There's no separate ILB tag. Holmes is probably closer to being a top 5 WR than Harris is to being a top 5 LB but that's close. The cap numbers are likely pretty close (10.0 for Harris, 11.3 for Holmes). http://www.nfl.com/news/story/09000...setag-numbers-highlighted-by-increase-for-dts Frankly if you wanted to be sure to keep both I think you tag Holmes and re-sign Harris-Harris seems like a surer bet to sign long term here given his history in the organization.
I agree with this. He's more of a priority because keeping him will be harder to do. Its just a bit of feeding holmes ego. Letting him know he's the top priority doesn't really hurt the jets. Its not like he's going to use it as leverage for millions more. He knows that he's wanted by every team that offers him a contract. Leaking that he's number one sends him a message that he's important to the team. That can only increase his desire to stay. tappin.. talkin..
Ahh didn't know that ILBs and OLBs were all just tagged under one LB tag. Learn something new everyday.
I have to say, I find this somewhat regrettable. Holmes is a good player, and I'll be thrilled if the Jets sign both, but I can't see how Edwards isn't the priority. His stats this year weren't quite "great", largely because Sanchez is still a work in progress. But he had 900 yards, 7 (I think? this is all from memory) touchdowns, and gave the team basically everything a wideout can. He burned coverage for deep touchdowns, he made tough grabs over the middle and got decked, he caught jump balls in the end zone. He gives Sanchez that safe deep throw, where he can just chuck it where the defense doesn't have a shot at it and hope Edwards' huge frame will get him to it. If Sanchez had thrown for 4000 this year, Edwards would've had 1500. Put it this way, I can imagine Sanchez having success without Holmes, it isn't hard to imagine since we've seen a lot of it. But I have a hard time picturing a functional passing attack with Holmes and not Edwards. Keller would be the only thing close to a big target, and he hasn't shown anything like an ability to play over guys heads. That's a valuable commodity, and only Edwards has it on this team.
I half suspect that Holmes will price himself out of NY. Holmes is a great receiver, no doubt, but he is also a ticking time bomb that I can't shake the uneasy feeling will blow up on us. BE brings more to the table in my mind. I'd lock up BE first, then go after Holmes from a stronger bargining position. Seems like that would make the most sense for the good of the team. I think it will be a mistake to go at it the other way......but I'm not Mikie T either.
Too be honest, they almost have to lock up BE first if they have any plans to do so. Since FA likely won't take place till post draft, Braylon is the only guy they can get under contract between now and then. Putting everybody on the market when there are desperate teams out there is a very dangerous prospect, and certainly not one I want to experience. Besides having BE in the bag puts the leverage on Holmes. If he wants to be here, he has to accept a reasonable offer, otherwise we go and bring back Cro and let him walk. Its at least a more favorable bargaining position to be in than not having either WR under contract.
Not to mention his value as a blocker. I would rather have Braylon if I had to chose 1. Holmes is a great reciever,no doubt,but I think a big reciever like Edwards is hard to come by.
I think they complement each other so well (Braylon is a good deep threat, leaving lots of space for an excellent route runner like Holmes to do damage underneath). I see the Jets bringing both of them back.
Yeah..the track record of the current G.M. backs up that observation.... Or...maybe...just maybe..... They understand the ceiling on Holmes and are just trying to use Edwards desire to stay in NY, and WIN (and let's face it...smaller need to cash in) to drive his price down a bit.
They key to becoming an elite offense, is getting Mark above 60% completion rate. That happens with Holmes, Edwards is detrimental to that goal. Also as pointed out above...Edwards has cleared something like 25 mil, and is FAR more likely to negotiate. Holmes is looking for that Pay day....so there are multiple contexts here.
You missed the point. What I was driving at, and I think so was WSW, is that the story in the OP is not very credible.
I'm thinking letting Cromartie walk will help shore up some dough to sign both of these guys. Who knows about Brad Smith. Who knows who we replace Cromartie with. Likely Wilson.
Seeing BE Drag 2 defenders 10 yards into the end zone (against NE in playoffs) made up my mind that we NEED him back lol
I'm with ya on that one, with need the big body wr like Braylon on this team. I love his run blocking and his ability to come up with a big play. He's had one incident on this team and it was his DWI. He hasn't come off like a ME-First type guy during his time here. It's been about the W's as far as I can tell. I don't know why but my instincts tell me Braylon is the guy to keep if we had to pick one. I can understand all the love for Santonio but I really want Braylon. I hope to hell we get him back. I think a lot of guys are under-valuing Mr. Edwards. [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2MyQJdIpu8[/youtube]
I was on the Holmes Bandwagon before the playoffs, but I now think that Braylon is a bigger asset to us than Holmes. That's not to say Holmes isn't a great weapon we shouldn't pursue, but Braylon is a big target, has great hands, is a fantastic blocker, an all over the field threat, and has stated many times he wants to stay here. Holmes has still expressed indifference, isnt as big, isnt as good of a blocker, and could be suspended if hes caught with weed again. Try and get them both, but I like Braylon over Holmes if it comes down to that.
