Jets News 4/26

hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

Jets' rush hour
May sack QB for DE Williams
BY RICH CIMINI
DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Most of the pre-draft speculation surrounding the Jets has focused on quarterbacks and protecting them. But all the buzz about lefthander Matt Leinart and left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson, their likely choice with the fourth pick in the draft, has overshadowed an important question:

Who's going to sack the quarterback?

The Jets used to have one of the NFL's most prolific pass rushers, but they traded John Abraham to the Falcons last month for a first-round choice (No. 29). They jettisoned 10-1/2 sacks, a rather large total if you consider their returning defensive linemen and linebackers accounted for only 11.

"Right now, the Jets aren't lining up with anybody that scares you," an NFC assistant coach said.

The Jets signed former Steeler Kimo von Oelhoffen, who probably will start at right end in their new 3-4 scheme, but he's a run stuffer who managed only five sacks the last two seasons. End Shaun Ellis has double-digit potential if he can shake off a disappointing 2005.

But the Jets don't have a speed rusher, someone who can pressure from the edge. The draft's top pass rusher is North Carolina State end Mario Williams (14-1/2 sacks in '05), but they will need some luck to get him.

The Saints are strongly considering Williams with the second pick, assuming the Texans take Reggie Bush at No.1. But if the Saints trade down or decide on Ferguson or linebacker A.J. Hawk, Williams - a 6-7, 295-pound stud - could be available for the Jets. Word has it that Eric Mangini compares Williams to Richard Seymour, whom he coached with the Patriots.

Williams blew away talent evaluators at the scouting combine, running the 40 in 4.71 seconds and recording a vertical jump of 40 inches. He's fast enough to play end in a 4-3, strong enough to play it in a 3-4.

"He had some up and down games this year, as most people do, but he's a tremendously talented kid," said Packers GM Ted Thompson, picking fifth. "He looks like what you draw up. You want him to get off the bus first."

Titans coach Jeff Fisher said of Williams: "I haven't seen a guy like this in years."

If Ferguson is gone and Williams is there, the Jets would be hard-pressed to pass him up. But what they really need is a rush linebacker to play the weak side in their 3-4 scheme. Right now, that job would go to Bryan Thomas, who has no experience as a stand-up rusher. The former first-round pick, playing as a down lineman, has disappointed as a pass rusher and doesn't have the versatility to handle pass-coverage responsibility.

An ideal fit would be Williams' former teammate and roommate, Manny Lawson (6-5, 250), a classic linebacker/end hybrid. He recorded 10-1/2 sacks last season, winning team MVP honors over Williams. The Jets won't take him at No. 4, and he could be gone by No. 29. It may take some wheeling and dealing to get Lawson, who has linebacker experience and blazed a 4.44 at the combine. The Jets are interested. They recently brought in Lawson and Williams for visits.

"I'm pretty sure they enjoyed my company as much as I enjoyed theirs," Lawson said.

What about Hawk? Some consider the former Ohio State star the most complete player in the draft - his intangibles are right out of central casting - but some scouts see Hawk (6-1, 245) as a better fit as an outside linebacker in a 4-3, where he'd be able to utilize his sideline-to-sideline skills.

Hawk's former teammate, outside linebacker Bobby Carpenter (6-2-1/2, 255) could be a possibility with the 29thpick. A potential sleeper at that position is Cal-Poly's Chris Gocong, a small-college phenom who visited the Jets recently.
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hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

QBs foremost,
but won't go 1st

The credentials of national championship winners Matt Leinart and Vince Young match those of any two quarterbacks ever in the same draft. But on Saturday, Leinart and Young will end the record five-year streak of quarterbacks being the first pick. In fact, neither will even go second.

One year ago, Leinart was a virtual lock to be the first pick by the 49ers over Alex Smith, but he was having too much fun at USC and decided to stick around for his fifth year of college and his last season of eligibility. That could be an $11million mistake, a big price for a few more months of being the big man on campus.

Last year, Smith signed a contract with $24 million in guaranteed money. Now, it's possible Leinart could fall to the Raiders at No.7. Wide receiver Troy Williamson, picked seventh by the Vikings last year, signed a deal worth $13.3million in guaranteed money. Leinart, fighting off criticism that he is too "Hollywood," might have to star in a few big-screen box-office hits to make up the difference.

At least Leinart and Young don't have to worry about taking an out-of-control free fall like Aaron Rodgers did a year ago, when he was nearly the No.1 pick by the 49ers, but then just about tumbled right out of the first round, landing with the Packers at No.24.

Still, the buzz is about Reggie Bush, Mario Williams, D'Brickashaw Ferguson, A.J. Hawk and Vernon Davis. Leinart, scheduled to arrive in New York last night, is naturally on edge, according to Chuck Price, one of his agents.

"Every player who goes through this has the same amount of edginess, whether it's a guy who goes one through five, is a seventh-rounder or a free agent," Price said. "Matt is absolutely no different. The beginning of his future hinges on what happens. You can say he's a little edgy. Definitely."

Michael Vick, David Carr, Carson Palmer, Eli Manning and Smith went No.1 overall the last five years. Quarterbacks have been the No.1 pick seven of the last eight years, including Peyton Manning in '98 and Tim Couch in '99. Cleveland took defensive end Courtney Brown in 2000, in a draft in which Chad Pennington, at No. 18, was the only first-round QB.

The three Super Bowl rings belonging to Tom Brady, selected in the sixth round in 2000, have convinced teams - especially the Jets and their new coach Eric Mangini, who came over from the Pats - that you can wait to find a quarterback. The QB-starved Jets have ruled out taking one at No.4. If they pass on Leinart and he becomes a star, it will be as bad as passing on Dan Marino in 1983 to take Ken O'Brien.

Houston, with the first pick, dropped out of the rookie QB market when it picked up Carr's $8million option. The Texans are negotiating with Bush and Williams, but surely will take Bush.

The Saints will choose between Williams and Ferguson, the Virginia offensive tackle, with Williams expected to be the pick. The Saints decided to give free agent Drew Brees $10million guaranteed, even though he's coming off shoulder surgery, rather than take Leinart or Young at No.2. One of the two should have been the new face of that franchise.

Leinart or Young will go third. The word is that Titans GM Floyd Reese wants Young and the coaches want Leinart, who played for Tennessee offensive coordinator Norm Chow at USC. Titans coach Jeff Fisher also played for the Trojans. Young, a once-in-a-lifetime athlete, has a greater upside than Leinart, who is more prepared to play now. Steve McNair may be down to his final days as a Titan, but Billy Volek can start until Young is ready.

Judging by the contingent the Jets had at the workouts last week of Vanderbilt's Jay Cutler, Leinart and Young, they likely have them ranked in this order: Cutler, Leinart, Young.

Owner Woody Johnson, GM Mike Tannenbaum, Mangini and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer were at the Cutler workout in Nashville. Johnson then broke from the group to attend an NFL commissioner search committee meeting while the other three went on to Los Angeles for the workouts of Leinart and Bush.

Then only Schottenheimer went to Houston to work out Young. You can definitely read into Mangini's absence from Young's workout: The Jets are not interested. Leinart, meanwhile, was on the phone with Schottenheimer a few days after his workout.

The Raiders, at No.7, had Leinart and Young in for visits and each met with Al Davis. The latest rumor: the Raiders are trying to make a deal with the Jets to move up for a QB. The Packers, picking fifth, have acknowledged that they could take a quarterback in the first round for the second straight year.

The NFL is all about the quarterbacks and so is this draft, even if none of them will go No.1
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hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

JETS NOT HIGH ON STAR QBS
By MARK CANNIZZARO

April 26, 2006 -- The following is an early attempt to talk anxious Jets fans off the ledge regarding the team's plans with that precious fourth pick in Saturday's NFL Draft: They have no plans to take Matt Leinart, Vince Young or Jay Cutler.

Barring some veteran smoke-screen work by Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini, it appears almost certain the Jets will not take a quarterback that high. It's widely believed they will draft a QB from the so-called second tier of available bodies, with hopes of finding a gem out of the first round.

That pool includes Alabama's Brodie Croyle, Clemson's Charlie Whitehurst and Oregon's Kellen Clemens. According to their scouting system, the Jets believe none of the "big 3" QBs is worth the No. 4 pick.

"My opinion is we're all grouped together, the top five or so quarterbacks in the draft," Whitehurst told The Post by phone yesterday. "In my opinion, the top five are very similar in their ability to play, and I'm not sure [Leinart, Young and Cutler] are worth a top-five pick in the draft.

"Obviously, though, those three guys are going to be drafted first and then we're battling for that fourth spot, myself, Brodie Croyle and maybe Omar Jacobs [Bowling Green]. I would love for them to pass [on a QB] with that fourth pick and draft me later."

While the Jets do need to draft a QB prospect for the future, they have too many other pressing needs (offensive line, defensive tackle, tight end, etc.). And they are fearful of drafting another Ryan Leaf, Heath Shuler or Akili Smith.

A bust skill-position player can set a program back immeasurably. Jets fans will forever recall the drafting of running back Blair Thomas in 1990.

mark.cannizzaro@nypost.com
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lol at whitehurst hating

hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

Jets working to get Cutler
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
BY DAVE HUTCHINSON
Star-Ledger Staff

The Jets' interest in Vanderbilt quarterback Jay Cutler remains high, so much so that they're in discussions with the Baltimore Ravens to try to obtain him with the 13th pick overall, according to a person who has been in contact with several NFL teams and has first-hand knowledge of strategy in the top portion of the NFL Draft.

The person, who requested anonymity because several deals are still pending, spelled out the following scenario for the trade to happen:

# The Ravens want Oregon nose tackle Haloti Ngata at 13. If he's available, they will take him and any deal with the Jets is off. Baltimore fears Ngata won't get past the Bills at No. 8, and they have no interest in drafting another player that high.

# If Ngata is gone at 13, the Ravens would trade the pick to the Jets for the second of the Jets' two first-round picks (29th overall) and their second-round pick (35th overall). The Jets would then select Cutler, if he's available. Of course, if Cutler is not available there would be no deal.

The Jets got the 29th overall selection from Atlanta via Denver in the John Abraham trade last month.

Such a scenario would give the Jets two picks in the top 13 because the club is still expected to select Virginia offense tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson or N.C. State defensive end Mario Williams with their fourth pick overall. One of the two will almost certainly be available.

Though QBs Matt Leinart and Vince Young could conceivably be on the board when the Jets go on the clock at No. 4, they'll likely pass on both. There are media reports that the Jets are considering swapping picks with the Raiders (No. 7), who are said to want Young, but Ferguson and Williams would surely be gone at No. 7 and the Jets would miss out on both.

The Jets like Cutler the most among the top quarterbacks but realize they have more immediate needs at offensive tackle and defensive end, needs Ferguson or Williams can fill. Ferguson is considered a franchise left tackle who can be a cornerstone for the next decade. Williams could replace Abraham and has been compared to Patriots Pro Bowl DT/DE Richard Seymour, a player who can excel in a 3-4 defensive scheme.

While the Jets are confident that Chad Pennington or Patrick Ramsey can be their starting quarterback this season, they see Cutler as a quarterback for the long term.

Cutler, who caught the Jets' eye at the Senior Bowl, is a real talent. He has captured the fancy of owner Woody Johnson, who traveled to Nashville for a private workout and dinner with the quarterback last week during the team's cross-country quarterback tour.

"Woody Johnson is absolutely enamored with Cutler," said the person with knowledge of the trade talks between the Jets and Ravens. "He thinks Cutler is another Tom Brady"

The Jets think Cutler, 6-3, 228 pounds, is the most complete package among the QBs available in the draft. He has the biggest arm by far and has done more with less. Despite playing with B-level talent, he completed 710 of 1,242 passes (57.1 percent) for 8,697 yards, 59 touchdowns and 36 interceptions. Although he was 11-35 in four years, the Commodores were competitive.

Notes: The Jets haven't decided if Pennington will throw during their rookie/first-year players minicamp, which begins May 12. ... If the Jets don't get Cutler, they're eyeing Alabama QB Brodie Croyle and Oregon's Kellen Clemens in the second or third round. ... Though the Jets signed veteran OT Anthony Clement, he's a journeyman-type who isn't expected to start. Thus, the need for Ferguson.
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hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

Forget hype: No sure things in first round
April 26, 2006

Their names will be called out Saturday afternoon by NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and within weeks, they will become millionaires. The only thing as grand as their salaries will be the expectations for them.

But all the money in the world can't buy draft-day success, even with all the exhaustive research and interviews teams conduct as they attempt to find pro football's next stars. Personnel executives know all too well that for nearly every first-round hit such as Peyton Manning, there is a first-round disaster such as Ryan Leaf.

"You can have the talent at one level, but when you get to the next level, it just doesn't happen," said former Cowboys personnel director Gil Brandt, who works for the NFL in analyzing the draft. "It's like the young guy selling insurance. One year, he sells $6 million of life insurance, and then his bosses say, 'Wait until he really learns how to sell.' But then he's got a boat and a country-club membership, and all of a sudden, he's not as good. That's what happens with players."

The transition from college star to the NFL often can be daunting, and some players never make the leap.

"It's a totally different world," Giants defensive end Michael Strahan said. "You get to the NFL, you're like, 'Man, this is hard.' You've got to persevere. You've got to work at it."

The higher the pick, the greater the pressure. Especially in the era of the salary cap, where mistakes not only cost you on the field, but often also hinder a team's ability to spend on other players. The draft-day dynamic has undergone a major transformation since the days before free agency and the cap, when teams could afford to draft for depth and didn't have to worry about rushing young players onto the field.

"The bottom line in today's game is that you pick for need, rather than picking for players," said former Packers general manager Ron Wolf, who continues to study the draft and often does consulting work with NFL personnel people. "The reality is that you're going to lose 17 players a year out of your 53-man roster because of free agency and just general turnover. Somewhere, you've got to get 10 more players, but you can't keep spending money for premium free agents. It's how you fill those needs, and a lot of them have to come from the draft."

The Jets are at a particularly crucial crossroads. Having gutted the roster because of a swollen salary cap, they can't afford to go wrong with early-round picks, particularly the fourth overall choice.

"We'll study all our options and make the best decisions for the franchise," first-year GM Mike Tannenbaum said.

Easier said than done. Although there is a consensus among many NFL scouts and personnel experts that there are at least five can't-miss stars in the draft - USC running back Reggie Bush, USC quarterback Matt Leinart, North Carolina State defensive end Mario Williams, Virginia tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Ohio State linebacker A.J. Hawk - it's no guarantee that their draft-day value will translate to NFL success.

Most executives believe it takes at least three years to determine a draft's merits. But there are bound to be plenty of busts mixed in with the blue-chippers.

Three seasons into the 2003 draft class, and the results are in. There were some huge hits: Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer, Chiefs running back Larry Johnson and Steelers safety Troy Polamalu. But there were also some duds. Lions receiver Charles Rogers, who has had substance-abuse problems and injuries, could be released before the season. The Giants are still waiting for more production from defensive tackle William Joseph. The Jets haven't gotten enough from defensive tackle Dewayne Robertson. The Raiders and Cardinals had two first-round picks each, but none has panned out. Defensive tackle Jimmy Kennedy has been a bust in St. Louis.

"You look at a guy like Charles Rogers," Brandt said. "He was a guy who had a lot of talent, but when he got to the next level, you've got to work to succeed. Sometimes you get $14 million to sign, you're in utopia and you don't want to work as hard.

"Then you look at a guy like [Falcons cornerback] D'Angelo Hall. He's a guy who will go back to Arizona in the offseason to work on things to get better. Well, if you can find out who the Halls are as opposed to the Akili Smiths, then you'd be ahead of the game."
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hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

On the Jets' radar
Compiled by Ken Berger
April 26, 2006

Vernon Davis, TE, Maryland, 6-3, 254

Positives: Elite athletic ability, having run a 4.39 in the 40-yard dash at the combine, lifted 225 pounds 32 times, and posted a 42-inch vertical jump. Holds school strength records for his position in bench press (460 pounds) and squat (685), among others. Has the production to go with it, starting all 11 games in '05 with 51 catches for 871 yards and six TDs. Billed as having the potential to be the most explosive tight end in the NFL.

Negatives: May lack maturity as a junior coming out, having started only one full season. Not a solid blocker, but you don't draft a tight end in the first round to block. Some scouts predict he'll be slow to adapt to complicated NFL schemes, but it was never a problem in Maryland's multiple-set offense.

Bottom line: A reach at No. 4, but worth a look if the Jets trade down.
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hydro51 · Apr 26, 2006

much better news day. than yesterday.

28rogerblaze51 · Apr 26, 2006

If mario is gone, look for the jets to trade the pick.

Bomber · Apr 26, 2006

hydro51 said:

much better news day. than yesterday.
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Great work, Hydro. :up:

PennyandtheJets · Apr 26, 2006

28rogerblaze51 said:

If mario is gone, look for the jets to trade the pick.
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With who? These trades require a team interested in your pick...we should take Brick at 4 and Cutler at 13 if we can...

JetsIn2004 · Apr 26, 2006

Ferguson at #4, yes, Cutler at #13 no f'ing way.

I'd rather take Croyle or Whitehurst over Cutler.

JetsIn2004 · Apr 26, 2006

PennyandtheJets said:

With who? These trades require a team interested in your pick...we should take Brick at 4 and Cutler at 13 if we can...
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For the record, not at #13... Somewhere in Round 3.

GreenHornet · Apr 26, 2006

Vernon Davis looks like a beast. Not a good pick at #4, but #7?

highflyer · Apr 26, 2006

Good read. The Whitehurst remark was funny. Now just can't wait for the draft, although it is gonig to be a very long night for me.

Gunther · Apr 26, 2006

As much as I would like for the Jets to trade down with the Raiders if Mario is gone, I don't see it happening. If the Raiders want a QB at 7, they will get one. The only team I can see the Raiders trading down with are the Saints.
The Raiders need to pick before the Titans because they are definitely picking a QB.... It all depends on how high the Raiders regard Vince or Leinhart. Either way if one is taken, the other will be there for them...

Angry Teste · Apr 26, 2006

thanks Hydro-your morning posts are appreciated.

xxedge72x · Apr 26, 2006

I think if we ended up with Ferguson and Cutler that could be the worst possible scenario in my opinion. I just don't like either. I'd rather use #29 on Eric Winston or Lendale White, #35 on Nick Mangold, and pick either Williams/Davis/Hawk at #4, using one of our two third round picks on a QB, like the first of the two on Whitehurst.

Coach K · Apr 26, 2006

ionno, i just think now youll see us take mario/brick/davis at 4. theres too much qb BS to tell what theyre doing. and considering mario/brick could most likely be gone davis at 4 seems possible. unless they traded with the Niners at 6 so the Niners could take Hawk and we get davis at 6.

Wolfe Tone · Apr 26, 2006

xxedge72x said:

I think if we ended up with Ferguson and Cutler that could be the worst possible scenario in my opinion. I just don't like either. I'd rather use #29 on Eric Winston or Lendale White, #35 on Nick Mangold, and pick either Williams/Davis/Hawk at #4, using one of our two third round picks on a QB, like the first of the two on Whitehurst.
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I agree, I like your scenario better but I am pretty much happy so long as we do not draft Ngata, I also like the idea of 3 picks in the top 35, this is a deep draft, and we could then like you said grab Whitehurst int he 3rd

SigmaXJet · Apr 26, 2006

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/wire?section=nfl&id=2423012

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The New York Jets spent extensive time visiting with the "Big Three" quarterbacks in the draft.

Does that mean they will take Matt Leinart, Jay Cutler or Vince Young if one is available when they pick Saturday at No. 4? Maybe. Well, the Jets seem to have their sights focused on shoring up the most overlooked and underrated part of any team: the offensive and defensive lines.

Virginia left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and North Carolina State end Mario Williams have emerged at the top of the wish list. Of course, this is the draft, where teams put up more smoke screens than Hollywood actors trying to avoid paparazzi.

"I know we're not going to take a kicker or punter. Outside of that, I think any position will be looked at thoroughly," general manager Mike Tannenbaum said.

For the young duo of Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini, making a big splash in their first draft is important. In five years under former GM Terry Bradway, only one of the players drafted made the Pro Bowl. It was Jonathan Vilma, who was added as an injury substitute last season.

Aside from improving on recent draft history, the Jets need help virtually everywhere after going 4-12 in 2005. Two first-round picks and nine overall will help.

Quarterback is intriguing because of the players the Jets currently have there. Chad Pennington is coming off his second rotator cuff operation and it's unclear whether he will ever be the same. The Jets traded for Patrick Ramsey, but he has only one year left on his contract and couldn't hold onto a starting job in Washington.

The team might be apprehensive to dole out big guaranteed bucks to another quarterback after giving so much money to the injury-prone Pennington. Leinart seems to be the favorite among the three, but he might be gone at No. 4.

Plus, Mangini came to the Jets from the Patriots, who got by just fine with a sixth-round pick named Tom Brady.

"Sure, quarterback is a situation we're looking at very closely, but there's other positions on the team that you guys may perceive that may not be a need," Tannenbaum said. "But, in a year it could be. That's where you have to marry your needs and be proactive as you build your team."

The 6-foot-6, 307-pound Ferguson grew up in Freeport, 10 minutes from the Jets' Long Island facility. Because the Jets only have two experienced tackles on the roster - Adrian Jones and free-agent addition Anthony Clement - the position is a huge area of need.

But the Jets haven't used a first-round pick on offense since 2001, when they drafted Santana Moss. Two of their last three top picks on defense haven't exactly panned out, either. Bryan Thomas never made himself into a playmaker, backing up John Abraham. Dewayne Robertson, taken No. 4 overall in 2003, hasn't done much of anything and has chronic knee problems.

Now that Mangini wants to implement a 3-4 defense, Robertson will have to learn a completely different position. He might find himself without a role.

If they want to stick with defense, Williams seems the most attractive choice. But he also might be gone when it comes time for the Jets to pick - the Texans, picking first overall, said Wednesday they will take USC running back Reggie Bush or Williams.

Williams would fill a huge need for New York after the Jets traded Abraham for the No. 29 pick in a three-way deal.

Plus, Mangini is a defense-minded coach who served as Patriots defensive coordinator last season.

The Jets have plenty of other needs. One is running back, where Curtis Martin goes into what could be his last season. He is coming off knee surgery and is going to be 33 when the season starts. Though the Jets have Derrick Blaylock and Cedric Houston, neither seems poised to become a featured back.

They could address that need at No. 29, or could go for a quarterback such as Alabama's Brodie Croyle if they pass on one early. Though they signed Kimo Von Oelhoffen to bolster the defensive line and Andre Dyson to take over at cornerback for Ty Law, the Jets could use help at both positions.

"The entire draft is an opportunity for us to improve the entire makeup of the team," Tannenbaum said. "I don't think it's a one?pick draft by any stretch."
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