We all know that the Jets didn't add an OLB via the draft, but I think there are at least two possible scenarios in which the Jets could at least upgrade the depth at OLB and quite possibly significantly upgrade one of the starting spots, but it wouldn't be cheap. Option No. 1 There is some talk that with the drafting of Aldon Smith, the Niners may release or be willing to trade one of the 4 OLBs they use in rotation. The four are Manny Lawson, Travis Laboy, Parys Haralson and Ahmad Brooks. Lawson is 26, Laboy is 30, and both Haralson and Brooks are 27. With the exception of Laboy, the other three are young enough to still play for the Jets for at least 3 years, maybe longer. That could be enough to help them win a SB or two. If the Niners are willing to part with one of them, I think it would be a good idea for the Jets to grab one of them. If nothing else, it would improve their depth. Of the group, I like Lawson the best, even though he has been a bit of a disappointment in his career. Even though Lawson has not lived up to his hype before he was drafted, perhaps a change of scenery and playing for Rex would be just what he needs. I’ll omit 2007 because he only played in 2 games, I’m guessing that was due to injury. Over the last 4 years that he has played, Lawson had 179 solo tackles, 50 Assists, 14.5 sacks, 12 passes defensed, 2 interceptions, and 6 forced fumbles. Over the same period, Laboy’s (age 30) numbers were: 75 solo tackles, 27 assists, 18.5 sacks, 7 passes defensed, 1 interception and 7 forced fumbles. Haralson’s (age 27) numbers were: 117 tackles, 51 assists, 19.5 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 0 interceptions and 0 forced fumbles. Brooks (age 27) only played in 2 games in 2007 as well as Lawson, and didn’t play at all in 2008. Accordingly, his numbers are going to bge a little lower, but they are: 83 solo tackles, 13 assists, 12 sacks, 6 passes defensed, i interception and 5 forced fumbles. As a comparison, over the same period, Thomas has had 149 solo tackles, 46 Assists, 16 sacks, 4 passes defensed, 0 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles. Positives: Improve depth at the position in case Pace or Thomas go down with injury, and the chances of that increase with age; quite possibly improving either the pass rush or the coverage of RBs and TEs, or even both Negatives: Signing Manny Lawson would probably mean that the Jets don’t re-sign Holmes. Would you guys be up for that? Signing one of the other guys may still prelude signing one of Holmes or Cromartie, or perhaps 2-3 of the lesser Jets' FAs. Option No. 2 Cliff Avril is a RFA with the Lions tendered for a 1st and 3rd round pick. While the Lions wouldn't part with him easily, the Jets could sign him to an offer and include a poison pill that the Lions couldn't/wouldn't match. Avril is 25 and has been in the league for 3 years. His stats are as follows: 66 solo tackles, 29 assists, 19 sacks, 8 passes defensed, 0 interceptions, and 8 forced fumbles. As you can see, Avril's stats compare favorably with the 4 from SF and with Thomas, even though he's only been in the league 3 years. He could play for the Jets for at least 5 seasons, maybe 7-8. Positives: Youth, speed, pass rush ability, creates TOs and is better in coverage than anyone the Jets currently have; flexibility can play OLB in the 3-4 and DE in the 4-3 alignment; would cost less in terms of actual draft picks than trading up in next year's draft to pick a top OLB prospect (at a minimum, that would cost the Jets #1 & #2, and probably their #3 or #4 as well). He could be a a real terror in Rex's system and be enough to get them over the hump to winning the Lombardi Trophy. Negatives: To get Avril, the Jets would have to pay so much that they'd definitely lose both Holmes and Cromartie, and possibly some of the other of their FAs that they want to re-sign.
If Lawson gets a change of scenery and quality coaching he could still become a good rush linebacker. I don't know how much heart and desire he has, though. That seems to be as big a problem as any that he has had thus far. He has only flashed talent in SF.
I should have stated this but the first five poll options assume that BE is re-signed, but not Holmes. To get Avril, I think I'd be willing to let both Holmes and Cromartie walk, as long as I could still re-sign Harris, S. Ellis, Hunter, Turner, E. Smith, Coleman and Ihedigbo. As much as I want Ellis back, I might even be willing to let him retire or walk to get Avril.
if you want to pay that much for Avril, I would try to work out a trade for a Woodley/Hali who have proven they can stand up and play the rush OLB role. Hali could probably be had for the same 1 and 3 that avril could be. that said, it is way to much to give up without knowing other variables. Let's say Braylon signs, and holmes walks along with cromartie. Then its more feasible to go get a pass rusher. However if you can bring back two of the three, its still the much better option for the team than mortgaging the future on purely unknowns. (Avril never having stood up, and Lawson being so underwhelming so far in his career...) obviously if we don't have to trade anything to obtain one of the SF guys, then that is at least a real option, but Detroit is not letting go of Avril for less than the 1 and 3, and for that much I think we could definately get a guy like Hali who is at least an established olb.
Unfortunately I think we are going to have to bargain hunt at this position. Avril is WAY too expensive both with draft picks and a new contract. if SF drops one or two of these guys I think we could pick them up at a reasonable price. I like Haralson the best.
Absolutely no to option #2. A first and a third for Cliff Avril is terrible value for a guy who never played standing up.
I strongly strongly doubt the jets trade for an OLB. I just dont see it happening. Most likely scenario is we sign an older vet free agent type (ie someone similar to JT), and then sign a young UDFA olb as well.
Avril is a 4-3 DE. I don't know why he's in this conversation. Like Cato mentioned, just make a play for Woodley or Hali if you're going to spend that much in a trade. SFs OLBs aren't the answer. They're just as good as Pace. This team is in the tough position where they have to find a top pro bowl caliber OLB and settle for nothing else.
a top pro bowl caliber olb is going to break the bank, and make us give up a ton. Unless were talking about giving up Holmes and or Cromartie in a packaged deal for this said OLB, im not even remotely interested. Because theres no way Holmes Cromartie and a top pro bowl caliber OLB are all gonna be on the roster together. Not to mention we need at LEAST 2 solid olbs, we have old mediocre ones on both sides with little to no reliable depth.
2 cheap options to potentially go after, Mark Anderson and Marcus Benard. EDIT: I'm still trying to find out if Benard was signed by the Browns, he was an ERFA...
I like the Panthers two free agent OLBs (Thomas Davis and James Anderson) but theyre both a little smaller than our LBs (240~) and im not sure how well either would work in our system. I know theyre both above average run stoppers though.
we signed a passrusher Garrett McIntyre. He has experience in Canada and is fast. He was a sack artist up there as was WAKE. WAKE is better but the guy deserves a chance with us. McIntyre can play. Of course he is unknown in the NFL but so was WAKE when he signed with Miami. Secondly, with the two giant sized guys we just drafted to play in front of PACE, I see Calvin getting 10 or more sacks. He will no longer have to put up with big bodies hitting him as tries to get to the QB. Westerman can be a rusher as well and Brown has a shot. I have not given up on the Jets. They will do something to get the rusher they need to excel. We were #6 ( I think)last year insacks and had no rusher! With Wilkerson and Ellis we will be even better at sacking the QB. Wilkerson can get a few himself! Two guys will have to block ELLIS and all heck is going to break loose! GO JETS!
Yeah I wasnt sure if the Panthers changed to a 3-4 last year or if this was the first year they expected their defense to use it. I know I remember their DC saying he expects them to be able to play both 3-4 and 4-3 but didnt know when that whole thing started.
damn, I'm full of mistakes tonight. Well, both of you make good points. Avril will probably be resigned by the Lions.
