56 replies to this topic

[kelly]

Sunday notes : Could Revis stay, Cro go ?

A quick take on the Jets (the Revis edition) and the rest of the NFL :

1. Revis or Cro ? :
Instead of shopping Darrelle Revis, maybe the Jets should put fellow CB Antonio Cromartie on the trading block. Don't laugh, it's not such a far-fetched idea. There's a small segment of the organization that would rather trade Cromartie than Revis, according to a source.Let's think about this for a second: Cromartie's trade value never will be higher; he's coming off arguably his best year. A Cromartie trade would clear $8.2 million in cap room (only $2.5 million in dead money); a Revis trade would actually cost the Jets cap room ($12 million in dead money, as opposed to his current cap charge of $9 million).

Antonio Cromartie earned his second Pro Bowl invitation this season.

The Jets would have to move fairly quickly because Cromartie is due a $2.3 million roster bonus on the third day of the league year (March 15); Revis is due a $1 million roster bonus on the fifth day. It would take some handiwork from new GM John Idzik, because he'd have to sign Revis to a long-term extension before dealing Cromartie. It can't be the other way because Idzik would be giving more leverage to Revis. Food for thought. Rex Ryan would disagree, but it might be a stretch to have two corners counting $20 million on the cap.

2. The price of Revis : I spoke to a personnel executive from another team and he said the Jets should be able to recoup at least a first-round pick for Revis. Said the executive: "I wouldn't be surprised if he merited a first-rounder and something else in the second year that was good, too." Another executive said any deal probably would have to include a conditional pick in 2014, based on Revis' performance in 2013. That would protect both teams. Frankly, I wouldn't trade him unless I got a top-10 pick in return. Another thing to keep in mind: The Jets would get a third-round compensatory pick if Revis walks next year as a free agent.

2a. Same Old Jets : Typical Jets luck. They have a legitimate bargaining chip and there are no franchise-type quarterbacks in the draft.

3. Let's make it real simple : Basically, the Jets have only two options: Pay Revis now or trade him now. Letting him play out the season makes absolutely no sense. They'd have a better chance of turning Tim Tebow into the NFL passing leader than re-signing Revis after the '13 season and before he hits the open market. And get this: Because of a quirk in the structure of the current contract, the Jets would get hit with $9 million in dead money in 2014 if he walks as a free agent -- the remaining, pro-rated portions of the $18 million option bonus he received in 2011. That would be an egg-on-face moment for the ages.

4. The untold story : Everybody seems to be focusing on what the Jets could get for Revis, but the trickiest part of a trade would be Revis getting what he wants from another team. He wants to be the highest-paid defensive player, which means $16 million per year and $50 million in guarantees -- Mario Williams money. (It should be noted that Williams landed that deal as a free agent; Revis is a year away from that.) Is there a team willing to pay that much for a cornerback coming off ACL surgery? His agents drive a hard bargain. If they don't get their price, they'll blow up potential trades and position themselves for a free-agent score next year. A trade can't happen unless Revis agrees to a long-term deal; no team would surrender significant compensation for a player whose deal voids in a year.

4a. The leverage game : Make no mistake, Revis has the leverage. He's only one year from the open market and the only way he can blow that is by holding out. That would cancel the voidable, keeping him under contract through 2016 at $3 million per year. The Jets, however, have a card they can play, according to an executive -- the injury card. The executive said they should "play that as hard as they can," trying to scare Revis into accepting less.

5. The whole truth : There was a report Saturday that said the Jets floated Revis' name in trade talks before his ACL injury in September. Here's what happened: Former GM Mike Tannenbaum talked to some confidantes around the league, discussing possible end-games to the Revis situation. Basically, he picked their brains, trying to get ideas and suggestions. He didn't dangle Revis in trade talks.

6. Woody bashing : This is how one longtime GM responded upon hearing the Jets are open to trading Revis: "Woody (Johnson) wants to wave the white flag. That's no way to do business." Basically, the Jets are trapped in a maze, except there's no way out in this maze. There's no clean escape, and they have no one to blame but themselves.

7. What a tweet : I wonder if Revis was as concerned about the feelings of Jets Nation during his two holdouts as he is now.

8. West Coast Offense 101 : I read in the New York Daily News that QB Mark Sanchez reached out to former QB Jeff Garcia to learn Marty Mornhinweg's version of the West Coast offense. I'm still trying to figure out if that's a good thing or a bad thing.

> http://espn.go.com/b...vis-stay-cro-go

[kelly]

LT rips Tanny, issues Revis warning

Former Jet LaDainian Tomlinson, whose favorite pastime is criticizing his former team, ripped former GM Mike Tannenbaum for the Jets' current salary-cap plight, pointing to the Mark Sanchez contract extension as a major blunder.

"That was Tannenbaum's fault," Tomlinson, an NFL Network analyst, told the New York Post at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. "They're still trying to fix what Tannenbaum messed up." Tomlinson, who played 2010 and 2011 with Sanchez, said "they're stuck" with the embattled quarterback because of his hefty contract. He also doesn't believe the Jets when they say they're planning to bring in competition at the position. "They said that last year," Tomlinson told the newspaper. "They brought Tim Tebow in and it wasn't much of a competition because (Tony) Sparano didn't know what to do with Tim Tebow. I just think they're in a situation where they have to stick with Sanchez."

Tomlinson believes it would be a mistake to trade Darrelle Revis, but he thinks that could happen because "Rex Ryan's silence in the whole thing about Revis has spoken volumes to me that something is actually happening."He also said of a potential trade, "I feel because of the situation that they're in, the Jets feel like that's the only way they can make some headway in turning this roster around, getting more athletes on the roster, more athletes that can perform better. "At the same time, the guy is the best defensive player in the league. To me, you win championships with defense. So, in a passing league, how can you get rid of Revis? I don't know if that's the best decision to make, to get rid of the best defensive player in the league."

Tomlinson said the Jets would miss Revis' leadership, the way he helps young players. He said Revis has made Antonio Cromartie a better player."I just think sometimes organizations make decisions based on strictly business when you can't replace a guy like Revis," Tomlinson said.It wouldn't be an offseason without Tomlinson commenting on the soap opera that is the Jets.

> http://espn.go.com/b...s-revis-warning

[#27TheDominator]

5. Another QB option: A better option than Vick would be Seahawks backup Matt Flynn. Obviously, Idzik is familiar with Flynn; he negotiated the free-agent contract for Seattle. Flynn also is comfortable in the West Coast offense; it's the only NFL system he's known. The Seahawks are open to trading Flynn; the Jets would be a logical landing spot.

> http://espn.go.com/b...-for-marty-ball

Uh oh.

Tomlinson, an NFL Network analyst, told the New York Post at Super Bowl XLVII in New Orleans. "They're still trying to fix what Tannenbaum messed up."
> http://espn.go.com/b...s-revis-warning

He's been gone for 3 whole weeks and they still haven't fixed it!

[flgreen]

Uh oh.



He's been gone for 3 whole weeks and they still haven't fixed it!

Think this is very possible if Idzik likes Flynn, and he probably does.

I’ve read that Flynn makes about 5 mil this year, and if he doesn’t work out he can be released next year without a cap hit.

The Jets are cap strapped, but 5 million, and a 5^th round pick is workable for a potential starting QB.

I really don’t know much about Flynn except he had a big game against a weak team. Somebody in Seattle thought he was good enough to take a good team into the season. Wilson was a pleasant surprise for them.

Idzik was one of 3 guys who made that decision, Think Flynn has a better then 50% chance to be the Jets QB next season

[slats]

Think this is very possible if Idzik likes Flynn, and he probably does.

I’ve read that Flynn makes about 5 mil this year, and if he doesn’t work out he can be released next year without a cap hit.

The Jets are cap strapped, but 5 million, and a 5^th round pick is workable for a potential starting QB.

I really don’t know much about Flynn except he had a big game against a weak team. Somebody in Seattle thought he was good enough to take a good team into the season. Wilson was a pleasant surprise for them.

Idzik was one of 3 guys who made that decision, Think Flynn has a better then 50% chance to be the Jets QB next season

I'd love to see Tebow as part of a trade for Flynn. For all his faults, Tebow is a decent fit as a backup QB in a read option style offense. Love to see Idzik sell that to his former team.

[flgreen]

I'd love to see Tebow as part of a trade for Flynn. For all his faults, Tebow is a decent fit as a backup QB in a read option style offense. Love to see Idzik sell that to his former team.

Right now that would be a hard sell.

If Idzik can pull off a Tebow for Flynn trade it would be a great start for him in NY

[pedro55]

Think this is very possible if Idzik likes Flynn, and he probably does.

I’ve read that Flynn makes about 5 mil this year, and if he doesn’t work out he can be released next year without a cap hit.

The Jets are cap strapped, but 5 million, and a 5^th round pick is workable for a potential starting QB.

I really don’t know much about Flynn except he had a big game against a weak team. Somebody in Seattle thought he was good enough to take a good team into the season. Wilson was a pleasant surprise for them.

Idzik was one of 3 guys who made that decision, Think Flynn has a better then 50% chance to be the Jets QB next season

I'm not sold on the Seahawks really knowing anything about QBs. They are the same group that thought Charlie Whitehurst was the future. They liked Tavaris Jackson. They just got lucky with Russel Wilson in the third round. Flynn is a guy who really had one great game in like Week 17 when nobody cared to play. Other than that, he's just another backup that has never done anything. And he's a guy who signed a big contract and lost out to a 3rd round rookie. Looking back now you can say picking Wilson was a great move, but back in August, it was more like Flynn just wasn't that good to beat out a 3rd round pick.

This is what I don't get about fans and the media. They kind of believe what they want to believe with no facts behind it.
Tebow didn't play as QB nor did Flynn. Flynn really has 1 game in his entire career, and it was a meaningless week 17 game. And it was for a team that went 15-1. Tebow, while not a good QB, still helped his team win a playoff game. THis year Tebow was a known backup, a distraction, and the coaches didn't want him. Flynn was supposed to be the starting QB and lost out to a 3rd round pick most people knew little about. I don't like Tebow as a QB, but it's funny how suddenly guys like Matt Flynn are some QB of the future.

[bitonti]

Tomlinson believes it would be a mistake to trade Darrelle Revis, but he thinks that could happen because "Rex Ryan's silence in the whole thing about Revis has spoken volumes to me that something is actually happening."He also said of a potential trade, "I feel because of the situation that they're in, the Jets feel like that's the only way they can make some headway in turning this roster around, getting more athletes on the roster, more athletes that can perform better. "At the same time, the guy is the best defensive player in the league. To me, you win championships with defense. So, in a passing league, how can you get rid of Revis? I don't know if that's the best decision to make, to get rid of the best defensive player in the league."

Tomlinson said the Jets would miss Revis' leadership, the way he helps young players. He said Revis has made Antonio Cromartie a better player."I just think sometimes organizations make decisions based on strictly business when you can't replace a guy like Revis," Tomlinson said.It wouldn't be an offseason without Tomlinson commenting on the soap opera that is the Jets.

preach it LT

[kelly]

Tomlinson : Jets failed to develop Sanchez

As long as there is a radio row at the Super Bowl, there will be former Jets stepping up to critique the season. It happened again Thursday as LaDainian Tomlinson spoke to Stephen A. Smith and Ryan Ruocco on ESPN New York 98.7 FM.

Listen to the complete interview:


Tomlinson, a former Jets running back, said the team has failed to develop quarterback Mark Sanchez while Rex Ryan was so focused on the defense."One of the biggest mistakes I felt like the Jets made, even before I got there, is not keeping Chad Pennington when they drafted Mark Sanchez," Tomlinson said. "When you draft a young guy like Mark Sanchez out of USC, that has only played in 12 college football games, you have to have a veteran to teach this guy how to play the position. A guy to take him in the film room and say, 'This is what you look for.' And then take him on the practice field and say, 'This is how you practice, this is how you perform on Sundays.'

"They just kind of threw him out there, a young kid, threw him out there and really never developed him."

Of course it was Brett Favre, not Pennington, who was last under center before the Jets drafted Sanchez. But that oversight didn't stop Tomlinson from pushing on."Here's the thing: They have been trying to get Mark Sanchez to be the guy," Tomlinson said, "to be a Tom Brady, Peyton Manning type of quarterback. And it hasn't worked out. Not to say that you can't win with Mark Sanchez, but you’d better have a good running game and you better have a dominant defense if you're going to win with this guy." Tomlinson played for two season with the Jets, including the team's second trip to the AFC Championship Game in 2010.

> http://espn.go.com/b...develop-sanchez

[flgreen]

I'm not sold on the Seahawks really knowing anything about QBs. They are the same group that thought Charlie Whitehurst was the future. They liked Tavaris Jackson. They just got lucky with Russel Wilson in the third round. Flynn is a guy who really had one great game in like Week 17 when nobody cared to play. Other than that, he's just another backup that has never done anything. And he's a guy who signed a big contract and lost out to a 3rd round rookie. Looking back now you can say picking Wilson was a great move, but back in August, it was more like Flynn just wasn't that good to beat out a 3rd round pick.

This is what I don't get about fans and the media. They kind of believe what they want to believe with no facts behind it.
Tebow didn't play as QB nor did Flynn. Flynn really has 1 game in his entire career, and it was a meaningless week 17 game. And it was for a team that went 15-1. Tebow, while not a good QB, still helped his team win a playoff game. THis year Tebow was a known backup, a distraction, and the coaches didn't want him. Flynn was supposed to be the starting QB and lost out to a 3rd round pick most people knew little about. I don't like Tebow as a QB, but it's funny how suddenly guys like Matt Flynn are some QB of the future.

Didn’t say Flynn was going to be the Jets QB of the future.

Thing is they have to bring in some competition for Sanchez this year, on the cheap. Flynn’s a viable option, in that another competitive team gave him a decent contract, and was planning to go into the season with him. He has two years left on his contract. If he doesn’t work out, release him.

No damage.

You are correct, he is totally unproven. He competed with a rookie 3^rd rounder last year, and lost. From what Wilson has shown this season, about 25 other starting QB’s would have lost out to him also
.
In a weak QB class it is a major risk to bring in a 2^nd or 3^rd rounder, and be paying him for the next 4 years, and probably have to do it again next year.

If Flynn doesn’t work, bye. If he is a starting QB he would be a major steal.

Jets don’t really have many options right now. This is a fairly cheap one with little down side

[kelly]

Didn’t say Flynn was going to be the Jets QB of the future.

Thing is they have to bring in some competition for Sanchez this year, on the cheap. Flynn’s a viable option, in that another competitive team gave him a decent contract, and was planning to go into the season with him. He has two years left on his contract. If he doesn’t work out, release him.

No damage.

You are correct, he is totally unproven. He competed with a rookie 3^rd rounder last year, and lost. From what Wilson has shown this season, about 25 other starting QB’s would have lost out to him also
.
In a weak QB class it is a major risk to bring in a 2^nd or 3^rd rounder, and be paying him for the next 4 years, and probably have to do it again next year.

If Flynn doesn’t work, bye. If he is a starting QB he would be a major steal.

Jets don’t really have many options right now. This is a fairly cheap one with little down side

flynn might work out for us but ,...i doubt it

[flgreen]

flynn might work out for us but ,...i doubt it

I really don’t have a clue if this guy can really play.

If the new GM wants him, I’m all for it. He knows this guy, I don’t

[kelly]

Jets Pro Bowl cornerback Antonio Cromartie hopes the team does not make many changes on defense but finds some solutions on offense.“I think a lot of people look at our offense and they’re not intimidated by our offense,” Cromartie said at a Super Bowl autograph signing yesterday. “We need some guys on the outside that can be game-changers on the outside. It’s going to help having Santonio back, but I think we also need a true No. 2 guy ready to go, too.”Cromartie was the team MVP last season after fellow cornerback Darrelle Revis tore his ACL in his left knee. He spent last week in Hawaii at the Pro Bowl.

Cromartie heard the reports about the Jets entertaining the possibility of trading away Revis. Cromartie hopes the team keeps Revis and the rest of the secondary intact. Both safeties LaRon Landry and Yeremiah Bell are scheduled to be free agents in March.“I think as a team we would love to have [Revis] in the locker room this season,” Cromartie said. “I know I would love to have him back because I don’t want to mess up the tandem that we have between us. Not just having him back, I would like to get LaRon Landry back as well. We need somebody on the back end that can cause fear for the receivers and tight ends when they’re coming across the middle. Having those two guys as a unit and a whole, I think having us play together for the next couple of years would be great, if that could happen.”

The Jets defense will have a new leader this year with new coordinator Dennis Thurman, who has been Cromartie’s position coach for the past three years.“I think DT will do good,” Cromartie said. “He’s been part of this defense for 10 years now. I think he joined the Ravens back in 2002. I think he knows what to do. He knows the position. He plays in this game. I think from a play-calling standpoint he’ll know how to use his players and put them in the right position.”With Thurman being elevated to coordinator, the Jets hired Tim McDonald as the new defensive backs coach. Cromartie met with him this week in Florham Park.“He’s a lot like [Thurman],” Cromartei said. “[He’s] down to Earth. I think he’s going to be a great teacher for us. I think he’s going to try to help us out the best he can.”

Cromartie has had a month to think about the team’s 6-10 finish. He’s ready to see some changes for 2013.“To be honest with you, we had our ups and downs,” he said. “We weren’t consistent. I think the biggest thing for us is we have to focus in on what’s important, what we need to try to add to this team and go from there.”

> http://www.nypost.co...tm_content=Jets

[kelly]

Rex's blind spot -- offense

Looking at the Jets and the NFL in our expanded, Super Bowl edition :

1. Tim-sanity: Since the season ended, we've come to learn that the relationship between Tony Sparano and Tim Tebow was strained, and that Sparano's lack of faith in Tebow was a big reason why he didn't play much, according to sources. This raises a larger issue: Where was Rex Ryan in this? Ryan gave autonomy to Sparano, just as he did with Brian Schottenheimer, but he's the head coach and he should decide playing time. Ryan's expertise is defense -- we get it -- but he'll never be a complete head coach until he takes control of the entire team.Former special-teams coach Mike Westhoff discussed this topic the other day on ESPN New York 98.7 FM, offering a candid (what else?) evaluation of Ryan in this area. "Maybe he has to be more forceful in getting his philosophy across," Westhoff said. "If he doesn't feel someone is doing it a particular way, he'd better step in there and say, 'This is what we have to do.' You can't keep going through coordinators."It's an excellent point. Ryan has tried in recent years to become more involved in the offense, but he has to do more than show his face in meetings. He needs to take charge and do it his way; time is running out.

2. The shadow of Revis: You're a disgruntled Jets fan, preparing to watch the 44th consecutive Super Bowl that doesn't include your favorite team. That's no fun, so you're wondering how Ravens-49ers can impact the Jets. Here's how: If the 49ers lose the game and their secondary gets torched by Joe Flacco, it will create a groundswell of sentiment for them to trade for CB Darrelle Revis. He'd be the proverbial missing piece.The 49ers are an aggressive team with the ammunition to pull off that kind of trade. They have a bargaining chip in backup QB Alex Smith, who, despite what owner Jed York said the other way, is done in San Francisco. They will try to trade him before April, when his $7.5 million salary becomes guaranteed. If they can't, they'll release him. The Jets surely would consider dealing Revis for Smith and a first-round pick (31st or 32nd). Unless they're willing to go heavy on QB salaries in 2013 -- remember, they're into Mark Sanchez for $8.25 million -- the Jets probably have to restructure Smith's contract. He has two years left on his deal. Keep this in mind if Flacco gets hot.

2a. Core of the Revis issue: Unless new GM John Idzik has a different philosophy than the previous administration, the Jets won't be willing to satisfy Revis' demand to become the highest-paid defensive player in the NFL. Their stance, shared by many teams, is that cornerbacks aren't worth as much as pass rushers. They'll make him the highest-paid corner (he's already close to it at $11.5 million per year), but it's hard to imagine them going into the $16 million-a-year neighborhood -- unless Idzik revamps the organization's value system.

3. Caponomics: Much has been said and written about the Jets' salary-cap plight. But are the problems really that bad? This year will be a struggle, no doubt, but they have only $5 million in guaranteed money committed to the 2014 cap, according to a source. That's when the Sanchez and Santonio Holmes guarantees will be off the books.

4. Mike-crophone Tannenbaum: Former GM Mike Tannenbaum spent the week in New Orleans, doing interview after interview on radio row. Clearly, he's angling for a job in the media. He gave scripted answers to all the tough questions, but there was a moment of candor in an interview with a Boston radio station. The hosts grilled about him the highly criticized Sanchez contract extension. "That's one of the reasons why I'm sitting here today," Tannenbaum cracked.

4a. Brad on the brain: I'm tired of hearing Tannenbaum drop Brad Smith's name every time he's asked about Tebow. The reason for the trade, he explains, is they wanted a replacement for Smith in the Wildcat. Wait a minute, when did Brad Smith become Emmitt Smith? In his final season with the Jets (2010), Smith carried the ball a grand total of 38 times. So what Tannenbaum is saying is, he was willing to live with the Tebow circus just to replace 38 carries. That's not what you call sound risk-reward management.

4b. Mad Mike: Tannenbaum also spent a lot of time defending the cap situation. In three weeks, he said, the entire world will see his space-clearing plan unfold. Plan? The Jets will clear $30 million by releasing Calvin Pace, Bart Scott, Eric Smith and Jason Smith. That would put them about $10 million under the cap, but then what? With less than 40 veterans under contract, they'd still be in a tight situation.

5. LT speaks (again): I know people are tired of hearing LaDainian Tomlinson take shots at his former team -- he's become the new Joe Namath -- but the man doesn't sugar-coat his opinions. On ESPN New York 98.7 FM, he was asked if Sanchez can snap out of his funk and become a winning QB again. Tomlinson: "Can he do it? Man, I don't think so."

6. Deer, Ray -- go away: Ravens LB Ray Lewis is an iconic player, but his act is wearing thin. Has there ever been such a legendary team leader so absorbed with himself? He's such a contradiction. Lewis has the rare ability to galvanize a team, yet he morphs into the ultimate "me" guy with his pregame "Squirrel" dance. He seemed to relish the attention from AntlerGate -- his reported use of a deer-antler spray that naturally produces a banned substance connected to HGH. Lewis denied the report. Forget Pinnochio; if Lewis' nose turns red and it starts glowing, we'll know if he's lying about the deer-antler stuff.

7. Hatched from the Parcells nest: The man behind the 49ers' success is GM Trent Baalke, who began his career as a Jets scout. He was about to give up on his football dream when he received a call from former Jets personnel man Dick Haley, who interviewed him and offered him a job. Baalke worked three years with the Jets (1998-2000), catching the eye of then-coach Bill Parcells, who was selected Saturday night to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.One thing about Parcells: He surrounded himself with talented people. Three members of scouting/personnel went on to become GMs and six assistant coaches became head coaches in the NFL and/or college.

8. Jet setters: Only eight players in Super Bowl XLVII have previous Super Bowl experience, and two of them are former Jets -- Ravens S James Ihedigbo and 49ers C Jonathan Goodwin (Saints).

9. Super Bowl on TV: Interesting nugget from "Sports on Television," a wonderfully informative book written by former ESPN producer and current Syracuse professor Dennis Deninger: Only 36 percent of American homes watched Jets-Colts in Super Bowl III -- the lowest-rated Super Bowl in history. Two days before the game, NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle, concerned the Super Bowl would lose its appeal because of the perceived disparity between the AFL and NFL, announced the league was considering a new postseason structure that would allow two NFL teams to meet in the Super Bowl. It was yet another insult directed toward the Jets and the AFL. Everything changed, of course, after Joe Namath got through with the Colts.

10. Enjoying the holiday: For the first time in 24 years, I'm not covering the Super Bowl. I intend to find out why America is so fascinated with Super Bowl Sunday. Pass the chicken wings, please.

> http://espn.go.com/b...nd-spot-offense

[kelly]

The NFL is a copycat league, but I don't think the Ravens' 34-31 win over the 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII will spark any new trends in 2013.Let's face it, the Ravens were outplayed in some respects. I don't think GMs and coaches will look at the Ravens' winning formula and say, "That's what we need to do." After all, they were outgained by 100 yards and allowed a 300-yard passer, a 100-yard rusher and two 100-yard receivers -- not recommended for consistent winning.

However, we can extract a few things from the game that can be applied to the current plight of the Jets. For instance :

1. All about the quarterbacks: Unlike the Jets, who have coached around Mark Sanchez for the better part of four years, the Ravens and 49ers made Joe Flacco and Colin Kaepernick the focal point of their respective offenses. They weren't game managers, they were game changers -- Flacco with his pocket passing, Kaepernick with his dual-threat skills. Kaepernick began the day with only nine career starts, but he certainly wasn't babied by coach Jim Harbaugh. On championship teams, the quarterback is the catalyst, not a complementary player. If the Jets don't feel that way about Sanchez, they need to find a new QB -- and they might.

2. Leadership matters: The Ravens were built on strong leadership, from old war horses (Ray Lewis and Ed Reed) to young, ascending stars (like Flacco). That served them well in the third quarter, when the 49ers reeled off 17 unanswered points to make it a game. Instead of panicking, the Ravens regrouped and finished the job. Every championship team has a few good men. The Jets used to have a bunch of them, but they eliminated too many leaders over the last couple of years. This should be a point of emphasis for new GM John Idzik.

3. Revis Island in the Bay area: If Darrelle Revis is put on the trading block, the 49ers should waste no time in calling the Jets. Flacco torched the 49ers' secondary for 287 yards, averaging 13 yards per completion. The secondary didn't get much help from the pass rush -- where did you go, Aldon Smith? -- and the back end wasn't up to the challenge. The 49ers did a nice job on vertical threat Torrey Smith, but they didn't have a physical corner who could bang inside with Anquan Boldin (six catches for 104 yards). He was money on third down, catching all four passes thrown to him, including a TD. Imagine if they had Revis; Harbaugh wouldn't be whining and the 49ers would be preparing for a victory parade.

4. The pistol has pop: Rex Ryan said after the season that he'd like to incorporate the "pistol" formation into the Jets' offensive repertoire. Most of the 49ers' rushing attack came out of the pistol. Unofficially, they racked up 124 of their 182 rushing yards on 20 designed rushes in which Kaepernick took a direct snap and handed off. The pistol is more unpredictable than the shotgun because the running back is directly behind the quarterback, not to his side, making it harder for the defense to anticipate which way he'll run. This would be a nice wrinkle for the Jets' ground game.

5. Defensive depth is important: Let's face it, neither team played a vintage defensive game. The Ravens and 49ers allowed a combined total of 835 yards, perhaps because fatigue was a factor. The 49ers used primarily only 13 players on defense, a remarkably low number in this era of specialization. The Ravens used 16, closer to the norm but still not an overly high number. With so many teams employing spread offenses, it's imperative that teams develop a deep defensive roster, especially on the back end.

> http://espn.go.com/b...away-from-sb-47

[kelly]

Insider on Joeckel : 'It does not get much better'


The following quotes are from NFL scouts, coaches and front-office personnel, speaking on the condition of anonymity.

• “(Texas A&M OT) Luke Joeckel has to get a lot stronger. He’s the safest pick in the draft, but the system helps him out a lot there. They get the ball out so fast, and when they do have pressure, the guy (Johnny Manziel) just runs all over. When you factor (Joeckel’s) movement and intangibles, though, it does not get much better.”

• “I am not sold on (Syracuse QB) Ryan Nassib’s arm strength. He has really short arms. He’s not a great runner, but he is one of the better pure passers I have seen. He’s better than Kirk Cousins.”

• “(South Carolina RB) Marcus Lattimore is tall and a little narrow-hipped. He is tough and the kind of kid you root for, but I thought he was a third-rounder before the injury. Now I don’t know if he gets drafted.”

• “(Miami FB) Mike James is a big, heavy running back — not a fullback. He played fullback as a courtesy to the kid. He’s not big or strong enough. He started at tailback but moved to fullback to keep on the field. He’s too small for a fullback.”

• “I was down on (San Diego State TE) Gavin Escobar as a blocker after watching the Boise game — he flashed and didn’t work his feet. Then I ended up watching three more and thought he did a lot better. He’s an interesting guy, especially with the way this league is trending.”

• “(USC C) Khaled Holmes has very good size like Peter Konz did last year. It wouldn’t surprise me if he were drafted to play guard. (Holmes) uses a lot of finesse. I thought he had some trouble snapping the ball in the games I saw. He didn’t get it back very quick and some (defensive linemen) got on top of him.”

> http://www.profootba...get-much-better

[kelly]

WIDE RECEIVER

2012 depth chart : Santonio Holmes (starter/injured), Stephen Hill (starter/injured), Jeremy Kerley, Braylon Edwards, Clyde Gates, Chaz Schilens, Jordan White.

Overview : Ugh. Clearly, this was the weakest position on the team in 2012. Only one receiver met expectations -- Kerley, the only true playmaker on offense. Holmes' season-ending foot injury in Week 4 was devastating to the offense. As weird as it sounds, the Jets missed Holmes more than star CB Darrelle Revis, according to Rex Ryan. The immediate future of the position is tied to Holmes recovery from surgery and Hill's ability to rebound from a disappointing rookie year (and arthroscopic surgery on his knee). If Holmes returns to his pre-surgery form and Hill takes a major step forward, the Jets will have a decent foundation -- but those are big ifs.

Free agents : Edwards, Schilens.

2013 personnel preview : The Jets can't possibly return with the same cast, especially with new coordinator Marty Mornhinweg installing the West Coast offense. They need a proven playmaker, preferably a receiver with a background in the West Coast system. Right now, there are no receivers worth the ninth overall pick in the draft, so the immediate help will have to come in free agency. Problem is, the Jets don't have much cap room, so it'll be a case of, "Look, but can't touch." They have to find a cost-effective veteran; maybe Edwards can be that guy. Brian Hartline (Dolphins) is an interesting second-tier free agent, but even his asking price might be a bit much.

Salary-cap situation : Don't be surprised if the Jets try to get Holmes to take a pay cut on his $11 million base salary -- an exhorbitant amount for a No. 2-quality receiver coming off a serious injury. Problem is, $7.5 million of the salary is guaranteed.If they cut him, they'd take an $11.25 million cap hit and they'd also have to pay him the $7.5 million.However, unlike Mark Sanchez' guarantee, Holmes has an offset clause, meaning he can't double dip if he's released. In other words, his maxes out at $7.5 million in 2013 earnings if he's cut and signs elsewhere. Maybe, with financial motivation to stay a Jet, he'd be receptive to a restructured deal. New GM John Idzik is supposed to be a skilled negotiator; let's see if he can get Holmes to take a haircut.

> http://espn.go.com/b...wide-receiver-2

[kelly]

Quarterback
The Draft Board

 

2nd round
Mike Glennon, NC State (6-7, 220)
Tyler Wilson, Arkansas (6-2, 218)
3rd round
Tyler Bray, Tennessee (6-5, 215)
E.J Manuel, Florida State (6-4, 237)

Well, it turned out exactly how we all expected, huh? It was a nightmare
to say the least and there's not a ton of hope in sight. Mark Sanchez,
the starter for four years, regressed with Tim Tebow standing over his
shoulder. Surprisingly, Tebow didn't even get a chance. Greg McElroy got
his chance and handled it the way you'd expect a third-stringer to
handle it, taking 11 sacks in his only start of the season (and getting a
concussion to boot).

So, it's time to clean house, right? Well, after signing Sanchez to
an extension prior to the 2012 season, the Jets committed to him for the
2013 season, at a minimum.

Let's start there. Tebow, more than likely, won't be back and that'll
be a good thing for all involved. McElroy is inexpensive and has the
confidence to be a starter but is better served as a backup.

There are two approaches here. The "let Sanchez ride this all the way
out" option the "find the future immediately" alternative, which would
be an intelligent strategy if there was an Andrew Luck or a Robert
Griffin III or even a Jay Cutler in this draft. That's not what new GM
John Idzik has in front of him. However, Glennon and Bray can sling it;
unfortunately, they don't always sling it to the right colored jersey.
Manuel has similar issues, but he can make plays with his legs out of
the pocket in a worst case scenario. These three may have the strongest
arms in this draft class to help cut through the New York winds, but is
either one of them that much of a more better option than Sanchez? Not
at this point.

If quarterback were the only true hole on this team, it'd be logical
to think that drafting one would be a sound philosophy, but that's not
the case. There is nothing worse for a new GM than to encounter a no-win
situation at quarterback, while being hamstrung by financial woes.
Welcome to New York, John.

 

 

Running Back
The Draft Board

 

2nd round
Eddie Lacy, Alabama (5-10, 220)
Giovani Bernard, N.C. (5-10, 205)
Montee Ball, Wisconsin (5-11, 215)
3rd round
LeVeon Bell, Michigan State (6-2, 244)
4th round
Christine Michael, Texas A&M (5-10, 221)
Mike Gillislee, Florida (5-11, 207)
6th round
Rex Burkhead, Nebraska (5-11, 210)

The running back situation isn't any more clear than the quarterback situation. Shonn Greene
had a second consecutive 1,000-yard season, but averaged less than four
yards per carry. Oh, lest I forget, he's an unrestricted free agent.
Bilal Powell is a quality backup who I'd like to see get more action to
see if he could ever develop as a starter. Plus, he's still working on
his rookie contract ($550k in 2013). Worst case, he's a decent No. 2 to
Greene (if he re-signs). Joe McKnight has explosive tendencies, we've
all seen that, but he's not consistent enough to be The Man.

If Greene moves on, the Jets should, and will, target a back in the
second, third or fourth round. If he re-signs, a running back won't make
sense, more than likely, until the fifth.

Lacy is a full-on beast with tremendous balance and feet and he's a
significant upgrade over Greene. He had the fortunate pleasure of
running behind three potential top-50 draft picks, so life won't be as
easy at the next level. But, he runs through arm tackles and gives Rex
Ryan and company the ground-and-pound running back that Ryan covets.

The more film that I watch on Bernard, the more I like him. He's
patient, has quick feet, runs behind his pads and finishes his runs.
Think poor man's Ray Rice. He won't break a ton of big runs, but other
than Adrian Peterson, who does? Ball doesn't have "Lacy power", but he's
a complete runner who would also fit well in green and white. He'll
start and stop, turn on a dime before bursting through an open hole.
Bell is the type of back that defenses hate to see in the fourth
quarter, but he also can catch the ball well out of the backfield.

Greene has shown he can be a dependable back at this level, but these
four RBs are more gifted. Not to mention, a few years younger, too. If
Greene stays and the Jets bypass RBs in the first four rounds, Burkhead
is the perfect complementary back who can also play on special teams.

 

 

Wide Receiver

The Jets' receiving corps was doomed from the outset of the season.
Santonio Holmes was lost for the season after only four games. 2012
second-round pick Stephen Hill suffered a similar fate, playing only
eleven games dealing with a knee injury. Outside of Jeremy Kerley's 56
receptions, a pleasant surprise, Chaz Schilens led the remaining WRs
with 28 catches. Let's say both Holmes and Hill come back healthy and
Kerley produces like he did in 2012, the receiving corps is adequate.

The hope is that Holmes is healthy, Kerley plays well in the slot and
Hill returns ready to make a significant difference. A free-agent
acquisition makes more sense than another rookie from this draft.

Given the current WR situation (not the best, not the worst) and the
holes at other positions, the Jets may not target a wide receiver in
this draft. Free agency? Perhaps. But, not in the draft. Not this year
anyway.

 

 

Tight End
The Draft Board

 

2nd round
Tyler Eifert, Notre Dame (6-5, 252)
Zach Ertz, Stanford (6-6, 252)
3rd round
Jordan Reed, Florida (6-3, 243)
Travis Kelce, Cincinnati (6-5, 260)
4th round
Gavin Escobar, San Diego State (6-5, 255)
Dion Sims, Michigan State (6-5, 285)
5th round
Vance McDonald, Rice (6-4, 262)
Ryan Otten, San Jose State (6-5, 235)
6th round
Jake Stoneburner, Ohio State (6-5, 245)
Michael Williams, Alabama (6-6, 269)

NFL teams are accumulating tight ends at a fairly rapid rate and the
Jets have one, when utilized and healthy, that could be a 70 catch/year
option. However, Dustin Keller
is an unrestricted free agent and his backup Jeff Cumberland is a
restricted free agent as well. Keller is of more value to teams that
could utilize him to the fullest, given the higher value placed on tight
ends across the league. His departure would leave the Jets with a
massive hole to fill.

Sanchez needs options, but he also needs to be protected. Signing
Keller would make sense, especially if he gives a bit of a hometown
discount, so to speak. But, if he's gone, the Jets must find an
athletic, pass catcher to give Sanchez intermediate receiving options.

The tight end class has a multitude of options. Eifert and Ertz can line
up anywhere on the field. Escobar is a great athlete who can get open
all over the field. Sims is a 285-pound pass catcher, whose blocking
must improve. Otten is a smaller version of Escobar. Williams is the
best blocking tight end in this draft.

Either way, the Jets have a ton of options up and down the board to
fit a number of needs. If the goal is to replace Keller, then Eifert,
Ertz, Reed, Escobar and Otten fit that bill. If the Jets want a more
versatile tight end, part in-line run blocker, part pass catcher, Kelce
is a good fit in the third or fourth round.

 

 

Offensive line
The Draft Board

 

1st round
G Chance Warmack, Alabama (6-2, 322)
G Jonathan Cooper, N.C. (6-3, 310)
2nd round
T D.J Fluker, Alabama (6-5, 355)
G Larry Warford, Kentucky (6-3, 333)
G/T Kyle Long, Oregon (6-6, 310)
3rd round
G/T Justin Pugh, Syracuse (6-5, 301)
T Dallas Thomas, Tennessee (6-5, 308)
4th round
G/T Brian Winters, Kent State (6-4, 310)
T David Quessenberry, SJSU (6-5, 294)
7th round
G Lane Taylor, Oklahoma State (6-2, 328)

The right tackle odyssey was a disaster from the day that former GM Mike
Tannenbaum decided to forego finding a free agent or a draft pick to
challenge Wayne Hunter last offseason. The downfall was predictable,
even after Hunter was sent to the Rams, opening the spot for Austin
Howard, who wasn't much better. His pass protection was suspect and
that's being nice. Howard is also a restricted free agent, but in a
perfect world he'd be the team's swing tackle, not it's starting right
tackle. The two projected starters at guard are unrestricted free
agents, so it's clear that the Jets must target offensive line help in
this draft at guard and/or tackle, perhaps looking for versatility to
play either position.

If the Jets want an instant upgrade at guard, Warmack is the perfect
fit. Powerful, quick, explosive and sudden, he steps right in and
becomes a Pro Bowl guard within the next three years. The Jets don't
have the luxury of going guard-guard in the first two rounds, but a
combination of Warmack and Warford would jump start the running game in a
heartbeat. But, it's the passing game that needs the help; luckily,
either or both of those two provide sound A/B gap protection in the
passing game.

Winters is a find in the fourth round. He was a stellar left tackle
at Kent State but he's more of a fit at right tackle or at guard. Given
the needs at those positions, he gives the Jets the versatility they
need at either position. Most of the OL listed above will get grimy and
nasty, a must for the Jets.

 

 

Defensive line
The Draft Board

 

6th round
DE Craig Roh, Michigan (6-4, 280)
DE Joe Kruger, Utah (6-6, 280)
DE Damion Square, Alabama (6-3, 286)
7th round
DE Mike Catapano, Princeton (6-3, 270)

Since Kris Jenkins retired a few years ago, the Jets have been void of
quality defensive line depth. Fortunately, the team recognized this and
spent consecutive first-round draft picks on DEs Muhammad Wilkerson and
Quinton Coples. NT Sione Pouha was slowed by a back injury for much of
the year. If those three are healthy for the majority of the year and
Coples makes significant progress, the front three is in good shape.

If Mike Devito is brought back, the defensive line is more than
likely set. However, if the Jets find value in the sixth or seventh
rounds, it'll make sense to add depth and cheap labor.

Roh and Kruger are extremely athletic 280-pounders and are great value
in the sixth or seventh round. One of these two would fit well in New
York backing up Muhammad, Devito and/or Coples. The Jets have more
distinct needs to think about drafting defensive line before the last
two rounds of this draft.

 

 

Linebackers
The Draft Board

 

1st round
OLB Jarvis Jones, Georgia (6-2, 242)
OLB Barkevious Mingo, LSU (6-4, 240)
OLB Ziggy Ansah, BYU (6-5, 274)
2nd round
OLB Alec Ogletree, Georgia (6-3, 234)
3rd round
OLB Sean Porter, Texas A&M (6-1, 231)
4th round
OLB Gerald Hodges, Penn St. (6-1, 239)
5th round
OLB Keith Pough, Howard (6-2, 241)
OLB Meshak Williams, Kansas St. (6-2, 245)
ILB A.J Klein, Iowa State (6-1, 246)
6th round
ILB Vince Williams, Florida St. (6-0, 247)
7th round
ILB Greg Blair, Cincinnati (6-1, 252)

At outside linebacker, Bryan Thomas is an unrestricted free agent and
his off-the-field problems could force the Jets to walk away. Calvin
Pace, on the other side, finished with only three sacks and has little
impact on the edge. The Jets will more than likely cut Pace because of
salary-cap issues.

Suffice it to say, the Jets must find some edge presence to get more
heat on the quarterback early in this draft. The Jets registered only 30
sacks on the season and there is no question that the Jets MUST draft a
pass rusher before the end of the first two rounds.

Inside, the Jets' starters, David Harris and Bart Scott, have been
mainstays, but Scott has slowed considerably, will be 33 by the time the
season starts and could use a youthful push. It's just a matter of
whether it'll be a push into retirement or just to the bench. Either
way, given the Jets' cap situation, they should take a long look at 2012
third-rounder Demario Davis to play alongside Harris.

With only 30 sacks in 2012, the Jets will have a hard time turning away
from Jones, but he's streaky. He'll have games of three or four sacks
with a bushel full of big plays and then the next you'll wonder whether
he's been on the field or not. Plus, Jones' medicals must check out as
his neck injury forced him to leave USC for Georgia back in 2010.
Regardless, he's a significant upgrade on the edge, something the Jets
desperately need.

Mingo hasn't played a ton of football and was just learning how to
play 4-3 defensive end with his hand on the ground at LSU. But, if
there's an athlete in this draft that could make that transition, it's
Mingo. Worst case, he can fly off the edge and get after the
quarterback.

And, no, Jets fans, he's not Vernon Gholston. Ansah is a work in
progress, as well, and might not be the right fit in New York, but if
the Jets are faced with having to select a guy his size who can run a
4.5 forty, well, heck, they'll just have to get over themselves, huh?

Ogletree plays the game with a hefty helping of nasty, but that stays
with him off the field too. With Davis likely taking over Scott's
inside spot next to Harris, the Jets' depth can be bolstered with a
productive tackling machine like Klein, who was the 2011 Big 12
Defensive Player of the Year.

 

 

Secondary
The Draft Board

 

2nd round
CB Desmond Trufant, Wash. (5-11, 190)
CB Xavier Rhodes, Florida St. (6-1, 217)
CB Logan Ryan, Rutgers (6-0, 182)
S Matt Elam, Florida (5-10, 202)
3rd round
CB Robert Alford, SELA (5-10, 186)
S Jonathan Cyprien, FIU (6-0, 209)
S Phillip Thomas, Fresno State (6-1, 210)
S Tony Jefferson, Oklahoma (5-11, 212)
4th round
S Shawn Wiliams, Georgia (6-1, 213)
5th round
S Robert Lester, Alabama (6-1, 212)
S Duke Williams, Nevada (5-11, 201)

The Jets' secondary was like a Dickens novel…it was the best of times
(LaRon Landry's performance at safety) and the worst of times (Revis
Island shutdown). But, nothing lasts forever, especially when Landry is
staring at a potential huge payday as an unrestricted free agent. He was
second on the team with 99 tackles, but he's not married to the Jets,
which leaves a gaping hole at free safety if he leaves.

Then, there is strong safety Yeremiah Bell, who registered 89
tackles, third on the team, and is also an unrestricted free agent. Both
will command significant interest on the market, which could alter free
agent/draft strategy if the Jets lose both players.

At cornerback, if Revis is healthy and Cromartie plays like he did in
2012, the Jets are set at that position. But, the most polarizing
discussion of the offseason will be whether Revis returns to the Jets or
gets traded elsewhere. Plenty of teams will be interested, but the
question about his knee will resonate throughout.

Idzik has his work cut out trying to figure out what to do with this
unit alone. Could it be that the only Jet that returns is Cromartie?
Then what?

This is as difficult to figure out from a draft perspective as any unit
in the AFC East. If Bell and Landry walk and Revis gets moved, it
becomes priority No. 1. If Revis gets moved, the Jets would have
additional picks somewhere in this draft to allow for the opportunity to
draft youngsters at both CB and safety.

Trufant is a lockdown corner who does it with his speed, quickness
and ability to match cuts better than any other CB in this draft.
Rhodes, on the other hand, is physical and can beat receivers up at the
line of scrimmage in press man coverage.

Ryan flew under the radar much of the year, but having played at
Rutgers, the Jets personnel department should be familiar with how
smooth he backpedals, breaks on the ball and makes plays on the ball. At
safety, Elam is a ball player, pure and simple. He plays every single
play with a chip on his shoulder and will run through ball carriers in
run support. He's underrated in pass coverage but no safety has the
football instincts that he has.

Cyprien is getting a ton of attention late in the process. This guy
doesn't back off and doesn't know any other way to play the game. He'll
thrive at the combine and that could push him up into the late second
round after that Meat Market showing.

John Harris hosts The John Harris Show for Yahoo! Sports Radio.

 

> http://sports.yahoo....-060829124.html

[kelly]

The cap-strapped New York Jets began their salary dump Tuesday, releasing three veterans, including high-priced linebacker Calvin Pace.In other expected moves, the Jets also cut a pair of backups, safety Eric Smith and tackle Jason Smith. Injured tight end Josh Bakerwas waived, giving the Jets a total of $24.2 million in salary-cap relief when Baker's salary is factored. The team currently is $2.027 million over the cap, ESPN.com's John Clayton reports.

 

As of last week, they were $23.3 million over the cap. Surprisingly, linebacker Bart Scott wasn't among the first wave of cuts, although he's expected to be released at some point. Scott's agent, Harold Lewis, said Tuesday he will meet with Jets officials this week at the scouting combine to discuss the linebacker's future. To remain on the roster, Scott, due to make $6.9 million, would have to agree to a massive pay cut.Tuesday's releases start what figures to be a tumultuous offseason under new general manager John Idzik, whose  top priority is determining the future of Darrelle Revis. The star cornerback has one year left on his contract, but the Jets may trade him instead of meeting his salary demands.Pace was an every-down linebacker, but his cap charge was prohibitive -- he was due to count $11.6 million. By cutting him, the Jets will get hit with $3.0 million in "dead" money, meaning there will be a savings of $8.6 million.

 

The Jets snagged Pace with a six-year, $42 million contract during free agency in 2008, one of many key additions in a blockbuster offseason. Of all the big-name acquisitions -- Alan Faneca, Kris Jenkins, Damien Woody and, later, Brett Favre -- Pace lasted the longest. didn't become the pass rusher the Jets envisioned, never eclipsing eight sacks in a season. In 2012 he played in 94 percent of the defensive snaps, recording only three sacks and 42 solo tackles (sixth on the team). His signature moment occurred in the 2010 playoffs, when he landed on the cover of Sports Illustrated, an action shot of him sacking Tom Brady in the Jets' stunning upset of the New England Patriots.In five seasons with the Jets, Pace had 28 sacksand 12 forced fumbles.He was a key member of the 2009 defense,which led the league in fewest yards allowed. He could draw interest from the Buffalo Bills, where he'd be reunited with former Jets defensive coordinator Mike Pettine. The Jets don't have an obvious replacement for Pace, but they could draft an outside linebacker with the ninth overall pick in April.

 

Jason Smith's ouster was a no-brainer, considering his $12 million cap figure-- which included an $11.25 million roster bonus. The Jets inherited the contract last August from the St. Louis Rams, who previously had restructured the contract to include the prohibitive bonus, virtually ensuring free agency in 2013.The entire $12 million charge is wiped off the Jets' cap, an enormous savings that will allow them to do business on the open market.Smith was acquired last August in a trade with the Rams as a straight-up swap for Wayne Hunter,another right tackle who fell out of favor. Smith, the No. 2 overall pick in 2009, was used exclusively as a backup. He played in 24 percent of the offensive snaps as an extra blocker in the "jumbo" package.Eric Smith was a valuable backup who contributed heavily on special teams.He was a situational played last season on defense, but he has started 36 games in his career. He was due to make $3 million in the final year
of his contract, all of which is cleaned off the cap.Smith, too, could be reunited with Pettine.

 

> http://espn.go.com/n...d-new-york-jets

[kelly]

NFL Network draft guru Mike Mayock held an epic conference call Monday,
answering questions about this week's scouting combine and the upcoming
draft. For the record, the Q & A session was 22,753 words, based on
the transcript provided by the network.

From a Jets perspective, here are some of my takeaways:

1. It's a bad year to have the ninth overall pick; typical Jets
luck. Said Mayock: "I wouldn't want a top-10 pick this year. I think the
fifth pick in the draft and the 25th pick in this draft are very
similar."

2. The Jets need a guard, maybe two, and there's a stud that could be available at No. 9 -- Alabama's Chance Warmack. Mayock called him "the best player I saw on tape this year," and he wouldn't hesitate to pick him in the top 10.

3. Mayock doesn't believe any quarterbacks are worth the No. 9 pick. He expects West Virginia's Geno Smith and USC's Matt Barkley will be the first two off the board, but he sees them in the 20 to 32
range. Mayock on Smith: "I see flashes of everything you want in a
top-10 quarterback. I see a lot more inconsistency, though, than I see
those flashes."

4. The Jets met with North Carolina State QB Mike Glennon
at the Senior Bowl. He "might have the best arm talent in the draft,"
according to Mayock. But he has a slow release and makes poor decisions,
Mayock said. He sees him in the second round.

5. To me, Oregon DE/OLB Dion Jordan
is one of the most intriguing players. He's 6-foot-7, but only 240
pounds. He has "frightening athletic skills," according to Mayock, who
believes Jordan can be a perennial All-Pro if he adds 20 pounds. He said
Jordan is "two years away from being an Aldon Smith-type
player." Jordan doesn't have ideal weight to be an every-down
linebacker in Rex Ryan's 3-4 scheme, but I know the Jets were high on
Smith when he came out in 2011.

6. Georgia OLB Jarvis Jones,
who has been linked to the Jets, is an "impact, explosive football
player and he's ready to play now," Mayock said. But there's a medical
concern, possible spinal stenonsis. He's a top-10 talent if he checks
out medically, per Mayock.

7. Mayock has only one running back with a first-round grade -- Alabama's Eddie Lacy. He rates Wisconsin's Montee Ball as a late 2.

8. Mayock goes against the grain with regard to his grades for three top defensive ends -- Bjoern Werner (Florida State), Damonte Moore (Texas A&M) and Barkevious Mingo (LSU). He doesn't think Werner and Moore are worth top-10 picks, and hesees Mingo (only 230 pounds) slipping to the end of the first round.
Mingo has been linked to the Jets at No. 9, but I don't think he's a
scheme fit because of his size.

9. I don't see the Jets picking controversial Notre Dame LB Manti Te'o
at No. 9, but we'll mention him here because Mayock had some
interesting comments. He said Te'o had a "plus-plus-plus intangibles
grade" before the girlfriend hoax became a national story. Now? "I think
he's lost all of that," said Mayock, who sees Te'o going in the bottom
third of the first round.

 

> http://espn.go.com/b...n-a-top-10-pick