News from the Junk Drawer 3/26/2009
Lots of interesting updates today that we’re going to tackle in this one post …
News: Jane McManus reports that TJ’s teammates specifically Leon & Tony aren’t all that concerned that he’s not in the offseason workout program, with audio goodness from Tony Richardson.
Thoughts: His teammates are right. There’s no reason to think that Jones won’t be a pro once he’s back in the fold. I think it’s the wrong move to hold out, but he’s gotta do what he’s gotta do.
News: McManus also reports that the Jets won’t be hosting camp in Florham Park, but likely somewhere in upstate New York or maybe back at Hofstra.
Thoughts: An interesting development, but it makes sense. No stands, no dorm rooms, it would be impossible to house the players and fans at the facility. That said, the Jets would be smart to head back to Hofstra, and likely extend an olive branch to their longtime Long Island base.
News: Bart Scott is relishing his role as a “translator” in this offense, joking that he knows it better than some coaches.
Thoughts: It’s going to be a key piece of his role with the team. Having some folks to translate for teammates like Harris and everyone will be a big help. The Jets paid him a lot of money, but I think it was a worthwhile investment that will pay dividends.
News: Top TE Brandon Pettigrew is being talked about as a possible first round option for the Jets, according to Hutch.
Thoughts: Of all the information about players in the draft, this is what’s coming out? I’m not biting. The team took Dustin Keller last year by trading back into the first, I would be surprised to see them use two first rounders on TEs in two years. I think this is a ploy to get other teams frantic who are looking at Pettigrew and drafting behind the team to worry that he’ll be gone by the time the Jets pick.
News: Hutch also reports that the Jets have “cooled” on potential first rounders WR Hakeem Nicks and Percy Harvin.
Thoughts: This seems more legit to me, or maybe plays in with the bit on Pettigrew. If the team thinks they can get Nicks or Harvin later in the first and can move back to get him, seems like a slam-dunk to me. I like Harvin, but I think his game is more like Coles than what the Jets might need … like a DHB type of player …
18 Responses to News from the Junk Drawer 3/26/2009
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trevor says:
yea but we lost two of the three TEs we need a big target again that can block too
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The Ed(itor) says:
I think not having training camp in Florham Park is stupid. Why go back to Hofstra with its inadequate facilities. Also there are dorms at FDU (Giants used these dorms) and Drew which are not far from the JETS CAMP.
And to go upstate makes no sense.
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I am not buying the Brandon Pettigrew talk either. I have heard a few Jet fans talk about this and i just dont get it. We need a guy out side to keep defenses honest with Cotch. Keller already has teams nervous up the seam and on 3rd down. We just need a decent blocking TE with avg hands….not another 1st rd TE….
And yes i know Keller can’t block so dont say it
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patpat says:
An all-purpose TE such as pettigrew would make our offense much less predictable i think. we need a replacement for baker and who better than a young guy that can do a better job?
everyone seems to think that the WR class has a lot of depth in this draft, so why not wait for the second round for one? we all now how much tannanbaum likes trading back up or down, so its not inconceivable that he trades back up in late 1st round to acquire both needs on offense.
i think that of all the pressing needs on this team, those two are probably the biggest, and if addressing the TE first in round 1 means getting both of those spots filled then so be it. pettigrew is the only TE in this draft worth spending a pick on, so lets wait on the WR for a couple picks later and have an offense with only depth to worry about
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JustAGreenGuy says:
If we can trade back to the mid to late 20s and try to score another second rounder or a 3rd that we could package it is worth it. So interviewing all the WRs, QBs, and the best TE is a good move.
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Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
No camp in Florham Park? That just SUCKS !!!!
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JerryB says:
I believe the Jets are very interested in Pettigrew. We need a true tight end more than we need a WR. We have a slew of WRas on the roster, but no tight ends. Keller is an “H” back and is not expected to do much drive blocking. If you are going to run the ball, you need at least two tight ends who can block, We can pick up a straight blocking back on the second day, but Pettigrew makes a lot of sense at 17.
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James in TN says:
If we draft pettigrew then couldn’t keller be a WR?
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Brad says:
Keller is going to be our #2 option this year! He caught 48 passes last year and I expect him to catch between 65-75 passes this year! Pettigrew might be the best all around pure TE and i have no problem getting him, cost of TE is cheaper than WR so econimics can be a part of this too. Pettigrew will certainly contribute right away, where as a WR takes a couple of years to come into his own in the NFL usually.
Another guy who has caught my eye from draft sites is Anthony Hill from North Carolina State- 6’5″ 262 whose speciality is blocking as well as being a good red zone threat! He is supposed to be a mid to late rounder! -
Benny says:
Brad,
I agree that Keller can be our #2 option. I hope that Clowney or Stuckey can step up, but would like to see us pick up a guy like holt just to keep defenses honest if Stuckey or Clowney don’t step up. I know people think I’m crazy but I would also like to see us give Matt Jones a shot. We should get him pretty cheap and maybe he has learned his lesson.
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I’m with u benny! I was all for Holt if he was priced reasonably, just dont think he is looking for a min. contract deal. I do think Matt Jones could be gotten for a reasonable price and make sure to put stipulations in the contract about staying clean and out of legal troubles. I am more in favor of Matt Jones than Holt. Jones a nice big target with speed! With Jones’ legal issues, think we can get him for about 2mil/yr.
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Electric Ham says:
We definitely need an All Purpose TE who can block and Pettigrew is the clear cut #1 TE in this draft who can contribute in that role immediately and effectively. He will be on the field in week one and will be a huge target for our team for years to come.
Keller will be used a receiving TE obviously and I don’t see any #1 type WR’s in this draft besides Crabtree. If Maclin is on the board I think we would be a fool not to take him, however it doesnt seem likely that he will.
We obviously aren’t going to draft D in the first round with all the money we put into it already this offseason. Harvin will be a good player too but he will be very similar to Leon and I would rather draft a large target TE like Pettigrew then a player with similar attributes to one we already have.
Clowney can be our burner, I know he is unproven but he has shown he has the potential to be a legitimate deep threat. Cotch, Stuckey, Clowney & Keller will be a good WR corp. Not the best in the league but effective. Throw in Pettigrew in that mix and he will not only improve our run game with his blocking he will also improve our run game with the threat of him going over the middle and grabbing a jump ball especially in the red zone.
I see no reason to think that Jets wouldn’t be serious about drafting him. Disregard the fact that we drafted a TE last year in the first. DK is a whole different type of player and he can not fulfill the void we have a legitimate all purpose TE.
Furthermore, our #1 pick this year must see playing time in week 1. We can’t have another disaster like VG.
Wild card’s in the draft for the Jets are twofold:
1 – Stafford slips far enough to impact the Jets thinking to move up to grab him or Sanchez.
2 – Knowshown is still on the board when our pick comes.
Besides that I think we will look for Maclin or Pettigrew with our pick.
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Bent says: I find it amazing that the Jets have no TE whatsoever on the roster besides Keller. I refuse to acknowledge Dearth as such because he wouldn’t be on any roster if he wasn’t a premier long snapper. And Turner and Hunter may have played there in 2 and 3 TE formations, but both are over 300 pounds. I know they swung and missed on a few guys (Royal, Bajema), but it is surprising they haven’t at least retained a no-name like Lisorti or signed someone to a futures deal. You need at least 4 TEs for camp, so they are going to draft at least one and maybe pick up two undrafted free agents.
If they do draft Pettigrew, that might mitigate the need for a wideout, because it would indicate they’ll run a lot of sets with Keller split out or in the slot. However, I would not be opposed to reaching for Anthony Hill in the third. Or drafting THOR for the fun of it/crossover satire potential, although he’s another H-Back type, rather than a blocker. Travis Beckum is a guy who was a certain first rounder before he (badly) broke his leg, so could theoretically prove decent value like McGahee or Gore did in similar situations (again though, he’s more of a pass catcher than a blocker, but as others have noted, they could get a blocker in the late rounds or as a UDFA).
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ramble914 says:
What?!! There not having camp at Florham Park? I thought this was supposed to be their total/complete facility? They built this thing and can’t hold camp there? Typical Jets.
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Matt in Maine says:
Amen Ramble! What the hell was the point of building it if they’re not going to use it. Am I missing something here?
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Harvlis says:
Bent,
It is still early to worry about back-up TE’s. They will get two from FA or the draft. As long as they have the main man and they do, in Keller.Bassett,
I don’t think it is reality, for anyone to know whether the Jets are ready to draft Pettigrew or that they have cooled on Nicks and Harvin. I don’t think that kind of information leaves the War Room.I don’t think players, and in this instant TJ, should hold out of team practice sessions to send a message. Do the Jets withhold paychecks after a few bad games in a row? It doesn’t help with the players conditioning, his relationship with the other players, and with the coaching staff. If he is on the team, he should be doing everything he can possibly do to be a leader. Leave the negotiating to the agents. I may be old school but, I would draft a top RB and put his butt on the bench (or trade him), if I was management. if a team lets a player get away with this, it establishes a bad precident.
GO POKES!!!