ONE BOLD MOVE

[Green Jets & Ham]

36 Years and Counting

And unlike some of my younger Jets brethren on this board, I have lived through the entire 36 Years

On behalf of the older members of this board who have done likewise, I think I can safely say that 36 Years seems like 3600 when you live through every day of that drought

I bring this up to only to point out that some of us have seen quite enough of the OTHER GUYS strolling out of that tunnel on Super Sunday and walking off with that lombardi trophy

I think we have waited long enough, don't you agree?

Well I can't speak for anyone else, but I vote we end the drought RIGHT NOW ... 2005 ... and not a moment later

And Just how do I propose we do that?

PETER BOULWARE!!!!!

I know, now I sound like a broken record ... beating a dead horse ... but 36 Years will do that to you when you have seen all 36

When you have a team on the cusp, right on the cusp, and you see a player who can land you in the winners circle ... put you in the show ... maybe deliver the brass ring ... you tend to get a little excited about the idea

Boulware, if healthy, is absolutely that type of front-seven player ... absolutely the type of dominant force who can take a team on the cusp and put them over the top ... no question about it in my mind

But that's not enough ... its not enough for me to make that declaration and expect folks to accept it at face value ... you all deserve more than that ... you deserve an explanation ... and I intend to provide it

Boulware, if healthy, is truly a dominant OLB ... dominant player ... I don't believe any real football fan would dispute that claim

Victor Hobson, sorry to say, is anything but a dominant player ... he's a player who barely hung on to his job in 2004, and whether or not HE DID hang on to his job is actually open to debate

And the man who semi took his job {Mark Brown} is a nice story, UDFA who stuck, but he too is not exactly a force to be wreckoned with

So no matter which way you look at it, whether you like one guy or the other, THERE IS an opening for a dominant OLB on this football team

And there is also the SUPER UNIT concept to consider

Now we all know what constitutes a SUPER UNIT ... a unit stacked with outstanding players ... but in this context {and I will soon explain why} it is important to note what a SUPER UNIT means for the other units?

The following excerpt is from GBN, explaining what a SUPER UNIT means for the other units ...

It is possible to create a SUPER UNIT that makes all other units on the team better simply because opponents have to invest so much in stopping the good unit that the weaker ones are allowed considerable liberties.

Considerable liberties

Considerable liberties

Let me translate that ... here's what that means FOR US

It means we would now have the luxury to start an exceptionally talented youngster like Justin Miller right out of the box ... RAW AS HE IS ... because the SUPER UNIT Gives you that liberty

And that also means that the need for a Ty Law, which has been our focus for so many weeks, is no longer the major need it once appeared too be

And lastly, there is also the opportunity to create a dominant front-seven ... the SUPER UNIT we create may go way beyond just the linebacking core and may actually extend itself THROUGHOUT THE FRONT-SEVEN

DE John Abraham {All-Pro}

DE Shaun Ellis {All-Pro}

DT DeWayne Robertson {TOP 4 Pick and emerging star}

MLB Jon Vilma {DROY}

OLB Peter Boulware {Perennial All-Pro with 67.5 Career Sacks}

Eric Barton {One of the Games most under-rated linebackers, and we know that's true}

That is SIX PLAYERS in your front-seven who are all capable of wrecking havoc ... some more than others, but SIX bona-fide playmakers in your front-seven

That is the type of front-seven that keeps opposing coaches awake at nite ... and it's also the type of front-seven that can land you smack-dab in the middle of the SUPER BOWL

Someone asked me earlier, how much would Boulware cost?

Honestly, I don't know ... but let's say its alot ... lots of cash ... but its also the move that puts us over the top {which it very well may be} ... is there a price-tag you can put on THAT, after 36 Years and Counting?

I DON'T THINK SO ... and I don't believe any of you think so either?

Yeah, I can hear it already and its true ... there are still no Guarantees that Boulware is the final piece of the puzzle, the one that puts us in the show

THAT IS TRUE ... NO TEAM enters the season with a Guarantee ... NO SUCH THING ... all you can do is build a team that is loaded for bear and ready to take a SERIOUS RUN, then sit back and watch it unfold ... pray for good health and hope for the best ... but YOU CAN field a football team that looks like it has one heck of a chance, maybe an odds on favorite, and that's what I'm asking the Jets to do here ... to put us squarely in the CATBIRD SEAT ... and we can do that with ONE BOLD MOVE {See Below}

[faba]

I would love to have Boulware and Abe coming from the corners and collapsing the pocket.

Two big problems are obviously the salary he will be looking for and the competition for him- I posted today Cleveland is very interested in him.

Right now most teams are close to the cap and have to leave room to sign their rookies. This may go down at June 1st salary cuts approach

[PatsFanTX]

Hammer, a couple of weeks ago your "one bold move away" was Matt Jones.

Do you subscribe to the "one bold move away" player of the week theory?

Seriously, I'd be pretty pissed if the Jets signed Boulware.

[124]

Boulware would be a great addition to this team and would give us if not the best LB core in the NFL, certainly in the Top 3...Ravens and Pats still have pretty good one's as well...our front 7 would be dominate and it would help in the maturation process of Justin Miller.

Count me on the bandwagon

SIGN PETER BOULWARE!!

[Smizzy]

Im with you 100% ham bone.

[PatsFanTX]

Im with you 100% ham bone.

Hey Smizz, who is the guy in the mug shot in your avatar?

[JonEJet]

Gimme Ty Law, thank you very much

Don't get me wrong, I love getting Justin Miller. The same Justin Miller who came out a year early.

The same Justin Miller I watched each and every week, that was not a good cover corner

Does he have a chance to be great...yep, he has all the tools

But for next year, gimme Law, and I'll take my chances with Brown and Hobson!!

[Maxman]

I am usually the blowhard who says not enough money...blah blah blah.

You know what? If they signed Boulware they would have to let Abraham walk next year. But that gives them this year to go for it all. Next year Thomas can take over.

Basically switching Abe for Boulware. Both would get a lot of money long term. But you are talking about a guy who has played hurt...vs a guy who sat out pretty much every stretch run!

[Green Jets & Ham]

Hey Smizz, who is the guy in the mug shot in your avatar?

Justin Miller 8)

[Green Jets & Ham]

Jon, I can only refer you back to the section on SUPER UNITS and their relation to other units

When you have a dominant front-seven, you don't need exceptional DB's throughout the secondary as well

Perfect example is the 85 Bears ... I defy anyone to name their CB's without looking?

I believe one of the two was some JAG named Shaun Gayle, and I really can't recall the second CB off the top of my head

Gary Fencik was an outstanding SS, but Dave Dureson was JAG at FS

DIDN'T MATTER ... didn't matter one wit ... because their front-seven was so dominant, they could have played ME in the secondary and still left offenses for dead

Lastly, the secondary we would be tossing out there ... WITH THAT FRONT-SEVEN ... is far from weak

AT WORST it would be an average secondary, which would be plenty good enough with the front-seven {Boulware included}

DE John Abraham

DT Pouha/Legree

DT DeWayne Robertson

DE Shaun Ellis

==

OLB Peter Boulware

MLB Jon Vilma

OLB Eric Barton

==

CB David Barrett

S Erik Coleman

S Jon McGraw

CB Miller/Mickins

That front-seven would be awesome ... AWESOME ... and that secondary would certainly be GOOD ENOUGH to play behind that front-seven, IMHO

[PatsFanTX]

Justin Miller 8)

Does he have his electronic ankle bracelet on?

Yep, Justin Miller and NYC will go together just like gasoline and a match. :wink:

[Alk]

Could you explain the CONSIDERABLE LIBERTIES!! part again for the class?

[JonEJet]

Obviously I recpect your opinion

But you basically stated throwing Miller out there to the wolves

He's not ready....I'm telling you, from what i've seen

And I saw just about every Clemson game!!

Nevertheless, your superunit theory would also be considered strong with Law and Barrett ath the CB's

[RichardSeymour]

Ham, Abe and Elliis are pro-bowl caliber..... but all-pro? No.

Also doubtful Boulware's still all-pro caliber.

That doesn't change your main point much, I'm just a stickler for detail.

[PatsFanTX]

But you basically stated throwing Miller out there to the wolves

He's not ready....I'm telling you, from what i've seen

Very refreshing to see an objective post from JonEFag.

JM will be the Jets starting CB in the opener vs the Chiefs.

Sure, he'll get burnt a few times like any rookie CB will, but that short term learning will be far greater than having him sit his butt on the bench.

[sirlancemehlot]

I'm just a tickler for de tail.

Sorry RS. Sometimes the punchline's just lying there right in front of you, calling out like crack calls Whitney Houston.

[Maxman]

Herm doesn't play rookies remember?

[PatsFanTX]

Herm doesn't play rookies remember?

If Hermy does not start Miller, he is a bigger moron that I have already stated.

[Maxman]

If Hermy does not start Miller, he is a bigger moron that I have already stated.

He will start Miller. I was just clearing Herm's good name. He got blasted for not playing rookies in the past.

The truth is that if the rookie is deserving, Herm will play them.

When he had Mo and Marvin out there he had no young kids that were ready to step in.

[PatsFanTX]

When he had Mo and Marvin out there he had no young kids that were ready to step in.

Mo Lewis is the greatest Jets player ever. :wink:

Man, can that guy lay a hit.

[Maxman]

Mo Lewis is the greatest Jets player ever. :wink:

I know that. And Herm knows that.

But trying to convince the rest of these guys is no small task.

[The Troll]

Obviously I recpect your opinion

But you basically stated throwing Miller out there to the wolves

He's not ready....I'm telling you, from what i've seen

And I saw just about every Clemson game!!

Nevertheless, your superunit theory would also be considered strong with Law and Barrett ath the CB's

There is no such thing as a super-unit of cornerbacks because there is no longer a such thing as a shutdown cornerback.

The #1 most important thing on defense is putting pressure on the quarterback. If you can consistently get pressure on the passer, then you can win championships with Randal Gay and Hank Poteat at cornerback.

Peter Boulware would be infinitely better for the Jets than Ty Law would be. Boulware has been the best rush linebacker in the league for much of the last decade. Don't think Ray Lewis would ever be mentioned in the same breath as Dick Butkus if it wasn't for Peter Boulware.

[PatsFanTX]

There is no such thing as a super-unit of cornerbacks because there is no longer a such thing as a shutdown cornerback.

The #1 most important thing on defense is putting pressure on the quarterback. If you can consistently get pressure on the passer, then you can win championships with Randal Gay and Hank Poteat at cornerback.

Peter Boulware would be infinitely better for the Jets than Ty Law would be. Boulware has been the best rush linebacker in the league for much of the last decade. Don't think Ray Lewis would ever be mentioned in the same breath as d!ck Butkus if it wasn't for Peter Boulware.

Troll,

Excellent post.

[Alk]

So....about this CONSIDERABLE LIBERTIES!! thing....

[Green Jets & Ham]

There is no such thing as a super-unit of cornerbacks because there is no longer a such thing as a shutdown cornerback.

The #1 most important thing on defense is putting pressure on the quarterback. If you can consistently get pressure on the passer, then you can win championships with Randal Gay and Hank Poteat at cornerback.

Peter Boulware would be infinitely better for the Jets than Ty Law would be. Boulware has been the best rush linebacker in the league for much of the last decade. Don't think Ray Lewis would ever be mentioned in the same breath as d!ck Butkus if it wasn't for Peter Boulware.

THANK YOU!!

And for those who think Peter Boulware is strictly a 3-4 OLB, and that is where all of his big sack numbers came from, think again!!

Boulware played mostly SLB for the Ravens in the 4-3 for most of his career, including their championship season ... and yes, that would be Victor Hobson's position with the Jets {uh, take a seat Vic if we bring in Boulware}

If you recall, the Ravens used to play a 4-3 ... Sam Adams and Goose were their two DT's, with Mike McCary and Rob Burnett at DE ... Jamie Sharper was their WLB and Peter Boulware was their SLB

RDE Michael McCary

DT Tony Sarigusa

DT Sam Adams

LDE Rob Burnett

==

WLB Jamie Sharper

MLB Ray Lewis

SLB Peter Boulware

And Peter Boulware is a better SLB than Victor Hobson can ever even dream about being

PS. They went to the 3-4 in 2002 ... so he played mostly SLB in the 4-3 for at least 5 Years

2001 RAVENS ROSTER ... http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/nfl/teams/ravens/depthChart.html

[Green Jets & Ham]

You want some numbers?

PETER BOULWARE, mosly at SLB in the 4-3

1997 ... 11.5 Sacks and was named DROY

1998 ... 8.5 Sacks

1999 ... 10 Sacks and made his first Pro Bowl

2000 ... 7 Sacks

2001 ... 15 Sacks {ALL PRO}

Ravens went to the 3-4 in 2002

Those are his first five years in the league ... all in the 4-3 ... mostly at SLB in the 4-3, where he supposedly cannot be counted on to Get after the QB

[The Gun Of Bavaria]

I'm done declaring one player the 'missing link' in the Jets Super Bowl run. Isn't there one every year??

Last time I checked the missing links have gotten us playoff losses in 3 out of 4 years.

The 'road to the Super Bowl' is littered with so many corpses of 'Jets missing links" that the f-ing bus needs a lift kit to give it enough ground clearance to climb over them all.

Someone call me when the Jets finally get to the Super Bowl.

If anyone says that getting to the playoffs in 3 out of 4 years is success I'm going to vomit.

It's as f-ing simple as this: The Jets win the god damned Super Bowl this year or bust this year. Bust is a pink slip for Edwards and some 'key players' on that squad.

[Savage69]

Herm doesn't play rookies remember?

No but the "Real Coach" Henderson does!! :wink:

[PatsFanTX]

Someone call me when the Jets finally get to the Super Bowl.

Gun, are you taking your cell phone to the grave?

[PFSIKH]

Gun, are you taking your cell phone to the grave?

I doubt it, I would think that would fall under roaming charges.

[afosomf]

while i would love to add a healthy PB to LB corps, this regime cannot close on anyone resembling a high profile player

Winfield, Lynch, D mason.... I give us a 1 in thousand chance of signing him.

That is just the way it is, there is a reason why it's 36 and counting.

I thank god each day that i was able to watch Joe Willie give the Colts the business Live!!!!! not this tape bullcrap on ESPN.

In the words of HAM we need a closer, Hermy just doesn't fit the mold.

[shawn306]

I doubt it, I would think that would fall under roaming charges.

[shawn306]

Here is the point I don't understand.

With the June 1st cuts coming soon why didn't Baltmore wait before cut him ? Wouldn't they save money on the cap then ?

As far as bring Boulware here. I would love to have him come here. I think though the Jets will probably wait till after June 1st to see if a safety becomes available.

[PatsFanTX]

Here is the point I don't understand.

With the June 1st cuts coming soon why didn't Baltmore wait before cut him ? Wouldn't they save money on the cap then ?

Depends on how his contract was structured and the cap implications.

He may have been entitled to a roster bonus.

Also, teams release players early so they might have a better chance on hooking up with another team.

Without all the details, it's hard to really know why.

[PatsFanTX]

Here's a pretty good article from the Baltimore Sun.

A 30-year old virgin?

---------------------------------------------------------

THE DIVORCE BETWEEN former Pro Bowl outside linebacker Peter Boulware and the Ravens was inevitable. Boulware had recurring knee problems that forced him to miss the 2004 season. His salary for 2005 would have been $6 million, ridiculously high for a part-time player.

Boulware had a choice of taking a pay cut or facing the possibility of being traded or waived. Actually, Boulware chose his own fate. There is no one to blame in this separation. It was purely business and ended as amicably as possible for one of the franchise's cornerstone players.

In this fantasy world of sports, it would have been great to see Boulware play his last game in a Ravens uniform and ride off in a convertible into the sunset, headed for Disney. But the reality is that Boulware, like most successful athletes in their twilight years, thinks he can still play as an every-down player despite the constant pain in his shoulders and knees.

The decision to let Boulware go wasn't purely about the money.

"At the end of the day, it was more about my reduced role than anything else," said Boulware, 30, a former first-round draft pick and the team's all-time sack leader with 67 1/2 . "I don't know what's out there, but I'm going to find the right team and the right situation for me. I believe I have a couple of good years left. I have no animosity toward the Ravens, Brian [bilick, coach] or Ozzie [Newsome, general manager]."

In cases like these, athletes often harbor true feelings, but that would be so unlike Boulware. Of all the Ravens who have come and gone since 1996, Boulware was always my favorite.

You admired him for his abilities - the spin move or the dropped shoulder where he would blow by offensive tackles - but you admired him more as a person. Boulware is an honorable, Christian man who treated everyone with respect.

He's a high-character guy in a league filled with suspect characters. With Boulware, you never had to worry about reading in the morning paper about him being involved in a shootout, murder, drug conspiracy or driving while under the influence.

He never publicly criticized his teammates and was always the same mild-mannered guy after a big loss or a big win. He found time for fans. There were no pretenses about Boulware. He didn't need a flashy car, a flamboyant pre-game dance or an exuberant touchdown celebration.

True story: Boulware didn't believe in pre-marital sex. He took some good-natured ribbing from teammates but never changed his mind.

While some of his teammates laughed at him, they also had an immense amount of respect for Boulware because he was firm in his beliefs. Boulware was a regular at team Bible study and on the circuit for mentoring kids.

Boulware also had a strong relationship with Newsome. They had a connection because they both have a passion for the game. Over the years, you heard a lot of rumors about Boulware - that he had gone soft and couldn't play with pain.

Those were ridiculous.

Here's a guy who played two of his first three seasons with basically one shoulder. Here's a player who would have to stretch out on the sideline grimacing in pain almost every Sunday for nearly two years as trainer Bill Tessendorf popped his shoulder back in place. Soft guys don't play 111 games in a row. No one should ever question his passion for football.

It's his love for the game that has caused him to leave the Ravens. If I were Boulware, I would have taken the $2 million salary plus the $2 million in incentives offered by the Ravens for the 2005 season. What's wrong with being a third-down pass-rushing specialist after eight years of tossing your body around in the NFL?

In that capacity, he might last longer than trying to play every down. But like other greats before him, Boulware is a competitor. He's going to try to milk every ounce of talent out of that body.

It's apparent the Ravens feel that Boulware can no longer be a dominant every-down player. They tried to trade him several times during the offseason.

We'll miss that explosive first step coming off the perimeter on the snap of the ball. We'll miss the arms and legs flailing in his relentless attempts to get to the quarterback.

On Sunday afternoons in 2000-2001, it was fun watching No. 58 play with Ray Lewis and Jamie Sharper to form the best linebacking corps in the league. Some team is going to take a shot with Boulware. Cincinnati and Cleveland are already in the hunt.

You wish Boulware the best because he deserves it. But in our own selfish way, we hope he doesn't get a big contract to sign with another team. Maybe he'll end up back in Baltimore, because the Ravens haven't ruled out a possible return.

In a perfect world, that's the perfect ending.