The Jets have made moves for some big name free agents who I feel are well past their prime. Players like Taylor and Tomlinson may sell jerseys and PSL's, but this is a young mans league and these guys have been around for way too long.
Ironically I had a post in late June of last year where I presented my top 5 most hated players (Coles, Tomlinson, Larry Johnson, Taylor and Phillip Rivers). If the Jets decided to sign Laveranues Coles (which is looking like a real long shit now that Holmes is here) 3 of my top 5 would be wearing green and white this year.
That being said, I don't think any of these old-school vets will hurt us. However, if we feel that our roster is filled and we are ready for 2010 I am afraid we may be mistaken. Here are a few positions where I feel we need to solidify our depth and some players who are still on the market. Remember these are unsigned players and this is an uncapped year (i wouldn't normally reccomend spending like this for older players). I am not an expert, but the "top 4 rules" shouldn't prevent us form picking up any of these players if we wanted them.
I am most concerned with the TE position. Dustin Keller is a budding young star, but he is not much of a blocker and we have no one behind him on the depth chart that could make a significant impact. Since we are signing former Dolphins who hate us, why not take a crack at Randy McMichael. He is a big body who can block and catch the ball. I wouldn't want him as my #1 target if I were Sanchez, but he could provide great depth. L.J. Smith is also available. He is an amazing talent, but he continues to struggle with chronic injuries. He is better that any other TE on our roster besides Keller, so I would be comfortable making him our #2 guy.
Our defensive line has some issues as well. If Ellis can play like he did last year and Jenkins stays healthy than we are not in bad shape. We have some talented young guys who can rotate in like DeVito, Pitoitua, Wright and even Vernon Gholston. But if either Jenks or Ellis were to go down... or (God forbid) both of them... we would be in a horrible spot. John Henderson is available, Charles Grant, Anthony Montgomery and Adewale Ogunleye are ripe for the pickins' as well. These are proven players who could be a big help down the stretch. In an uncapped year I would sign at least one of these players. Ogunleye would probably serve as a OLB in our system in pass rushing situations.
Our secondary is looking solid. Our corners are going to be a real terror and our safeties are solid as well. One name still on the market is Antonie Bethea. He's a hard hitter and could probably push Poole for the starting spot.
Our O-line has some holes now as well, thanks to the release of Faneca and the age of RT Damien Woody. I like our young players who will compete for playing time, and I hope at least one of them will develop into the real thing. Shawn Andrews was released by the Eagles because of a number of off the field issues. This guy would be a great pick up if we could sign him for short money. I would offer him a one year deal and let Calahan work with him. Our front office has the ability to develop a guy like this. If he could return to his old self he would be a force and a great value. Like I always say, buy low.
Kevin Mawae is also out there. He has been black balled by the league because of his involvement with the NFLPA. He has said that he hasn't even had a call about a job, not to mention a work out. He would be an amazing player to provide depth and leadership, and I am sure he would like the chance to retire as a Jet. Why Not?
Finally for the back up QB... There are only two decent veteran names still available. Marc Bulger and Mark Brunell. If I had to choose I would take Bulger. He has all of the tools. With a solid O-line, the #1 rushing attack in the league and Edwards, Holmes, Keller and Cotchery... I am pretty sure he could use his experience to guide this team to some wins... if #6 were to go down. He would be a huge upgrade to Clemens.
For the record I am not a fan of the new philosophy around here. The 'Yankees mentality' works in sports like basketball and baseball. Spending a ton of cash and trying to buy a championship historically doesn't work in the NFL. The last uncapped year the NFL experienced was in 1994. The 49ers went out and signed a bunch of ringers with the intention of going for broke. They won the Superbowl that year and paid the price for years after because of the salary cap ramifications.
The strategy that seems to work consistently for teams like the Steelers, Colts, and Patriots revolves around solid drafting and signing the occasional FA for reasonable money. The reason you can't just snatch up a bunch of big names and 'win-it-all' is because football is violent. Every week these men put their physical well being on the line. In order to do that and play confident winning football, you need to believe in the man lining up next to you. That takes time. That takes more than a few weeks in training camp.
There will be a bunch of new faces and personalities in our locker room this season and some established leaders will be gone. If they don't develop chemistry quickly we could be off to a sub .500 first half to the season and an uphill fight for a post season birth. I am going to think positive and enjoy all of the entertainment that Rex and the boys provide.
The weight loss challenge, 'Hard Knocks', swagerlicious trash talking... I will take it all with a grain of salt and enjoy the ride. I just hope MR.T is dotting all the I's and crossing all the T's. Our first 8 games of the season are going to be a marathon. We could very easily be 3-5 by the midway point. That will be a disaster. However, if we win our first 4 games, we have a great chance at the playoffs. My next post will be an in-depth analysis of our schedule.
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