Free Agency Recap: Moves So Far …
I’m heading out to go see Jackie Moon and the Flint Tropics set the ABA on fire, so expect a next update from me around the time Faneca makes his announcement. In the meantime a recap on what the Jets have done thus far from least to greatest impact.
The moves thus far:
Re-signed Stacey Tutt – Originally an UDFA, the Jets had big expectations of Tutt last season before it ended prematurely on the injured reserve. Tutt was a former multitalented player at University of Richmond, spending his senior season as QB. He’s an athletic player, and the Jets have seen his raw potential and hope to make use of it. Tutt saw some action at the end of his rookie year, and saw more time in 2007. Aside from his special teams work though, Tutt has seemed out of synch in the offense. Look for this to be a watershed year for the project player.
Re-signed Sione Pouha — Likely to continue his role as a backup, especially now with Jenkins in the mix, Pouha brought solid work at penetrating the backfield and playing the two-gap style. With Jenkins injury history, locking up a depth player was a wise move for the Jets. Pouha will likely continue to see rotation work in 2008 especially in goal line and run specific packages.
Traded away Jonathan Vilma — We’re truly sad to see him go, but we know that it’s for the best at this point. If they are moving to the 3-4, last year’s results were in large part due to the fact that they didn’t commit to the new scheme as much as they should have by then. We’ll be looking into this more deeply later, but at first blush, the reports on a conditional pick in 2009 seemed lacking. But with the Jets in actuality grabbing a 4th rounder this year, and potential to swap it for a higher pick in 2009 should the Saints want to re-sign him, the Jets got to fill an immediate need this year with the departure of Vilma, and an upside pick next season. When you think of the Abrham swap, the Revis contract and now this, this is the kind of outside the box thinking that has made Tannenbaum successful so far in his short tenure as a GM.
Traded for Kris Jenkins — Word was out a few weeks ago that there were tackles for trade in Detroit and Carolina amongst other locations, but that this was the way to find one if you were looking this offseason. Knowing the dire need to find a suitable player to take over duties for Dewayne Robertson, the Jets have found a guy that could fit very nicely in their system.
16 Responses to Free Agency Recap: Moves So Far …
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klecko71 says:
TOOL: (definition) a moron, one who writes articles for a respected website that for some reason doesnt write the writers email address at the bottom so that u can email them ur thoughts.
used in a sentence: CNNSI.com’s don banks is a TOOL.
below is an exerpt from his free agency critique article….
• The Jets traded for Carolina defensive tackle Kris Jenkins and feel like his presence at nose tackle will solidify things in the way former ’03 first-round pick Dewayne Robertson never could. But has anyone bothered to ask Jenkins how he feels about playing New York’s zero-technique nose tackle position? Because people I’ve talked to don’t think he’ll be all that excited about the assignment, which is a lonely job at times, drawing near constant double-team blocks.
how someone is allowed to write something so ignorant on SO many levels….dwayne robertson was doing ok as a 4-3 tackle you douche….and the last 2 years he was asked to play nose in a 3-4 which he wasnt in college. and he actually showed flashes of success. the only reason he is likely to be traded is b/c of how much $$ he is due.
secondly…”has anyone bothered to ask jenkins how he feels about playing the nose etc…”
no don…we just traded blindly for him and tore up the last 2 years of his contract b/c we are praying he will work out.
from the jets website / article on the deal….said jenkins…
“I spoke with [Eric] Mangini and [Mike] Tannenbaum for quite a while and I really liked the type of individuals that they are. To me they really seem like they’re stand-up guys,” Jenkins said of his new head coach and general manager. “It didn’t take too much of a sales pitch for me. I really look at this as another chance to get on the field and play football, and as long as I can do that, I’m happy.”
“My impression of defensive line in general is you do what you do to help your team win,” he said. “At defensive line, whether it is holding up blockers or making a tackle or disrupting a play — regardless of whether its a 4-3 or its a 3-4 — that is the same thing.”But the challenge is different and that’s something Jenkins embraces.
“I do get a little bit excited and I’m a little bit anxious about this upcoming season because I want to take on this task of this 3-4 defense,” he said. “I’m a nose tackle — there are no excuses and there is nothing that you can say about anything. Basically I get to be the big stud in the middle who makes it easier for the linebackers and helps my team do what it needs to do to win.”
the guy has been to mutilple pro bowls…..not exactly a reach don….
keep up the good vibes…so far so good in this..a very key offseason.
by the way….we will be fools if mcfaddon is there at 6 and pass….game breaking / freak athletes at RB dont grow on trees. t jones is nice….nice….nice….but not a difference difference difference maker….
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Harvlis says:
Klecko, I love your passion. I agree, Jets FO must have discussed the position but, the money was the key and always is. I hope he is a monster and that the FO gives him some help. I would love to see D-Rob next to him in a 4-3. The two of them in the middle would be classic. D-Rob is not an end. Don’t you want to see D-Rob in his natural position with a stud next to him. Who would stop him one-on-one? I realize that D-Rob will probably be gone, due to monetary concerns but, that is what I would do.
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Rob says:
Look at this scenario, Ellis, Jenkins, DRob, Thomas on the line Harris in the middle, Ghoulston and Vilma on the ends in a new 4-3 the Jets could have now used…….There had to be more too it ….why get rid of Vilma instead of moving him outside?
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droseatwork says:
Um, what about Coleman?
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Rob, I have been critical of management trying to make the players fit the system, rather than creating a system to fit the talents of your players but, to be fair, we have to give Tangini a chance. If they get rid of D-Rob and Vilma, and Jenkins and the 3-4 never materializes — Goodbye, Tangini. If they put together a run-stopping, pressure-on-the-QB, defense — Tangini will be vindicated. I am rooting for the latter but, as a long time Jet fan, I expect the let-down.
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The Ed(itor) says:
I agree with Liam that I would move Ellis if I could. At least DRob has proven he could play DE. I am still waiting to see Ellis play DE.
Also Vilma was traded because he couldn’t play inside in a 3-4 and wasn’t fast enough to play OLB.
I like Jenkins! Bring on Faneca!!
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Jeff says:
Vilma is more than fast enough to play OLB. He is just too small to shed or take on blockers num nuts! We’ve been saying that for over 2yrs now! Sheesshh
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billvv says:
Don Banks gives way to little credit to guys whose job it is and waaaay to much to himself. With 32 teams he can’t possibly know how teams determine value.
Also, lots of teams are in the 3-4 and more are changing to it, so there must be something to the scheme. And, the Jets use multiple fronts, including six guys standing around the LOS, if memory serves. Each of the D linemen has a role to play and formations for every conceivable down and distance, so forget who’s and end and who’s a tackle. If they’re here, they contribute. -
Jonathan says:
Schefter made Faneca official on NFLN.
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ESPN FA Tracker says the Faneca has signed a contract in principal worth $32M, $23 guaranteed. I was also glad to see we got more for Jon Vilam than what was 1st reported, a 4th this year and a conditional pick next year depending on his playing time and if he signs a long term deal.
Last comment, if you bring in a new coach and GM you can’t say to them here’s your talent pool come up with a scheme that works with this staff. You have to lay out a philosophy and build a team around it. Btw, the guys on Jet Nation today pointed out that the Jets play the 4-3 over 40% of all snaps so they have shown some flexibility.
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Done. Faneca is a Jet!
http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/7859770/Jets,-Faneca-agree-to-5-year,-$40-million-deal -
Bent says: Rob, Gholston was a DE in college, Vilma has always played MLB and Ellis and Thomas have been mediocre as 4-3 DEs over the last few years.
The reason Vilma has been traded is because the Jets are running a base 3-4 with flexibility and he has underperformed in the defense. Couple that with the fact that his health status is unknown and that he is a free agent next year and it seems reasonable to me that they would trade him, especially when they have other needs.
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SackDance99 says:
I expect that the Jets base DL will be Ellis-Jenkins-Coleman. But, I would not be surprised to see Jenkins-Pouha-Coleman in certain sets. I’ve heard that the Bengals are interested in D-Rob after losing out on Rogers. Besides Chad Johnson, what would the Jets want from the Bengals besides draft picks? It would be pretty ironic if the Jets get the Bengals’ 3rd and 5th rounder that they were willing to give up for Rogers.
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seanmac says:
The market has essentially been set for DTs- Stroud, Jenkins and Rogers (the first time) all went for a third and a fifth, and it’s reasonable that the Jets could get something in that neighborhood. Really, I would expect the Jets to be primarily interested in recouping those picks to fill out their draft rather than a veteran (which is not to say that they wouldn’t inquire about Chad Johnson’s availability). Denver has been mentioned as another possible landing spot for Robertson, and you would think Detroit would have to be interested as well.
Should be very interesting to see if we land Pace. If we do (and there are some reports out of Miami indicating that we have), it certainly seems to suggest that the FO either doesn’t think Gholston will be there or doesn’t want him.
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Bent says:
At least I’m not the only one crazy enough to think Jenkins could contribute at DE.
Don’t forget a 3rd and 5th is (more or less) worth a second rounder (the Jenkins picks were worth number 53) and that’s reportedly the asking price for D-Rob, so it seems reasonable.
Chad Johnson earns 6m per year and is contracted through 2011. In the scheme of things, that’s bearable.
I know there has been a lot of speculation about moving DROB; but what about moving Ellis instead- say for a 3rd rounder? I don’t know if anyone would be interested, but I would be happy to get rid of that contract.