Final thoughts on draft
-
- April
- 29
First of all, I was sure the Jets were going to make at least one more deal today. The fact that they came with just four players picked was a bit of a surprise.
However, I don’t necessarily see that as a negative. I did see where the Jets were being killed for giving up so much to acquire the 14th pick and draft Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis. While the Jets may have given up a lot in three picks – winding up with a first-, second-, sixth- and seventh-round selection in the draft – I think the fact that it was contained to this year’s draft minimizes the damage.
Let’s face it, even if teams weren’t saying it, this year’s draft pool turned out to be thin. So why not give up a couple of picks to get the players that – right or wrong, as time will bear out – the Jets really wanted. Now, had the Jets surrendered a second- or third-round pick in 2008 to get Revis, I, too, may have been on the overpayment bandwagon.
Also, while GM Mike Tannenbaum kept including Thomas Jones when talking about the Jets picks, I’m not quite buying that. I understand his point, that Jones essentially was a free player since the Jets just swapped second-round picks with the Bears, but to include a Jones has to be considered a separate acquisition. Besides, I can’t imagine Jones will be showing up for next month’s rookie minicamp.
Some other notes:
Revis will wear No. 24, Harris No. 52, Bender No. 72 and Stuckey No. 83. Now, if only Stuckey turns out to be as good as Santana Moss, that will be the real steal of the draft. Stuckey, by the way, said he was surprised he lasted so long, thinking instead he was going to be drafted anywhere from rounds 2-4.
Stuckey is the fourth player the Jets have drafted out of Clemson, the last being cornerback Justin Miller with the 57th pick in the 2005 draft. Stuckey and Miller know each other very well as they came to the school together – Stuckey was redshirted in 2002. The two were roommates for a year.
By the way, only 20 votes so far in the poll to the right. Hoping to get a much bigger sampling of your opinions. Thanks.
This entry was posted
on Sunday, April 29th, 2007 at 7:39 pm by Andrew Gross.
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Jane McManus 
I Think the FO knows what its doing. Trading up for Revis makes sense. The Jets have plenty of depth (competition?) on defense and are really only a WR and some O-linemen short of competion across the board. So who needs more marginal prospects when there was a chance to get a superb CB? Same could be said about LB, but I’m not so high on Harris.
Anyway, on to undrafted FAs. There are some intriguing names available, including some in whom the Jets have expressed interest. I’d like see them bring in a QB and some O-linemen. Zabransky (QB, Boise State), Duckworth (G, Auburn) and Uparesa (T, Hawaii) are guys who might (sadly?) be able to press for roster spots.
Very true what you say about next year’s picks. It would have been upsetting if they traded any future picks, especially considering how well the skins pick turned out (#37). Chicago was able to swap it to SD for three or four more picks.
Hi everyone. Sorry, been busy this weekend but here is my take on the draft:
1. I think the Jets had an average draft. That being said, the talent pool was thin and the Jets got their man, so I guess they can’t complain.
2. I am not sold on Revis. I hope he proves me wrong!
3. Zabransky would be a nice FA signing. He’d make a nice 3rd stringer and maybe backup someday.
4. Division rivals. Buffalo made out great getting Marshawn at #12. And New England getting Moss today hurt us. So overall, our 2 biggest competitors made significant moves to help their teams. But Miami didn’t. Miami blew it, bigtime. Ginn is going to stink in the NFL. He’s too small. And I don’t think he’s that good. I can’t believe they passed on Brady Quinn at #9. And now they didn’t get Trent Green either. Gotta love it when all is bad in Fishland
I have high hopes for Revis, Bender and Stuckey. If Harris turns out to be as good as a lot of folks think he is, I can see 3 starters and a big role player WR out of this draft eventually. If that’s true, throwing all those draft picks around like they were Monopoly money will turn out to be a good thing.
I thought the Jets had a decent draft. They seem to have filled 2 of their biggest holes on defense, although, time will tell whether these guys really are as good as they seem on paper. I also like that they used their later picks for the OL and WR, two other positions where they are thin. I’m looking foreward to seeing their FA signings.
Andrew, I don’t think the problem with the Jets draft was the picks they made. If we had stayed put or dropped down, we would have had, at best, major projects no better than the guys we had. I looked specifically at the players at or original slots and was not impressed. At the time of our first pick (the top four safeties were gone and the top three corners). Now we have two legitimate threats to start at positions of need. So those who complain about paying too much miss the point.
For me there are two questions that remain and will determine the success or failure of our offseason.
1) We did not trade Vilma, DeWayne, McYawn, Miller. All had some value. My Grandfather had an expression that if you do not sell something for an offered price, you just bought it back for that price. IOW, whatever we could have had for any of these guys this off season, is what we just payed for them again. All of them need to show something this coming season or this wsa Tangini’s most important error. Not maximizing value.
2) Rumor has it, that even with the bogus contracts overpaying Kimo, Barrett, McYawn and others we still have 10 mil in cap space (and the cap goes up again next year). Unused cap space is a waste. It will be more of a waste if our OL is as weak as some of us have suggested (especially on the right side). Tangini had a chance to overpay for someone good early in FA. Maybe someone will drop between now and June I. Maybe one of the Europe guys or former practice squadders develops. If not, not upgrading the OL—not getting full value out of T Jones and Chad—and having surplus money would be another major misjudgement.
harlan
Agree completely about the cap space issue Harlan. In my estimation, Revis was by far the best CB in the draft. Who knows about Harris, but all in all, solid draft. B/B+. I dont mind the few picks as long as the top two play a decent amount this year.
Mark, id have to diasgree with you regarding our division rivals. You never know what baggage a player like Moss will bring, and Lynch at 12 is a bad pick. I saw him play a bunch at Cal and he is so much worse than Peterson it doesnt seem like the best pick. I really dont think he will do ANYTHING next year. The Randy Moss thing will be interesting though… I agree with one of the previous posters about it being awfully suspect that Bellicheck would take a guy like Moss—not so suspect though when he fears the hard-nosed, blue-collar Jets a half step behind.
Lets sign that Huge, fast NT Walter guy as a FA. Put him in an locker room environment of the Jets character and i really dont think he will be messing around, and if he does, he certainly willl not affect anyone else other than himself.
I hope Mangini works these guys sooo hard again in camp—same as last year. No change. No let up. Consistency. Focus. He could be an amazing coach for years to come. Coles can take it if the team wins and the guys bond- we all know this… That what i love about LC, I just feel like he is in it so much for the guys on the team as well as himself, but his teammates first.
Him, JCo, Vilma, Kerry, Chad all have a really good thing going on—we have a great core. Revis especially i believe can add to that—wonder who all the free agents are that Tannenbaum is talking about the Presser?>??? Walter Thomas????
From Fox Sports…
Czar’s breakdown: A lot of Bill Belichick has rubbed off on head coach Eric Mangini because they made some quality picks, even though it cost them a valuable second-round choice in order to move from the 25th spot in the first round to the 14th spot to select Pitt cornerback Darrelle Revis, the best player at his position. Michigan ILB David Harris fits Mangini’s 3-4 defense and don’t forget they earlier swapped a second-round pick for the Bears’ most productive running back last season in Thomas Jones. They filled some definite needs without a lot of firepower. With their final two picks, took Jacob Bender an offensive tackle and then Clemson WR Chansi Stuckey. Grade: B+
[...] Gross gives his final draft thoughts, which are similar to mine. [...]
D Rob make the pro bowl this year. 10-15 more pounds on his frame, a year in the system, and some live bodies around him will make all the difference in the world.
I have been posting for months that they would not draft a nost tackle because they are very happy with DR and the five 325+ lb bodies behind him on the depth chart. There is more to run defense than the nose tackle. Coleman, just with his size, will be a big improvement over Kimo, and Harris will be a tackling machine in the middle. No worries.
All reports seems to see these four guys getting significant playing time. What more can you ask for out of this draft. If we have two starters and two role players it will definitly make us a better team. Also , lets sit back and see what Billy Boy does with all those recievers up in Beantown..I see one or two getting released soon. And what happened to that “CHARACTER ISSUE” of the player being so important to Billy. Merriweather and Moss, two of a kind. Moss is definitely not a team players.I think ManTan know what they are doing..We are just a bunch of Armchair Quarterback who think we know better. We question every move, like how could they do that without asking us first. But, that is what a fan is. So many people don’t see beyond the final stats of each game. We are the guys who check all the sportslines every day to see what our team has done. Ruin our whole week when we loose and can’t wait until the next game when we win.J++E+T++S…Jets Jets Jets
Wayne, if your DeWayne predicition is correct, Jet fans everywhere are going to be very happy and Tangini (and you) will look very smart!~
h
As for the Cap Space:
The June cuts haven’t happened yet. It’s always key to have some money. I believe last yr they made some post June 1 signings.
Otherwise, I don’t know what they are saving the money for.
Great post Joe B, but as fans, its almost our duty to ask these questions and have these opinions, if we didnt, it would mean we are not really fans. Its almost like the army expression Ive heard: When the men stop complaining, its a bad omen, because it means theyve stopped caring. If we werent to pose these questions and have these 2nd thoughts, we wouldnt be the true fans that we are….
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