Monthly Archives: April 2007
You know the formula, it’s right after the draft, and all the talking heads are assigning arbitrary grades. Lets’ get this over with.
Source: USA Today
Grade: 3 of 4 stars (B)
Best Quote: “Trading up, the Jets plugged their biggest hole with CB … [and] LB David Harris, a prolific tackler who should step right into their 3-4 scheme.”
Bassett’s Thought: Being that this was the first pick that I looked at, I was suprised to see it get 3 of 4 stars.
Source: ESPN – Mel Kiper, Jr.
Grade: B
Best Quote: “I had Harris going in the first half of the first round, so this is a great pickup for the Jets.”
Bassett’s Thought: Whoah, and in fact, he did have it. Number 12 to the Bills to be exact. I knew the kid was buzzing up boards, but that was a bit extreme. Part of my ambivalence at first was due to not getting one of the draft’s better talents at linebacker, that was extinguished with Harris’ pick.
At this time of year, everybody likes to weigh in with their views on how each team drafted. Of course, everybody should get an “incomplete” at this stage, but it never works out that way. Everyone has their own opinions on what a team could and should have done better. The Jets entered the 2007 draft with six picks and I decided to use my Hollywood connections (“borrowed” Bassett’s cell-phone), in order to get the views of some celebrities.
Matt Groening: “Well, obviously I liked the Bender pick. I would have also gone with Roman Fry and little-known Hungarian small school prospect, Igor Zoidberg as well later on. My top three picks would have been Juwan “Homer” Simpson, David “Crusty” Clowney and that safety from Florida…Nelson. Ha-Ha!”
Chris Berman: “I’ve got to agree with the Take-a-Chansi-on-me Stuckey-in-the-middle-with-you pick, but I would have gone …another …way with my other choices. Somewhere-over-the-Dwayne Bowe in round 1, Doug “I want to break” Free and Sam “I will take you to” Hollenbach in round 2, Jackie Battle-of-who-could-care-less in round three and Adam “kick push kick push kick push kick push” Koets in the 5th. I would have considered Marshawn Lynch, but he has a dodgy back back back baaaack. Whoop!”
God: “I have an advantage in scouting, what with being omnipresent and all, so here’s who I would’ve taken: Moses in the first, obviously. Samson Satele, Abraham Wright and Jacob Bender rounding out day one. Then I would have taken George “the” Batiste in the fifth and Garrett “Boy who cried” Wolfe in the sixth. Yeah, I know that’s not a bible story, but it’s a derivation of the good samaritan or something. You can expect to hear from my copyright lawyers, Aesop! By the way, do you think it’s ironic that I have a complex that makes me think I’m Bill Bellichick?”
Rosie O’Donnell: “I’m going for Dallas Baker in the first, because I’ve always wanted my own personal Baker. Then I’m having Rice in the second. Gijon Robinson with the next pick – that’s a type of Mayo, right? Later on, I’m taking Dustin Fry, Roman Fry and Brandon Frye, because I like to have fries with everything.”
George Steinbrenner: Wow, Manny Ramirez is available at last! I’ve got to take him, obviously. Then Samardizija, who’s supposed to be a top pitching prospect. Ryne Robinson, yeah he’s a pretty good player. What else do I need? A good hitter, a home run threat and a guy with a rocket for an arm. OK, give me Patrick Willis, Ted Ginn and LaMarcus Russell. What do you mean they won’t be available on the second day? Can’t we trade prospects for them? What do you mean we don’t have any prospects? What do I pay you for? What do you mean you don’t work for me? That’s it…you’re fired!”
David Stern: “After this season in the NBA, there’s only one guy I could take in the first round – “Tank” Tyler! Larry Brown needs work, I guess, if he’s been playing DT for Oklahoma State. I like the sound of Larry Birdine, Akeem Jordan, Kareem Brown and Sam Olajowanubutu for some reason. Those are my guys. Now leave me alone so I can figure out how to jib the Celtics out of winning the lottery.”
George Lucas: “OK, it’s gotta be Obiwan Amobi Okoye in the first. Then I’m hoping Teddy Qui-Gon Ginn slips to the second. After that, I’m taking Paul “Han” Soliai and Mike “Sky” Walker. On day two, I like linemen Mansfield Watto and Marshall Yoda. I’ll resist the temptation to sign my son, Enoka Lucas or Legedu Naanee, even though he sounds like the kind of guy I would like.”
Vince McMahon: “You people suck! Right, let’s get down to business. Get me Lorenzo “King” Booker, James “Fit” Finley, Ryan “The Great” Kalil, Daren Stone-Cold-Steve-Austin and Ahmad Bradshaw. One more? OK, let’s finish with a Jackie Battle-Royale.” *Gets pushed over the table by Joe Anoai (perhaps headed to WWE after going undrafted)*
Larry David: “My draft board looks like this: Quinn, Russell, Thomas, Anderson, Hall, Nelson. I think we get all six without making a trade or anything. So that’s Johnny Quinn, Gary Russell, Walter Thomas, Deon Anderson, KaMichael Hall and JD Nelson. Hey, it’s a better idea than trading up for Vince Young!”
I think you’ll agree that offered a useful breakdown of what the Jets could have done from a wide cross-section of celebrity circles. Maybe the Jets should have listened to Larry (and enlisted the help of some of his friends) after all.
Radio City Music Hall: via Associated Press
1: Darrelle Revis, CB Pittsburgh
2: David Harris, LB Michigan
6: Jacob Bender, OT Nicholls State
7: Chansi Stuckey, WR Clemson
I don’t have the time to do my full draft analysis until later, but let us know what you thought about the Jets’ draft. Did you like it? Hate it? Just okay? Why? Here’s some quick thoughts until I can take time to pull some more solid stuff together:
- The Front Office has been selling it to anyone who will listen, but I do count Thomas Jones as part of this draft class.
- I like their picks, (2 early contributors, 2 developmental) but I would like to see what they could have drafted had they kept their picks (since the Thomas Jones trade).
- They were serious about the “21 of 22″ starters thing, with their free agent work, and their few draft picks, they must feel like they have a good team in place.
After Mangini’s plea (see right sidebar on NFL.com) to undrafteds on the NFL Network yesterday, the Jets have already been busy on the phones, trying to line up more than a few guys to bring in. They told the press last night that the Jets will sign about 15 rookie free agents. The first names to be made public are:
- Leonard Peters: S, Hawaii — Peters if you’ll remember was eyed seriously by the Jets, and who Peters said he felt most comfortable with Mangini. Apparently they ‘promised’ that they wouldn’t draft a safety if he would sign with them (probably in round 7). I think he’s a guy Mangini will try to get on the final roster as best he can.
- Brett Ratliff: QB, Utah — I would imagine he’s just a “camp arm,” but if the Jets see what they need from Clemens, and Ratliff suprises, you never know.
- Mark Zalewski: LB, Wisconsin –6’1″ 236, the Badger signed last night.
- Kyle Steffes: RB, North Dakota State — 5-foot-11, 209-signed a free agent contract with the New York Jets. Steffes was a three-time all-conference selection.
- Jessie Allen: FB, Virginia Tech — 6’0″ 252 pound thumper, he almost signed with the Rams, but he wanted to wait 15 minutes for the Jets.
- Mike DeVito: DT, Maine — He was the team captain at Maine, and was cheering against getting picked once the Jets picked Chansi Stuckey.
- Matt King: DE, Maine — Teammate and co-captain with DeVito, Jim Hermann called him to tell him to hang on. They will be together in Green.
- Kevin McCollough, LB Cincinnati — 6’2″ 240 first-team all-Big East player, signed last night with the Jets.
- Andrew Wicker, OG Ole Miss — 6’5″ 294, the prospect, signed Sunday night with the Jets.
- Dominic Moran, OG Western Michigan — Teammate and QB Ryan Cubit said he signed yesterday with the Jets.
- Alvin Banks, RB James Madison – Yes! Move over Corey Davis (BUF), a JMUer is on the Jets! 5’10″ 215 pounds and a 40-yard dash in 4.51.
- Dustin Osborn, WR Colorado State — 6’0″, 185 lbs. Osbone who signed with the Jets, walked-on and later earned a scholarship at CSU. Missed two games due to an ankle injury in 2006, leading the Rams in yards per reception.
- Tim Lindsey, LS — Might try out with the team, if the Redskins don’t pick him up first.
UPDATE: Our thanks to Chris Fells, according to David Ball’s agent, he is joining the Chicago Bears…
- Tom Rock writes that the Jets are took quality over quantity.
- Andrew Gross and Tom Rock think the Moss thing is a sign of Belichick’s imminent departure. We can hope!
- Tom Rock notes an interesting anecdote on Revis.
- Gross gives his final draft thoughts, which are similar to mine.
- Jetscentral has a good list of Undrafted Free Agents out there.
- Good grief, now the NYT has a football blog?
- Want to know why Mangini went on NFLN yesterday? To beg undrafteds to wait for the phone call.
- Check out Reiss’ Pieces for all the info about Randy.
Even though there hasn’t been much in terms of picks out of Hempstead, you have to know that the Jets are going to be busy signing rookie free agents, come the end of the draft, and as I saw on NFLN, Mangini has said as much. Also with teams like Jacksonville and the Pats with 10 and 9 picks here on Day Two, players are going to shake loose that you know for which the Jets will be eyeing.
Patience friends, this is just another day of many between now and the beginning of the season.
… the Jets select Chansi Stuckey, WR from Clemson.
Name: Chansi Stuckey
School: Clemson
Position: WR / ST
Height: 5′10.5″
Weight: 197 lbs
40 Time: 4.56
Would it suprise you if Stuckey has taken a few snaps at QB? Didn’t think so. Under 6 feet and 200 pounds, Stuckey isn’t typical wideout NFL teams look for. Stuckey came into 2006 with a lot of promise, but due to a broken foot and a blah Senior Bowl, Stuckey continued to drop when (although considered by many scouts) to be top all-around athletes at the position, produced bad results at the Combine; running a 4.56 40-yard dash, 6.91 in the three cone drill and only topping out at 35″ inches in the vertical. Some of it might be his recovery from his foot, but he seems like another Day Two “upside” guy to me. He provides another option for special teams work (specifically in punt returns) and he could be a situational player to stretch the field.
Not sure if there is a connection, but Clemson’s OC, Rob Spence is a native of Pelham, NY.
Went looking for information on Stuckey, here’s what I thought was interesting:
- ESPN Scouting Report
- Stuckey hopes months of work pay off in draft
- Patriots.com Draft WR profiles
- FanHouse: ACC Draft Preview -Chansi Stuckey
- NFL.com Scouting Profile
… the Jets select Jacob Bender, Tackle from Nicholls State.
Name: Jacob Bender
School: Nicholls State
Position: Tackle/Guard
Height: 6′6″
Weight: 319 lbs
40 Time: 5.23
Bench Press: 27 reps
Work ethic, good athleticism, good size but a small school prospect, so Bender is a project with some real upside for the Jets, he’s a guy that could contribute, but he’s going to need to continue his work.
A small school prospect, I’ve found what information I can:
- NFL Draft Bible Q&A
- Mayo’s Man Work Ethic Lead to NFL Draft
- SI.com Hidden Gems
- Area Players Waiting for Call
- NFL Draft Scout
After picking Darrelle Revis on Saturday, Mangini was interviewed on ESPN News.
I wish I could tell you that the Moss trade didn’t matter, but I can’t. Certainly anything is possible, but the Patriots were one half away from the SuperBowl and had three crucial needs going into the offseason: Safety, Linebacker and Wide Receiver.
- Safety – Rodney Harrison is getting on in years, and was a intimidating force in center field. Character issues aside, Meriweather is an excellent player, and he will fall in line with the New England professionalism.
- Linebacker – Scoring a major coup and doing a little “tampering” of his own in Hawaii, the Pats signed Adalius Thomas one of the two best Free Agents in 2007. They still have needs in this area though, so better hope Tedy Bruschi is ready to play all season.
- Wide Receiver – Brady wasn’t happy with his receivers, but on top of what the Pats had last year, they have added physically intimidating Kelley Washington, slot speedster Wes Welker, home run threat Donte Stallworth and now Randy Moss … think they’ll miss Corey Dillon much?
It’s going to be a looong year …
There’s a lot of thoughts running through my head about the draft, here’s what comes to mind in regards to Harris.
- It was nagging me that there was a personal connection with Michigan’s program, then it dawned on me, Jim Hermann the LBers Coach, was the DC at Michigan before being hired by the Jets. Harris notes it in this article.
- It’s funny how just adding one Linebacker creates a real logjam for the Jets … some of guys he’ll be likely competing with for time: Barton, Kassell & Schlegel (see ya).
- It’s hard to imagine, but with all the signings, and now the addition of Harris, the competition for jobs, and I think the execution against the run, could make a big jump this season.
- They are going to need Vilma more than ever this season, especially against the Patriots to drop into coverage.
- Videos: They aren’t making this stuff easy to just steal the link, anymore!
If the Jets are looking to unload some players via trade, today is the day the Jets to do it. If it’s anyone, I imagine players like Justin McCareins, Eric Barton, and David Barrett could be on the block
Just getting going here, and apparently there are plent of rumors going around …
- Randy Moss is in fact moving to New England for a fourth round pick. This deal is a long time coming, and I am about to cry.
- Darrell Jackson heads to the Niners for a 4th rounder.
