Monthly Archives: April 2009
New Jets Guard Matt Slauson spoke to a reporter this week about his excitement to play for the Jets and for his old coach, Bill Callahan.
“I got drafted to a team that actually has a need (at guard),” Slauson said. “I’m going to get a shot at playing and I’m going to make the most of this opportunity.”
Crazy day. The kind of crazy day that at one point found Slauson having a brief conversation with his former Husker head coach, Bill Callahan.
Now an offensive line and associate head coach for the Jets, Callahan spoke briefly with Slauson, saying he was glad to work with him again.
“It is going to be great. I have said over and over again, Coach Callahan is the best offensive line coach in the country,” said Slauson, the 193rd pick overall. “And if it wasn’t him taking a shot in the dark on me four years ago, then I wouldn’t be where I am today.
“I’d be lucky to make it on any college team, but it was because of him that I was able to come to Nebraska. I thank him then and I thank him again, because this is awesome.”
Oh Slauson will get a shot at playing this year … during practice and in preseason games. Unless someone gets injured, it will be very hard for Slauson on unseat Alan Faneca and Brandon Moore at the Guard spots. He’s definitely a player who could do well at Guard, but he’s a project, for sure.
We’ll assume that Slauson’s comments from last fall when he said that he felt he was a “side of beef” and that he was “used and abused” while playing for Callahan are water under the bridge at this point then …
For those of you who are looking for the Jets to add a receiver … maybe Braylon Edwards lacks the focus that you would want in Green & White:
We all know Braylon Edwards did not have a great season last year, and a quote in ESPN The Magazine may reflect part of the reason. According to NFL safety and model Will Demps, this is how a conversation went down between Demps and Edwards during the Cleveland Browns vs. Houston Texans game on Dec. 7 last year, a contest the Browns lost, 28-9.
“Last year, I was with the Texans, and when we played the Browns, Braylon Edwards asked me between plays if we could talk after the game about modeling and acting.”
Edwards had plenty of time to talk during the game, too, as he finished with three catches for 38 yards.
You have to wonder if Edwards thought he was the next Ray McKigney … clearly … he’s not.
Another economist, S.M. Olivia, who writes for the Mises Economics Blog takes looks at the NFL Draft and concludes that there are a number of reasons that payers contracts are as bloated as they are, also positing that first round Quarterbacks are generally an unwise business investment.
Of the 32 players who started the majority of the 2008 season at the quarterback position, the mean draft position was 90 and the median 62. (These averages are actually generous, since three starters went un-drafted, so for purposes of this analysis I assigned them one spot below the last player selected.) As for quarterbacks selected in the draft’s first round, the recent evidence suggests at least a 50% failure rate. Taking the 16 quarterbacks selected between 2002 and 2006 – that is, quarterbacks with three full playing seasons since the NFL expanded to 32 teams – only eight are still with the team that selected them, and only seven are considered starters today. (And two of these seven may lose their starting jobs before the season begins.)
For all the hype around Sanchez and the desire for him to be the franchise player, maybe it is hard to put a finger on, but for the very reason that pundits applauded the Jets draft, it’s the exact same reason to be concerned about how this affects the team’s cap and overall progress.
The Jets had two guys on the roster who would command below market wages for work that didn’t necessarily require they make top ten money. Now they don’t have that option, and they better get what they pay for … problem is, if you read the paragraph above, there’s a less than 50% chance that will happen.
Thanks to my boy Andy for sending this on …
Dave Hutchinson at the New Jersey Star-Ledger tries to separate fact from fiction as it pertains to the looming wide receiver battle. With the quarterback situation seemingly resolved, Hutch believes Tannenbaum will let the receivers go toe-to-toe through June.
Well, I’m hearing that Tannenbaum was at least telling the truth when he said the organization is excited about wide receivers David Clowney and Brad Smith and that’s why the team didn’t draft or trade for a wide receiver.
My sources are telling me that the Jets are going to give Clowney and Smith every opportunity to succeed — and then some. The organization really feels that either or both have the ability to be big-time players.
The plan, I’m told, is that if neither steps up during the offseason program and the mandatory June minicamp, the Jets will then — and not before — seriously consider trading for a veteran wide receiver or signing a veteran off the street (Marvin Harrison, perhaps).
The player I think the Jets will go for if Clowney and/or Smith don’t step up is Browns wide receiver Braylon Edwards. I mean, if Browns coach Eric Mangini all but gave the Jets the fifth pick in the draft… for a song and dance… he’ll probably give up Edwards for a year’s worth of metro cards.
Teams also have to make some cap decisions in June, so I’m thinking the team is waiting to see who becomes a casualty first. Otherwise, I think Mangini may be about done with gift-wrapping things for the Jets. Best they can offer for Edwards is a conditional 2010 pick, and (hopefully) Eric Smith since Mangini liked him a lot, too.
Otherwise, don’t like the sound of Harrison, so I’m really pulling for one of these two guys to blow up the field this spring.
(Adding my thoughts to Angel’s since we both posted the same thing at the same time …)
Bassett: After telling the world that they were satisfied with their QBs last summer, and again this spring, you’ve got to know better than take Tannenabum at his word, for which some former players (Pete Kendall, Chris Baker and Laveranues Coles) might have some choice words.
The truth was that on Saturday the Jets were desperately trying to get back into the first round to take Percy Harvin. Once the deal fell apart, Woody was whisked away for home and representatives told the reporters present at the facility that they could head for home “but keep their phones on.”
I like both of those players, and I do think that someone can emerge as the team’s second starter at receiver. But if the Jets were sooooo thrilled about Clowney and Smith, why try to mortgage next year’s draft to get a player like Harvin? It just doesn’t add up …
Where the rallying cry for years from Myers has been, “where’s the QB” now we know what the new one is gonna be … “where’s the Lombardi Trophy?”
Let’s face it: You can’t win without a quarterback.
The expectations for Sanchez and rookie coach Rex Ryan will be astronomical simply because the double-rookie formula worked so well last year in Atlanta with QB Matt Ryan and coach Mike Smith and in Baltimore with QB Joe Flacco and coach John Harbaugh. It used to be a quarterback needed two years before they felt comfortable. But, Ryan took over a 4-12 team and Flacco inherited a 5-11 team. The Falcons made the playoffs and the Ravens made it all the way to the AFC championship game.
The Jets right now are better than the Falcons and Ravens were at this time last year. In late November, the Jets were 8-3 and playing better than anybody in the AFC. They went just 1-4 down the stretch and missed the playoffs, but this is a team that has a lot of talent. Ryan has been trying to building a defense like he had in Baltimore: Very aggressive and basically daring the offense to score.
If those rookie quarterbacks and coaches can make the playoffs considering where they were one year ago, why can’t the Jets?
(Claps hand to forehead)
RT Damien Woody was doing the rounds yesterday in Bristol, CT and here’s some video of him doing his thing.
Also be sure to check out Darrelle Revis on NFL.com.
- A columnist in Cleveland thinks Eric Mangini would use Twitter, don’t worry, it’s meant to be satirical.
- Cimini notes the Jets had some wiggle with Favre.
- Lebs thinks the Jets snagged a keeper in Emanuel Cook.
- Ellis Hobbs has Stockholm Syndrome.
- GGN catches a nice clip on Sanchez’ family.
- Erik Ainge has appeared back in Florham Park.
- Could newly cut Michael Gaines be an option for the Jets at TE?
- Florio notes that a private plane went from Minny to Hattiesburg yesterday.
- Looks like Goodell feels confident in the draft going to primetime next year.
- PFTV looks at the riskiest drafts.
- A Q&A with Sanchez from Sunday at RCMH.
When the Jets signed Marques Douglas to a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum in March, it was a move that received little fanfare. However, with the trade of Kenyon Coleman last week end, the 32 year old veteran arguably now sits atop the depth chart at the DE position.
Seeking some more detail about Douglas, who was a reserve for Rex Ryan’s Ravens defense last year and had started 78 out of 80 games for the Ravens and 49ers over the previous five seasons, I e-mailed my friend, Sam, a 49ers fan (whose opinion I trust) for his unbiased opinion:
Marques Douglas was good for us as a 3-4 end. He is very good against the run and holding up at the point, but offers virtually nothing in terms of pass rush. He is a bit undersized but makes up for it in hustle and hand fighting.
I would have liked to have seen him kept as depth when he signed for Tampa, but at that point he wanted to be a starter.
The part in bold is my emphasis – doesn’t it sound somewhat familiar? Essentially, Sam has described a smaller, more dynamic, version of Kenyon Coleman, which sounds like it would be a better fit for Ryan and Pettine’s flexible, attacking, defense.
On the other hand, if the 49ers only wanted to keep him for depth, then can he really be counted on to start for what we all hope will develop into an elite defense? When he joined Tampa (a 4-3 team), he signed a four year deal, but was eventually traded back to the Ravens for a draft pick, just a few months later.
Speculating somewhat, I would consider that Douglas, although the most experienced option at that position and the de facto “starter” at this time will probably be part of a rotation as the Jets look set to run a scheme with as much versatility as possible. The buzz over the weekend was that the Jets are also high on Mike Devito, who they may be keen to promote, or they may yet be able to dip into the free agent market to pick up a higher profile name.
Until they do, though, Douglas appears to be your starter for the time being. He was still relatively productive statistically despite coming off the bench for the Ravens last year and I was impressed with his performances in the Baltimore games I watched. Also, as TheJetsFan24′s recent TJB article investigated, has actually been among the more productive players in the league when given playing time.
Looking back at when Douglas first joined the 49ers, he was specifically brought in to aid the conversion to a 3-4 scheme and led the league in tackles behind the line of scrimmage. Although the 49ers were not successful in that period, Douglas is obviously a player that exhibits leadership and sounds like an ideal candidate to assist Rex Ryan in implementing his 3.5/3.5 scheme with the Jets.
Let’s have your thoughts on Douglas – Have you seen him play? Is he good enough? What are the other options?
Darrelle Revis was busy answering questions(that were moderator-approved) from the fans on NFL.com this evening. The confidence is definitely coursing through everyone’s veins. After all, the man introduced himself as “the No. 1 cornerback in the NFL.” Take that, Nnamdi.
Some excerpts:
Frank, Virginia 05:32 PM ET
I’m the only fan out here by far but i was woundering how do you think our defense will be this season? and do you think Bart Scott will be a major impact on our defense?Darrelle Revis, NFL.com
I think the defense is going to be great. We’re going to try to carry the team. Defense wins championships, so that’s what we’re trying to build. Bart Scott was a big pickup for us in the offseason, he was successful in Baltimore and he’ll be successful with us as well.Brendan, New Jersey 05:17 PM ET
Thanks for taking my question Darelle, I was wondering what your impressions are of Lito Sheppard after minicamp?Darrelle Revis, NFL.com
We got Lito in the offseason. He’s going to be the other starting corner. He’s a two-time Pro Bowler and has proven himself to be one of the best in the league, so we’re happy to have him as a Jet.Marshall, Atlanta 05:20 PM ET
How did you come down with that one handed interception in the probowl?Darrelle Revis, NFL.com
Anquan Boldin had my other hand, so I just tried to reach out with my right arm and see if I could catch it. I didn’t think I was going to catch it, because I thought it would bounce off my shoulder pads, but I happened to reel it in and make a great catch.
As per text message updates from NewYorkJets.com, Gang Green will hop into their DeLorean for three games in 2009. The Jets will wear their old blue and gold colors in games against the Tennessee Oilers, Oakland Heyward-Beys, and the Fish to commemorate 50 years of AFL football.
It won’t be the same old throwback, though. The Raiders and Dolphins’ games will feature the Jets’ styling a white version of their Titans’ jersey, while Tennessee will wear their old Oilers’ outfits for Legacy weekend.
I definitely don’t hate the blue and gold throwbacks, but I’m not totally happy with them. I know those are my Jets out on the field, but the team (and colors) I know and love is unfamiliar. They’re nicknamed Gang Green for a reason.
If throwbacks and alternate uniforms are in order, I would love to see the team revert to an updated version of the uniform worn in the 80′s and 90′s.
Bloomberg.com (not always known for their sports coverage) takes a look at the NFL draft, and uses an economic model called the Thaler-Massey Model to look at how teams did in the draft. According to the analysis by Kevin Hassett, the Jets didn’t do all that well.
The Jets made a classic error, falling in love with University of Southern California quarterback Mark Sanchez and virtually guaranteeing they will have a large number of undrafted scrubs on their roster. Given the high salaries at the top of the draft, Sanchez will probably not generate much value above that demanded by his salary, even if he becomes a superstar.
This was one of the points of my disappointment on Saturday. Rather than taking advantage of the number of picks they did have and improve the team in multiple areas, it was the “all in one basket” philosophy that made me frustrated. Still no one’s complaining (at least too loudly) that Eli Manning is the QB of the Giants and the G-men gave up quite a bit to get him.
We’ll have to see how it all plays out over time, but I do think that there’s reason to be very excited, and reason to be very concerned.
Thanks to AL for sending this on …
Here’s my list of all the undrafted players that the Jets have signed for their rookie mini-camp. Keep in mind that until the Jets make any formal announcements, on who they’ve signed, basically we’re at the mercy of the agents, who are the ones who release this information. Sometimes these guys say they are signed, but they’re not. Others don’t get the information to the press. So until there’s a bunch of bodies standing in Florham Park holding pads and helmets, it’s hard to say just how accurate this list is.
QB Chris Pizzoti, Harvard (6-5 225) — From good pedigree. Hard worker & quick study. Slow timed 40 (5.00), not a great arm and has trouble with accuracy which all combine to trouble in facing a good pass rush. Has been compared to former Harvard QB Ryan Fitzpatrick in terms of confidence and brains.
FB Brannan Southerland (pictured), Georgia (6-0 242) — Considered the second best FB in this year’s draft class according to WalterFootball.com. Pedestrian 40-time (4.70) but strong upper and lower body with good burst. Southerland was regarded as the Draft’s best pure blocking fullback. He touched the ball only four times in 2008, which lowered his profile for many NFL teams. Has struggled with a injuries in the past which. Has proven earlier in college that he can carry for short-yardage and catch the ball when required. Could be a real threat to fellow FB Jehuu Caulcrick’s roster spot.
← Older posts
