It also makes more sense if the Jets have more certainty about Sheldon Richardson's availability next year. It's possible that he's gone for as many as 10 games or so between the personal conduct policy and the substance abuse policy. If the Jets know that he's gone until November next year maybe they lock Mo up and figure Richardson is definitely getting traded as soon as he re-establishes some value. Then the DL next year is Mo - Snacks - Williams with Richardson showing up later to the party than he did last year and not as much in the Jets plans moving forward. If the Jets know that Richardson is getting something of a pass from the league office, which would be only a 4 game suspension or so and no second strike under the substance abuse policy then maybe they are more comfortable just tagging Mo and waiting to see what the pre-season and trading deadlines bring in terms of opportunities. The combination of Mo's contract and Richardson's suspensions and Snacks imminent free agency would cause major disarray for some teams and organizations. I'm thinking the Jets have a plan to deal with all of this and it probably hinges on how they view Richardson's prospects for next year.
Sheldon Richardson really has no bearing on Muhammad Wilkerson and Damian Harrison situation. He doesn't make enough money , so the Jets aren't getting any cap relief trading him. The Jets can't afford both Snacks and Wilkerson. ( without taking an ax at important positions) Jmo One of them Wilkerson or Snacks will be gone. Jmo I think when the Jets drafted Leonard Williams the plan was always to trade Muhammad Wilkerson. The Jets need speed at the Lb position in the worse way. They are hoping the draft pick they get for Wilkerson, and the money they saved not having to pay him , can be used to solve this big problem. The Key is can the Jets trade Wilkerson that fast, as the longer he staying on their books that going to prevent the Jets from re-signing their own free agents.
I'm starting to wonder if we will be able to get a #1 for Mo. All the so called experts keep talking about how this is such a great draft for down lineman so why trade and pay big money for Mo when you can draft a guy " projected to be just as good". I wonder if Mcags would be willing to settle for a very high #2 ( Clev, Tenn, Oak) or if we'll just let Mo play for the $15 million tag
If you do the math , the Jets are going to have to cut position they aren't strong in to pay to keep one of their top defense lineman . ( When you see who they are going to have to cut to pay for Wilkerson you probably change your stance) Now what exactly have the Jets won having this so called elite defense line. To be a truly elite defense you have to be able to get to the Qb a lot more consistent than they do.
Just think of how different this thread would be if Leonard Williams was passed over by the Jets. There's your answer.
The Jets would have to find a partner and get into the top 10 to get the linebacker they really want. If the Jets can get Myles Jack for Mo, then you look to pull the trigger. A trade such as this is unrealistic and won't happen. I think the Jets could get a late first rounder / early 2nd for Mo at best.
I am aware that some very difficult decisions would have to be made - but anyone that is cut for Wilk will be JAG. It may leave us deficient in the short term but these kind of decisions shouldn't be made with a short term view.
I agree, BUT...if those cuts result in the Jets having to add and play a bunch of UDFAs and falling to 6-10 this season, will Woody and the fan base accept that? Will they understand and be patient? Would Mac do the right thing for the Jets long term and then be punished for it and the next GM benefit from it?
Thinking long term signing Wilk over Sheldon is the right move if that was all that was involved. But it's one or the other that should be traded.... So the question is do you gain 15 million in cap space for this year to sign the rest of your free agents while possibly gaining more in terms of trade value by getting rid of Mo? Or do you sign the surer bet in Mo the better long term solution and get bad value for a player with more upside in Sheldon while taking a big cap hit possibly hindering you signing other players? It's tough but it really depends on where Sheldon is at in the eyes of this organization. Believe it or not Sheldon has even more upside than Mo as a player but are his priorities in order. I sure hope they are because in my eyes it seems like keeping Sheldon and trading Mo has the chance at the highest returns.
Do you really see Myles Jack is the type of Lb the Jets would be looking for , if they traded Muhammad Wilkerson? Let's see the Jets would be losing their best pass rusher, and I would guess they want to get Olb that can rush the passer.( where pressure should come from in 3 -4 defense). Muhammad Wilkerson has a Dt type of body, and it takes him a lot longer to get to the qb than it would a fast twitch athlete .( this is the reason why you even think of trading Muhammad Wilkerson ). The Jets decide to keep Muhammad Wilkerson I would like to see them become a 4-3 defense. They need another proven De( not another Dt) that can get to the Qb . Yes there isn't going to be a big trade market for Muhammad Wilkerson ( teams don't want to give up high pick + pay that huge contract too). Who cares as all it takes is one team (Jaguars ) who think they are close enough to trade for a proven player.( add M Wilkerson and Dante Fowler to your defense - that is big upgrade from last year defense. So there is a chance you can get their top five pick, as money is no object with salary cap space they have). Having the fifth and twenty pick potential in the draft , and suddenly have a lot more options to improve the football team( Idzik isn't the Gm anymore - wouldn't trust him with those picks).
How are the Jets adding Muhammad Wilkerson 12-16 per year , and Damian Harrison salary 6- 7 millionper year to the Jets roster, and getting rid of Sheldon Richardson.( 3 million dollars) How does that solve the Jets limited cap space? Due to salary Cap the Jets are losing either Muhammad Wilkerson or Snacks.( can't keep both as the math doesn't add up). Jmo If the Jets don't trust Sheldon Richardson who says they don't put him also up as trade bait.( difference is you don't get your price , than you keep him- his salary isn't hurting the Jets cap.
Also the Jets are paying D Revis Qb money. You don't have that contract , and think about rebuilding. You need to think about winning in the next two years.( small window you have with him) How bad would the Revis contract look for a 6 and 10 team.
Damian Harrison is A Jag? ( won't be cut - Wilkerson signed, and he's gone) Where are the Jet gaining cap space if they aren't cutting their expensive players( not just Cromartie , but D Brick, and Mangold) ? You would be okay going with draft picks, and stop gaps on the offense line . ( what it might take to sign Wilkerson and do the things they want to do this offseason.
Well I think you got 2 prospects at the top that will add a lot of speed and talent to the defense. Noah Spence the edge rusher, and Myles Jack the do it all linebacker. If the Jets trade Mo, and by some miracle they were able to get a top 10 pick, I don't think the Jets will outright select a pass-rusher. Mac would take the best player available. The thing about Mo, is while he is a big bodied specimen, he has rare speed and extremely long arms. He's a match-up nightmare all over the field. We've seen the guy line up on a 4 man front on the left right and beat a tackle for a sack. Now, this isn't a position that Wilk should always be in, but he has great versatility. The Jets want to have the ability to run whatever formation they choose. That's what Bowles does best. Right now, the Jets need someone to compliment Lorenzo Mauldin. He can play outside linebacker in the 3-4 or a DE in a 4-3. The 4-3 might be best if you want to keep Mo, Williams and Sheldon on the field at the same time on the line. Mo, Williams and Sheldon can play anywhere on the line and you got Mauldin coming off the edge. The Jets should look to grab another edge rusher and have a package where you have 2 speed edge rushers on the line with 2 of the 3 lineman as a DT [Mo, Sheldon, Williams]. I don't see the Jags making a run at Wilk, but you have to be careful because the Jags are on the rise too. The AFC might not be strong right now, but there are a lot of teams competing for those WC spots. If you want to trade Wilk, it has to be to an NFC team. If you want to run a 4-3, then having Snacks here is essentially a waste.
Muhammad Wilkerson doesn't have rare speed .( why he was end of first round and not a top five pick.) http://www.nfldraftscout.com/ratings/dsprofile.php?pyid=72413&draftyear=2011&genpos=DT There is a big difference Muhammad Wilkerson and the elite pass rushers.( those guys can get to the Qb a lot faster than Wilkerson) . Now if you sign Muhammad Wilkerson you are losing Snacks( it's one or the other). If you were playing a 4-3 defense it would look like this Lde M Wilkerson Ldt Leonard Williams RDt Sheldon Richardson Rde ? Need another pass rusher as Mauldin isn't an option. The Jets have to take the best deal they can get for Muhammad Wilkerson , and if that is the Jaguars who cares. ( it's about doing what's better for your organization) There isn't going to be a big trade market for Wilkerson, and by limiting the conference you're willing to trade him to- you might be limiting what you get back.( Is that smart?) The Jets have to figure out what defense works the best for them , and start to build the pieces to make that defense work. What they are doing now is silly. First qCoples and now Sheldon Rivhardson to play Olb.( stupidity that hard to defend Bowles on)
This offseason it's which defense player you want to keep Snacks or M Wilkerson .( Both are free agents- either one gone). Sheldon Richardson this year has no bearing on what the Jets do , and doesn't effect their long term plans .( he isn't making enough 3 million that they have to do anything with him) Two years from now they have to know what they are doing with Richardson. So I ask you who do you want the Jets to keep Damian Harrison or Muhammad Wilkerson. Harrison going to come a lot cheaper. No one cares about Sheldon Richardson for two more years. ( that's when a decision has to be made there- do you understand now)
You are still using scouting reports to evaluate Mo? Tsk, Tsk. If you are a real Jet fan [which I hope you are], you've seen the guy has really good closing speed and it's been that way since he's been in the league. For his size, he's pretty quick. No one is comparing him to Von Miller. Also, that 4-3 line-up wouldn't be how I would set up the lineman. Sheldon and Mo on the inside, Leonard on the right end and Mauldin on the left. Even so, the 3 players you can move them anywhere on the line. Also, I mentioned before the Jets should get another edge rusher and create certain packages for certain situations. That's why they have packages, so you don't always have to run the same formation. I think your issue here is you believe the Jets run a certain formation all of the time. If it's about doing your best for the organization, then you don't trade your best defensive lineman to a team that is right there next to you. Again, Jets will do whats best for the team. In terms of Snacks, if he wants to sign that 5M a year deal then sign me up, but again plenty of reasons why you don't overpay for Snacks. If I had to choose between the 2, it's a no-freaking brainer. Seems this off-season is going to set you up for disappointment as it appears you think the Jets will make a big splash in FA.
