Link: Camp Tours of the AFC East
Pete Schrager of FoxSports takes a quick pre-tour of the AFC East training camps highlighting a few stories, here’s one of his on the Jets camp battles.
Key Camp Battle: Free safety: Brodney Pool vs. Eric Smith
Longtime free safety Kerry Rhodes is no longer in Jets green; insert either Pool or Smith. Pool was known as a big-time hitter with the Browns and was brought in over the offseason, while Smith has been a Jet since 2006. Both should have a fair chance at winning the job outright during training camp. Early Edge: Brodney Pool
Of course anything can happen, but Rex has talked glowingly about Pool, and about how he had an eye on Brodney when Ryan was in Baltimore and Pool came into the league via the 2005 NFL Draft. You can also imagine that his brother Rob, the current DC in Cleveland, might have given some input on Pool’s abilities, having seen him every day for a year..
I do think that the Pool will be the one to win the battle, it’s the reason that they brought him to the team in the first place – Ryan has even made comparisons between Pool’s and Kerry Rhodes’ athleticism. While Rex has been very complementary to Eric Smith, he’s also talked about how he sees the fifth year Jet as a contributor in this defense saying that “in an ideal world .. Brodney would be the starter and Eric would play his role [as a backup].”
47 Responses to Link: Camp Tours of the AFC East
-
deuce4417 says:
rex said something else in that new confrence to tip his hat as well. smith plays all special team packages so if you start him you lose that too. pool will start and smith will play his roll, but pool better not slip up because we all know smith will be ready to jump in at the drop of a hat
-
Play Like a JET says:
Is it too early to give Brodney a nickname? How ’bout Brodney “Dead” Pool?
Too morbid?
-
spent says:
How about: Brodney “Deep End” Pool. Or just, The Deep End.
-
Harvlis says:
Brodney will win the starting spot but, Smith might end up playing more than Pool, if Pool cannot stay healthy. Only time, and a few jaw shattering tackles, will tell.
-
i think we’ll have to leave the nick names up the chris breman. guy is freakin amazin at it
jake “daylight come and i wanna” delholme
awesome ha ha
-
Brodney Pool “of Blood?”
-
TJBfan says:
I think the two can complement each other well, so whoever doesnt start shouldnt worry about play time.
-
brodney “drowning” pool
-
originalJetFan says:
Brodney “cess” Pool, where receivers are in the s__t
-
WillMX says:
I think Pool will win the starting job because, as stated above, Smith is also valuable on special teams. Smith is also valuable because he’s played all 3 secondary positions for the Jets at one point or another so he’s obviously more valuable as a backup.
-
interested jet says:
This means that three out of the four projected starting defensive backs this year will be free agents. Hmmm..interesting….
-
Two?
Revis & Leonard are both under contract for 2011 as well. If you want to count Kyle Wilson as starting (since they will be in a massive amount of nickel packages) then it is 2 out of 5 are FA’s.
-
Brendan:
Why does everyone assume that Revis Will be under contract at the end of this year. My understanding is that Revis has met ALL conditions and will be a free agent in this his final year !!
According to this, the club can NOT, tender him nor franchise him. I would say the technically at that point, he IS a free agent, would’nt you think?
-
Brandon says:
One thing bothers me – if B Pool is an above average safety, why was he released? His “concussions” that he said all but 1 were migraines? Rex’s brother was OK with him being released, yet he is an above average player? Even if Rex’s brother doesnt have final say, surely he has influence, and its not like Cleveland has a surpluss of above average players that they can afford to cut them.
Im not saying Pool is not good, or too injured to play, just that something doesn’t seem right (someone goofed) if he is as good as Rex says.
-
So, you’re going to listen to Mike Florio, the guy who has been proven wrong more times than any of us can even begin to remember?
As I said, I’ll trust our cap gurus (like Bent & Jason from NYJetscap.com) over Florio and his axe-grinding anti-jets gossip blog.
-
Brendan:
I hate to break the news to you BUT, The fact that Revis HAS the right to VOID the remainig part of his contract is common knowledge ( at least) from what i read in all the tabloids !!
-
Yes, it is. It’s also common knowledge that the Jets will be buying those last two years back at $20 million, guaranteed.
-
lets not forget guys they can still extend him during the season. there is no way he walks off the team without us getting something for him mark my words.
kind of like that sign and trade stuff with chris bosch
-
SackDance99 says:
The only way Revis will be a true free agent for the 2011 season is if he has a career-ending injury in 2010. This is a fact that Revis and his team know very well and is a major incentive for Revis to renegotiate. If Revis is healthy, the Jets will buy back his final 2 years. There’s a few unclear contingencies. First, what happens if there is a lockout in 2011? Will the Jets have to exercise the buy back ($5M for 2011) in order to retain the option to buy back 2012 at $15M? Second, do the Jets have to buy back both years at once? Or can the Jets exercise the 2012 buy back at the end of the 2011 season?
-
Bent says: Sack – they are linked together. Once they execute the buyback, both years become guaranteed (unless Revis holds out, in which case the Jets could theoretically get rid of him if he got injured in 2011 and not owe him that 2012 money.)
The decision has to be made before the 2011 league year starts, by which time we won’t know for sure if there will be a lockout or not.
-
g.JETSon says:
Hank- do you thinkthe Jets will let him go for free or buy back the next year, 2011, for 5 mil. And extend him or trade him. Revis in 2011 for 5 mil is a steal
Its possible that I hit the lottery but the odds are a couple of millions to 1 that I don’t. -
BubbyBrister/shovelpass says:
I believe in you, g.JETSon…. Now, go buy a lottery ticket…
:-) -
LMAO! Thanks made my day! Brodney “Lottery” Pool! HaHa!
-
billvv says:
Rookies July 29, Vets August 1.
-
JETSon:
You are right in your assumption, that is IF the Jets DO own the option outright.
And IF they do own it outright, It is my contention that they can actually shop Revis (or allow him to explore) prior to exercising the option within its specified time frame. This though, might be a double edge sword !!!!
-
Brendan says:
Hank,
No other team can speak to Revis while he is under contract. So even if he exercises, the Jets will do the same if for no reason other than to block other teams from flirting with Revis.
-
brendan;
You know, i don’t understand why you and I don’t speak the same language because nowhere do i say this ” WHILE Revis was UNDER contract”.
Brendan, I think you are working too hard.
I’LL SAY IT AGAIN…………
Once Revis VOIDS his remaining two years……..
Mi contention is, IF the Jets DO own the option outright, and before it expires, Ibelieve the jets can shop Revis (or allow him to explore) prior to execising said option !!!
Comprende Utd. amigo ?
-
Hank,
What I mean is that as soon as Revis voids those years, the Jets have the option to exercise. While that is taking place other teams cannot negotiate with Revis. There is no doubt that the Jets exercise that option if it gets to that point (barring injury), so there is no time where Revis can talk to other teams. The jets can pursue a trade, but it doesn’t have to be before they exercise their option. Getting Revis for two years at 10 million per year is a steal so there is no chance the Jets wouldn’t do that prior to negotiating an extension/pursue a trade.
-
Brendan:
I might be wrong but i believe Revis can void the balance of his contract right after the SB where the club may have ’till march to exercise their option.
If in fact this is so, and IF in fact the Jets explicitly own that option, then you are correct in assuming the Jets will in no doubt use the option. BUT………
Lets say, for arguments sake, that the relationship between Revis and the Jets has become a state of cold war ala Kendall.
That said, there are two months in between where (Revis is NOT under contract) the Jets can, while holding the option, shop him OR allow him to explore.
This can be beneficial to both parties but then again can be a double edge sword !!
-
Hank, they would never let him just sign elsewhere. He will either be a Jet or get dealt by the Jets, but there is no chance they simply let him walk. Not so long as they own that option.
-
Bent says:
Brendan – I think Hank is talking about letting him shop around for a trade like they unsuccessfully did with Coles. However, that doesn’t really apply here because they’d have to exercise the option to trade him and they don’t have to wait for him to void to let him do this (not that I think they would). The void/excercise is just clouding the issue here because if that was a consideration, they could do it with him under contract, as Coles was.
I think Hank wanted to do this so they could find out his real value, but it would just create an opportunity for teams to drive up his price, so they would never do it. Of course teams can negotiate with a contracted player if given permission, but I can’t see that ever happening.
As ever, I applaud Hank’s lateral thinking, but I can’t see any upside whatsoever in not exercising the buyback. Hopefully he gets his deal soon, so it becomes moot anyway.
-
Bent;
Finaly, Finaly, thank you thank you Bent !!!
And like I said, it may be a double edge sword. But if you look at it cosely Bent, in reality, Revis value is what it is and it’s not going to change just by “testing the waters” so to speak. There could be an upside to this:
For example, lets say it does become a cold war ala Kendall and the Jets are offered, say two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders, would it be prudent for the Jets to strongly consider trading him?
The Jets might be willing NOT to excersise the option and just allow him to sign with that team. Wouldn’t this allow that team to freely negotiate with Revis (and vise versa) with out the incumbrance of a contract?
This could be beneficial to all parties through the power of the option !!
-
Hank,
My entire point is that the Jets would NEVER let him just walk without being compensated. They would exercise the option strictly to keep him on the roster while they explore deals.
And his value is what someone else says it is, not simply “is what it is”. If I look at a heap of garbage and see treasure, it’s more valuable to me than to the guy who is looking at it as garbage. The Jets may look at Revis as an $X player in terms of value, but another franchise could see him as much more than that. You don’t want other teams implanting seeds in Revis’ head that he is in fact worth the ridiculous money that he seeks. So I really see no positive whatsoever to letting Revis explore options. Let the front office field all offers, as they have no ulterior motives and strictly want the best package possible.
-
Brendan:
” My entire point is that the Jets would NEVER let him just walk without being compensated.”
Why do you insist on bringing that up when NOWHERE did I even remotely suggest it?
And AGAIN you missed my point !!!!
I’ll explain AGAIN and this time Brendan PLEASE just try to just keep your eye (follow) the bouncing ball, ok?
I believe the Jets can negotiate, prior to the option expiring, with other teams and see what value (compensation) they can get for Revis WITHOUT exercising the option.
Please NOTE that nowhere do I say that salaries, $$$$$ in shape or form are presently being mentioned.
His value as, far as compensation , is what it is, or if you like, will be what it will be.
Once that is established, follow me so far?, the Jets can do one or two things, 1) allow Revis to negotiate his salary with the other club, or 2) exercise the option.
If the Jets EXPLICITLY own the option, and If the situation gets stcky, the Jets will always have the right to exercise the option and if willing renegotiate his contract!!
Now as far as Revis value goes, why are you soo nervous about other teams “inflating” Revis’s $$$$ value? Aren’t you, along with 99% of the posters on this blog, always saying that Aso’s money was absurd and only an issue because of a MAD MAN in Davis?
Because if there are OTHER Mad men in the NFL like Davis, guess what, thats what SETTING THE MARKET VALUE OF A PLAYER IS all about, and Revis deserves that kind of $$$$$$$$$$.
-
“The Jets might be willing NOT to excersise the option and just allow him to sign with that team.”
Sure you didn’t say that?
Please don’t talk to me like I’m some idiot. When you’re double-talking I call it out.
Hank, if you believe that Aso’s contract number ($16 million) is fair value, than I don’t know what to tell you. Now, as Bent has said before, Aso’s career average is something like $11 million. If Revis comes in for $13 million, he’s going to be making the most money of any CB in history at that stage of his career (not single-season high, but yearly average/total earnings).
But as Aso’s contract proves, it only takes one idiot to throw off the market, so one team offering Revis $20 million a season would effectively end his Jets tenure. That’s why I say it is literally illogical for the Jets to not exercise the option, whether they intend to keep him or not.
So you honestly think Revis deserves more than $16 million a season?
Wow…..
-
Bent says:
Guys – You’re going around in circles, but the void/exercise side of things really is a red herring.
I get what you’re thinking with this comment, Hank:
“For example, lets say it does become a cold war ala Kendall and the Jets are offered, say two 1st rounders and two 2nd rounders, would it be prudent for the Jets to strongly consider trading him?
The Jets might be willing NOT to excersise the option and just allow him to sign with that team. Wouldn’t this allow that team to freely negotiate with Revis (and vise versa) with out the incumbrance of a contract?”
The answer is no. The trade deadline is in the middle of the season and the next time the player can be traded is in the next league year…after the exercise. So there is no “without the incumbrance of a contract” because if the Jets want to trade Revis they will have to either do it before the trading deadline or after the exercise of the option.
The Jets can still allow Revis to negotiate with other teams while he is under contract but if they can only trade him after exercising the option (or during the season), then it doesn’t matter about the exercise of the buyback, which as Brendan states, pretty much has to happen.
Forget all about the buyback and think of Revis as under contract for three more years. It’s easier that way.
You can still argue about his value and whether the Jets should entertain the notion of a trade until the cows come home.
-
JesusRevis says:
I wouldnt trade Revis unless we got 3 first round picks in exchange for him. I believe the Jets also value him this way. I also doubt any team would be willing to give up those draft picks on top of signing him to a huge contract. So, I dont see how Revis doesnt re-sign with the Jets.
-
Bent says:
I get what you’re saying and I agree, although it’s difficult really, because of the different value between high and low picks, and the fact that picks should be devalued if they are into the future.
For example – 3 late first rounders are worth less than two mid-first rounders. A high first rounder can be worth 3 or 4 times as much as a late first rounder. A first rounder in 2012 is equivalent to a second rounder in 2011.
I’d want at least two first rounders in 2011 and if they were low first rounders, a 2012 first rounder too, or a young starter.
Ideally, we’d send him to a crappy team though (preferably in the NFC), so maybe it would just be for the one pick, from which the Jets could trade down to get the three first rounders).
(Not that I have ever said I want to trade him, just to make that clear).
-
Bent,
I trust your opinions, how do you see this all unfolding?
-
Bent says:
I think/hope they’ll sign him before the season. It might not be the long term deal they were hoping for though, maybe some sort of temporary short term (3 years?) fix that can be extended once the new CBA comes into place.
-
Bent,
What do you think the chances are Revis succumbs to common sense and comes in for a cap hit that isn’t over Aso’s $16 mil, but still well above his $11 mil average for his career? I mean, I would assume that Tanny has already brought this point up in negotiations (or I would hope), so do you think Revis finally agrees to a $13 mil or so yearly average? I=Or do you think Team Revis is going to just continue to dig into the sand and hold their position?
-
Bent says:
No idea.
Before the offseason, I thought he seemed like a reasonably grounded guy and that he would sign a rational deal. Now, he is saying a lot of things that would make you believe the sides are far apart, but hopefully that’s just a negotiating ploy to get the numbers closer to the actual sum he’s willing to take (whatever that may be). Hopefully. If he sticks to his current demands then it’s stalemate for the forseeable future.
Although the media is focusing on annual salaries, as they always do, I think Revis is genuinely concerned that he wants a deal with more upfront guarantees. That is possible, but perhaps not to the extent he was hoping (refer to the Jenny Vrentas quote I linked to in the Mailbag responses thread for why).
I can’t see him getting 20m or more upfront and I can’t see him getting a 15m a year deal that starts immediately. Tannenbaum won’t cave. We know that. Revis is a special talent though, so the GM might bend the rules more than he otherwise would to meet him halfway.
-
I felt very similar to the way you felt before this whole thing started. I have to admit the longer this lasts, a little bit of worry starts to build up. I am confident something will be worked out, but it’s still worrisome that they’ve not once seemed close to completing something.
-
Bent:
One last question (I hope staightforward) on this:
- Can the Jets trade Revis after he voids his contract while the Jets hold the option BUT BEFORE exercising it?
-
Bent says:
No.
They will not be able to trade anyone between the trading deadline (October) and the start of the league year (March) and the exercise of the buyback has to happen before the start of the league year, so the void (January) and buyback (end of February) each must take place within that period where no trades are permitted.
-
Bent;
Understood, many thanks!!!
I think it will take pool a little bit to get things down. Eric has been a consistant player for the JETS for a few years now and if not for the “loyalty” of Eric M. I think he would have been a major player a long time ago. Also, I am wondering if anyone know the dates to camp yet?