Buzz: D-Rob Causing More Trouble
Dewayne Robertson has been everywhere for the Jets this offseason. We all know the stories, so I’m not going to readdress them here. Bottom line is, he shouldn’t be in a Jets uniform right now, and he still is. The Jets have tried many things to get rid of him, but the many flaws in D-Rob’s medical record are just too big of a risk to take for some teams.
Anyway, now Robertson is getting in the way of the Jets off season plans, as Rich Cimini writes in The Jet Stream…
Remember, the Jets have yet to address the cornerback issue in free agency, save for street free agent Andre Woolfolk. They’re still interested in re-signing Hank Poteat, the old standby, but they can’t offer him more than the minimum because they’re being strangled by Dewayne Robertson’s $11 million cap figure.
So basically, the 11 million that Robertson wants is keeping the Jets from re-signing Hank Poteat, a huge asset to this club over the years. The real question I have to you, the reader is, why can’t we just release Dewayne? I mean, is it because we will owe too much money to him and there’s really no point? Or do the Jets actually think he can still perform? Don’t get me wrong, here. He can still play, but his best years are clearly behind him. And so, with this issue clearly affecting the Jets offseason in a negative way, I have decided to coin this issue “The Robertson Effect.” I will now refer to it as TRE, here on TJB. What are the possible solutions to TRE, before it spreads?
19 Responses to Buzz: D-Rob Causing More Trouble
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Bent says: According to reports, he has a contract in place with Denver and will be traded for a day two pick.
I disagree that him being on the cap prevents us signing Poteat. It’s a foregone conclusion that he won’t be here and earning 11m, so the Jets can afford to take the saving into account in any moves they make and can also afford to take their time and get the best possible compensation for him.
Why rush to release him? We effectively have until June.
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TimNY says:
I think it’s silly to panic about this. wait through the draft and deal him there if we can. If all else fails, then release him in June. It’s only early April.
compensation is better than no compensation.
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contumelious says:
He has trade value in the draft because teams believe he’s a good player who was just a bad fit in a 3-4. And they’re probably right. When the Jets lineup 4 down last year he was shooting the gap and penetrating into the backfield. I think D-Rob will be a great player at his next home, and the Jets shouldn’t lament it. If they wanted to keep him and Vilma and Hobson, they would’ve switched to a 4-3.
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Harlan Lachman says:
Good posts all.
Mack, if we have to rely on Poteat at CB we have bigger problems than the inheritance of Bradway’s blunders. Not being able to sign our draft class might force our hand. But Hank Poteat? Please reread your article and get a grip.
This is a business. A business that gives away assets for nothing is usually not successful. If DRobb is cut now or before June 1st, he will quickly be signed to a big contract by Denver or Carolina(or another team). Wake up and smell the coffee. His getting big bucks will prove he is a valuable commodity.
Our course of action for DRobb is clear. Wait until we get something of value.
In fact, I think throwing away $3 mil in June is worth the chance that an injury happens here or to another team that makes DRobb worth us keeping him or worth another team giving us fair value. Also, if we make it clear DRobb will not get his walking papers sans value, he and his agent may help to get something to happen. They won’t want to see him cut in late August when his value is a lot less.The good news for Jets fans, so far, is that Tangini have resisted giving away players for nothing. The conditional picks for Vilma might look good next year. The number four for Kendall will be nice. A draft pick next year will be as valuable to one this year. We still have holes.
We just have to hope that Tangini, unlike Mack, don’t forget how to treat players as assets and how to maximize their value.
Harlan
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green duck says:
what do you mean by his “best years”? are you kidding me? the guy is the biggest bust in Jets draft history !!!
one lesson i have learned: always trade down when you get let’s say 1-5 draft spot for your pick.
if you can get a low first round and a low second round in return you are in a better position, not to mention the big money factor. with the stupid contract rules you are taking too much of a gamble. -
DSmizzle says:
D-Rob never really had any great years… he started to show flashes of COMPETENCE and some still think in a 4-3 that his best years (i.e., ANY GOOD YEARS) are AHEAD in the 4-3.
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18andOne says:
I’ve never been a D-Rob fan, to me it always seemed like he just got pushed off the line of scrimmage regardless, if the Jets were playing a 3-4 or a 4-3. He has decent pass rush ability, but certainly not worth $11 million a year. I’m pretty sure they’ll be able to trade him during the draft, which could be very usefull in allowing Tangini to move around in the draft and get the players they want.
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They’ve spent a half-trillion dollars this off-season, and they can’t afford Hank Poteat? According to Bent’s cap calculations. we’ve still have money left after signing all our draft picks and DRob’s hit. So, it’s hard to believe that money is much of a problem.
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Zenlaw says:
When the Jets traded up for DRob in 2003, he was touted as being the best D-lineman, if not the best defensive player, on the board that year. The guy was supposed to be a stud. All the experts “new” it.
Now, the experts say that Dorsey is the best DT on the board. C. Long and Ghoulston are the other 2 highest rated D-linemen.
I would like to know what is the difference between DRob and any of these 3 prospects. Any or all of these 3 prospects could prove to be just as big a bust as DRob.
In 2010, we might all be wishing that the Jets had drafted Kentwan Balmer. Who knows?
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I agree with Harlan, this post is kind of silly. Poteat has been helpful, but throw away a chance to get a draft pick in return for Drob, as if our success hinges on Poteat? Come on. If they want Poteat, they’ll sign him regardless of what happens with Drob. Tanny has proven to be a numbers genius and could easily find a way. I think Drob could be an asset here for depth if he renegotiates or else somebody will certainly give us something for him, either draft day or when one of their Dlinemen go down in training camp. Cutting him now would be pure folly and a move that would make Tangini look like idiots.
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Wake Jets Fan says:
Greenduck;
We all know D-rob did not turn in to what we hoped when we traded up and drafted him 4th overall. But let’s be serious; “Biggest draft bust in jet’s history?” Good god have you ever watched that jets draft blunders video? Kyle Brady? Ken O’brian over Marino? D-Rob may not have been a stud but he has been a decent player at times. I’m glad we’re trying to get something for him, even if its a late round pick, and not just throwing money away. -
The Jets are also probably waiting to see what happens in the draft as regards Hank Poteat. If they draft McKelvin, then it’s bye-bye Poteat. If not, they may need him. Same for the other 31 teams. And we also have Miller, Barrett, et al to man that corner so far.
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Mike G says:
I just disagree with Macks assumption that “Robertson’s best days are behind him.” He is coming off his best statistical season of his career and he is only 26. How are his best days behind him?
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SackDance99 says:
I think everyone is killing D-Rob without realizing that he’s never been put in a position to succeed. His rookie season, he had Jason Ferguson to play the LDT spot, after that he’s been the LDT or NT. He’s just not that kind of player. He was meant to pass rush and use his superior speed and quickness to run down runners at the line, not play at the point of attack. He’s not worth the money, but part of fielding a great team is putting your players in the best position for them to succeed. D-Rob has never been placed in that position. Yet, he does have 2 AFC Defensive Player of the Week awards. Not bad for a defensive lineman. In the right defense, D-Rob’s best years could be in front of him.
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Bent says:
He had Ferguson with him in 2004 too…but then he arguably could have gone to the Pro Bowl, so that only strengthens your argument.
He’s actually been a lot better than most people think (biggest bust in Jets history?!?!), especially considering the factors discussed above. But if he knee is as bad as reported, his best years are unlikely to be ahead of him.
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Nikolas says:
Keep Him, till a team is willing to give us compensation for him. I agree with Harlan and Sackdance on this. Tangini should play hardball! Worst case senario, we have depth in the position.
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LJ says:
Allan Houston anyone?
Overpaid “star” contract strangles the team, making them non-contenders.
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RK says:
Yahoo article about DRob.
I think he’s better than people have given him credit for as well and have said so in the past. The LB core that looked so good a few years back would tell you as much I suspect.
It looks like management is still holding out hope for some sort of compensation. If we have to hold him until the draft in order to get a second day pick so be it, as per T.Rock. We have to make sure we are talking to Poteat on the side w/ some contract / compensation promises and maybe pay a little more for his patience. Thanks again Bradway!