just because those picks went on haynes and grossman that doesnt mean thats who we would have drafted, k.williams, ty warren and palumana went after robertson
Panters Interested in Robertson Long time reader, but I don't post often. I can't begin a new thread until I raise my post count. Until then, I will continue to reply to other posts. Below comes from SI's Truth and Rumors: Panthers interested in Jets DT Posted: Wednesday March 26, 2008 06:02AM ET Keep an eye on evolving situation involving Jets' defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. He might, just might, become a target of the Panthers. They tried to include him in the transaction when they traded for former Panthers defensive tackle Kris Jenkins. But Carolina wanted draft picks -- they received a third- and fifth-rounder -- and didn't want to inherit Robertson's big contract, according to sources. Cincinnati, Denver and Detroit have been involved in trade talks with the Jets regarding Robertson (6-1, 317 pounds). The Bengals reportedly were going to give the Jets a fourth- and fifth-round pick, but he failed Cincinnati's physical and the deal fell through.
The logical choices if the Jets had kept the 13 and the 22 were probably Ty Warren or George Foster on the 13 and Eric Steinbach or William Joseph on the 22. The Jets had just lost Randy Thomas in free agency and knew they were going to lose Josh Evans to a drug suspension for most if not all the 2003 season.
In no way am I defending the D rob selection NOR the enormous contract he recieved...but lets keep some factors in mind... 1. By all means we had a HUGE hole at DT w/ or w/o Josh Evans...and it was a need going back several years. Say what you will about D rob living up to the # 4 billing...he def. solidified the position for a decent timeframe. 2. At that time..all teams were overvaluing the DT position trying to find the next Warren Sapp(See Ryan Simms, Gerard Warren and Wendell Bryant from prior drafts) 3. This was a HORRID draft class...in fact if you go down the line of the first few rounds...you'll be hard pressed to find alot of players who have been more productive than D rob. I know everybody hates the guy b/c they expected him to be the next Sapp, they hate the fact that he doesnt fit in the 34, and they hate the contract he was given..but lets be real...he DID fill a huge need that we had at the time...and by all means was one of the better players in that draft class. Despite his serious knee condition, he's rarely missed ANY time, and has NEVER taken a play off.
DRob's only problem at the NYJ was the situations that he has been put in. He plays hard on every play, he doesn't take time off. He keeps his mouth shut and does his job. He doesn't complain about working. When he gets an even chance in a game he usually beats his man one-on-one. He has been a square peg plugged into a round hole, and in spite of everything they tried technique-wise, the fit didn't fit. You will note that after the bye he was moved around and made some real headway. You guys have to take into account that Mangini is building a 3-4 / 4-3 hybrid defense that is focused on misdirection and confusion. With Pouha and/or Jenkins plus Ellis, Coleman, and DRob, the CS has changed up the DL big time. And there may be more coming.
