Jets in good shape as lockout looms With the staff stable and schemes in place, Gang Green will be OK during labor crisis The New York Jets will be OK in a lockout. Actually, better than OK. If the NFL's potential work stoppage lasts through the spring and into the summer, causing the cancellation of offseason workouts and pushing free agency until after the draft, the Jets have the ability to withstand the turmoil better than most teams, according to a handful of opposing personnel executives and agents that spoke to ESPNNewYork.com on the condition of anonymity. "They'll probably get most of their [free agents] back, and they already have a good nucleus," one general manager said. "They shouldn't miss a beat compared to other teams. I think they're in a good position. So is New England. They should be on cruise control, with no major needs." The biggest reason, though, is continuity. Rex Ryan's entire coaching staff returns intact, a rarity in the NFL. That will be an enormous benefit if the offseason is lost and training camp is abbreviated. The offensive and defensive systems are in place -- have been for two years -- which means they don't have to deal with the headache of teaching new playbooks to the players. In a weird way, the down time could help incumbent coaching staffs, as it will allow them more time to study opponents. The Jets also don't have any quarterback uncertainty with Mark Sanchez4 as the clear-cut starter, whereas the Dolphins and Bills -- division rivals -- are sorting through quarterback issues that probably will last into training camp. This isn't to suggest the Jets are lockout-proof. No, there will be challenges along the way and adjustments that will have to be made. Here's an analysis: The Draft GM Mike Tannenbaum, who says his offseason game plan is written in pencil, may need to break out an eraser and change his philosophy if the draft is held before free agency. Tannenbaum is a steadfast believer in plugging holes via free agency and trades, allowing him to go into the draft with flexibility. In other words, he doesn't like to feel boxed in. Classic example: In 2009, the Jets didn't need a running back, not with Thomas Jones5 and Leon Washington6 on the roster, but they traded up for Shonn Greene7 when he slipped to the third round. They had him rated as a first-rounder; it turned out to be a smart move. This time, the Jets' will have glaring needs if the draft is first -- defensive tackle, pass rusher and safety. Do they draft a receiver not knowing if they'll be able to re-sign Santonio Holmes8 or Braylon Edwards9? It changes the playing field for a team accustomed to drafting for quality over quantity, but Tannenbaum and his staff have proven they can adjust to different circumstances. Trades Holmes. Jones. Antonio Cromartie10. Kris Jenkins11. These are some of the players the Jets have picked up in recent years via offseason trades. This is what Tannenbaum does best, dealing for veteran players in March and April. That gives the new players time to get acclimated to the area and buy into the Jets' program. (In Cromartie's case, enough time to pay off child-support debt.) If trading doesn't begin until, say, July or August, it'll be harder to acquire players that can make an immediate impact. (Teams can trade draft picks for draft picks, but no players.) They wouldn't have the benefit of minicamps and OTAs; it would be a cram course. This could really de-value a resource that has helped the Jets immensely in recent years. Free agency This is the biggie. The Jets have 15 expiring contracts, including big-ticket free agents Holmes, Cromartie and Edwards. If they can re-sign two or three, plus a good amount of their second-tier free agents, it would be a distinct advantage over teams with significant roster turnover -- especially if it's a late free agency period. The question is, can they keep their own? One personnel executive theorized that draft before free agency would hurt the market for second-tier free agents, pushing those players to re-sign with their own teams. That could really help the Jets retain players like Brad Smith13, Eric Smith14 and Brodney Pool15. What about the elite players? "If you're a special player, your money will be there," one executive said. In other words, the Jets may have to overpay to keep someone like Holmes, but it might be worth it for the sake of continuity. If the 2010 free-agency rules stay in effect, it would be an absolute coup for the Jets. They would retain the rights to Holmes, Cromartie and Brad Smith, who would be restricted free agents -- not unrestricted -- because they have less than six accrued seasons. In that case, the Jets could retain them on manageable one-year contracts instead of having to make long-term investments. Basically, it would be a replay of 2010, plenty of incentive for Holmes and Cromartie to stay motivated and well-behaved. Offseason workouts This could be a double-edged sword. Players, banned from the facility in a lockout, will try to organize to hold workouts on their own. Sanchez already has talked about hosting another "Jets West" passing camp near his home in California and Darrelle Revis16 has said he will invite the defensive backs to the training facility he uses in Arizona. Indeed, veteran teams with strong leadership and good chemistry should be able to get along without coaches for a few weeks. Ah, but there is potential downside: There's no protection in the event of injury. As for Sanchez and Revis, they might have trouble finding workout partners. Three of the top four receivers and five defensive backs are free agents, meaning they probably wouldn't want to participate because of the injury risk. The players hurt most by the lockout will be second-year players such as Kyle Wilson17, Vladimir Ducasse18, John Conner19 and Joe McKnight20, all of whom need a full offseason to be ready for expanded roles in 2011. But the Jets won't be able to supervise their progress. As for rookies, they will be on their own after the draft. "Their season," one agent said of the 2011 draft picks, "will go down the toilet." Maybe so, but the Jets are in better shape than most. http://sports.espn.go.com/new-york/nfl/columns/story?columnist=cimini_rich&id=6207565
that's nice and all....but this will still be the worst offseason ever if the owners/union don't get their heads out of their asses relatively soon.
good news to hear, but it doesnt make anybody feel any better. As for the 2011 draft picks, rookies this year are probably going to be terrible (in comparison to other years) there will still be good rookies, and great ones, but on the whole an awful lot of guys won't be putting in spot production this year because they won't be able to get in on a professional strength and conditioning program, they won't be able to get noses in the playbooks, they won't have access to the tapes so they can get started on their film study... Rooks will be in for some tough learning curves this year...
Ahh, let em stike jack asses. With all the shit going on with Mother nature, dirt bags in DC and in the middle east, its hard to get upset about the NFL striking in March. They are gonna find out, people don't care as much as they think. Go ahead, sit out a season, see who blinks first, betcha it ain't the fans. March sadness, spring and then baseball. By By NFL
i dont think this helps us at all. WHat if we cant resign both the WR's or cromartie and can't go into the draft knowing this. Our draft picks this year need to contribute- if we draft a DE, he is starting, or a OLB, he will have a chance at starting while stile getting a lot of playing time, or if we draft a safety, he'll have no shot at starting. If we don't sign cro then kyle wilson will have to step up big and without a full off season of training physically and mentally, we cud be screwed. Just because we have a good team and core doesn't mean that this hole debacle helps us. It really screws us over.
No other sport compares to the NFL!If this isnt resolved there will be a shitload of depressed football fans!
I remember the last time this shit happened, it didn't go down well in the publics eye and undoubtedly the game was damaged, but that was in the 80s during a booming economy. This is happening now, in a recession, (you can argue whether or not there is..) and alot of people/fans are going to be looking at this a bit differently to last time. I just hope the game doesn't get too damaged. GOODELL OUT
I'm surprised to see the word "good" in an article by that hack Cimini when talking about the Jets. I was expecting something like: " Jets in Doom and Gloom as Lockout Looms"
I'll be the punter. Worst case I'll just say I shanked every punt. I also volunteer to be part of the sideline wall on kickoffs.
Depending on which way this thing brakes in the Minnesota court this could be really good for the Jets. If Doty rules in favor of the players then the lockout is nullified. Under that scenario the owners would have to come up with some sort of improvised rule set under which to play this season - the most likely being some version of the uncapped year from last season. If that were the case then Mike T.'s last-minute tenders would all count, we'd have Tone, Cro, Smith, and a few others under a one year deal again, and Braylon would be the only guy we would actually have to resign immediately. Everybody would be back, and everybody would be on their best behavior again with a contract year looming. Just figured I'd try and blow a little sunshine up your asses on an otherwise gloomy day.
Geez we must have the worlds worst coaches if the other 31 teams in the league do not want any of them :jets:
You think they would take old illiterate fans so we don't have to read your uninformed completely wrong nonsense?
You know name calling is against the rule but since you went to a game with MB I guess the mods are giving you a pass :jets:
Good point.. but in the Jets case, it's not like we can get any less out of our rookie class than we did last year, right?
Are the flight crew locked out? If so, I'll audition. Although I think some of the current members have a bigger cock than me.
