I think it just came down to their philosophy. Draft the best talent left on the board. They thought Coples was the best. Then it was Hill in the 2nd. By the time they got down to the third how many OT's were available that would have been a stellar improvement? I don't know.
The Jets have as history of trying to use other team's castoffs as their mainstays. Some times this works, as with Antonio Cromartie, Thomas Jones and Braylon Edwards. Some times it's not clear where the Jets wound up in the overall scheme of things as in Santonio Holmes, Kris Jenkins and Brett Favre. Then there are a lot of deals that Jets have made over the years that were just bad, although it wasn't clear that this was true at the time. Lito Sheppard comes to mind here as does Justin McCareins. Most teams don't spend draft picks the way the Jets do, to acquire other team's risky vets. Given the Jets track record over the years it seems clear that one of the reasons that teams don't do this is because they aren't likely to get a star player in the process but they're fairly likely to pay the player more than he is worth. .500 for a decade is a pretty strong indictment against the effectiveness of a strategy. That's where the Jets are. Note that one of the reasons the reward to cost effect is so out of whack with high profile trades is that football does not lend itself to a good player coming in and having a huge impact right away. Santonio Holmes would have been worth much more to the Steelers on the field the last two years than he has meant to the Jets. He had years in the Steelers system at the time they traded him. He's had a long learning curve with the Jets, learning a new system (two now) and adjusting to different teammates. The Jets are paying him like a 6th year star but he's not performing at that level for them.
To me it signals owners unwilling to put the cash into converting young players into stars. They would rather see their team pick up names they can slap on a jersey and sell. If you're committed to being cheap at the expense of winning you'll always have your young players become free agents and leave. You can see that fairly obviously with how they gave Sanchez no QB coach. However, it seems like the team has really turned the tide this year by placing a lot more emphasis on its young players and less on other teams' leftovers.
David Harris, D'Brick, Mangold, Revis, Pouha, and many others might tend to disagree. You think the teams desire to sell "Otah" jerseys had something to do with this trade? Yeah, I don't think so... They saw the potential for a big upgrade at RT and gave up (what is believed to be) a 7th round pick, which is nothing. Who is the last young player to become a free agent and leave the Jets? Brad Smith is the only person jumping to my mind, and he really wasn't missed much (also, i'm not a tebow supporter, but he's filling his role for less money this year, and McKnight filled in on returns exceptionally well)... I'll leave that alone, can't really argue the QB coach part.
Pouha isnt a star or that elite. Hes a great run plugger, thats about it. Agree on the Otah part. Braylons the biggest name I can think of off the top of my head that we lost in FA, which definitely hurt a bit
He's probably the best run plugger in the NFL at nose tackle. He's a very good NT. We lost Braylon in FA, but I don't know how much it hurt because who knows if Braylon will ever be the same player. He was hurt all year in SF and no one wants him this offseason either. And that had less to do with being cheap than trapping themselves into a corner with impending FAs and then making a wrong personnel decision by replacing him with Plaxico.
I'm not saying there aren't delusional Pats fans....just not as many :wink: But the point is still valid. While many here so far in this thread have been fairly level headed about this trade, there are still some that think that the upside of this trade is a dominant RT. While his first 2 years were promising, Otah was never "dominant". There was a Jet fan who posted on a Pats board that Otah was a top 5 RT....if healthy. And that just isn't the case. Why can't Jet fans be satisfied that, if healthy and with a good attitude, Otah can just be an upgrade at RT. Why does every Jet player need to be "dominant" Its like capable isn't enough
Well I think with Otah (if healthy) is he can be a dominant RUN blocker. No I dont think hes a top 5 RT (when healthy), but I think he definitely was a an elite run blocker. I mean its impossible to know where exactly hes at now, since its been a while. But I would still think he can be a monster in the run game. His pass protection isnt bad, but its somewhere in the middle of the pack. But for a team who I think will probably lead the league in rushing attempts, Otah can be an absolute game changer (especially as an upgrade over Hunter)
He really didn't grade out as a dominant run blocker, though. Not a liability by any means but not dominant (this according to nyjetscap). I think you look at his size and you'd expect him to be but maybe that's where the soft label comes in? Still, you have to applaud the Jets for trying to get better. I would think, however, that a team with their cap situation would value their draft picks a little more.
If the call is for a quick out.. Then if Sanchez gets hit it's a penalty IMO... And the play would go for at least 8 - the defenders were way back... But. put it this way - I GUARANTEE YOU.. Game one of this year, there is no way the 1st call of the season has `Mario Williams all alone and a call for an 80 yard bomb. That was just a silly silly play call that was compounded by more mistakes.
And there isn't some Chowdahead on a Pats forum overrating Shiancoe right now? I agree that calling Otah dominant is a big stretch right now, but this is a Jets Board and we are Jets fans. Deal with it.
Oh, I can deal with it, but OTOH, I think its also fair to comment on it. As for Shiancoe, the dominant conversation about him among Pats fans is rather underwhelming. Most think, including myself, he was brought in to be insurance in case Daniel Fells injury (he currently on PUP) isn't worse than its being reported, OR, in case the Pats decide to keep 4 TE's. Shiancoe has had decent productivity, and would likely to be more of back up for Hernandez than Gronk. Very much like Otah, he's a nice signing who may or may not be with the team in September (though I think Otah is a more important/better signing for the Jets because of need)
The guy ( Hunter ) is 31 and has been a backup for just about ALL the years he has been in the nfl ,there is a reason this guy did not start,,,,he just ain't that good
In all honesty, I want my RT to be a ROAD-GRADER! Yes, he needs to be a adaquet pass blocker, but NEEDS to be an amazing run blocker if we are going to be the team we should be (Run the ball, controll the clock, suck in the defense and stretch the field with Chaz, holmes and Hill). This allows our Defense to be the best it can be all while holding the likes of the Pats (FU KEN) to minumal posessions.
Or incase Gronk, or Hernandez get injured. This was a way of saying, we are still going to deploy on a 2TE set no matter what.
https://twitter.com/caplannfl Search Otah. Looks like it is official. Otah failed the physical. So Jets are back to WFH. Typical Jets luck. Another link: http://thejetpress.com/2012/07/25/jeff-otah-fails-physical-on-activepup-list/
For now. I assume this is why he was on the block to begin with. You can come off active pup at any time.
