53 Man Roster – Bassett’s Projection, Part I
Based on the preseason and some initial cuts, here’s my first go at the Jets’ 53-man roster. We’ll be hosting the roster competition later this week, so stay tuned for that!
NOTE: As was pointed out, I counted Dearth twice (once as a TE, then once as a specialist) so I added Jehuu Caulcrick and updated the RB Analysis. Cheers!
Quarterback (3): Mark Sanchez, Kellen Clemens, Erik Ainge
Analysis: Pizzotti’s already been cut, and Ainge has demonstrated that he’s got the arm and the poise in-game to be this team’s scout team QB. Pizz might be back on the practice squad, but if Ryan didn’t even let Pizzotti throw a ball in his one series … maybe not.
Running Back (5): Thomas Jones, Leon Washington, Shonn Greene, Tony Richardson, Jehuu Caulcrick
Analysis: Danny Woodhead has done everything he can, but it’s just hard to see there being a spot for him right now with Tight End still a concern and a glut of talent at other spots. Caulcrick a former collegiate running back might make be useful as a blocker and runner, a la LeRon McLain for the Ravens. Richardson is healthy, it might be tough for Caulcrick to see much in the way of activation as a backup FB. Look to see how healthy Shonn Greene stays during the course of the season, Caulcrick could be their next best short yardage or goal line specialist.
Tight End (3): Dustin Keller, Kevin Brock, Kareem Brown
Analysis: The Jets are going to have to take a leap of faith here with someone, and it might well be Kareem Brown and/or Kevin Brock. Obviously depending on who comes free via waivers or free agency could muddle things up and let the Jets consolidate to just three spots. Jack Simmons is supposed to be a pass catcher, yet he manages to drop catchable balls in each game.
Wide Receiver (6): Jerricho Cotchery, Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, Brad Smith, Wallace Wright, Marcus Henry
Analysis: This is one of the most interesting units for cutdowns so far. Cotchery, Stuckey and Clowney are all locks to make this team. Brad Smith shows more offensive promise (yes, even still) than Wallace Wright, but Wright has become known as one of Sanchez’s favorite targets with the second team. Still, Smith and Wright might be battling each other for special teams work, while Aundrae Allison, Marcus Henry and Britt Davis are upside players, but who would likely be inactive much of the season. Aundrae Allison’s TD catch and taunting run into the end zone on an underthrown Ainge pass Saturday night might have (or have not) helped his cause … I’m just not sure. What I will say about Allison is that the team has a 6’0″ sub 4.4 WR who is ready to contibute on the roster … a guy named Clowney, so to use another spot for Allison, just to project him as a player down the road seems like overkill compared to a 6’4″ solid run blocking WR. When put to it, I’ll pick the above group, because of the offensive production on the front end, the special teams wizardry in the middle and their 2008 Draft pick as the upside spot.
Offensive Line (8): D’Brickashaw Ferguson, Damien Woody, Alan Faneca, Brandon Moore, Nick Mangold, Wayne Hunter, Robert Turner, Matt Slauson
Analysis: The eighth man here is really the only one who will be much of a surprise. Stanley Daniels might be a cut to make way for draft pick Matt Slauson, or they might try and store someone on the practice squad or via IR afer waivers for next year.
Defensive Line (8 – 1 game suspension): Shaun Ellis, Kris Jenkins, Marques Douglas, Mike DeVito, Howard Green, Sione Pouha, Ropati Pitoitua, Zach Potter
Analysis: Ellis’s game off opens the door for a player like Potter or Pitoitua to make a final impression in Houston. The Jets are going to show more four man fronts this season, so look for them to keep players that can play 3-4 end or 4-3 tackles.
Linebacker (9- 4 game suspension): Calvin Pace, Bryan Thomas, David Harris, Bart Scott, Vernon Gholston, Kenwin Cummings, Marques Murrell, Jason Trusnik, Jamaal Westermann
Analysis: Calvin Pace’s suspension means the team will need another player who can sub in at OLB/DE. Gholston should be the natural choice, but Murrell and Wstermann will press him for time on the field. Larry Izzo might not have given compelling enough evidence that he’s worth keeping on the 53 man roster.
Cornerback (6): Darrelle Revis, Lito Sheppard, Dwight Lowery, Donald Strickland, Ahmad Carroll, Drew Coleman
Analysis: Between his work on special teams and his secondary work, Ahmad Carroll should have a spot. If it comes down to Coleman or Carroll, look for Batman to be with the team. As for Marquice Cole, keep an eye on him for the practice squad.
Safety (4): Kerry Rhodes, Jim Leonhard, Eric Smith, James Ihedigbo
Analysis: Emannuel Cook might be a practice squadder, but the team might be choosing between the last corner or S Emmanuel Cook for the last non-specialist spot on the team. At this point, the cornerback depth looks more unsettled right now than the safety depth (which is also less prone to in-game switching), so I might expect the team to go with the corner over safety.
Specialists (3): Jay Feely (K), Pakulak (P), James Dearth (LS)
Analysis: Why does Westhoff have such trouble with his punters? Hodges seems like a goner after his Saturday night troubles. He might have the chance to turn it around, but questions have been asked as to why Pak didn’t see time on Saturday. Maybe the team was going to let one punter play the whole game, then let the other do the same next week.
69 Responses to 53 Man Roster – Bassett’s Projection, Part I
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nyckage says:
Hey maybe we can get the guy who hit the Cowboys Jerrytron on a punt, They already have Hentrich, why would they keep to punters.
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Le' Sean Roberts says:
How can Marcus Henry make this team ? I don’t understand that one.
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Brendan says:
Well the only guys who can take that spot from him are Allison and Davis. Allison lacks ideal size and is not going to be used on kickoffs (which is part of his value). Britt Davis has good size/speed but hasn’t shown anything outside of practice.
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Rapoti should make this…..there is no second guessing.
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john sec.125 says:
what where pakulak’s stats. last year? lets see how he does against philly. i hope he gets the nod but, he’s no ray guy either.
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LeSean, I don’t think that Henry’s play has warranted it, but that’s why he’s the upside spot on the roster. Allison doesn’t give the team anything they don’t already have.
As far as Pitoitua, don’t discount the “he’s my guy” factor that Ryan has with Potter over Pitoitua. I do think that Potter is the more likely to be squeezed off based on who did what during the preseason, but if I’ve learned anything trying to project rosters for years now, it’s impossible to know much for certain when it comes to backups.
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sanchez6 says:
james dearth is listed as a tight end and a specialist, so that would leave room for 1 more.
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JetsFan4Life says:
Nice summary.
minor nit – believe totals at each position in parentheses add up to 55….so, two more cuts to go.
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Jets-Fan-4-Life says:
I sure do hope Caulcrick stays with the team and not picked up by someone else. As much as I enjoy watching Richardson play, he is getting older, and from the stories I’ve been reading Richardson has pulled Caulcrick under his wing. Can we put this guy in the injured list?
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Harvlis says:
Bassett,
Good job. Hard to disagree with your choices.
At RB, I would like to see Caulcrick on the team. They have to groom him for the future. He could be our starting FB for years to come. Powerful, good near the end zone, and can catch the ball out of the backfield. If he goes to another team, we will be regretting it for years.
At TE, I would hope they pick up a solid veteran to play opposite Keller. If they go into the season like this, I would be shocked.
I want Allison gone, at WR, as well. He celebrated, before scoring and almost got caught from behind. Then he celebrated like he won the Super Bowl. I am of the school that says, “Act like you’ve been there before”. Allison’s run back at the end of the Giants game lacked any effort or intelligence. He just ran to the sidelines and went out of bounds. At that point in the game, it was very important to get some kind of field position. No brains, no Jets.
At CB, I want Lito gone and Cole to make the team.
If the Giant game showed us anything, it was that Lito has nothing left. Giant rookies were making Lito look foolish. Lowery is better, right now,and he can become a fixture for years to come. I would say Bye, Bye to Lito. I would be very surprised, if they started him, after that performance.I would scour the waiver wire for back-up O-linemen. The deeper we are at O-line — the better we will be.
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Kirk says:
i counted 54 (55 if you ignore james dearth being counted twice)
i’ll flip out if Pitoitua doesnt make the team. the guy has ideal size and has absolutely impressed this preseason.
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If this is going to be a run-first team — as Rex keeps saying — I would think you’d keep Caulcrick over Marcus Henry.
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the reason there is 55 (or 54) players is because ellis and pace are suspended, so they dont take up a spot on the 53 man roster. after the first game when ellis is back someone will have to be cut.
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NYJBeast89 says:
Everything seems about right. We better hope Keller is the next Jason Witten because web have no depth at TE.
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JetObsessed28 says:
Ropati Pitoitua is a beast.. 6’8″, 310.. he can play DE or tackle.. he’s been a much needed boost to the depth at DL… Gotta love him..
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NYJBeast89
Witten is a pretty good blocker, Keller may have improved his blocking skill but I don’t think he as good as Witten. If Keller was to be compare to a TE, it would have to be Dallas Clark. -
BigKatFan says:
replace marcus henry with britt davis.
replace kevin brock with jack simmons.
other than that, its just fine -
Jets69 says:
They should cut Gholston next year since it is going to be uncapped and will hurt the team the least
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Ilan says:
Thought you guys might want to see this. Jets are getting no respect. Do they even take o-line play into account. I mean Buffalo!?
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CWPOST says:
I agree with Jet69. The guy (Ghost) simple has no heart for the game. He just goes through the motions.
We need fire …. Loving my boys Bart and Harris! Now we talking fired up defense. It’s going to be fun !
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Gholston hasn’t played one NFL game and you guys are cutting him. I think you’ve been playing too many video games. Instant success in the pros is a rarity.
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Joe P says:
Does anyone know what accuscore predicted for the Jets last year? They make it seem that the only reason the Jets were good last year was because of Farve. I don’t know if that is true. What I do think is that as he collapsed last year the team collapsed along with him and I think that was a coaching issue—at the the end of last season I saw a team quitting. I don’t think that is going to happen this year. Wow that is pretty much off topic.
Back on topic: Nice job Bass.
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Cheers! I did count Dearth twice … I was wondering why I couldn’t have an additional player on offense … based on that, I’ll add Caulcrick back onto the list.
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Take the additional player Bass—you deserve it and the Jets could use it. In fact we should be able to play with 12 men since Accuscore thinks we can’t do anything anyway.
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Bent says: Jets69 -
“They should cut Gholston next year since it is going to be uncapped and will hurt the team the least”
That won’t help because in an uncapped year any dead cap money will hit the cap in the next capped year. 2010 might end up being capped anyway.
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Green Lantern says:
Osi Umenyiora is mad at his coaches….SOLIDIFY THIS DEFENSE!!!!!!
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Dang they kissed and made up…talking about Osi and The G Men
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AKA Jack says:
Wow. I can see why some of you are so terrified of the Houston defense. 1st play of the game, 70 rushing TD for the Vikings a week after Houston got torched on the ground by the Saints.
Terrifying.
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James in TN says:
cut wayne hunter he blows
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can the jets push Gholston so far that he either shapes up or quits?
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Dave says:
So, nobody believes that Woodhead can make it? Oh, how I love to show up New Yawkers. I hope he does get waived, because the lowly Jets sure don’t deserve him. Would love to see him get picked up by another team and come back and show you losers up. Sound familiar? Maybe if the “smart” Jets coaching staff would call a play for Danny that was outside the tackles, they would see what he can do. Oh yea, he catches passes out of the backfield, and from the slot. As a former RB coach, I will take a big heart over a big head anytime. Let us hope that he leaves “The Rotten Apple” with a great 2nd half on Thursday.
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swizzl81 says:
Yes Dave, Woodhead cannot make it, nor can he break a tackle and he looks like a boy playing amongst men. Good heart and work ethic but the NFL is not for everyone.
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Woodhead reminds me of the movie Rudy. Wish we could utilize him on Special Teams.
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Id be surprised if Caulcrick, Brock, Henry, and Potter make it. Id lean towards them being replaced by Matt Kroul, Stanley Daniels, Aundrae Allison, and Larry Izzo.
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igs says:
I’M HAPPY IF PITOUITUA makes the roser. What are we going to do about this WR corp?
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MEL31602 says:
http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d8122fd8b&template=without-video-with-comments&confirm=true
Warning: this may really depress all of you. I still don’t get how teams like the Browns and Raiders are ranked ahead of us…
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Michael M says:
Dave,
Is this your first time on this blog? If it is, you should know that this community has been some of woodhead’s biggest fans and supporters. We like to call it as we see it, and have been pulling for Danny since he was an udfa. The sad facts are that NFL rosters are limited in size and Danny hasn’t distinguished himself this preseason. -
Dylan says:
MEL,
Week 1 power rankings are completely ridiculous. Nobody ever comes close to predicting all or even most of the good and bad teams. Look at these predictions from last yr.http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/writers/dr_z/09/03/week.1/
The number 32 team (the Falcons) made the playoffs and the number 1 team (the Patriots) didnt!!!
The Falcons, Cardinals, Dolphins, and Ravens were all ranked in the bottom 7 teams and they ALL made the playoffs. That means that 1/3 of the teams that made the playoffs last year where ranked in the bottom 1/4 of nfl teams. Just another that these rankings mean absolutely NOTHING.
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Anybody who thinks that Buffalo will be better than us this year is a total idiot. They have the worst O-Line in the division, a cancer at receiver, and their own unproven QB behind center. Also there defense won’t be as good as ours.
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ridinmywave says:
Only thing I don’t understand is how henry makes the team over allison………I don’t care if allison brings something to the table that’s already there…..he still brings something to the table! Which Henry’s case he has come up empty handed ever since he’s been here. I think that’s the only glitch in your assesments. And as for Dave, what are you Woodhead’s father or something? Its part of the business, either you got it or you don’t, I like the kid too but as long as leon is apart of this organization, woodhead has no use here since he isn’t nearly as talented, wether you’d like to admit that or not. Get a grip “coach”! Lol
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Woodhead must go … The guy runs 3 yards and then nothing much more than that .. The project is over! I was hoping he can show me some NFL talent .. zero shown. I hope he can catch on somewhere else.
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Dave,
I totally agree with you. Running Woodhead up the middle, over and over, tells me one of two things. Either Schotty is a moron or he doesn’t want Woodhead on the team. I lean toward moron as, he barely got the ball to Leon Washington, last year.
How can you not call plays to get Woodhead to the outside?
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Agreed says:
I totally agree with you about Woodhead. He hasn’t been given any opportunities. However, look at Jones’ last game. Less yards per carry than Woodhead. And don’t even try to say anything about Woodhead going against the 3′s and 4′s, that just proves the point even more!!! Everyone saying to get rid of him isn’t being realistic. If the Jets don’t give him a chance, some other team will and I’ll bet they don’t call 14 dive plays with a 5’7″ 200 lb running back. Come ON!!!
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Woodhead doesn’t really have a place on this team. He is too small to make a consistent impact, and this team already has enough gadget players(Brad Smith, Leon, Stuckey).
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woodhead blows
tell me what he can do that leon doesnt already do a million times better?
the only thing i can see him doing is returning kicks and punts, but i honestly dont think he could survive that
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Cmart28 says:
I have almost the exact some thing as you Bassett. Only differences:
I have Stacy Daniels instead of the extra LB (I took off Trusnik), with Hunter in as an eligible tackle on some plays I think they keep 9
I have Allison instead of Henry, pretty much a coin flip
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Favre hurt his rib tonight…Schaub hurt his ankle…crazy ….the regular season should be interesting…so excited to see the match-up between SANCHEZ and VICK Thursday….JETS…JETS…JETS!!!
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Actually, scratch that, I do have Trusnik, I don’t have Brock, only 2 TE’s plus Hunter
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I have heard that the starters will not play at all, and I have heard that they might play. Anybody know the truth?
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LukeV says:
The Truth is somewhere in the middle!!
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ESPN reported earlier that VICK will play in thursday’s game…I am sure SANCHEZ will start….
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According to NYJETS.com we already have 75 players at this time, does that mean only 2 have to be cut or are they ok due to the Pace and Ellis suspension….or is their website already reflecting the cuts made??
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Jets site states that Rex has already said that the starters will get one series each!
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Brandon from Illinois says:
If Pakulak doesn’t improve the Jets’ punting situation, they better find a way to bring in a proven punter.
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Ninad says:
Cut Thomas Jones…my fantasy team demands it!
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VG must think he’s cursed… He gets a free run and plants Carr and gets flagged….If that was a Personal Foul….defensive players are going to be in a for a long year.
I know QB’s are to be protected but give me a break…..in saying that I am just happy VG hit something. I’ll take a flagged sack at this point
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Henry has proved nothing to make this team. I dont care if he is 7’0 and can block. He is a projext at best.
The Jets clearly dont care if they have mulitple players with similar skills at the same position. As close as Allison and Clowney are in skills….is it any different than having Leon Washington on the roster and then trying to trade back into the 1st round in April for P Harvin?
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if we are really considering naming pakulak our punter, he should have split with hodges last week. hodges stinks, and westy knows it. what where pakulak’s stats last year? anyone?
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TO kirk:
You obviously don’t pay attention to the game when you watch. It’s the 3rd/4th string lineman and offensive coordinator that blow!!! As shifty as Woodhead is….calling all runs up the middle isn’t going to get you big plays…especially behind the lineman who won’t be on the team much longer. What about some screen passes, tosses, basically anything that allows Woodhead to use his agility and speed. As for Leon, he didn’t REALLY emerge until last year, this will be Woodheads first full year in competition. Give him a freakin chance!! -
Wise Old Jet Fan says:
The punter and blocking TE are not on the roster in my opinion, of course.
The will sign a punter next week after final cuts. If Pak had a chance they would have let him punt last week.
Cimini says Simmons will make the team, coaches love him but I just dont see it. He is supposed to be a pass catcher yet has made big drops, and he was getting blown up blocking, so why keep him?
I say Jo Kowaleski, cut yesterday will be the number two and Brown may end up on the practice squad. Noticed Tony R lining up a bit at TE in the last game, think they may carry only two.
Marcus Henry is a goner. No idea where you see upside to this guy, he barely got in the game at the very end. Not sure who beats him out, if anyone, they may just carry five unless they sign a vet. But if they keep six then have to believe Allison is ahead of Henry, certainly more upside.
When I see the CB depth chart it scares the heck out of me, hoping they sign another vet. Why not give a shot to Carroll with the first unit, cant be much worse than what they have.
No idea who stays instead of him, but would be very surprised if Drew Coleman makes this team.
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jsa says:
I think Izzo finds a place on the team for his special teams contributions. I think that happens before a 5th RB like Caulcrick or Woodhead makes the team. Or maybe ahead of a 6th WR. Or a 3rd TE.
As for the WRs, I’m with those who say Allison should make it over Henry. I wonder if the Jets look into signing David Tyree after he’s cut by Giants, maybe he takes Wallace Wright’s spot. Like Wright he’s a good special teams player, but brings more as a receiver.
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OK, just for the record, I am not related to Woodhead. I just know something about running backs. I also know that Woodhead has had many supporters in some of the Jet fans. Someone said in response to my 1st blog on this subject, that Danny couldn’t break tackles and he hasn’t shown anything. Well, I went back to NFLNetwork and watched the Giants game, again. Can you show me one time that Thomas Jones or Leon broke a tackle? Jones even got stuffed in the backfield a couple of times. Maybe if he had Danny’s speed he could have gotten away from the tackler. I know that Leon is a great back and returner, and I enjoy watching him, but all I am saying is that if you have a guy that runs a 4.3 40and weighs 200 lbs, you don’t run him between the tackles every time. The only times he got outside was on pass plays, and he made positive gains on all his receptions. As someone else said, I really do not think that the Jets staff want him on the team. There is nothing that Woodhead can do about that, just keep pounding it inside. What gets me is you guys saying that you hope he makes it with some other team. Are you listening to yourselves? Woodhead is good enough to make it on some other team, but not the Jets. You guys plan on going to the Super Bowl this year? What is a “gadget” player anyway? Leon? Sproles? Welker? If a man has talent and is good enough to make the team, you find a place for him. Ala, Brad Smith, who used to be a QB. Besides, the Jets are going to need running backs when Jones and Greene go down with injuries during the season. As someone else said, it is a numbers game. Hopefully, Woodhead can make it with a team that needs his talent, and will give him the opportunity to run “outside the tackles” and be a receiver out of the backfield and the slot. Thanks guys, it has been fun, but if most of you are right, both Woodhead and I will be history after Thursday’s game. GO CARDINALS!!
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Finally someone who isn’t hung up on Leon and TJ…. That’s exactly what I’ve been saying on the blog as well. There hasn’t been ANY opportunity for Woodhead to show ANY speed or agility. It’s plain ridiculous to expect a small back to “pound it up the middle”!! Isn’t that the purpose of a 1-2 punch backfield?? I hope for the Jets sake that they keep Danny, but if they don’t…they’d better hope that he doesn’t get picked up by another AFC East team that would use him the way God intended!!
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green dream says:
QB (3)
woodhead on PS, keep Caulrick (5) backs
Simmons or Kareem on PS, Pickup an experienced TE after week 1 (3) inc Dearth.
OL daniels on PS keep (8) however maybe keep– kracelik he’s a ryan guy.
WR (6) Allison 6th, henry cut or on PS. (next year is Brad Smith’s last)
Kroul PS DL (8) I agree
LB (9) I agree w / list although I might switch trusnick for IZZO
CB coleman should go, but I think he says we keep (6) Cole on PS?
S Cook on PS (4)
P-1
K-1last spot comes down to Caulrick, the 6th WR or 6th CB
PS 7 out of a possible 8 -
Woodhead Follower says:
I have followed Woodhead since his days at Chadron. After watching him perform against the Eagles in that last preseason game……..you would be a fool to cut him. You will end up with one of those high dollar boys that get their contract ($) and fail to perform.
Sounds good to me.