If we need a play maker, then get another guard and tackle or two. The OL is the entity that makes possible the plays to be made. I don't see why you guys don't accept the fact that none of the skill players we have were disqualified because of inferior play behind an exemplary OL that pass blocked and run blocked exceedingly well. Don't judge a skill player that has been betrayed by his OL. Your judgment will be refuted by the team that captures our players because we have given up on them prematurely. To become regular winners, we have to defeat the opponent in the trench. Now for those of you who are uninitiated, and it seems that a lot of you are in that sorry state, this means that we have to whip ass on the offense line trench, and manage abject defeat on the defensive line trench, in whichever order presents itself. I mean, opportunity knocks -- offense or defense -- be ready. When you guys get used to the hard knocks that we have to deliver, then you can play some tiddlywinks with the ballet dancers of skill. Otherwise, these exercises in futility will have to wait for some irreversible in-the-trenches victories by the NYJ Big Uglies.
I don't see why some of you won't acknowledge the acquisitions we've made thus far in the offseason that have vastly IMPROVED needing positions like the OL. Why is it so far hard to grasp the concept of taking the best player available? WHy? That is how you build depth, competition and overall roster talent. It's also what scouting departments are paid big money for. Let them earn their cash by grading personell correctly to form your big board. Why even bother going to the combine, watching film and evaluating talent if you're just gonna reach for the most well known lineman w/ every single pick? What blue chip lineman do you expect to be there at 6?
I have a lot of respect for the "Best Player Available" concept. I just do not agree that a spindly-legged RB who can't keep his britches zipped up happens to be the Best Player Available in the 08 draft at No. 6. I think that the three top-rated CBs have a lot more to offer individually than does McFadden.
Ok... This is my two cents; Any way you look at it, Darren McFadden is NOT the best player available at #6. Is that clear enough for you? *I never saw the kind of make-people-miss, razzle-dazzle movement from Curtis Martin - which is why he was a 3rd round pick. He did have a darn good line over his career however. Now, what would you prefer? A back that can consistently give you 4+ yards per carry (which is what Curtis Martin could do, and what TJ can do - I believe) or a flashy back that will instantly fall on the ground upon contact?*
It's great to say that on paper. It won't happen though, and even if it will, it's futile to say that. Dallas isn't going to move up for McFadden.
If McFadden fell to the ground instantly on contact, he wouldn't be considered the #1 prospect in the draft by NFLDC and many others. The kid can run, and he's the best player in this draft.
You're right about the OL. But here's the thing: we fixed the OL! We needed an LG and an RT, we got both, including the best LG money could buy. And while TJ and our QBs were definitely hurt by our crappy line last year, TJ as a track record of being a pretty good, not a great, runningback. Out of all our skill position players, who scares teams? Pennington certainly doesn't. Clemens doesn't. TJ doesn't. Leon Washington might, but not yet. Coles and Cotchery are good, just like TJ, but neither scares teams. McFadden is someone teams have to gameplan for, and with our OL, he would give us big play ability which we haven't seen from our runningback position for as long as I can remember.
I don't see the right side of the line as "fixed" just yet. Moore is an walking penalty machine and is far from being a dominant player at his position, and the Woody signing scares the hell out of me- to throw all of that money at a guy who was benched on a terrible team last year- signing him just based upon his gameplay in prior years and that he "should" be able to play RT. Is Woody an upgrade over Clement? Most likely yes, but that's not saying all too much. From Center to LG we look very good. Brick still has not proven himself and based upon play to date, you could have easily picked Mangold ahead of Brick on the draft boards based upon play to date. I agree with the other "skill" positions on O- we don't have players who really scare very many teams, but I just don't know if McFadden is the one who will instill fear for years to come.
Don't bother anymore man. These people have it embedded into their heads that not only does BPA not matter...but that b/c DMAC was in the spotlight for so long it's ok to be nitpicky when evaluating him..but also that Mike Mayock is god.. The same guy they CRITICIZED for evaluating jay cutler so highly b/c he was a skill player. jet fans want us to never take a high end skill player EVER again.This time around Mayock FURTHERS their agenda Give it up...we'll take 3-4 down lineman, pass rushers and offensive tackles w/ every 1st and second round pick for the rest of time.
We definitely take a couple of chances with McFadden. But, all that aside, I think a large part of any success he has will be the way he is utilized. I see him as more of a compliment to TJ for the time being. DF should be good on sweeps off of left tackle. I also, see him as a great guy to drop in the slot. If he is matched against a linebacker, McFadden will be past the LB within the first 15 yards. Utilizing DF in this fashion will also create headaches on that side of the field because the defense will have to cover the fastest guy on the field, plus whoever our #1 WR is. This should be good for some mismatches and big plays. Obviously, DF has to prove that he can catch a football consistently. Hopefully, better than McCareins or Becht. If he is able to catch than he would be a real weapon in the slot. Another possibility is for him to be used in reverses from the slot position. As far as the Offensive line goes, I agree that we are better, but the right side still may need some further shoring up. I would love to see us take Godsner Cherius in the second round. I see him as a guy who could really help us. Of course DF is purely speculation. I like the odds of him being there for us at #6, but ultimately, I hope Gholston is there. I think we get the most sure fire contributor for our money in Gholston. What I am really saying is if we have a choice of Gholston or McFadden, the smart money is with Gholston. Draft Day 1 is going to be interesting, that is for sure.
I agree - For ONCE can we pick a player we can be excited about... We have NEVER had a breakout RB who can pull an 80 yarder out of nowhere.
I also think that if DF falls to #7, there will be too much salivating going on and NE will trade the pick for a first rounder this year and next year. They can afford to do it. And, of course the pick that they get for next year will probably wind up in the top 10.
Lets not forget he was virtually 95% of the offense: #5 Full Name: Darren McFadden Born: August 27, 1987 Hometown: North Little Rock, AR Height: 6-2 Weight: 205 lbs. Age: 20 Pos: RB Class: Junior ATT 325 | YDS 1,830 | TD 16
You have to give Felix Jones and the Arkansas offensive line some props too. Jones was a 1,000 yard back this season.
The amazing part is Mayock showed a clip of about 3 of Dmacs runs where he got tackled on first contact. Now all of a sudden he is a guy that cant break tackles. It is truely mind boggling to me how many Jets fans are against the idea of drafting this guy, we should be counting our lucky stars if he makes it to 6. It is not all that often that the best player in the draft makes it out of the top 5. I blame it all on Mike Mayock.
I think what Mayock indirectly pointed out was that DF is not a every down, carry the load back - at least initially as a rookie. If he were utilized correctly, however, he could be a great weapon. Even if we drafted DF, TJ is still our go to guy in the backfield for the hard yards.
Not true -- what do you think Leon Washington does? He often pulls something out of nothing. Whether it's a 75 yard screen or a flash around the end. Leon is a go-to-the-house RB at any given time. A lot of people are talking about skill players striking fear in the hearts of the defense. Well, perhaps this is a phenomenon in college where a fast guy scares the hell out of the entire secondary. I can see that. In fact, I watched the entire secondary of Notre Dame cow down before the speed of Ohio State's wide outs and Southern Cal's wide outs, and on and on. But in the NFL there are a lot of fast guys. And the NFL eats BMOCs (That's those Big Men On Campuses that are used to bullying folks) for breakfast and doesn't invite them back for lunch. The only thing that really breeds fear in the NFL is hard knocking, repeated hard hitting, stunning, snot-slinging blows. I'm not talking about the running-head-start-Elam hits or misses. I'm speaking of those Joe Louis-type six inch knock-outs that accomplished football players will regularly deliver. Teams become wary of skill players when they have the skills, judgment, and athleticism to take advantage of this bestial football behavior being dished out by their OL and other blockers. Skill players are the icing on the cake, not the cake. You guys think we've fixed our OL? Well, first of all, we haven't seen them play together for a single down in either laughter or anger. Secondly, you will need a couple of platoons both of which must be able to play well together. This is called DEPTH. We have just begun to accumulate some starters. We need more for depth. We do not know if the Big Uglies on the roster will be around for cannon fodder to make practice possible or if they will actually manifest as deserving of playing time in one of these platoons. We have to build a winning OL, and only then do we have the luxury of worrying a little bit about the ballet dancers. Please remember, any back can run through holes that are littered on the edges with defensive players laying on their backs nursing their smashed mouths and catching their breath. It doesn't take a lot of talent, just good balance, so they don't trip over their toes too often.
I don't know much about this Mayock guy you guys are concerned about. But I do read about what other players say.
I would never forget about Leon. And to your point and based on Leon's ability, I would not be surpised if the Jets passed on DF if available. For instance, if VG is there with DF, then I really think the Jets take VG. In fact, if any player is there with DF who we feel can come right in and help big time on defense - and is worth a #6, then I think we will go for the defensive player. They only way I see us taking DF is if he is there and all the other players who could help us at #6 value are gone.
