The third year of the Tangini draft era wrapped up on Sunday and time will tell if the Jets found any contributors.
Gang Green went into the draft with needs at defensive line, wide receiver, cornerback, quarterback and running back (other than that, things are just fine with the Green and White). I kid, I kid. Anyway, here's what general manager Mike Tannenbaum and coach Eric Mangini's 2008 draft looked like:
Round 1. Vernon Gholston DE (Ohio State) Round 1. Dustin Keller TE (Purdue) Round 4. Dwight Lowery CB (San Jose State) Round 5. Erik Ainge QB (Tennessee) Round 6. Marcus Henry WR (Kansas) Round 7. Nate Garner OT (Arkansas)
As you can see, needs were addressed (in theory). I liked the Gholston pick even though he might be the top candidate for biggest potential bust out of the first ten picks. The story is that Vern gets up for big games, but disappears in others. Well, I guess every game is going to have to be a big one for The Ghol.
I saw some more highlight film of Dustin Keller and the kid doesn't look like a tight end. And sure enough, he started his collegiate career at wide receiver. He's been compared to Dallas Clark of the Indianapolis Colts. Hey, I'm all for that. The Jets haven't had a reliable, big-play tight end since Mickey Shuler.
The word on Dwight Lowery is that he's better in zone coverage. That means he has nickel back written all over him. But he did lead the nation in picks in his junior season.
Erik Ainge is the nephew of former professional basketballer and baseballer and current Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge. Anige threw for 3,522 yards, 31 touchdowns and 10 interceptions in his final year as a Volunteer. But scouts questioned his arm strength (even though he's a big kid -- 6'5, 223), ability to handle pressure and overall mental and physical toughness. Other than that, he has the chance to be a real star.
Marcus Henry is the big wide receiver (6'4, 207) the Jets desperately need. Henry has long arms and could be a real asset in the red zone. His biggest drawback is that he fails to gain separation and doesn't rack up those important yards after the catch.
Nate Garner is big (6'6, 326), but raw. It looks like another Jacob Bender "pet project" situation.
There it is -- the Jets Class of 2008.
Check back in a few years to see if the right choices were made.
Running back Darren McFadden was off the board as was quarterback Matt Ryan (thank Budda) so the Jets chose wisely and selected the speed pass-rusher Vernon Gholston from Ohio State with the sixth pick in the 2008 draft. Gholston recorded a school-record 14 sacks last year and picked up 22.5 sacks in his last 25 games at The Ohio State University. Those numbers should bolster an anemic Jet pass rush that generated only 29 sacks last season.
Gholston was a defensive end with the Buckeyes, but his size (6'3, 266) makes him a perfect fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Detroit native put up impressive numbers during his pre-draft workout -- running the 40 in 4.67 seconds and performing a scouting combine-best 37 reps on the bench press.
The biggest drawback about Gholston is his passion -- or lack thereof. Here's what one scout had to say:
"He's a talented, athletic kid, but his instincts and efforts aren't what they should be."
Said an opposing GM:
"When you watch his tape, he's probably a first-round pick. When he works out, he's in the middle of the first round. When he takes his shirt off, he's a top-10 pick."
Gholston didn't want to be a team's second or third or, in this case, sixth choice. "I want to go where the team wants me," Gholston said when asked about the Jets. "I don't want to be in a situation where [a team says] 'We wanted this guy, but we just pick up Vernon Gholston.'" That shows me that he has some fire in the belly. Whether it's always burning remains to be seen.
Gang Green also pulled off a trade and netted themselves another first-round pick. The Jets sent their second and fourth-round picks in this year's draft to the Green Bay Packers for the right to pick at No. 30. And the Jets choose ... a tight end. Strange. The Green and White selected Purdue's Dustin Keller. I'm not that familiar with Keller, but here's what the good people at Scouts Inc. had to say about the 6'3, 242 pound tight end:
No tight end in this year's class projected as a first-round pick in our opinion, making this pick a reach. One of the biggest knocks on Keller is that he's probably never going to develop into an excellent in-line blocker. Also, he doesn't have the frame to add a lot of bulk without sacrificing his greatest strength: his speed. However, Keller certainly has the athletic ability, versatility and burst to make an immediate impact as a receiver. He will be a tough matchup for opposing defenses; his size can cause enormous problems for defensive backs and most linebackers are going to have problems turning to run with him.
The Jets are a team lacking playmakers, but Keller gives offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer a lot of versatility with his personnel groupings and matchups. He has good hands and gives them a threat in the passing game, unlike Chris Baker or Bubba Franks. Look for Schottenheimer to move him around and detach him in the formation. The Jets have spent heavily on offensive line and defense in the offseason, and now Keller will help them put points on the board.
Again, it's a strange decision. The Jets certainly need playmakers on offense, but there were a slew of wide receivers out there who were available. This could also mean that the Jets are really, really down on current tight end Chris Baker. Baker is unhappy with his contract status and has stopped reporting to the Jets' offseason program. The Daily News said Baker recently asked the Jets for a trade, but the team responded with a negative.
So, the first day of the NFL Draft ended with one expected pick and one surprise pick for the New York Jets.
The Jets traded defensive lineman Dewayne Robertson to the Denver Broncos Thursday for what appears to be a late-round conditional pick in the 2009 draft. The Star-Ledger reports Gang Green could land at least a third-round selection if Robertson reaches certain playing requirements -- that would be sweet. The move should come as no surprise to Jet fans -- D-Rob was almost traded to the Cincinnati Bengals last month for a 4th and 5th round pick and the Detroit Lions and Philadelphia Eagles were also rumored to be interested in the five-year veteran.
Robertson was due to collect a $3 million bonus in June and with the acquisition of Kris Jenkins and re-signing of lineman Sione Pouha, the former first-round pick out of Kentucky was made expendable. The Green and White will save about $8.4 million with the trade.
If you're keeping score at home, that's two former first-round picks the Jets have traded in the past two months. Linebacker Jonathan Vilma was sent to the New Orleans Saints at the end of February.
Speaking of the draft, it's this coming Saturday. The Jets own the sixth pick and speculations are running wild. Running back Darren McFadden is the sexy choice, but I don't think he'll be around by the time the Jets select. Other players rumored to be heading to New York include: linebacker/defensive end Vernon Gholston, defensive lineman Sedrick Ellis, cornerback Leodis McKelvin and even quarterback Matt Ryan. There's also the possibility the Jets trade down (or maybe up?).
I've wavered on who the Jets should take, but if McFadden is available it would be almost impossible not to grab him. There have been questions about McFadden's character (he was involved in a bar fight earlier this year and has claimed responsibility for two children by two different women), but the guy has incredible raw talent. Still, I wouldn't cry foul if the Jets opted for Gholston. The Jets had trouble getting to the quarterback last year and the product out of Ohio State should (stress should) help in that department.
But the one guy I do not want the Jets to pick (repeat -- DO NOT) is the QB from Boston College. The Jets aren't settled at the quarterback position by any means (the jury's out on Kellen Clemens and I'm shocked that Chad Pennington is still on this team), but to bring in another young guy would make absolutely no sense to me. But that's me. The Jets have done well in the draft the past few years (the recently traded former first-round picks notwithstanding), let's see if it continues.
Anyway, Arin from Arin It Out will be live blogging the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.
Hopefully, whomever the Jets select won't be traded away in a couple of years.
Gang Green will open the 2008 regular season against the Dolphins -- a team the Jets beat twice last season, which accounted for half of their win total -- on Sept. 9 at 1:00 p.m. The Green and White will then head to the Meadowlands and renew hostilities with the AFC champion New England Patriots. It will be the third straight year the Jets open up their home schedule against the Pats. Coincidence? I think not! Oh, I can't wait to hear more about spygate -- can you? The Jets and Pats will play the second game on a Thursday night (Nov. 13) in New England.
The schedule makers also shocked me (and maybe the Jets) by awarding the team a Monday night tilt in Week 3 at the San Diego Chargers. The Jets made the playoffs in 2006 and weren't on MNF in 2007 and now they are coming off a horrible 4-12 campaign. Doesn't make much sense, does it? Bruce Paine from the Cobra Brigade doesn't understand it either.
The Jets will also work in some frequent-flier miles. Gang Green will jet (Ha!) to the left coast not once, not twice, not even thrice, but four times. There's the already mentioned trip to San Diego which will be followed by treks to Oakland on Oct. 19, San Francisco on Dec. 7 and finally Seattle on Dec. 21.
The Jets will get their bye in Week 5.
If you want to get technical (and I'm sure you do), the Jets will "technically" open against the Browns in Cleveland on Aug. 7. The rest of the preseason schedule goes Washington, Giants and at Philadelphia.
It's always dangerous to predict in April, but there are a bunch of winnable games on New York's docket. The Jets will play only five games against playoff teams in 2007 (and two of those games are against the Patriots). But I'm sure teams will be looking at the Jets the same way. Time will tell.
The season will wrap up the way it started when the Dolphins visit the Meadowlands in Week 17.
It will be important for the Jets to get off to a good start since they spent a ton of cash this past offseason on free agents. But fans and media shouldn't go ballistic if Gang Green stumbles out of the gate. The New York Giants started out 0-2 and were staring 0-3 right in the kisser last season.
Who says the Jets don't know how to treat their boys?
Gang Green inked safety Kerry Rhodes to a five-year, $33.5 million extension on Thursday. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed cash.
This now makes Rhodes one of the richest safeties in the league. Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders recently signed a
five-year, $37.5 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. Rhodes isn't in Sanders' class, but it's a smart move by the Green and White to lockup one of their own before he hit the free agent market. Rhodes had one more year remaining on his contract.
Number 25 got off to a slow start in 2007 (along with everyone else on defense) and finished with the worst totals of his three-year NFL career, but came on strong in the second half of the year. Rhodes had a four-game interception streak that started against the Pittsburgh Steelers and finished with 67 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 5 INTs, 10 passes defensed and returned a fumble for a score.
Good, but not great numbers. However, those totals don't accurately reflect the type of player Rhodes is and can be. When he's on, he can be a powerful force and a play-maker on D. But now with the big-time money comes greater responsibility (yeah, I'm working in a Spider-Man reference). He's going to have to bring his "A" game to the table every time out now and help lead the Jets defensive resurgence.
The Jets guaranteed the final two years of Laveranues Coles' $11 million deal Friday, thus ending a potentially long-standing feud. This really goes to show how fragile an NFL contract is. In most circles a contract, by its very definition, is guaranteed. But not in the wacky, crazy world of the National Football League. That's why I don't usually go off the deep end when a football player wants to rework his contract. He's always one play away from selling insurance or driving a truck for a living.
Unofficially, the Jets have assured Coles that he'll get the long-term deal he was looking for if he stays healthy and puts up big numbers next year. If those conditions don't happen, LC will be given permission to seek a trade. Again, these stipulations seem silly to me, but if No. 87 is happy then so am I.
This agreement also shows that the Gotham Green have learned a thing or two from the Pete Kendall debacle. Kendall's departure ripped holes in the offensive line and locker room which were never repaired and if Coles was taken out of the picture, it could have been equally damaging to the team. Coles will never be considered one of the top receivers in the league, but pound for pound, he may be one of the toughest. And even though he may be a bit unorthodox as a leader, the entire squad respects and looks up to him.
And I'm glad he'll be wearing the Green and White again in 2008.
Disgruntled wide out Laveranues Coles arrived at the Jets' voluntary offseason conditioning program Tuesday after a week long absence. Word on the street is that the two sides are working toward a new agreement. What that means is anyone's guess, but it's rumored that LC was promised he would receive a long-term deal next year if he stayed healthy this upcoming season. That sounds ridiculous if you ask me. Coles shouldn't have to prove anything to anyone in the locker room or the front office. But if that's what got him to report, then I'm all for it. The other theory has Coles seeking a trade on his own.
I sure hope it's option A. I've heard a lot of fans bash Coles after he tore into the Jets last month, but No. 87 is a gamer and I'd want him on my team anytime. And the Jets really need his heart and grit on the field. We all know Gang Green threw a ton of money around during the free agency period and to not take care of one of their own would be borderline criminal. But that's just me.
That means there's just one missing face in camp for the Green and White. Nose tackle Dewayne Robertson is still a no-show and his status with the team is still up in the air. Potential trades to the Cincinnati Bengals and Detroit Lions went up in smoke and D-Rob has a $3 million roster bonus coming to him in June. The former No. 1 draft pick is also set to earn $9.8 million this season. I can't see the Jets giving in to those figures so possible scenarios would probably include a draft day deal or a reworked contract.
And the Jets have had a checkered past with veteran players and their contracts.
Another week, another dip into the free agent pool for the New York Jets.
Gang Green inked tight end Bubba Franks to a one-year, $1.65 million contract Monday. The three-time Pro Bowler was cut by the Green Bay Packers last month.
The combination of Franks, the No. 1 pick by the Pack in 2000, and incumbent tight end Chris Baker gives the Green and White two quality blockers and receivers along the offensive line. Franks has been slowed by injuries and finished with just 18 catches for 132 yards and three touchdowns in eight games last season. But, if healthy (and he's coming off a torn posterior cruciate ligament in his left knee), Bubba is still one of the best inside the red zone. He's 6'6, 265 pound frame should be another viable option for whoever is manning the offense next season.
The Jets can also now jettison the other tight ends that are clogging up roster space. The Jets already axed Sean Ryan (who signed with the Miami Dolphins) and I hope to bid a good day to Joe Kowalewski and Jason Pociask soon. I just don't see the need to have four tight ends on a squad, do you?
The Jets also began their "voluntary" offseason program today at Hofstra University. All the old and new faces were expected to show up. All but one, that is. Laveranues Coles is still unhappy with his contract situation and will not attend.
I guess it's not all peaches and cream for the acquisition-happy Jets.
The Jets signed running back Jesse Chatman to a one-year contract on Sunday. Chatman rushed for 515 yards and one touchdown in 128 carries last season for the Miami Dolphins. I'm going to assume Gang Green made this move simply to add depth at the running back position and nothing more. That's what Jets beat writer and blogger Rich Cimini thinks and hopefully he's correct. I guess signing running backs in the NFL these days is like picking up pitchers in the Majors -- you can never have too many. Initially, I feared this pick up was a signal that the Jets were shying away from drafting running back Darren McFadden. I still waver back and forth on whether the Jets should draft McFadden, but if he's available when the Gotham Green pick at No. 6, the addition of Chatman should in no way affect their decision.
But the draft is still more than a month away.
As far as Chatman goes, he's a good story if you're into those. I remember reading about how he conquered his weight problems in an issue of Sports Illustrated last year. I can't find the article online, but I still possess the "hard" copy. Yeah, I still like reading actual magazines.
Anyway, Chatman went from being LaDainian Tomlinson's backup in San Diego in 2004 (gaining 392 yards at a 6.0 clip) to being out of football by 2005. Injuries and a lack of playing time caused Chatman's 5'8 frame to balloon to nearly 270 pounds by year's end and the Chargers released him. After failed stints in Miami and New Orleans, Chatman was ready to call it quits. But through diet and perseverance, Chatman was able to shed the weight and hooked up with his old Chargers offensive coordinator Cam Cameron last season in Miami.
Chatman will have another reunion of sorts when he joins the Jets. Gang Green's offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer and Chatman worked together in San Diego.
A nice story, but Chatman will need to work even harder if he expects to receive significant playing time in the Jets backfield next season.
The Jets continued their quest to pick up every free agent on the market by signing Pro Bowl fullback Tony Richardson to a one-year deal Thursday.
Richardson, 36, has made a career of blocking for 1,000 yard rushers. His best seasons came as a Kansas City Chief where he helped pave the way for the likes of Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. Richardson spent the past two seasons in Minnesota's Purple and Gold and opened holes during Chester Taylor's 1,216 rushing year in 2006 and Adrian Peterson's 1,341 ground assault in 2007.
This is the second straight season that Eric Mangini and company have signed a free-agent fullback. Last year Darien Barnes was supposed to light the way for Thomas Jones, but that never materialized. Barnes played sparingly and was released in November.
Richardson was once a receiving threat coming out of the backfield, but I think 13 years in the NFL have neutralized that part of his game (go figure). Still, it's a solid pickup by Gang Green. I just hope they utilize Richardson's talents and get rid of the four tight end philosophy that they implemented last season.
This free agent spending spree may have lifted the spirits of some Jet fans, but all is not well within the organization's green and white walls. An anonymous Jets player vented his frustration in Wednesday's Daily News:
"You pay guys you don't even know, and the guys in the locker room - the guys
that have your back - you don't give a damn about them. It shows where the loyalty
is."
Most feel that the unnamed player is wide receiver Laveranues Coles. It's true that Coles is unhappy with his current contract and is seeking a long-term deal, but he already voiced his displeasure. Why would he then rip the Jets anonymously?
It's always a bit dangerous to speculate, but if I was a betting man, I'd say that the mystery player is tight end Chris Baker. Baker is also searching for a new contract and isn't shy about speaking his mind. He ripped the Jets play-calling after their shoddy performance against the Philadelphia Eagles last year.
I usually don't like hearing "unknown" players whine, but there is some truth to the comments. The Jets suffered through a miserable campaign last year, but things could have easily rotted from the inside-out if veteran players like Coles and Chad Pennington didn't help keep the team together. Then again, both Coles and Baker have two years left on their current deals. You can't expect an organization to throw money at you after a dismal 4-12 season. It's also worth noting that Mangini inherited these players from the Herm Edwards regime. He might want to push these guys out and bring in his guys.
Still, things could work out in the end. A Dewayne Robertson trade seems imminent and his departure would give the Gotham Green some breathing room. And I would be shocked if Pennington is still on this team by the time training camp rolls around. He would also give the Jets more cap space.
One thing is for sure, the Jets don't seem concerned about spreading some of their green around.
As you can see, needs were addressed (in theory). I liked the Gholston pick even though he might be the top candidate for biggest potential bust out of the first ten picks. The story is that Vern gets up for big games, but disappears in others. Well, I guess every game is going to have to be a big one for The Ghol.
Gholston was a defensive end with the Buckeyes, but his size (6'3, 266) makes him a perfect fit as a 3-4 outside linebacker. The Detroit native put up impressive numbers during his pre-draft workout -- running the 40 in 4.67 seconds and performing a scouting combine-best 37 reps on the bench press.
No tight end in this year's class projected as a first-round pick in our opinion, making this pick a reach. One of the biggest knocks on Keller is that he's probably never going to develop into an excellent in-line blocker. Also, he doesn't have the frame to add a lot of bulk without sacrificing his greatest strength: his speed. However, Keller certainly has the athletic ability, versatility and burst to make an immediate impact as a receiver. He will be a tough matchup for opposing defenses; his size can cause enormous problems for defensive backs and most linebackers are going to have problems turning to run with him.
Robertson was due to collect a $3 million bonus in June and with the acquisition of Kris Jenkins and re-signing of lineman Sione Pouha, the former first-round pick out of Kentucky was made expendable. The Green and White will save about $8.4 million with the trade.
I've wavered on who the Jets should take, but if McFadden is available it would be almost impossible not to grab him. There have been questions about 
The schedule makers also shocked me (and maybe the Jets) by awarding the team a Monday night tilt in Week 3 at the San Diego Chargers. The Jets made the playoffs in 2006 and weren't on MNF in 2007 and now they are coming off a horrible 4-12 campaign. Doesn't make much sense, does it? 
This now makes Rhodes one of the richest safeties in the league. Indianapolis Colts safety Bob Sanders recently signed a
five-year, $37.5 million deal with $20 million guaranteed. Rhodes isn't in Sanders' class, but it's a smart move by the Green and White to lockup one of their own before he hit the free agent market. Rhodes had one more year remaining on his contract.
The Jets guaranteed the final two years of 
Disgruntled wide out 
Gang Green inked tight end 
Richardson, 36, has made a career of blocking for 1,000 yard rushers. His best seasons came as a Kansas City Chief where he helped pave the way for the likes of Priest Holmes and Larry Johnson. Richardson spent the past two seasons in Minnesota's Purple and Gold and opened holes during Chester Taylor's 1,216 rushing year in 2006 and Adrian Peterson's 1,341 ground assault in 2007.