A few weeks ago, we had some fun with approval ratings of certain players and staff.  At the behest of Bent, how about an approval rating for Leon Washington’s agent, Alvin Keels?

Alvin Keels Highlights:

• Allowed this (beware if you have a heart condition!) to happen.
• Hired by Leon.
• Has no clue.
• Ran Andre Smith’s draft prep into the ground, was fired, then re-hired.
• Subtly played the race card.
• Met with the Jets about Leon,
• Threw the hottest NFL agent sponsored pool party in the 757.
• Met with the team again.
• Didn’t budge of his $6 million figure.
• Rod Tidwell-ed his client, and watched him lose all his leverage with a gruesome injury.
• After contractually getting beaten around the head and neck, talked tough on Twitter yesterday.

Add your thoughts in the comments.

Tannenbaum is excited about running back Chauncey Washington, who could end up as the third running back now.

That’s GMspeak.  They always talk thusly about guys they have under contract before free agency and the draft. At the same time, some are making the release of Thomas Jones out to be the runningbackopalypse …

I don’t know that I’m really buying that the Jets will stand pat with Chauncey as the third option come September.  Leon and Shonn are excellent players, but if the team is going to run the ball a lot, they need to protect themselves against potential injuries and to do that they need to sign a lowpriced vet or find a back down the draft board … but that’s just what I think.

So in your mind, what complementary player do the Jets need if Shonn will be the default starter and accompanied with Leon Washington?  Do they need anyone?

Over the next few days, we want to hear from you about players, coaches and front office staff and whether you approve or disapprove of their contributions to the team.

Basically, do you want them to stay on in 2010?

Thomas Jones’s 2009 Highlights:

• Said what we were all thinking on Hot 97.
• Took a softer tone on the subject.
• Skipped some workouts to make a point.
• Skipped some more workouts.
• Returned to camp in May.
• Refused to discuss his contract with the press.
• Scored twice in his first game.
• Disproved some of the “RB after 30” rules.
• Took a larger role with the injury of Leon.
• Benefitted down the stretch against some bad teams.
• Carried Jets in win over Bills.
• Went for 1,000 in his fifth straight season.
• Started splitting carries down the stretch.

Add your thoughts in the comments.

Mike Westhoff’s 2009 Highlights:

• Stayed on once Rex was hired.
• Attracted Larry Izzo back to the Jets (for good or ill?).
• Pooh-poohed the term ‘wedge buster.’
• Figured out a plan to get the ball out of Ryan Mouton’s hands against the Titans.
• Used the fake punt to great acclaim.
• Was crushed by Ted Ginn’s two returns at the Meadowlands.
• His unit had an ‘unholy trinity‘ of errors.
• Got his unit’s mind right before the Panthers game.
• Got a blocked kick against the Colts.

Add your thoughts in the comments.

Every offseason, around this time, we start to drill down on the position groupings for the Jets as we start to think about free agency and the draft. So, in the spirit of our “Audibles” we wanted to hear your thoughts on each unit and what the Jets should consider addressing or leaving alone this offseason. Where do the Jets need to target during free agency, how will the Final Eight rules hamper this for the Jets? Where do they need to trim the fat? Are there any guys down the roster that you think could make an impact?

Next, the Fullbacks…

The Jets have an excellent fullback in Tony Richardson, but he’s a free agent again, and is 38 years old.  Does he have another season in him?  I’d say let the man play if he wants to keep playing .. I haven’t seen anything that’s made me reticent to keep him on the team, have you?

Behind T-Rich is Jason Davis, who was a practice squadder for the team this year.  Do you think he’s able to step into some larger shoes should he need to?

Over the next few days, we want to hear from you about players, coaches and front office staff and whether you approve or disapprove of their contributions to the team.  Basically, do you want them to stay on in 2010?

Brian Schottenheimer’s 2009 Highlights:

• Floated his name to some other teams in the wake of Mangini’s dismissal & Rex’s hiring.
• Interviewed, lost, but stayed on for Rex Ryan’s staff.
• Got a big raise.
• Probably shouldn’t have said anything about this one.
• Saw a lot of Drew Brees in Mark Sanchez.
• Was thrilled to target Shonn Greene & Mark Sanchez.
• Had a good first month, then came under fire for his playcalling.
• Came under closer scrutiny from head coach down the stretch.
• Ended the season strong with Callahan’s help in having one the league’s best running attacks.
• Was discussed for Bills job, but decided to stay with Jets (likely in deference to his dad)
• Toasted as one of the best OCs at end of season as Sanchez came along.

We know what Rex would do if he was face-to-face with one of the minority owners of the Dolphins (KILLLLLLLLLLL!) but it seems that his quarterback has a little more tact …

OK, fire them up, gang, let’s see those captions.

Credit to old pal and celeb blogging prince JustJared who had the image we swiped.

Every offseason, around this time, we start to drill down on the position groupings for the Jets as we start to think about free agency and the draft. So, in the spirit of our “Audibles” we wanted to hear your thoughts on each unit and what the Jets should consider addressing or leaving alone this offseason. Where do the Jets need to target during free agency, how will the Final Eight rules hamper this for the Jets? Where do they need to trim the fat? Are there any guys down the roster that you think could make an impact?

Next, the Tight Ends …

It’s hard to distinguish Dustin Keller entirely from the WRs (since we see him as such ourselves) altogether, but we’ll do so today. Keller is the team’s starting Tight End, and along with blocking specialist Ben Hartsock and UDFA journeyman Matthew Mulligan the Jets have a unit that could stand for some improvement in their depth, but also isn’t a huge detriment to the team as it was going into the year prior to Hartsock & Mulligan’s signings.

While Keller takes the bulk of the snaps and is used in-line along as a slot receiver, Hartsock’s signing made this team much more run capable with him on the field. Hartsock played decently for the Jets over the course of the season, but did cause some timely penalties for the Jets, so since the team signed him to just a one year deal, will he be back, or will the Jets look to find another player to fill in that spot?

Dustin Keller has a slight dip in statistics in his second year (three less catches for 13 fewer yards and one less TD) but was that mostly because he was working with an inexperienced QB? Although adding a traditional two-way Tight End might be a help, does Brian Schotteneheimer’s offense, as currently constituted need some tweaking at this position? How do linemen like Wayne Hunter and Robert Turner who often come in as extra blockers also factor into this mix?

Every offseason, around this time, we start to drill down on the position groupings for the Jets as we start to think about free agency and the draft. So, in the spirit of our “Audibles” we wanted to hear your thoughts on each unit and what the Jets should consider addressing or leaving alone this offseason. Where do the Jets need to target during free agency, how will the Final Eight rules hamper this for the Jets? Where do they need to trim the fat? Are there any guys down the roster that you think could make an impact?

First up, the Wide Receivers …

It sounds like the plan is to tender RFA Braylon Edwards, which will result in either his getting paid $5.5 million in 2010 or the team getting a 1st and 3rd for their troubles, I’d be happy with either result. Beyond him, Cotchery is playing for peanuts, although I don’t anticipate it, will that contract concern rear it’s head this offseason?

Behind those two, there’s something of a quandary as the team traded away Chansi Stuckey who was the team’s most likely slot receiver. Danny Woodhead might prove to be a viable slot option, but he’s not there yet. Brad Smith can’t seem to succeed as a traditional Wide Receiver. David Clowney is explosive, but seems only able to contribute in optimal situations designed for him and not an every down player or one who can sustain much in terms of contact. Which brings us to the scrappy Wallace Wright, who has been a special teams standout for the team for years, but his inability to get worked into the offense makes it feel like we’re always waiting for the other shoe to drop.

On the front end, are Edwards and Cotchery sufficient and let the depth take care of itself? Is there room at the trough to develop some of the youngsters, especially with such a run-heavy attack? Can the Jets find an immediate slot receiver (they can realistically get) via draft, trade or free agency?

Mike Tannenbaum’s 2009 Highlights:

• Signed Bart Scott, Jim Leonhard & Marques Douglas to bolster defense
• Traded with Eagles for Lito Sheppard
• Traded Coleman, Elam & Ratliff w/ draft picks to CLE to draft Mark Sanchez
• Moved up at top of third round to draft Shonn Greene
• Traded Stuckey, Trusnik & picks to CLE for Braylon Edwards
• Didn’t budge on the contracts of top two RBs going into season Leon Washington and Thomas Jones

Let us hear your thoughts on why you approve/disapprove in the comments.