I’d hold off criticism of Elam. When he was inserted into the lineup, the defense seemed to improve. Granted there were other changes as well but I’m not ready to count the guy out as a potentially productive player.

They must have been high on him for some particular reason but when he was injured as a rookie, we never really got a chance to see what that reason was – and he did little to impress this year either. I’m not going to lose any sleep over a 5th round pick though.

Fair enough. I think Pociask was a fifth rounder … and it’s hard to hold someone’s feet to the fire for that. But Pociask was on no one’s board … he wasn’t even expected to be drafted. when he was picked people were like … who???

As far as Cotch and Rhodes, you are right … credit where credit is due.

To all,

I initially tried to create this as one post, but it was ballooning to almost 2500 words … and I think I could be on track for doubling that by the time i am done with it, so there are many facets yet to cover, from the cap, to free agents, to the draft, to the QB situation … etc etc.

I’ll address as many of these as I can, but it’s going to take some time, thanks for your patience!

If you’re going to criticize some draft picks, you also have to credit Bradway/Tannenbaum for stealing Cotchery, Rhodes and Leon in the 4th round.

let’s cut tangini some slack. they made a few mistakes last year for sure personell wise but they are learning. these guys have a plan and are sticking to it. the kendall thing was complex and in the end they got burned by it.

i like the direction the team is headed.

Any observant Jets fan would have loved to enter this season without the following guys on our team: I speak of David Barrett, a key pass completion waiting to happen; Kassel and Chatham mistakes and missed tackles away from a big play; Clement and Moore, a missed block away from a stuffed run or injured QB; R Washington, E. Coleman, Elam, et. al., safeties who are anything but safe. And, my favorite, Justin McUseless who likely cost us at least two games with his hands of stone and inability to fight for the ball.

This failure to evaluate talent may also be apparent in the recent pricey JAG FA signings. Bryan Thomas soaked us off one non-terrible year. Kimo Von Do Nothing and Kenyon Coleman demonstrated ably how to be pushed out of the way on running plays and not generate a pass rush. Barnes and Barlow (technically a trade), are not on our team and I think are out of the league. None of the other FA DE signed last year made a play.

I would add that last off season’s decision not to trade Vilma when he was healthy and apparently desired haunts us. There is no excuse for Harris’ performance in the same position that I can think of other than Vilma cannot play this D and needs a 4-3. Why did we not get a player who fits for him when we could.

Finally, it is scary to hear Eric talk glowingly of Bryan Thomas and Ellis, guys who we watched repeatedly not getting a pass rush or being blown off the ball on running plays. Are we missing something in the D’s design (is being knocked around their job)? Did failures by others preclude their success? Is Eric just trying to pump up their value and hoping to trade them?

The reason these things loom large is that this will be a make or break year for this franchise; at least for older fans who may not have another 4 decades to wait for a SB winner. We have so many holes. But we also have lots of cap room, deadwood we can cut to increase cap room, and good draft slots that make all our first three picks potential starters and cap room for at least 3 potential FA studs.

Some fans want temporary fixes like Faneca or the Fish’ Taylor. These great players are likely too old to be much good by the time we fill all the holes and have given guys experience. That would be a disaster, delaying both improvement and training of the players we actually need.

The question that will be answered with a vengeance is whether Tangini are the right guys to make these decisions and whether they are settling for a quick turnaround or a team that can compete on even terms with the Colts and Pats.

harlan