Running From the Pink Slip
Note: We’ll be running our annual “Name the Roster” contest soon. Keep an eye out!
With the preseason finale tomorrow, the final cuts are just around the corner. The Jets will have some easy decisions (I’m looking at you Rudy Burgess) but there will be some tougher decisions to make. Here’s a few players that the team could be agonizing over in the next few days.
WR David Clowney — Clowney’s injury throws the team for a loop. Clowney was having a great preseason, the broke his collarbone, from which he’s expected to recover and return by September. Will they shelf him for the season?
WR Marcus Henry — The Tangini regime has yet to cut a draft pick out of training camp, and this year might be the first time the team has to do so, with two players. Henry is a talented guy and a tall redzone threat that many have been asking for for a number of years. Henry has made some solid catches in camp but not shown the translation to the field yet. Is there a roster spot for this project player? Should he hit the practice squad, some team might be quick to snap him up.
WR Wallace Wright — A special teams standout for going on two seasons, Wallace Wright is in the fight of his career with the addition of Marcus Henry via the draft and David Clowney’s spectacular preseason. The question for the staff will be to consider whether his Special Teams work alone warrants a spot, as Wright hasn’t ever been lauded by the press much for his pass catching ability
TE Jason Pociask — Poz has had a couple nice catches in the preseason, and Mangini has made a point of praising his work as a blocker. His game is coming along, but based on who’s on the depth chart ahead of him, he might be fighting Jehuu Caulcrick for a roster spot as an additional blocking skill player the team can call up.
FB Jehuu Caulcrick — Tony Richardson has the starting FB spot locked. But Richardson’s age make having a legitimate backup a point of concern. The team needs another blocking back they can call on, and Caulcrick might be the guy. Caulcrick might not be activated for game days much this season. But if the organization thinks he’s the team future fullback, they’d be wise to hold a spot for him.
QB Erik Ainge –Ainge hasn’t had a chance to show much so far this season, and the team mandated that he have surgery on his hand earlier in the offseason. Ainge is the epitome project player, and with Ratliff and Clemens already on the roster and playing better than Ainge, there’s not a lot of room for a fourth quarterback on a roster, especially one with Brett Favre.
DE Bryan Mattison — Mattison hasn’t been making a mark necessarily like Mike DeVito did last summer, but he’s a bright guy who comes from a solid football family and played collegiately at Iowa. Mattison is a DE project, and needs to add weight to properly compete on this team for a spot as a 3-4 DE. Mattison seems like a practice squadder that might get called up during the season should the team need some added depth.
LB Kenwin Cummings — Cummings was a Division II player at Wingate and although he’s the right size and has shown good form so far in the preseason as a 3-4 Linebacker, he’s still raw comparatively to other players and would be hard-pressed to find a spot on this team, at least this year. Cummings looks like a solid practice squadder with potential to carve out a spot in 2009.
LB Marques Murrell — Younger brother of Adrian, Murrell has done a good job of creating pressure and playing around the ball, but linebacker is a position full of veterans and with the four starting jobs pretty much locked down, Murrell needs to make the team on his special team merits, which might not have shown up on film..
LB Cody Spencer — On the non-football injury/illness list last year. Spencer has come on strong in the preseason, totalling three sacks. Like his other LB bretren, Spencer could be an option for the team, but if he makes the roster it would be as an eighth linebacker … which would be hard to swallow if he’s not a major special teamer.
DB David Barrett – Barrett is a veteran presence, but can’t be counted on as a reliable starter for the Jets. Barrett seems to have a knack for coming up with big plays, only to be preceded by much torching. With younger cheaper players like Drew Coleman and Dwight Lowery, the Jets might not have need for him this season. The one problem is his cap number, which was recently reduced, so I’m not sure what the rules are should they cut him. The Jets have experimented with moving Barrett around in Nickel and Dime packages as well as a Safety, Barrett’s salary cut that he took to potentially bring John Lynch on board was a smart move for the Jets to create some extra cap room, but not sure if that locks them into him long term.
DB Ahmad Carroll — Not excellent so far in coverage, but had a great performance last week on special teams, Carroll might be competing for a job against guys like Wallace Wright rather than guys in his own position. Carroll was a former first round pick and has had a history of trouble with the law and with authority, but maybe he’s realized he’s hanging on to football by a thread, and seems to be working hard to stay in the league and realizes that for now, Special Teams is the place he needs to make his mark.
Add some of your players you think the team will have to make some tough decisions on.
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My favorites to keep would be Clowney, Wright (guy is amazing on special teams and I think he is well worth it just for that spot), Jehuu & Spencer.
Then I would go with Henry, Ainge, Murrell & Barrett if there was still room.
Also I think Bubba Franks has looked lost and cant catch a ball, the only reason I would want to keep him is if Favre says he wants him or if we trade Baker but Franks looks like hes going to only be playing in the red zone, which is fine if thats all we intended on using him for, I dont see him as an every down TE and wouldnt mind seeing him cut.
I like Kenwin Cummings alot. If he gets put on the practice squad I can almost guarantee NE picks him up.
The cap implications of cutting Barrett are pretty much unchanged, as all they did was reduce his base salary from 3.6m to 2.2m.
So they’ve already saved 1.4m and they could save an additional 2.2m against this year’s cap if he is released (although there would be a cap hit in 2009 of about 850K).
(As opposed to saving 3.6m with a cap hit of 850K had they just cut him instead of restructuring).
Jets are deep at WR position, look for the rest of the NFL to reap the benefits of that golden egg, too many TE’s look for a trade, some surprising cuts and practice squad moves (clowney, posick?spencer, etc.) DL will take a big hit as well as the CB’s, at FB Culcruck gets the nod, has talent, and Richardson needs a back up. The rest make the practice squad. Murrell makes the team his motor never stops, good S.T. player.
I dont think the Jets should keep 5 TE’s like they have now, either trade Baker, cut Franks or Pociask, Dearth is lock to make it because he is the long snapper. They need more depth at other positions. I’d rather keep a backup a FB if they think Caulcrick is the guy. I would keep Cummings, Spencer and Murrell. Get rid of Chatham, i do not even think he is good on special teams. Putting Henry on the practice might be a risk because I think another team will pick him up.
Put Clowney and Ainge on IR. As for Wright he is kind of useless for a WR, its hard to justify a roster spot because he is only good on special teams. If one or 2 receivers gets hurt, Jets cant count on Wright, i would rather take my chances with Henry and Stuckey. How about Kareem Brown, he has shown some good spurts?
“Put Clowney and Ainge on IR”
Also a risk, because they would have to pass through waivers first.
This might well be the plan though, because they have successfully quieted the Clowney hype and Ainge has been kept from doing anything meaningful in the preseason games, which might mean no team would take a chance on him when he is waived.
Clowney – PUP
Wright – Numbers Victim
Henry – Keeper
Poz – Keeper
Jehuu – Keeper
Ainge – ? What is management doing with this guy?
Mattison – Gone
Cummings – Practice Squad
Murrell – Keeper
Spencer – Keeper
Barrett – Gone
Carroll – Gone
Baker – Gone
Ball – Gone
Brackins – Practice Squad
K Brown – Keeper
Burgess – Gone
Dearth – Gone
Devan – Practice Squad
T Johnson – Practice Squad
Pitoitua – Gone
Raymond – Practice Squad
Renkert – Practice Squad
Schable – Gone
What do you think?
If Dearth is gone who becomes the long snapper, I cant remember the last time the Jets had a severe case of bad snaps.
We can’t get rid of Dearth, he’s the long snapper, and we can’t risk experimenting with someone new on the eve of the season.
I’d keep Baker, who is a good TE and cut Franks, he’s old slow and can’t catch, he serves no purpose.
bassett – i disagree that marcus henry “has not shown the translation to the field yet”. he’s looked good in the last two preseason games when he’s had a chance to play.
Keep Caulcrick he is bowling ball watch his games at MSU he was amazing.
Harvlis what do you mean by baker – gone ? no way the guy is getting cut but a trade is possible, this guy is good and he has shut his mouth, i dont see us getting rid of him
well there are two people i would keep for sure cloweny and wright and maybe marcus if there is room all those other guys im not really so sure
From Bassett’s list we need to keep Clowney, Cummings, Caulcrick and Murrell.
Keep Ainge if we can. It would be hard to let Ainge go and keep KC. I could see that blowing up in our face.
Franks is still helping Favre get into the system so he has alot of value right now, keep him as a number 3.
And Dearth will not get cut, plain and simple. Pociask will unfortunatly be playing for the Central Park Tigers next week.
Pat D I would also add Henry to that list, big WR like him dont come along too often
If there is room for Henry I agree we should keep him. But we are deep at wide receivers and I don’t know there will be room for a project wide out. In games Clowney has stood out and needs to be on this team. If it is one or the other it has to be Clowney that stays – injury and all.
Looks like Bassett needs to update his list – Spencer is definitelty a keeper!
I think Ainge must go, especially with the emergence of Ratliff.
jeff i-
thanks for the clarification. having watched some, i think that’s you make a valid point.
I’ve seen Will Montgomery practicing long snaps. He is a decent, back-up Offensive Lineman. Although, Dearth has done a good job in the past, we should not waste a roster spot on someone who only snaps the ball. It is a very important function but, someone else can handle the assignment. How often have you seen long snappers on other teams screw up. It happens but, not that often.
Baker is totally overrated. His stats, over his entire career, have been mediocre at best. Favre is familiar with Bubba and Bubba is a much better threat in the red zone. Poz has shown the ability to be a better all-around TE than Baker. His hands are better and he can block, as well. I would give Poz a shot.
Marqus Murrell is, by far, the biggest no brainer player to keep of this group. I bet he not only isnt cut but gets 3 sacks this season.
Also you have to keep Henry, Barett ain’t going anywhere. Wright, Spencer, and Carroll are also likely to stay.
The rest can go.
Once again we disagree. Here is my 53, a day early. Players shown in the position they are covering not necessarily the position one thinks about them (e.g., Dearth on the kicking team, Pociask backing up Richardson, etc.
No way would I let Clowney be picked up by another team if he can play within 5 weeks of today. No way I lose Wright the closest thing we have had to a Steve Tasker.
QB
1. Favre
2. Clemens
3. Ratliff
Ainge to practice squad if not picked up
RB
4. T Jones
5. Washington
6. Chatman
If we need another back go sign a vet
FB
7. Richardson
8. Pociask
Caulcrick to practice squad if not picked up, don’t think he will help this year
WR
9. Coles
10. Cotchery
11. Smith
12. Wright (specials mostly)
13. Clowney
14. Keller (yes I know but…)
15. Stuckey
Henry to practice squad if not picked up; If Clowney will miss more than bye, on IR & resign LB
TE
16. Chris Baker
17. Bubba Franks
OL
18. Brick
19. Faneca
20. Mangold
21. Moore
22. Woody
23. Montgomery
24. Bender
25. McChesney
If we need more we are doomed anyway. Put anyone not taken on practice squad
Kickers
26. Huggies
27. Graham
28. Dearth
FRONT 7
29. K Coleman
30. Ellis
31. Jenkins
32. Pouha
33. Mosely
34. Brown
35. DeVito
Frankly, Ellis & Coleman not impressive, we need to develop younger guys, hence so many
36. BLT (I’d like to cut him but we cannot this year cause Gholston is drowning)
37. Pace
38. Harris
39. Barton
40. Gholston
41. Bowens
42. One of Murrell, Cummings, Spencer (I like Cummings best but…)
43 Another One of Murrell, Cummings, Spencer
I tried to keep all three and decided I preferred extra DL & Carroll but understand other choices
CB
44. Revis
45. Lowery
46. Miller
47. Poteat
48. Coleman
49. Carroll
S
50. Rhodes
51. Smith
52. Barrett
53. Elam
Actually, the only one I like is Rhodes
John C
Why would you keep Henry and Wright over Clowney. From what I’ve seen Clowney looks like he’ll be in this league a lot longer than the other two.
Harlan
Great lineup
I would keep Murrell, Cummings and Spencer.
I would have to let Dearth go.
my no brainers are…
murrell,henry,(clowny,but we dont know if he’s an injury prone type of guy)pociask,since they wont cut BT its a toss up between cummings and spencer… everybodyelse needs to keep fighting for a spot…
Keep caulcrick get rid of Murrell and Pocisak also trade Clemens for a draft pick and keep Ainge.
Kristopher, I agree with the Clemens trade. Ratliff will never see the field, and if he does we are in trouble. I would go even further, only way Brad Smith makes the team is 3rd QB which rids us of Ainge as well. Only two to keep from above list are Barrett and Marcus Henry. Henry is very good, I’ve seen him twice live plus preseason games, he is “Poor Man’s Randy Moss”, but with 20 – 25 pounds added …. Keller gained 75 lbs in 3.5 years in college. Maybe Murell .
Long Snapper is a key position that doesn’t lend itself to tinkering. Teams that try to tinker usually get burned. Most LS last a lot longer than their position counterparts because of it too. It’s not uncommon to have a LS for 10-15 years if they stay healthy. The last thing we need right now is Graham chasing down a bad snap that sails over his head because we put an inexperienced LS in Dearth’s place. He’s not irreplaceable, but at the same time he has been a good dependable LS and I’d rather not try to replace him, especially now.
Remember the Giants’ debacle against the 49ers in the playoffs in 2002? Keep Dearth; monkeying around with long-snapping is a recipe for disaster.
1. Favre
2. Clemens
3. Ratliff
4. Jones
5. Washington
6. Chatman
7. Richardson
8. Caulcrick
9. Baker
10. Keller
11. Franks
12. Pociask
13. Coles
14. Cotchery
15. Smith
16. Stuckey
17. Wright
18. Ferguson
19. Faneca
20. Mangold
21. Moore
22. Woody
23. Montgomery
24. Bender
25. Turner
—————————————————–
26. Nugent
27. Graham
28. Dearth
—————————————————–
29. Ellis
30 Jenkins
31. K. Coleman
32. Brown
33. Devito
34. Mosely
35. Pouha
36. Pace
37. Thomas
38. Bowens
39. Gholston
40. Murrell
41. Barton
42. Harris
43. Chatham
44. Spencer
45. Revis
46. Miller
47. Lowery
48. D. Coleman
49. Carroll
50. Rhodes
51. Smith
52. Elam
53. Poteat
——————————————–
IR:
Clowney
Trusnik
———————————————
Practice Squad:
McChesney
Cummings
Ainge
Henry
Ball
Hunter
Garner
Johnson
the above was
posted at 2:36 am on thursday morning
Pacific Standard time
greenseed
the only defferance i have is i would keep henry and loose chatman…