Comments on: Audible: Nervous Yet?

By: Harlan Lachman

Harlan Lachman — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 19:15:25 +0000

I completely disagree with R_in_CT. The best players at G and LB, positions of need for us, are gone. No one without warts will hit the market the rest of the way. The rest are JAGs. One can certainly assess one’s team use of FA now. The rules of the game were clear. The teams with vision, Pats and Jills filled needs quickly. The niners over paid.

I disagree with Ilan’s assessment of the two JAGs he hopes we sign. We will not be able to compete with the Pats, currently a better team, if we sign JAGs while they add versatile and talented players and we rely on the draft and an extra #2 while they use an extra #1.

What everyone seems to forget is that a team like the Pats can add a few solid playes like an AT, a Welker and a blocker like Brady and even if all the cap space this year is gone, the extra space next year will let them go after one of those RB too if Maroney doesn’t shoulder the load — with the ability to offer a sure trip to the playoffs thanks to this year’s upgrades.

Because not only did the cap space jump this year a lot, it will go up a lot each of the next two years.

IOW, the smart teams filled major needs with the best available FA confident that the increased cap space will make these signings not seem as outrageous as they do today. And, most were structured as three year deals so the risk is not all that great.

harlan

By: Ilan

Ilan — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 18:12:55 +0000

I don’t intend to assess free-agency by the first two weeks and I think you would be hard-pressed to call Joey Porter a Sam Cowart (who was coming off a torn achilles). Porter is the only standout I would suggest the Jets pursue, I don’t think giving reasonable contracts to average players at their position is reaching in free agency. The Jets need to play Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, KC, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Dallas, the Giants and an improvng Tennesee team this year. I would not mortgage the future, but a bunch of mediocre signings will not translate to a winning season this year.

By: R_in_CT

R_in_CT — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:59:03 +0000

After losing out on Clements- and Thomas-like players is when the old regime would panic and immediately sign the likes of Damien Robinson or Curtis Conway or Sam Cowart, who would then turn out to be busts and salary cap anchors for years . . .

As others have said, you can’t assess the off-season by the first week or two — that’s when the Jets signed KVO last year, and I think it’s fair to say that’s not the true benchmark of last year’s off-season and how they went about building the team.

By: Ilan

Ilan — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:41:36 +0000

As of this point in free agency, this is what I’d like to see the Jets do. Go after Robaire Smith or David Bowens (would prefer Smith) and Joey Porter strong. These two signings would instantly upgrade the run and pass defense and allow the Jets to concentrate on a top CB with the first round pick. Then, I would go out and find a servicable RT and a stop-gap at RB with an eye towards drafting an OG and a RB in the second round.

By: wayne

wayne — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:13:39 +0000

Another variable with Turner is young Schott. Turner is close to him, which I think is one reason they are sitting on MT. However, IF Schott leaves the Jets they lose the recruiting advantage.

That said, 2008 will be deep both in free agency and the draft, so there will be more options than this year.

Think they are intent on giving Leon 20+ touches per game, in which case it makes no sense to empty the vault.

By: Jeff

Jeff — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 17:06:27 +0000

the first few days of Free Agency is exactly the time when your team can make its biggest mistakes (ask Dan Snyder) – laying low isn’t necessarily a bad thing – wait till after the draft to evaluate the offseason

By: Ferragamo

Ferragamo — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:41:33 +0000

Great point Bent! I didn’t realize how strong next years RB class is going to be. With that being said it seems like it would make more sense to sign a one year stop gap like Corey Dillon or just let Cedric Houston and Leon Washington handle the load and focus on RB next year or in the draft. It’s not worth it to waste money on a potential bust like TJ Duckett and your thoery about saving money to sign Michael Turner is dead on.There are too many “what if” scenarios when it comes to Turner and I don’t think it’s worth the risk. I pray your prediction about the Pats having to rebuild with a ton of dead cap space in a few years comes true.

By: Bent

Bent — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 16:22:12 +0000

What we cannot afford to do, which I have seen some people suggest, is to save money specifically in order to sign Michael Turner next year. You cannot put all your eggs in one basket like that. What if he has an amazing year? What if another team comes in with a crazy offer for him? What if he gets a chance to start and it turns out that he sucks? What if he gets hurt? Then we would be left with a plan B, which might be another Barlow or Suggs.

However, the silver lining is that next year’s RB class should be really good, so that will enable us to potentially target him and then re-assess our options draft-wise if that doesn’t pan out.

As for what’s happened so far, I’m quite happy for us to let the market settle before we shell out for second rate talent or someone who isn’t a good fit. Hopefully, some shrewd moves will happen sooner or later. And the fact that the Jets are being cautious is a good sign for next year and beyond.

Also, maybe this Pats spending spree is good news too, because it will hopefully lead to them having to rebuild in a few years and having a load of dead cap space etc. If they are sacrificing the big picture to go after a short term goal (another superbowl before BB retires?) then that should put their “dynasty” in jeopardy in a few years.

By: Ferragamo

Ferragamo — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:58:47 +0000

I know it may seem frustrating as a Jet fan to sit back and watch all this free agent movement, especially when it’s the Pats who are making all the moves. But I think at this point we have to trust that Tannenbaum and Mangini have there plan and they know what there doing. I would have loved to have Clements or Thomas, but we got to have faith in this new regime and let them build this team the right way. Your point about keeping up with the Pioli’s does bring me back to reality, I know every free agent move doesn’t always work out, but the Pats have made some scary moves. Don’t forget they could also pick up Wes Welker and they have two, yes two first round picks. Scary, scary stuff.

This is probably just sour grapes but here’s an interesting article which sheds some negative light on the Adalius Thomas signing by the Pats.
http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/03/04/more_of_the_same/?page=1
Now I’m sure if the Jets had signed Thomas I wouldn’t give an article like this any credence.

By: will

will — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 13:49:02 +0000

Except for Thomas, there hasnt been a signing that I have wished the Jets had made. Its painful that the Pats have fortified themselves but the Jets are in a different place, needing many players alnog both front lines.

The Jets made tremedous strides last offseason and I expect the same this year. Patience is a virtue, after all.