Costello: The Jets are expected to be one of the primary suitors for Seahawks free agent Byron Maxwell.

[pointman]

http://nypost.com/2015/02/24/the-cornerback-dilemma-facing-new-jets-regime/

 

The cornerback dilemma facing new Jets regime  

By Brian Costello

February 24, 2015 | 11:41am

 

 

 

The 2015 NFL Scouting Combine is history. After a few days in Indianapolis, here are a few Jets-related takeaways from the combine, gathered from talking to people in convention center corridors, hotel lobbies and bars last week in Indy:

1. It’s no secret the Jets need cornerbacks, but this week only put even more of an emphasis on it. The Jets, to their credit, are being honest about it. Both GM Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles acknowledged it during their media sessions. The sense I get is the Jets are going to add players at this position through both free agency and the draft.

“Todd likes to play Cover 1 all day long,” one NFL coach said. “That’s straight-up man-press. He better find some corners quick if he wants to do that.”

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Bill Belichick will try to keep Revis in New England.Photo: Getty Images

The Jets are expected to be one of the primary suitors for Seahawks free agent Byron Maxwell. The talk in Indy was that the Jets and Eagles would be the two teams fighting for him. After Maxwell, there is a bit of a drop-off, but the Jets likely will add one of the second-tier corners, too — possibly Antonio Cromartie, who has publicly campaigned for a return to the Jets. Everyone I spoke with expects the Patriots to bring back Darrelle Revis, so the Jets might not get a crack at bringing back their former first-round pick.

One thing to remember here is that agents are aware how desperate the Jets are for cornerbacks and the Jets may have to overpay this year. Former GM John Idzik’s refusal to pay a premium for corners last year left them in this position. Now, Maccagnan will be tested to see how high he will go.

In the draft, I heard the Jets are very high on LSU’s Jalen Collins and Wake Forest’s Kevin Johnson. Keep an eye on them if they slip into the second round.

I came away from the combine convinced the Jets will either take QB Marcus Mariota with the No. 6 overall pick or a pass rusher. If WR Amari Cooper falls to 6, that might complicate the decision.

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David HarrisPhoto: Charles Wenzelberg

2. David Harris is the top Jets free agent and I believe they will re-sign the linebacker. The Jets met with Harris’ reps in Indianapolis and I think the two sides will reach a deal. If Harris does become a free agent, an obvious suitor would be Rex Ryan in Buffalo. Ryan loved Harris, but don’t count on a reunion. The Bills are loaded at inside linebacker with the return of Kiko Alonso and Nigel Bradham and Preston Brown. Another AFC East team, the Dolphins, may be the Jets’ stiffest competition for Harris. Former Jets GM Mike Tannenbaum is running the show in Miami now, and he drafted Harris and gave him a big contract in 2011.

The Jets’ connections around the AFC East are going to be fascinating to watch not just during the season but also during free agency.

3. It sounds like Chris Johnson was a major headache for the Jets coaches last year. Johnson did his best not to rock the boat with the media last year, but it was evident he was unhappy with his role. He said last week that he blamed Idzik for his reduced playing time, but it sounds like it was the coaching staff that decided Chris Ivory was a better option. One person I spoke with familiar with the situation said that Johnson believed he had been promised a bigger role when he signed, but that was never the case. They also said Johnson was not thrilled with his compensation and griped about his paychecks more than once.

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Percy HarvinPhoto: Bill Kostroun

4. There were a variety of opinions on what the Jets should do with WR Percy Harvin. Some believe the Jets should not be in the business of cutting good players, since they have so few. Others argue that Harvin is not worth $10.5 million.

One person who moved on from the Jets after last season said Harvin was a pleasure to deal with after he was traded to the Jets last season. They said they believed the Jets need to hold on to Harvin and see how he does in Chan Gailey’s system.

The Jets have until March 19 to make a decision on Harvin. If he is on the roster then, the sixth-round pick they traded to the Seahawks becomes a fourth-rounder.

5. I tried to do a bit of an autopsy on the 2014 season with any of the coaches or front office members from last year’s team I ran into. The most interesting thing I heard was morale was a major issue from the get-go.

The way it was told to me was the entire franchise was feeling good after the 8-8 finish in 2013. Most of the people inside the organization had prepared themselves for a terrible year and were surprised and excited by the finish, particularly when owner Woody Johnson announced Ryan would return for the 2014 season. The expectation in the building was Ryan would get a true long-term extension, putting him and Idzik on the same timeline. Instead, he was only given a one-year deal that could become longer if the Jets went to the playoffs in 2014.

“That instantly zapped morale,” one source said.

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Rex Ryan and John IdzikPhoto: Bill Kostroun

The feeling was Ryan had used his job status as a motivational tool in 2013, but he could not expect the team to “win one for Rex” again in 2014. Morale worsened when Idzik failed to spend much money in free agency. There was a strong push from the coaching staff to sign Revis when Tampa Bay released him and wide receiver DeSean Jackson when the Eagles cut him. Idzik passed on both.

“We never really recovered,” the source said.

6. There was lots of talk about what went wrong with Idzik. There is a curiosity around the league about what happened with the Jets and what his future holds. One topic I asked a few people about was Idzik’s 2014 draft class, a.k.a. the “Idzik 12.”

Many people believe Calvin Pryor and Jace Amaro will be good players and make the draft class look better over time. But everyone agrees Idzik’s biggest whiff came at wide receiver. In the most receiver-rich draft in memory, Idzik drafted Jalen Saunders, Shaq Evans and Quincy Enunwa — who combined for 0 catches.

There was a push from some members of the organization to draft Martavis Bryant, who went to the Steelers in the fourth round — after Saunders and Evans. But Idzik resisted. Bryant scored eight touchdowns in 10 games for Pittsburgh.

The Jets released Saunders early in the season, which raised some eyebrows. A source said Saunders was a nightmare for the coaching staff to deal with. He repeatedly lied to the Jets and lost the trust of the organization.

“John deserves credit for admitting that mistake and moving on so quickly,” a source said of Idzik.

Saunders finished the season with the Saints.

[32EBoozer]

Good read! Thanks for posting.

 

Question for the board... Why not cut Harvin and tell his agent that we will sign him to a 3 yr./$27 mil contract after the draft with $14 mil guaranteed? We keep the 4th rd. pick/ Harvin gets more than he would in FA for doin' us a favor and we keep depth at the position while we also draft a rookie wide out(strong, DGB etc)

[Villain The Foe]

Good read! Thanks for posting.

 

Question for the board... Why not cut Harvin and tell his agent that we will sign him to a 3 yr./$27 mil contract after the draft with $14 mil guaranteed? We keep the 4th rd. pick/ Harvin gets more than he would in FA for doin' us a favor and we keep depth at the position while we also draft a rookie wide out(strong, DGB etc)

Because if something happens such as what happened with Desearn Jackson being a free agent unexpectedly last year and we decide to sign him then Harvin waited out the free agency period on a promise. Vice versa. 

 

Its not a good idea for either side. Either make a deal or cut him. 

[32EBoozer]

Because if something happens such as what happened with Desearn Jackson being a free agent unexpectedly last year and we decide to sign him then Harvin waited out the free agency period on a promise. Vice versa. 

 

Its not a good idea for either side. Either make a deal or cut him. 

If it weren't for that 4th rd. pick, I'd say keep him. Some have stated you can pick up a 4th by trading down out of the #6 or #38. Still a 4th is tough to swallow for a malcontent

[Villain The Foe]

If it weren't for that 4th rd. pick, I'd say keep him. Some have stated you can pick up a 4th by trading down out of the #6 or #38. Still a 4th is tough to swallow for a malcontent

I'd cut him simply because he's not worth the money. If he was we wouldnt mind losing the 4th rounder because we'd be gaining reliable talent. The fact that the possibility of losing a 4th rounder is considered this crucial says alot regarding how Harvin is being valued. Its damn near an indictment. 

[Gastineau Lives]

So surprised the players wouldn't be psyched about the Super Bowl Run of 2016.

[Ken Schroy]

I don't want to give up the 4th rounder. His price tag is also too high for what the type of WR he is and his knack for getting injured.

[The Crusher]

To Hell with Costello.  Im waiting to see what Abbott thinks.