It’s time for another eMailbag!!  If you have questions that you would like us to address, please send with a self addressed stamped envelope to thejetsblog@gmail.com, Burbank CA (that last part is only if we create a gameshow).

Safety Valve-ma?

Ok, that was totally forced.  Anyway, Parker L. asks 

I don’t know but would it be a possibility to keep Vilma and play him alongside Rhodes, with the freedom from the blockers up front would he be able to play effectively, at even close to a pro-bowl level, at the position?

I believe that this has been discussed some here at TJB, but I am blanking on the conclusions, Bent can remind us in the comments.  Initially, my thought is that it’s definitely an interesting idea, but he would have to slim down by about 10 pounds to play there effectively.  He would be good in closing to the ball, running through trash, helping in run support, and recognizing routes … but I have two big misgivings in making this move.

First, he’s not quick enough to play safety.  I know 40-times aren’t the end all be all, but he clocked a 4.65 in 2004 at the Combine and is working on a long recovery from knee surgery.  Can he even run that fast again?   Just to compare, Skins Safety LaRon Landry ran in the 4.3s at the Combine.  I think he’d be too slow to play in coverage more often.  Second how are his coverage skills?  Yes he’s good enough to play well in coverage as a linebacker, but good linebacker coverage skills might pale in comparison to good coverage skills as a safety.

Jets and Albert Haynesworth? 

Simon on Sports asks whether the Jets should make a play for the big guy …

What do you think about putting Albert Haynesworth as a #1 offseason target? I personally think that he would be a massive upgrade for a run defense that needs much help and that they could look past the fact he’s a scumbag.

A great thought, but I doubt that the Titans will allow him to get to the market.  Guys like Haynesworth are generally locking in to long deals before the deadline, or are franchised if they can’t be locked down.  That being said, his physicaly style and ability to cut into the backfield would be big gains for the Jets.  At 6′6″ 320, he’s a guy who could theoretically play at the nose or end … I’m drooling thinking of him as an end … think of the passing lanes he could block!  That being said, there are questions to his mental capacities and his inconsistent effort at times (takes plays off sometimes) and in using his hands … important for a 3-4 lineman.

Merry King Coles?

R Steiger asks an astute and contrarian question about Coles. 

Reading recently about L. Coles desire for a new contract reminded me of something, and also raised a question. When Coles was drafted there was some concerns about his off the field issues. After the Jets drafted and signed him I remember him being quoted as saying something like “The Jets were willing to take a chance on me and I’ll never forget it”.

So what do the Jets get? As soon as his contract was up, instead of remembering the commitment they made to him, he shopped for the best free agent deal and signed with Washington. Then the Jets had to use Santana Moss (much higher pick) to trade to get Coles back. Now he wants a contract extension (with his injuries and age), while Moss is excelling in Washington in the prime of his career.

My question is, why does everybody cut Coles so much slack and never raise these issues of him being greedy, especially given what he said after the Jets drafted him?

I’m usually all for players getting as much money as the market will bear, But I always think “how quickly they forget” whenever these kinds of issues come up with Coles.

I agree with most of what you are saying, but I think there are two points to consider.  First, the deal he took in Washington was one that the Jets were unwilling or unable to match.  I can’t remember for sure, but did the Jets try without success to re-sign Coles as best they could before he hit the RFA market?  He was coming off a 89 catch, 1200+ yard campaign as I recall.  At the time that the Jets traded for Coles, Moss was becoming an afterthought mostly due to the offense and Pennington’s ability to utilize Moss effectively.  Once traded, most teams restructure deals as part of the trade.

All that being said, I think that Coles is a guy that commands respect and admiration of all his teammates.  If there is one guy that I would point to on this team that held this team together through a terrible year, it would be Laveranues.  Lav is a guy who leads by example and hates standing on the sidelines.  The incident with the training table in Foxborough was a perfect example of him trying to help the team, no matter the cost to him personally.

If there’s a guy to break the rules in terms of redoing deals for, this would be it.  With a 5 million number on the books, it’s likely that the Jets will sign him to a 4 or 5 year deal with some bonus money.  If the Jets are smart, they will lower his cap number for 2008 to give them some more leeway come March.

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