Buzz: Jets Allow Jon Vilma to Seek Trade
Apparently , WFAN is reporting this morning that Jon Vilma has been given the green light to seek his release, the NY papers confirm this news too.
[Vilma] has received permission from the Jets to shop himself for a potential trade, the Daily News has learned. It doesn’t mean a trade is a certainty, but it’s a tacit acknowledgement from both sides that Vilma and Mangini’s 3-4 scheme aren’t a match.
Meanwhile, PFW is now employing gullible bloggers (or maybe just people who haven’t dealt much with the Parcells-Belichick tree) to write for them … well played, gang.
I don’t know much about Vilma’s agent, Mitch Frankel, and don’t know about his other wheelings and dealings like this. Having Rosenhaus in this situation could actually be helpful, but that doesn’t matter. That being said, I think Vilma is now officially in play, provided the Jets get whatever they think is fair remuneration. I am sure they will start with a first rounder, but would be willing to take less, especially coming off an injury … Al Wilson anyone? Just conjecture by me, but with those attractive high picks the Jets have in sucessive rounds, those could be part of offsetting the package — say Vilma and the Jets #3 for the other teams #2 — you get the idea.
Teams that could be in the mix would be:
The Zach Thomas Trail — Dallas, New Orleans, Cinci, Dolphins, Indy.
Have You Driven a Ford Out of Town? — Detroit. Remember the wizards in Mo-town are looking to move their cantankerous DT.
Home State — With Donnie Henderson now in JAX, could that be a Peaches n Herb Reunion? In that situation, I want to know who is Peaches.
Wild Speculation — There are rumors that the Rams might be willing to move down and take Vilma for the #2. Here’s my thought: unless Chris Long is there at #2, this deal is a losing proposition for the Jets.
So far the scenario is playing out like we all thought it likely would, and we at TJB will be keeping a close eye on this as it develops. Thanks to Doug in Long Valley for the tip …
Filed under: Buzz, Main Page, News
Vernon Gholston helps the team much more than Chris Long would. Gholston is far and away the #1 3-4 OLB prospect in the draft, and if he destroys the combine enough for the Rams to consider him at 2nd overall then a trade up wouldn’t be all that bad. Though, the Jets can’t just move up four spots if they’re giving up Vilma.
I do not think that Jets are going to get alot for Vilma, the have no leverage. Last year before the season they did, but they are now looking to trade damaged goods. Nice try Tangini.
I don’t see Dallas or Miami as a good fit for Vilma, they both play the 3-4, he would be just as ineffective for them. More likely destinations: Detroit, Cincinnati, Denver, Jacksonville, New Orleans. The Jets can start by asking for a 1st rounder but that is not likely given Vilma’s injury. I think they will eventually accept a 3rd for him, maybe higher if Vilma can workout for the team that works out a deal with him, and I have to say I would take that, yes its 25 cents on the dollar for him, but after next year he walks and we get nothing.
I just want to pat myself on the back for bringing this up as a real possibility a month ago:
Two NFL head coaches tell Yahoo’s Jason Cole that they can foresee Arkansas RB Darren McFadden falling down the draft board in April.
“There’s going to be some stuff that comes out on that kid,” one coach said. “I’m telling you. Just watch.” “He’s the best skill-position player in the draft, by far. But he has issues,” said another. “He’s going to get a lot of questions.” We still have a hard time believing McFadden will drop out of the top ten.
I think theres teams that would kill to have Vilma, specifically Cinci and Detroit. Cinci was staring Schlegal (who the jets last year) and Detroit has never really found anyone to play LB for them consistently. Maybe the Jets can get a #1 if they trade Vilma and swap second rounder since they are picking early in round 2. Moving up the St.Louis draft spot would also be nice becuase I really think Gholston is going to murder the combine. If he runs a 4.4 at 250+ lbs he could shoot up to #2. The the jets would have their choice of whichever one miami doesnt take or maybe even C.Long would fall to them. I think only good things can come of this Vilma sittuation, especially since the jets are allowing him to seek trade options instead of seeking options themselves it shows other teams they are only parting with Vilma if the price is right. I dont think a low 2 or a high 3 are enough to trade someone who has earned a lot of money and was a #1 draft pick a few years ago. Sidenote: I was extreeeemely close to naming my dog Vilma a couple years ago but it sounded too much like Wilma with a wierd accent, now I am glad i didnt go with that name.
Name your dog Rhodes or Revis. I don’t think they are going anywhere for a while. But then again I probably would have said the same thing about Vilma 2 years back
How about we get rid of Mangini instead of Vilma? Just a thought
I don’t think it makes any sense for the Jets to move up in the draft. Unless the Jets have targeted Matty Ice (which isn’t happening), IMO, all the other top picks have issues. The Jets don’t need Jake Long (he’s an LT and drafting him to play RT and pay him no. 6 money would be insane) or McFadden (who I think will be a good pro, but RBs are a dime a dozen in today’s NFL). Ellis and Dorsey are 4-3 DTs. Long is a nice player, but I don’t think Long’s future will be as an NFL DE or OLB. Frankly, I think with his motor and football smarts, but lack of elite speed, he’d make a great ILB. I’d rather see him lose 15-20 lbs. to play ILB than gain 20 lbs (and be even slower) as a DE. He’s not fast enough for OLB. Gholston looks like the perfect OLB candidate, I just have this nagging feeling he’s a workout warrior. The Jets should just stay at no. 6 and see what falls to them.
Vilma’s not worth a no. 1 and a no. 2 would be stretching it. I think the best the Jets could get is a 3rd rounder, which I’d take in a heartbeat. I also wonder whether Vilma will ever be a Pro Bowler again. I think his weakness (shedding blockers) has been exposed and he’ll only be an average 4-3 MLB in the future. So, the Jets should get the best value for him now.
GREAT NEWS!!!!
we could/should get a second round pick at LEAST!
Getting a third rounder would be bad value- the Jets would likely do better than that by simply keeping Vilma an extra year and getting a compensatory pick. If healthy, Vilma should be worth a pick in the 30s, low first or early second.
As for Gholston, I would really have to hold my nose if that was the pick. Yes, it is the most sensible pick from a need perspective, but the guy screams workout warrior. (Which is why I’m not going to get all breathless if he tears up the combine- he’s supposed to. LSU? Not so much.) If you can get a player like Groves in the second round with exactly the same skill set, then why in the world would you risk a top pick on Gholston? I guess because the rest of the top of the draft is underwhelming.
Seanmac & J tie for the kewpie doll. As SM points out, trading Vilma for anything other than a top 5 third rounder or better means we get little more than we get letting him go after getting a year out of him. The Steelers did very well letting top notch FA walk. We also convey to teams that they can low ball our good players.
But, as J points out, and as I have in other posts, the crime was in not trading him last year when he likely could have commanded a first round pick because he was healthy, only one year removed from a pro bowl under a different coach, and with two years on his contract.
That was and is the real crime. Some of us saw and said it then. It is scary when your GM and HC cannot see what fans do.
harlan
Harlan-
Just because they didn’t ACT on it doesn’t mean they didn’t SEE it. They very well might have seen it too, they just weren’t able to get the requisite value that they thought he was worth.
Not exactly proof, but remember the whole rumor with Vilma to the Skins before the draft last year? Could be that it had more legs than I personally thought at the time.
It is much easier to say now that the jets should have traded Vilma last year, after he got injured and after David Harris was drafted and emerged as a stud.
Not sure if this makes sense, but maybe Vilma could find a resurgance with Harris in the mix. They didn’t take that many snaps together- who knows, maybe they compliment each other. I’d hate to see Vilma walk for little compensation because he’s dropped from “awesome” to “really good.”
Harlan, I think that trading Vilma last year would have been a wise move, but I can’t really fault them for not pulling that trigger. He’s young, real talent that the Jets had already paid for and had the rights to. Cashing out Vilma would still have been based on speculation, and I think with a young player of JV’s calibre, you would give him the benefit of the doubt and see if he can adjust himself to working productively within the new defensive system.
Another team that needs an MLB is Atlanta, because they really want to move Keith Brooking back outside.
this reporter from PFW is a fool and should be taken out back and put out of his misery.
go jets
The FO & the HC have not handled Vilma with intelligence or class. He has been a great player and a great representative for us. His treatment, and that of Kendall and Coles, will be recognized by his teammates. Managements actions have destroyed his value both on the field and off (trade value).
Clue me. In regard to Ghoulston: Is ‘workout warrior’ a euphemism for artificially enhanced? Why is it a bad thing? Or is it that he’s a gym speciman as opposed to a football player?
What part of their treatment of Vilma lacked class exactly? Finally admitting he isn’t a fit for this team anymore and allowing HIM to seek out the best opportunity for himself by choosing his new team? This is about as good as it gets from a team, the alternative is to trade him to the highest bidder regardless of whether its the best or most desirable situation for him. He is under contract but they are essentially letting him act as if he is a free agent, finding a team and working out a new contract most likely, as long as the jets are fairly compensated, seems fair and classy to me.
As for Coles, what part of gaurunteeing the next two years of his contract (worth 11 million) is poor treatment? He has been paid for his services to this team and then some and now at this stage of his career he feels he deserves more than that, I love the guy, he has been the heart and soul of this team since Curtis left, but he is crazy for feeling offended by the Jets offer.
seanmac, I agree. If the compensatory pick would be that high, then trading Vilma for a 3rd rounder would make no sense. As for trying to trade him before last season, I think that’s 20-20 hindsight. Many of us thought that Harris would take pressure off of Vilma and he would be better as the weakside (usually RILB). It’s true that Vilma got injured before the Jets could play both of them at the same time, but now with his contract expiring and with the knowledge that Vilma will want to leave, it makes more sense to try to trade him. The thing that really messed everything up was Vilma’s injury and there’s no way to predict injuries. Vilma’s agent will do everything he can to get a deal for Vilma because his market value will plummet if he has another disappointing season. seanmac, would you take a 2nd rounder?
LC, like all WRs, is a prima dona. The Jets have treated him with the utmost respect and offered to guarantee his contract before the end of its term, which is unheard of in the NFL. Maybe the Kendall situation was poorly played, but I fail to see how the Jets have disrespected LC. The FO is willing to do something special for him. But, it’s just not enough for LC. Hard to blame the FO on this one.
I agree with those stating the Jets should settle for nothing less than a third-rounder for Vilma due to the FA compensation possibilities. As Tanny likes to say, “he’s under contract” and will be on the team unless the Jets get better value for him in a trade…or if he pulls a Kendall.
TJB friend Adam Schein has said for a while that Cincy or Denver are likely landing spots for Vilma. IMO, a dark horse is Jacksonville, which runs the 4-3 with massive, physical DLs that would free space for the side-to-side Vilma. Also, JAX just hired former Jets DC Donnie Henderson as an Asst; Vilma excelled under Henderson. The fact that the Jags play in Vilma’s home state doesn’t hurt either.
Guess that pick of Harris in last year’s draft was more calculated than we thought…
md,
“Workout warrior” normally entails someone who can put up great numbers in the gym…but not on the field. “Looks like Tarzan, plays like Jane”
In some cases a “warrior” will run good times and bench-press the world and still perform on the field; but that’s not the context of the term.
cont….
[sorry for the double post guys]
In Gholston’s case, he’s been a gym rat since high-school. In interview, he stated that he was approached by the football coach because of his chisled physique, and agreed to play ball because it meant he would have better access to the school’s gym. He likes to work out (first) and play football (second).
Right on sec108! I don’t see how anyone can say the jets have mistreated Vilma or Coles. Some fans forget this is a business.
Great point about the FA compensation if Vilma leaves, but there may be a slight flaw. Read on…
Remember, when Vilma (or any other big name free agent) leaves, the Jets overall compensation could AT MOST be a 3rd rounder, but this is based on a net of incomings and outgoings, so if next year we are under the cap again (and we probably will be because there might not be enough decent options this year to spend all our cap space, so we could defer some into next year by advancing salary into this year) then every signing we make will be netted off against the value of Vilma to determine the Jets compenatory pick status.
If we are well under the cap, then we will probably bring in a few UFAs and therefore the only way we’ll actually get a 3rd rounder for Vilma is if all our acquisitions suck – which nobody would want (or if we have other “losses” that do well). Remember, nobody knows the formula but it is believed to be based on some combination of seniority, salary and production.
If the Jets are thinking ahead and plan to be under the cap next year without losing too many of their own free agents then maybe they would actually consider a third rounder this year to be considerably better than what they’d get for letting him walk.
Plus, on the value chart, don’t you discount next year’s picks by a round anyway!
Despite all this, I still say that his value hasn’t dropped that much and his market value may be a late first or early second, but you never get full value in a trade, I think it will probably end up at a second rounder, depending on his knee.
Not trading Vilma in 2007 off season = another screw up for Tannebaum. Maybe experience does add value?
Nelson 17: Right On!
SackDance99: They should draft Jake Long as a LT and move Foam Brick to RT since he sucks.
Sec 108, first of all, you need better seats. You think that it’s nice of the Jets to let Vilma cut his own deal with another team. Vilma was not only one of our best players, he was an outstanding representative of the team. Management’s lack of communication forced Vilma to request a trade. Instead of letting him work himself into game shape and trading him from a position of power — we lose all negotiating leverage. Regardless of whether you think it was nice that Vilma was allowed to contact teams of his choice — they treated him like garbage and we will never receive the proper compensation. Bad management.
Ditto what sec108 said.
What about trading Vilma to the Falcons for CB DeAngelo Hall.
Guys what about those Giants! I am now convinced that this organization is just stupid. I am going to donate all my JETS stuff to the poor kids in Guatemala , like the Patriots did with their 19-0 t-shirts.
To some of you I do wish good luck, and to the others .. nothing because I think they deserve this organization.
Basset, I will continue to check your site despite the fact that I am no longer a Jets’ fan.
jeez. dont let the door hit you on the way out.
How about Vilma and our 2nd round pick to Detroit for Rogers and Calvin Johnson? Last year it was rumored we were going to trade Vilma to move up and get Johnson. Vilma is worth more than Rogers and we add the 2nd round pick for Johnson. Is this posssible. Plus we sign Faneca and Samual and draft DE at #6. Now that’s an offseason
Buddha: Moving Brick to RT makes little sense when he is a better pass protector than run blocker and Long is the opposite. Unless we get a left handed QB…
Nikolas: Don’t do that, you’ll probably be guaranteeing a bunch of Nicaraguan kids get mocked by all the kids with Pats stuff for the next year or so!
MS: Leaving aside the issue of whether we’d even want Rogers, what makes you think Detroit would ever trade Calvin Johnson who was a high pick last year and would have a massive cap hit? (Cap hit = $22m!) Especially for a second round pick! Mind you, is Matt Millen still in charge there? Maybe it is possible!
As a general point, are we 100% sure this report is even true?
maybe not calvin johnson, but roy williams. he is rumored to be on the market and he would fit either QB’s style of play. he’s also be a great compliment to baker and cotchery
muff, I’d love to see Roy Williams as a Jet, but he wouldn’t be a complement to Cotchery, he’d probably be featured and would improve the red-zone passing attack tremendously. However, I have little interest in Rodgers. The way I see it, if Detroit wants to trade Williams straight up for Vilma do it. Then the Jets should make a major push for Randall Gay not Asante Samuel. This frees you up to trade Coles for a first day pick. The Jets can then use their 4 first day picks to focus on a pass rushing OLB and help on the offensive and defensive lines.
That plan would effectively improve the WR corps, bring “cheaper” but necessary talent into the secondary, make the team younger and allow the Jets to bring in top prospects along both lines.
Ilan I would LOVE to see everything happen that you just said.
Unfortunately, I think the Roy Williams part is a bit of a pipe dream.