Who knows whats going to happen over the next few months? Usually around this time I would be talking offseason moves and the NFL Draft. Frankly, I have been so off about what the Jets would or should do in the draft, I won't waste my time with detailed evaluations. For years I have been wanting to address the D-line and land a 1st round impact RB. In 06' I wanted Addai and Ngata. In 07' I wanted Peterson and Okoye. In 08' McFadden and Calais Campbell. In 09' I wanted Knowshon and Clay Mathews. Last season I wanted Jerry Hughes and no RB. I didn't like one in the whole draft.
The reason I list these previous players is because this might actually be the year we address the D-line early. I also have my eye on another 1st round RB stud... Ingram. I can't imagine Sanchez with Holmes and Edwards out wide and Mark Ingram running behind our O-line. WOW, how do you defend that?
In other news, Vernon Gholston is a goner. Good riddens, I won't beat a dead horse, his complete lack of impact speaks for itself. David Harris has been franchised, mostly as a precautionary measure. If it wasn't for the labor ambiiguity I think a deal would be done by now. I do like Harris, but I am sure we will over pay for him. He is horrible in coverage, has little experince calling plays and is practically a mute. But... he is solid against the run, big and strong, and that INT in the playoff game against the Patriots may have sealed the deal. I'll take em'.
Our wide receiver predicament is very interesting. The 3 most important in order are Homes, Smith and Edwards. Holmes made a loud, definitive statement last season. He is our #1 WR and should be for years. Smith will stay for a fair contract and he is a jack of all trades. He has a significant impact on Special Teams and Offense. Edwards is a rare combination of size and speed, he has a nose for the big play and he caught everything thrown his way in 2010. I think we will also land him for a hometown discount. The Holmes contract will be the real struggle, but I am sure he is our top priority. The odd man out is Jericho Cothchery. He had a lack luster season, missed some time with injury and will count heavily against our salary cap in 2011. I would focus on the other 3 WR's, trade Cotchery (4th rounder) and pick up a young prospect somewhere in the draft.
I am not so sure we need to address the Safety position. With Poole, Lowery, Smith and Leonard I think we are OK. I would drop Cromartie ASAP. This guy is a ticking time bomb, I am shocked that we paid the price we did to land him. He is almost as sloppy and lazy as Lito Shepppard, and off the field he is a P.R. nightmare. I don't need to see quotes like "FUCK Tom Brady" in the newpapers with a Jets logo next to it. It's disgusting and classless. Jettison this animal and let him go to the Redskins or the Raiders where he belongs. Kyle Wilson is the key to the whole secondary. Mr. T has a great batting average in the draft, but a team can only afford one major strike out in the 1st round each decade. Gholston is that one. If Wilson also fails to develop (and develop quickly) it could have major ramifications moving forward.
I am 100% confident in our O-line and thats without Woody. We have at least 5 very solid lineman since Slauson and Hunter stepped up and we still have Vlad the Impaler on the bench developing. Great work by our GM and coaches in one of the most important squads on a team. The O-line really is the foundation for everything.
I am a true fan of Mark Sanchez. I think 2011 will be a break out year for him and Shonn Greene. #6 did make some progress last year and he is 4-2 in the postseason after only 2 years in the league. That playoff experience and the plays he made to win games in the final moments last year are invaluable. He is the real deal IMHO. Greene had a bit of a sophomore slump, but he has the tools to get the job done. He and McNight could be a real force in another year or two. McNight is a project, but working with Westhoff on special teams could help him become another Neon Leon.
One final concern for me is the tight end position. Keller has developed as a decent blocker and from time to time he can make a big play. We need to add a big veteran blocking TE, and a tall rookie who can be a perfect target for Mark and have an impact in the passing game. If Keller goes down, we are in a bad position.
I think this is the year to move a few players like J-Co, pick up some mid round picks and focus on the draft. There aren't very many interesting free agents out there, and our cap situation is approaching the critical level. We have an excellent nucleus, a few key rookies could get us over the hump.
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