Opinion: What’s the Net-Net of Day One?
So what’s the net-net of the Jets and their first day draft picks? I know some people might be left scratching their heads at way things transpired, but from talking with some fellow Jets fans at Johnny Utah’s tonight (Utah, give me two!) here’s what I’m thinking.
But first, let’s address the workout warrior theme that people might be concerned about. Hey, I see it too at first glance as the Jets drafted two guys who’s measureables at the Combine raised their profile substantially.
First, Gholston. He was a guy who our esteemed draft guru, Bent, thought back in February would land right into the top ten range — well before he pushed up plates at 225 pounds 37 times or ran a blazing 40-yard dash. Where he was drafted was where he was correctly projected leading up to the Combine based on the numbers people expected from him, I don’t see how that makes him a workout warrior. The silliness as him as an overall No. 1 pick was just people getting jumpy on those numbers as they were the most remarkable amongst his peers.
Second, Keller. Dustin Keller was clearly the beneficiary of his Combine, as he looked silky smooth making some nice catches in the receiving drills which he participated in Indianapolis. As far as his real skills? Go to the tape. Look for the highlight video of his down the page, you’ll likely love it — and though we know it’s just highlights, but the Jets are an organization that is going to dissect as much tape as they can and they must have liked what they saw from him.
Since many fans have been talking about the Jets and needing a tall big receiver to exploit defenses, Keller’s speed and size will make him an interesting wrinkle in Schottenheimer’s plans. The fact that he’s more of a bruising wide receiver who’s been typed a TE in the Pros helps the Jets when it comes to who matches him up (a linebacker? Adios. A nickel? Abused.) not to mention the dollars it might take whenever it comes time to renegotiate his contract down the road. Tight End money is not the same as a Wide Receiver money, so the Jets might have been thinking outside the box there. Also, the way the Jets roster is aligned right now, taking a WR puts a strain on the back of the pack and someone like Stuckey would have to get cast away.
Quarterback — With Kellen Clemens and Chad Pennington on the roster, the Jets will have the big Quarterback battle this summer without Matt Ryan. With new targets on the roster in Dustin Keller and Tony Richardson, each of the QBs get another receiving option that might suit their skill sets (short = Richardson, long = Keller).
Wide Receiver — The Jets roster will maintain a status quo here, and the Jets can potentially carry the same crew (Coles, Cotchery, Smith, Wright) that they did last year, with the addition of Chansi Stuckey from last year’s draft class and not knock a valuable special teamer like Wallace Wright off the roster.
Tight End — I’m torn on what drafting Dustin Keller means to Chris Baker. Keller is more Wide Receiver than Tight End, and even though Baker has mouthed off in the past, and now walked away from the table, Keller doesn’t exactly replace what Chris Baker can do from a versatility standpoint. Having Baker, Franks and Keller 1-2-3 on the depth chart would be fantastic. Jason Pociask? It’s been real, but the team has JoeKo who actually gets on the field, and can capably block when asked. Keller’s ability to be used as the ‘Antonio Gates’ in this offense will be worth watching play out … though we won’t hold our breath on the Gates production part. The Jets can use Keller as a flanker as well as split out rather than right up against the line … this is going to be fun.
Running Back — Yes … I know many are sad … we missed out on McFadden. Well guess what? The Jets still have three very capable backs in Thomas Jones, Leon Washington and Jesse Chatman. With some help from the new look line, these guys are likely to up their game substantially in 2008. Add in Dustin Keller who can help to stretch the field and potentially move a linebacker outside the box in a mismatch on the pass and keep a linebacker away from stopping the run.
Defensive Front Seven — Adding Gholston will give the Jets another edge rusher. One they needed. Although people like Pace’s playmaking, he’s still not the quickest player on the field and Gholston will take on that mantle. Last year I wanted the Jets to find a DE/OLB to move Hobson inside. It took an extra year, but I got half that wish. I would expect Gholston to see time rotationally on passing downs, but it remains to be seen how they will use him with Bryan Thomas and Calvin Pace over the course of the season. Matt Chatham probably isn’t long for this roster, but look to see if Eric Barton stays on as his salary is over $4 million from what I understand.
Secondary — Adding another lockdown corner would have been fantastic to complement Revis, but as Revis said to me, he’s encouraged with his level of play against some top players. The Jets might still look for a corner in the draft, but with David Barrett, Drew Coleman (who saw more time at the end of the season) and Justin Miller, someone should be able to win the job in camp. Also look for the Jets to re-sign Hank Poteat. This might be a need they will have to address in the next few years, but they Jets stayed to the value on their board rather than reach for McKelvin, who ended up not going until after New England picked at No. 11.
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just a thought on the Keller pick… We jump right in front of the Giants who were “supposed” to trade Shockey to the Saints (maybe at the 40th pick?)… well that never happend.
The net net….TEAM SPEED!!!
In three years, this team has become big up front and VERY FAST!!!
I can’t wait to see this team flying around the field next year.
I for one am very happy…Let’s look at this way and face facts. If we are ever gonna to go anywhere, in all likelyhood we’ll have to go through the Patsies. So how do you beat the one loss wonders? By putting pressure on Brady every time he drops back, and exploiting the weakest part of their D, their aging LB core…both our picks improve our ability to do those things…I can’t wait until the season starts so we can find out if this offseason’s moves are actually as good as I think they were.
Keller reminds me of Shockey how he pumps his fist after a catch etc. Recieving was our #1 need and we addressed it. We have so many weaknesses left compared to last year but we are definitely more complete than we were last year. i predict 9 wins and win the division in 2010.
Lets hope for a good day 2
The highlight video of Keller was against Akron, Ball State and Minnesota. These teams are jokes in College football. Gholston played against the same caliber of teams for his highlights. I am interested in how they play against tough competition like they will each week in the NFL. I think the team felt locked in for the Gholston pick and who knows what they were thinking in the trade up for Keller. I hope Day 2 takes some of the sting from D-day 1. I hope for the best , but these picks were not good.
Agree Bundgaard – the trade up is very interesting. Jerry Reese said the Gints were getting calls, but nothing that equated to Shockey’s value – thought to be a first rounder. It was widely speculated heading into the draft that NO was hot on the deal and had offered their #2. This no doubt looked sweeter as the draft wore on, and with Keller at the top of our board the threat of losing him to big blues to finish their deal must of had some credibility.
As for questions on the caliber of teams played – there are Keller highlights also against Iowa, Notre Dame and OSU and the dude has put up big numbers for 2 years against the likes of these as well as Michigan, Wisconsin, Penn St. etc. The Big Ten is not exactly Pop Warner.
It’s all a guess, but I like the guesses the FO made. No good WR and they pick a WR in a TE’s body? I LIKE IT! I’m a little let down, like everybody else, that I didn’t think of it first! I figured ILB for the second pick, and when they traded up, I guessed QB. Ehhhh!
I can’t believe I didn’t pick Keller on my list. I remember his combine efforts. His pass catching drill was memorable! The tapes are on the Jets page, if you missed it.
Good analysis Brian….if it’s ok, I’m gonna post it on my Jets listserv (with props and a link, of course).
Re: the secondary…we also need to keep in mind that if our front seven are a pack of wild dogs, we can get away with a secondary that doesn’t have two shut down corners. If the QB has no time to throw, it won’t matter all that much. Besides, I really like Justin Miller’s skills….I think if he’s healthy, he’s got a chance to win that other spot.
To me, however, the best part of this draft is going to be next season, when both players are playing well, to read Gary Myers try to backpedal on his criticisms of our picks. That guy is such a jackass…I don’t know why I let him bother me, but I just can’t stand him. Sorry for the off-topic mini-rant. :=)
Let’s forget about trades, draft position, value, and all that other stuff for a minute. Let’s just look at the players we got. From the standpoint of team needs, the picks are pretty logical. Among other things, we needed 1) an edge rusher, and 2) a play maker in the passing game (particularly in the red zone). These two picks address those needs head on. Now, were these two specific players the right or “best” guys to address those needs? Who knows. Only time will tell on that one. However, we can say a few things about them for sure. First, from the standpoint of measurables and pure athletic ability, they represent the very top of this draft class. From a competition standpoint, both performed solidly in the Big 10, one of the 2 or 3 best conferences in the country (and one that plays in bad weather to boot). From the perspective of profiles, any team, including ours, would love to have guys like this on the team. Now, they have got to go out and perform (just like every other draft prospect) but I think these guys deserve the benefit of the doubt until they prove otherwise. Strickly from a draft standpoint, the picks seem pretty logical.
Bassett, Bent was right and wins a pre draft Kewpie.
I lost all my files when my hard drive crashed but every year, I make a list of guys’ ratings and ranking before the all star games and combines. I compare it to the post combine list and look for guys I don’t want: All had an upward or ?downward rating change of 5 or more points or a ranking change (on the big board) of more ?than 15. Gholston was not on the list. IOW, whether or not he was a workout warrior, his combine and pro days did not change his rating or ranking significantly.
WIthout my original notes, I cannot check on Keller, but he was also not on my do not take list (either because his ratings were so low originally I did not consider him or because he was good and consistent).
BTW, guys on my do not take list included: Leodis McKelvin CB; Chris Williams OT; Phillip Merling DE; DeSean Jackson WR; Brian Brohm QB; Rogers-Cromartie CB; Branden Albert G; Devin Thomas WR; Fred Davis TE USC, Calais Campbell RB Arkansas -5 6
That does not mean he can play. It just means he ain’t no workout warrior climber.
BTW, the two needs we missed out on, primarily because there was no sure fire player, were a DE or two to replace the inept Kenyon and Ellis and a CB. Not likely to get a CB in the draft but perhaps a less expensive DE to groom.
harlan
I for one, am excited as hell about the season. I think we have the makings for a pretty good team (I say this every preseason), but this year is a little different. Our additions in FA addressed the glaring needs, and our additions in the draft (2006 – 2008) added quality players. Yes, there are still some concerns like the other CB spot, right tackle, and QB, but I think we are going places this year. Foe all the talk about the lack of offensive weapons, I think we will have 3 good ones in Leon Washington, Brad Smith, and Dustin Keller, not to mention LC, JC, and T. Jones. In the last couple of years we added some real studs on defense, Rhodes, Revis, Harris, Jenkins, Gholston, and even Coleman.
Yup, I think this year will be special.
Didn’t the draft muncher predict picking Keller at #36?
From what I’ve read, heard and understand, the Giants were in serious negotiations with the Saints to trade Shockey for 2nd and 5th round picks. The Giants didn’t think it was enough, and broke off talks Friday afternoon. The talks resumed again yesterday at around the 25th pick when the Saints upped the offer to 2nd and 4th round picks, the Giants were going to accept but wait until their pick at 32 to select Keller as a pass catching replacement for Shockey, but the Jets caught wind of it and jumped in front of them to snag Keller for themselves. Nice move!
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