I found this at another Jets' site. It is supposedly a Jets Addict poster's comments after a conversation with Tony Pauline. Take it with a grain of salt.
The only thing "interesting" is the Jets trying to get back into the second round. The rest of the stuff is kind of obvious. I wonder who they were targeting in the second. This all worked out for us so far. No Phil Taylor, no problem. Last night, we brought in a more versatile nose tackle that will cost much less if he fails. Taylor had a lot of red flags too. I'd rather spend a mid-rounder on a position that can bust easily.
Well, I guess it depends upon one's definition of "interesting", but I find it interesting that: 1. the Jets wanted Taylor 2. they tried to trade down into the 2nd, but could find no trade partner (I'm glad to see that they wanted to trade back and tried.) 3. that Rex was lobbying for Brooks Reed. It's not surprising that he'd like Reed, it's just confirmation that he did/does. With the way things have fallen, I have seen a number of people surmise that perhaps Rex didn't like any of the OLBs in this draft. This confirms that he did (Reed), and when combined with the info that the Jets tried to trade down, Reed could have been the first player the Jets picked if they were successful in trading down.
I agree whole heartedly. Taylor going ahead of us is probably the best thing for us. Especially when I actually like Ellis to be a better on field player. Production never lies.
Rex Ryan gets "one" pick per draft, remember? The front office and its scouts may have wanted someone else. We'll never know. That makes me wonder. Who is this year's John Conner?
I agree that I'd rather have Ellis than Taylor. I find it interesting that the Jets seemed to prefer Taylor. I also have to wonder what it might have been like to have Reed and Ellis instead of Wilkerson/Ellis. We'll see in coming years which combo might have been best. I think it's also interesting to ponder who the Jets might have taken in round 2 if they had succeeded in trading down. Would it have been Reed, or would it have been Ayers or Wilson instead, or even someone else? I like getting little inside peeks like this into how the Jets' braintrust works and how they see players.
Look, I just dont get the trading down part. How is it that only the Pats can find a way to trade down and accumulate picks every year? It is beginning to make no sense to me. A 2nd, 3rd and 5th is not that much to ask for to get back into the 1st round, especially considering everyone knew Dalton would go early in the 2nd. As for other interesting things, putting aside Taylor, which I think everyone realized the Jets would take if he was there, is that Rex was considering Smith. That either Says Wilson cant play, or that the Jets are preparing to lose Cro and are not expecting to sign one of the big free agent corners who will be available.
I read somewhere that Rex was asked this question.. and he said he has a late round guy in mind who plays offense, but has a "defensive mentality". Take it for what it's worth I guess.. I'd guess an offensive lineman.
