the beginning of training camp.
What if Chris Long is there at #4 as well? Does Al Davis stick with Vernon? I still think Chris Long secretly hates Al Davis.
Raiders are going to take Dorsey...you heard it here first. He and McFadden are considered the best talents in the draft. The Raiders just lost Sapp. Enter Dorsey. It just makes too much sense.
Kelly is being moved inside to take over Sapps vacancy. Davis doesn't care about Dorsey, and I wouldn't be shocked if Dorsey goes to the Rams at #2 so they can move Carriker back to his natural DE spot.
They know that how exactly? I can see that being the case if they can't resolve the Robertson situation but that will be resolved when they cut him. There is no way they make the moves they made this year and then say we can't afford to draft at our pick..do you realize how funny that even sounds? They would be the laughing stock of the league.
You already have Miller, who Mangini claimed made great strides the previous off season, before his injury. You have NO TRUE #1 receiver. You fill that slot, and next year target a Corner (if you are inclined....) so that you have two years between holes in the Defensive backfield (IF Miller does not work out as expected...)
Let me correct you on only one item here...The last thing the Bills need at 12 is a QB so there will be no trading up for Ryan.... And I don't know why everyone is saying corner in round 1. People seem to keep forgetting about Justin Miller...personally, since I don't believe any of the receivers are middle of the 1st round worthy....maybe we can address some more of the line...possibly one of the other RB's for depth....I don't know...but definitely not corner. Peace! The Mezz
That's right, Mangini claimed he was making great strides in camp last off-season, and ever since the season ended we have had a hard-on for every FA cornerback available. I think that speaks volumes in itself. It may not be huge on our list of needs in comparison to the other existing holes, but I don't think they are banking on Justin Miller too heavily. Edit: And speaking of votes of confidence, locking up both Coles and Cotch in the past year makes me think that they are sticking with those two as our #1 and #2 wideouts. Money talks.
