Home > The Way We Hear It ~ ~ ~ NY Jets Dec. 21, 2007 DT Haynesworth on Jets' radar When the Jets square off this week against the Titans, head coach Eric Mangini might be paying particularly close attention to one of the opponent?s top players: DT Albert Haynesworth. In his sixth NFL season, Tennessee?s 6-6, 320-pounder has developed into one of the league?s dominating defenders. But more importantly, he?s a dominating player who?s entering free agency at one the Jets? neediest positions. With the requisite size needed to play nose tackle in Mangini?s 3-4 scheme, he offers the best chance for the Jets to immediately upgrade a run defense that has been repeatedly gashed throughout the Jets? trying 2007 campaign. The Jets will have to pay top dollar to sign him, but we?re hearing that the need for interior D-line help is too great for them to avoid coughing up the cash. > http://www.profootballweekly.com/PFW/The+Way+We+Hear+It/default.htm
The Titans are fairly likely to franchise him and see if he puts up another monster year and stays healthy before they give him a long-term contract. I'm pretty sure the Jets will have no opportunity to sign him unless they are willing to give up two #1's as compensation, and that would be the nail in the coffin.
We'll have to see how this pans out. If all it takes is a contract to get Haynesworth, I am all for it. If we have to give up high picks, too, than the deal is off.
I think Haynesworth is pulling a Jerome James. While he can be a dominating player, I think his performance this season can be attributed to his contract year. Even his own teammate sort of sees it that way...Kevin Mawae said, "He can probably be the best defensive lineman in this league when he decides to play, and I think he's done that this year ... "
Haynesworth has less talent around him than you'd think. A bunch of no-names who play very well when he is in and suck when he is not.
I will never get why people act like this is Haynesworth's only productive season. He's been a childish monster most of his career, but since the face stomp he's just been a monster. A couple Titans fans were talking about how he changed since the stomp because he didn't want his kids to see their daddy act like this. But...most Titans fans have come across as extreme homers to me so I took it with a grain of salt. Still, it was nice to hear something like that. Haynesworth could play any spot on the D-line in a 3-4 too...I think he's best as an end but it's not crazy to see him lined up at NT.
I don't disagree that Haynesworth has been productive before this season. However, I would attribute his all-pro play to his contract status. He also has had injury and face-stomping issues. I am not opposed to the Jets signing high-priced FA, but only if they have shown a consistency at the salary level they are seeking.
Injuries and immaturity in the past have been what kept him from all-pro talk. He's been pretty dominant for most of his career. My long term worry with Haynesworth is the injuries.
LOL. yeah I hear you. That Mawae quote was alarming. "When he wants to". At the same time when I look around at any FA really in recent in years it's hard to find one who has been completely consistent for years. Those guys get locked up. At some point I think you just have to throw the money in the pot and hope for the luck of the draw.
NT is by far our biggest need with a 3-4 defense. I would definitely give up a pick for Haynesworth. I would be disappointed if we gave up a first but I wouldn't be that disappointed especially if we have extra picks by trading Pennington and/or Vilma.
I rather see us building the DL through the draft than by signing free agents. One DE this draft (Chris Long if he has the weight or a tall DT we can convert to DE) and BJ Raji as NT in 2009. FAs should just be temporary patchworks pieces.
He's a mid-30's player who spent his entire career as a 4-3 NT. Playing 3-4 NT leaves you on an island by yourself to control the C and at least one G. It's not like we didn't bring him in. I'm pretty sure he was brought in for a look but wasn't offered a contract.
There was no reason to sign a guy like Grady Jackson during a lost season. We can always bring in someone of his ilk during the offseason (we better).
