Pre-Free Agency Cuts Begin
Two teams made some serious cuts on Monday with the Dolphins cutting nine players and Panthers cutting two as well. Here are some of the players to which the Jets could pay attention:
Trent Green – QB — There’s only one benefit to adding Trent Green to the Jets’ roster … he knows Schottenheimer’s offense and might be willing to accept the role as tutor to Kellen Clemens. This of course seems to make the most sense should the Jets find a trading partner for their own veteran QB first.
L.J. Shelton – RT — Anthony Clement was no prize for the Jets in 2007, but neither was Shelton for the Dolphins allowing 7.5 sacks last season … quite a jump from only eight in 32 starts during the 2005& 2006 campaigns. Parcells and GM Jeff Ireland clearly didn’t like what they saw on tape, and for a player who will be 32 when next season starts, Shelton might have hit the wall or be very close to it. He’s a player the Jets could take a flier on, but would be wise to not invest any real money into.
Keith Traylor – DT — There are very few 3-4 clogging DTs available … seemingly ever … so it’s up to Traylor if he wants to continue to play. Traylor is at best a two-down player now and that might be a stretch. Traylor would represent a very short-term investment for the Jets, but he would be a space-eater that the team has badly needed for a few years. Sione Pouha showed a flash at the end of 2007, penetrating the backfield and playing two-gap football, so it might be hard for Traylor to stick on the roster should Pouha continue his improvement.
Marty Booker – WR — I added him to this list, not because I think he’s someone the Jets should earnestly go after, but because he’s a name and people will clamor about him. Booker is a fast & large receiver but as a 30 year old, he’s losing his quickness one of his biggest assets. Booker might be able to re-invent himself as a possession receiver, but he doesn’t add anything to the Jets that they don’t already have in their current crop of receivers. If the Jets need anything, it’s a speedster who can create separation downfield. Booker is not the right fit for the Jets.
Dan Morgan – LB — Morgan is known for his hard-hitting style and ability to shed blocks, but his injury history and cumulative concussions make him a real risk to the Jets should they sign him. Concussions are tricky as we know from Wayne Chrebet’s history and Morgan could provide little assurance of his ability to stay on the field. With ILBs like Eric Barton and Jon Vilma already under contract, going after Dan Morgan doesn’t seem likely.
Mike Wahle – OG — At 30, Wahle was a cap casualty to create room for the Panthers as he was scheduled to make over $4 million in 2008. Wahle played in all 16 games last season allowing 4.5 sacks during the season … not terrible … but not great for an interior lineman either. Wahle could upgrade the left side of the line immediately and come cheaper than Alan Faneca, but seems to be the player (the expensive aging player) that Tannenbaum might try to avoid.
10 Responses to Pre-Free Agency Cuts Begin
-
jet4lif says:
Yea rite. But who would trade up 4-5 spots and incur the expenses of rookie signing bonuses. I hope its not the JETS.
-
SackDance99 says:
If Parcells is going to take Matty Ice, he’d likely take him with the first pick. There’s no “can’t miss” prospect in this draft, except for maybe Dorsey, and I don’t see any of the other top picking teams trading to snag Dorsey (although, if I were GM of the Raiders or Rams, I’d consider it).
-
seanmac says:
There’s likely nobody moving up, even if Parcells sweetens the pot by lowering the going rate on the pick. The only exception to this might be if Cincinnati wants to trade Chad Johnson in order to swap picks- I think the Dolphins would jump all over that (there might be some swapping of mid-rounders in there as well). The Bengals could add a major defensive piece and Parcells could get back to a more comfortable part of the round while adding some explosiveness to the offense.
If the Dolphins stay put, I think they probably will bite the bullet and take Chris Long. Long is a player who will fit their defense perfectly, he has a high floor (although possibly a low ceiling), and Parcells should have all the information he needs because of his relationship with Al Groh. It won’t be a home run pick, but it would be a solid double.
-
Here’s Scouts Inc. on Wahle (who has 10 years in the NFL, so I would have concerns about how much is left in the tank, but NFL offensive lineman seem to last well into their 30s) (also, I would tend to discount the 4.5 sacks given the Panthers’ QB woes this season):
Wahle has a very good combination of size, athleticism and experience. He has been extremely consistent over the years. He can play tackle in a pinch. He plays with good technique and body control. He is physical, nasty and tough. He is an excellent finisher. He plays with good bend, initial quickness and a flat back off the line. He has good lower-body strength and routinely creates movement at the point of attack. He gets good hand placement and has the strong hands to sustain his blocks. He stays square and understands body position and angles. He has the agility to slide off combination blocks and get position at the second level. He has the quickness and agility to pull effectively and will aggressively seek out a target to take out. He has a quick pass set and plays with a solid base and good balance. His technique and athleticism allow him to recover when beaten initially. He is stout inside and will help maintain pocket depth. He plays with very good awareness of line stunts. Wahle has few weaknesses, but he occasionally gets beaten by good double moves. He would have some trouble with speed rushers as a tackle.
-
Ilan says:
Lets not forget, some of those sacks I’m sure came with David Carr at QB. Nothing else is more of a recipe for giving up sacks.
-
eric from morrisania says:
Could Whale move inside to G? He’s aging, so he’s undoubtedly lost a step, but if you put a lineman on both of his shoulders, all he needs is to anchor the point… he should be able to do that.
-
Eric, Wahle is an LG, who spot plays at tackle.
-
dakar says:
wahle would be a decent pick up…he has at least 4-6 years left and he can help bring along 1 of the younger guys…as well as s.andrews…who is even younger and can play both guard and tackle…i say pick them both up…we have the cap space to do it…just my thoughts…
-
and if not wahle then…lilja and\or scott from indy…but they will come at a higher price then wahle…at least i think they would…just my thoughts…
Hey Sackdance-
With the cut of Green, I can see Parcells trading down and grabing your boy Matty Ice.