2006 Draft Revisited
It’s April 29th, 2006 and you are the New York Jets, you are picking fourth and the top five options that are buzzing around are:
Reggie Bush
Mario Williams
Matt Leinart
Vince Young
D’Brickashaw Ferguson
Knowing that three of those players will be taken by the time you pick … who do you choose? It looks likely to be between one of the QBs and Ferguson. With a rehabbing Chad Pennington on the roster, what do you do?
Certainly, Young & Leinart have yet to really show what they can contribute long-term for their respective teams, but those teams that have been considered to have passed on Leinart (or even Jay Cutler) were New York, Detroit and Oakland. Of the three teams that were assessed to really need a QB at the time, only one (the Jets) have justified their decision to pass on Leinart. Again, long-term it’s hard to say how this will all shake out, but all I am saying is that I am a lot more confident in what Tannenbaum is doing with this team than what Bradway was doing.
Filed under: Opinion/Bassett
I’m really psyched about the direction the Jets are taking. Although they have yet to run the ball or stop the run, the games are somewhat exciting.
More importantly, they are moving forward into the future. Picking two OL’s with their first 2 picks will solidify the line for years to come. The WR’s are playing much better now that they have someone throwing them the ball. As the o-line continues to develop, the holes will open to allow for more running room (a more dynamic runner in the backfield would help).
One play the Jets need to get rid of is the swing pass to BJ Askew. I cringe everytime the ball goes in his direction. They really need to abandon any plays that involve Askew as more than a blocker.
Was any of this responsive to the post Brian? I just wanted to vent these things.
Dan
I completely agree, for all the people like Gary Myers out there that said the Jets should have taken Leinart, they really have no clue. How would a weak armed Leinart have faired behind no offensive line, playing in the wind tunnel that’s known as Giants Stadium. Leinart was good in college, but he was surrounded by a tremendous amount of talent, playing in a very relaxed environment. Things would be much different for him in New York and I honestly don’t think he would be able to handle it, especially with no O-line and a tough head coach, whose a rookie himself. Also Leinart seems to be a me first guy, whose obsessed with being in the public eye, combine that with New York City and I can’t see a good mix, he would be on page six everyday. I’m happy with our draft, you have to build from the line, that’s where it all starts, D-Brick and Mangold should be huge building blocks for the future of this team. When you think that we also got a potential QB of the future in Kellen Clemens, plus Brad Smith and Leon Washington, two rookies whove already contributed, what’s not to like. I can’t see how anyone can question what the Jets have done under this new regime, except Gary Myers, whose likes to question everything the Jets do.
Its easier now to second guess the Ferguson pick because they ended up with Mangold too. Had i known at the time that we would pick Mangold (which i think happened because some other players the jets might have preferred were nabbed before their turn – ie, maroney, lawson and carpenter) then i certainly would have hoped for cutler or leinart; not at number four but in a trade. In fact, my preference at the time was to trade down and get an extra pick or two.
Though I didnt like him at the time of the draft, Leinart seems to me to be the perfect backup to Chad: Chad would have been the ideal mentor for Leinart and the situation (as it turns out) would have been perfect too, assuming Chad can stay healthy. The biggest change in my thinking is that Chad has shown clearly that you do not need a monster arm to be a very successful QB in the NFL, even playing in the northeast (Brees is an amazing QB too – but of course he plays indoors).
Two more things: from what i’ve seen of Clemens I am not at all sure he will be a particularly good NFL QB (i dont know much on this front, but he hasnt dazzled me). And I think Ferguson will be everything the Jets want him to be – he is nimble; he finishes; he works hard; he runs well and is willing to hustle to make an extra block (as is everyone else on the team). So, no knock on Fergy, but a potential franchise QB is just too dear a commodity in the NFL.
heh. though my post below may indicate otherwise, i agree with all of your points too. I’m not concerned about Leinart’s arm strength but the whole NYC thing is a crap shoot for anyone. He might have thrived in the spotlight or it might have eaten him up. And, as i wrote, I think Ferguson is a pretty certain bet to be an excellent force in our offense for the foreseeable future. So, in balance, they have probably done the right thing.
In any event, I hope its a few years before we have to think about our QB of the future :)
I ahve to disagree with your analysis. As history has shown, picking a QB in the first round is no guarantee of success in the NFL. However, to pick the player who is the consensus “best pass blocker in the draft” for a team that lost two starting o-linemen from the previous year is too good to pass up. We have all seen what happened to talented young quarterbacks like David Carr with no one to protect them.
Previous to the draft, Clemens was talked about as a QB with the physical skills to rival a player like Cutler, but because he missed half of his senior season, was not NFL ready. To be able to devlop his protection over half a year or even two or three years before just throwing him nto the fire will greatly aid his development and the future development of the franchise.
I stand by what I have said previously on this site. What the Jets need beside Ferguson is a large road-grader type OG to help the run game. Although a premier RB would be nice, Minnesota has shown hat when you have talent like McKinnie, Hutchinson, Birk on the o-line Chester Taylor can become a servicable if not extremely solid running option.
I think the draft was brilliant. Much better to solidify the O-line this year, let D’Brick and Mangold get a year of experience under the belt and have the line gel, and the take a skill position such as RB next year. Taking the offensive skill players with no O-line would have set this team back several years IMO.
Arrggghh! Not this again! Where’s seanmac?…he dominated this argument.
As you will recall I was against drafting a QB in the first because (a) I still hoped Pennington could regain his form and (b) it would have been financially restrictive. I wanted us to fill other need positions and address the QB position if necessary next year.
In hindsight, I would still have done that – and now that Chad has performed well, it looks like a good decision. Of course, Chad could go down at any time (as could any other QB on any other team) but I agree with their approach.
I knew Reggie Bush was going to be a dangerous pro, but we should be better off in the long run than we would have been if we’d have paid over the odds to bring him here.
The only things that went unaddressed in the draft were (a) NT, but we got one in Moore that – platooned with Robertson – is probably as good as any rookies we could have got (in the short term anyway). (b) OLB, but Thomas has done ok in that area so far and (c) RB, but Washington has shown promise and also the Jets couldn’t have known that Martin would be back.
I think they made out ok so far.
Chad’s now under a 1-year contract. I am assuming that some of the remaining cap room (as high as $15M according to http://www.jetscap.com, has been earmarked to craft a new contract for Chad during this season. By putting some guaranteed money into this year, they can resign him cap friendly for next. I wouldn’t expect this to happen until later in the season, but I do think its important to think about if Chad stays upright and competitive. Otherwise, all this good momentum could be wasted.
I also would not blame Chad for wanting to “shop” if he continues on his current path. He’s projecting to 528 attempts, 347 complete (65.7%), 4309 yards, 27 TD, 16 INT, 103.4 rating. That’s pretty darn close, yet better in every category but INTs, to Tom Brady last year, in what was considered his best year as a pro: 530/340 (63%) 4110 yards, 26TD, 14INT 92.3 rating.
Can he do it?
Well there are some tough defenses to face: Indy, Jax, Chicago.
Although, he also gets to play Miami x2, Detroit, Cleveland, New England, Houston, Green Bay, Buffalo, Minnesota.
So, in 3 games Chad has huge numbers, and in 1 game (tough defense) he has pedestrian yet efficient numbers.
Notice that 3 “tough” defenses to 9 average to weak defenses is the same ratio he’s put up so far.
I think its pretty obvious that health is the biggest single obstacle to Chad getting a new, rich deal.
We will be having this debate for years. First, I was a constant supporter of drafting Leinart. All this weak arm, not ready for NY, and he had an easy time at USC b.s. is way, way overblown. I believe that Leinart will be a Pro Bowl Q.B. and his unprecedented collegiate career was unfairly and strangely discounted. He would’ve been the perfect understudy for Chad because their approcah is the same: accuracy, decision-making and intelligence over brute strength…if strong arms were everything Kyle Boller and Patrick Ramsey would still be NFL starters. Second, while we’re all high-fiving over Brick, Mangold and Clemens, it’s pretty clear that the Jets passed on some RB’s who could’ve helped tremendously this year. I like Mangold (although his straight-ahead run-blocking needs lots of work), but I thought at the time that the Jets should’ve focused on the RB position with that 2nd 1st round pick. That doesn’t mean that they should’ve not drafted a center, but how about in the later rounds? All I know is Greg Eslinger at center (drafted in the 6th round by the Broncos) and Addai or Jones-Drew in the backfield and I’d be a lot more comfortable about this team’s offense and its future.
Are you sure about that? I’m pretty sure you can’t reduce the length of a contract – you might be able to make it more feasible to cut someone by restructuring (thereby making it financially viable to terminate the contract of someone useless within a year) but Chad is under contract for all of the seven years we signed him up for.
Are you sure you didn’t read that Chad was *effectively* on a one year contract because the author was assuming he was *effectively* useless?
If Chad performs this way for the rest of the contract, he’ll be here for the seven year and earn the full $64m. The only renegotiation was from guaranteed salary to potential bonus.
That’s how I understood it anyway!
(btw – all that earned bonus will count against the cap and eat into the $15m that we are under by…I think).
If I’m wrong at all, please speak up. I don’t pretend to be any kind of NFL cap guru.
Ignoring the talent of one player over another, the actual theme of the draft (smart, selfless, versatile etc guys) seems to have worked.
Whenever you weigh up player A v player B, you must also consider how that would have affected this aspect of the draft, which seems to have been an important part of their plan for the season.
That’s what the site is here for… :D
I am impressed. Not many see how important it is to get a Guard between Mangold and DaBrick (or along Mangold’s other side, who can open up holes.
If a Michael Bush type RB (the reviews not the player) is around when we pick next year, I think we have to go there.
If not, best available LB, if a sure starter.
But then, a Guard or NT.
And if not a guard with the #1 pick, certainly one with a first day pick.
Harlan
Also Bent, some of the posters above, e.g., Klecko 73, seem to think this mess could or should be fixed in a year.
I expect we will get the RB we need next year as well as the guard Ilan and I want. I suspect we will also get the NT or OLB that you correctly point out we need too.
If the draft is think or the players we need don’t drop our way or show up in FA, it may take one more year. Or, it may not.
h
Great posts Bent & Harlan…….Klecko makes it sound like we’re 0-3? Like you guys said, the theme of this years draft seems to have worked and did you really expect Tangini to fix this mess in a year. I don’t think anyone expected this team to make the playoffs or even be competitive this year, so relax. We can fill all the additional needs you pointed out in next years draft or in FA, be patient. Finally forget about Matt Leinart, we already have our perfect understudy on the team, one whose approach is accuracy, decision making and intelligence, his name is Kellen Clemens.
atleast were not the Houston Texans who drafted Mario Williams with the first overall pick instead of Reggie Bush LOL @ Houston
RG Moore is very good and should not be underestimated. He had a standout game against BUF last week. And he was a bright spot last year. Kendall too is highly regarded. He is older and i can see them looking to upgrade at the position in next year’s draft, but to me its far from a priority.
I agree with those who view NT and rush LB as our top priorities. Any defense needs a consistant pass rush to be considered elite. Its just too hard to cover guys if there is too much time for the QB to throw.
In any event, we are a few players away from being able to take the “best player available.” If an elite RB falls to our spot (we are not gonna have a top five pick, as i’d anticipated) we will grab him, but the same probably goes for TE or DB or LB too.
Ugh, I screwed that one up badly. I apologize. I found a lousy source and only scanned it. You are correct. Most of the money was shifted to bonus money.
I apologize for being misleading.
I believe that the bonuses likely count next year since they were unlikely to be earned based on Penny’s performance last year.
My comments above were merely conversational – I love the team. And I love the management. They have done a brilliant job of quickly restocking the team and changing the culture. The Jets are suddenly smart and aggressive. It is already translating on the field and it is only a matter of time before we are a solid, competitive team that will be consistently in the hunt for the Championship.
Yeah I think Houston has a major case of egg on the face when it comes to Mario Williams. I know it’s still way too early to call Williams a bust, but when you see him on the field he looks lost. It also doesn’t help when the GM that drafted him resigns from the team right after the draft.
I like what we’ve seen so far, but I’m not yet totally sold on us being a great team. However, all I wanted was competitive games again and that does look likely from here on in. We have only beaten two lousy teams to date though. I hope they can hold their own this weekend, but it’ll be tough.
Next year’s draft already promises to be fun again. Preparations are already underway!
No one here thinks the Jets are great. I’ll say this, though: if the Jets can somehow win one of the next two games then the rest of the season promises to be fun beyond anyone’s expectations.
don’t forget Bradway traded up to get everyone’s new fave, Rhodes. And the 1st choice thing will remain unclear for awhile: we don’t know how good D’brick is, nor do we know how good the two rookie qb’s will be–Pennington’s apparent recovery doesn’t obviate any of that.
My point is why not try to “fix” everything in one year? There were RB’s available to be taken and they weren’t. I never thought the Jets were as bad as they looked last season, which was only one season removed from a tough, on-the-rise playoff team. Even Tannenbaum admitted that he was torn by taking Mangold over Addai. What’s so wrong about thinking that this team would be a lot closer to being “fixed” with Addai? Harlan’s problem is believing the relentless negative press. The Jets last season were just decimated by injuries and hampered by mediocre coaching. Why was New Orleans “fixed” in a year? With a good QB and exciting playmaker rookies at RB and WR. I just think a stud RB is the missing piece to a playoff team. So, Harlan and Ferragamo, maybe I think the Jets are better than you do and wish that a real back that can hit a hole quickly was drafted by the Jets. All that said, if Leon Washington pans out, then this draft is a historically great draft for the Jets and I won’t wish that we took Jones-Drew or Addai. Also, while Clemens has promise, if anyone thinks that he looked anywhere as polished and NFL-ready as Leinart did in pre-season (and with 1/2 of training camp), then loan me your rose-colored glasses, because I didn’t see it.
When I looked at the mock drafts this season the players that I really wanted at the top 3 spots we had were:
1) Ferguson, because anyone who knows anything about football knows everything starts at the line. He was rated to be a potential #1 in 2005 had he declared eligibility. He will get stronger, if you can believe that, and he already had, according to scouts, NFL fundamentals with his footwoork and when he puts his arms out can span the East River (that is the river that is on the east side of Manhattan for those that don’t know).
2) Mangold, because we needed a good center. He was, according to every source I read, “the best college center in the nation.” Again, how do you pass that up? Much like the way I draft in fantasy, getting the top player at a position is usually a great way to be good. Without Mawae this was a critical position, even though he was “forced” into starting because of injury, that would be disastrous for the offense to not fill. Considering that we had players that were familiar with center but not true centers I wished that he would be there for the taking and I doubted he would be.
3) Kellen Clemens. This one was the most suspect of them all, and not because of his injury, but because of the unknown variables with any QB out of college. I did like him because his cowboy toughness and seemingly unflappable constitution are great qualities in a QB (I was thinking Farve like characteristics) and if you’ll all remember Ron Jaworski picked him as the best in the draft. I think his arm is pretty good and with some experience he may be quality but we’ll never know how good he is until he plays.
These were the top three players I wanted the Jets to take because there seemed to be some cosmic alignment with their needs and the players available. Obviously I was giddy like a kid eating pixie sticks and pop rocks washing it down with six pack of Cola.
As far as Reggie Bush, I know he is exciting and can cut on a dime but his body type is not the durable, low center of gravity or the massive, power runner that I would have wanted. I know people say the Mario Williams pick was stupid but I personally don’t think so. I happen to agree with the GM who, although he resigned, knew his team very well and was slowly improving it. To make myself clear, much like why the Jets needed linemen Houston needed to pressure the QB and they took what they needed. I didn’t perceive their Offense to have RB to fill but that was a really tough call and took guts to stand by his convictions (or by failing miserably for his own stupidity I guess is the argument). Also, the Texans seem much worse for not having D Davis due to injury. I think Bush is really good but supremely overhyped. He is not Barry Sanders, not Larry Johnson, LT, Shaun Alexander, or even Edgerrin James. He is small and if he’s not used sparingly will not last long. The Texans just picked somone that will be in significantly more plays IMHO. Williams may not be a game changer yet but so far Bush isn’t either from what I’ve seen. Bush has 8 more carries than Addai and only 2 more yards. He does have 2nd most receiving yards for a RB next to Westbrook so I do give him more credit than it would seem. 0 TDs though (as in zero). Anyhow I’m not a GM but I don’t know that I would have picked Bush just because everyone said he was the best. The #1 pick, as it is every year, is the player picked first. If the analysts were right the Jets would have Leinart and Addai and we’d be 0-3 without a QB because Chad would be laid up with a spinal injury.
Regarding what is needed; I think run block, run stuff and pass rush are the most pressing needs now. I know the running game is paltry but I think this offense finds ways to score which leaves the Defense as the more needy side of the ball. Ilan it seems that I agree with you again about your Minnesota coment but I’ll take it one step further adding Denver to that equation. You need blockers to open holes and let the runners do their thing. RB was not needed yet on this team. Next year through FA or draft a good NT or any D lineman that is as immovable as “The Blob” and a sack machine would be the positions I’d hunt for.
Other positions I’d consider are LB, FB and TE. If a great RB is available to the Jets than take him but otherwise take the best at the positions they need to fill to get better.
…and the pick they used to do that came from the Jolley deal. What a brilliant trade! :oS
The Saints are better because of a new coach and QB. They are also better because of an improved defense. There is no comparison between Addai or Jones-Drew and Bush in the first place. Plus, they already had a returning RB in McAllister.
touche, Bent!
What exactly has Addai done so far to make you think he is the missing link to Jet offense?
Jet did draft a runner, washington, who is similar to jones-drew. Everyone thought Martin would return, which is why they did not address the RB issue, plain and simple. Tough to criticize that logic.
Big picture, I agree, they show some promise, but they had a complete mind fart in the third round, neither guy will be on a nfl roster next year.
Also, I have seen in print the argument that both Mangold and Clemens were each taken one round early, cuold have had another player in the first round and gotten both later.
After all the excitement regarding rounds one and two, did you even notice they totally blew round three?
Bluntly, yes. I knew Schlegel was a gamble but I understood the thinking with that pick; although I may disagree. It doesn’t look favorable for it to pan out at this point.
With Smith, I think his size and character were attractive to them. Not fast enough for the NFL but that has been said of many players who then find ways to produce.
I doubt I would have taken either but then again sometimes you can find a diamond in the rough. This round would have been good to find another RB or CB.
Yes, Round three was AWFUL, and there were lots of good players still on the board–obsession with “intangibles”, i.e. by definition, the unmeasurable, cost team badly here–neither of the guys they picked might ever be more than special teamers.
And this team isn’t exactly good–it’s got a soft schedule and, thanks god, a rejuvenated qb. But everything else about it we thought was problematic still holds: no pass rush, no running game (again, all they need is for it to be average, but it’s not even that), no great playmakers, an iffy OL, and personel not suited to its new 3-4 scheme (and it shows–the defense is mediocre at best–almost 500 yards given up to the Bills, as if they were the shade of the Montana’s 49ers?–C’mon!)
Remember: They’re not good, but maybe they’re ok, and they’re playing hard. Would be shocking if they didn’t lose big this week, but let’s hope for the best.
Washington (5′8″, 202 lbs.) is nothing like Jones-Drew, who despite his size is a power runner (5′7″, 212 lbs and he has Robert Newhouse thighs). Addai hasn’t done anything? He has 26 rushes for 126 yards, a respectable 4.7 yards per carry and 8 receptions for 57 yards and a TD. Bush has 34 carries for 125 yards, a 3.7 yards per carry average. Bush has more receptions, 19, and is an electric talent and will get his first TD soon. But, Addai is no slouch. Everyone knew that C-Mart was on his last legs…RB’s just don’t last deep into their 30s. Replacing Martin was on Tannenbaum’s mind and he did consider Addai over Mangold…he said that on his SNY show. Also, it’s been well-documented that the Jets inquired about the Saints pick to draft Bush. So, Tannenbaum knew that RB was an issue. Instead, they chose to shore up the line. I still think that Brick and Addai in the first round and maybe a trade up for Mangold? Or, maybe he lasts until the Jets pick in the 2nd round…we’ll just never know. And, let’s not say that the Saints were so much better than the Jets that they could be fixed easier. I’ll take our rookie coaching staff over theirs, I’ll take Chad over Brees, I’ll take our defense and OL over theirs, too. And, our WR corps is at least as good as theirs. The only advantage they have over the Jets is at RB…and they chose to take Bush even though they had Deuce. My point again is that RB is an important position and our revolving door backfield is this year’s no. 1 problem so far. But, if leon can become an effective runner, then Tannenbaum addressed the RB position and the focus on the OL and pick of Clemens in the 2nd round was brilliant draft strategy. I’m just not sold on that.
I agree replacing Martin was on T’s mind, eventually. He made a “need” decison and elected to replace Mawae instead a because he thought he could get by with Martin another year.
It is a small difference, but meaningful. If he really did consider Addai (do not take at face value the lip service all GM’s use when explaining their decision making, what was he going to say, no we did not consider Addai?), then he decided between the two based on what he perceived as his immediate need. That is my point, if they knew Curtis would not play this year they would have drafted differently so you can not criticize the decision now.
Dont think Addai would have those stats if he was playing in this offense, time will tell, but I wanted Mangold at that time and think he will make the pro bowl before Addai.
We will find out for sure today about the running game. No more excuses, OL intact, they all know the offense, and playing a small defense with which they match up well. If they can not get 150 yards on the ground today, without resorting to trick plays, they should forget the run the rest of the year and just entertain us by throwing the ball all over the place for the rest of the year.
Bogus Post. If you ever read my posts, you would know what I think of the media “experts”. I picked the Jets to beat the colts and still expect them to play a meaningful december game (i.e. a chance to win to make the playoffs).
Frankly, had Maroney or DeAngelo Williams been around, I would have taken the second best back in the draft over Mangold – but both had been picked by our second pick. Mangold was the best Center. Addai was at best the fourth best RB and a small back unlikely to carry the load. I don’t begrude a strong team like the Colts using a late first round pick on a part time player. It would have been a wasted pick for our team. As you point out, Washington may still end up being that quick situational back for us.
But our team is still not complete. Moore and Clement have shown our OL needs more replacement parts. Our NT and LB situation has resulted in one of the worst Defenses in the league in spite of better than expected play from Rhodes, Dyson and Barrett/Miller.
We will get better this year. With another solid draft and 4 first day picks, we could get a lot better next year.
harlan
Although the player I wanted Gocong got hurt, I think the botched trade down for something like a an extra 7th round pick taught Tangini something. I sure hope so. Good thing they recovered in the 4th round though.
h