Could the Jets sign Terrance Knighton to replace Damon Harrison ? ? ?

[kelly]

Damon Harrison wants to return to the Jets. He loves the team, the team loves him.

The only thing keeping Harrison from coming back to New York is money.

That’s just, well, kinda a big “only.”

While the impending free-agent was vocal Tuesday about his hopes a deal gets done, GM Mike Maccagnan and Co. are no doubtedly working on contingency plans incase ‘Snacks’ bolts in free agency.

Could one of those backup options be the Redskins Terrance Knighton ?

Knighton, 29, is coming off of his first season in Washington after bouncing around the NFL his first few years. Knighton spent three years with the Jaguars after being taken by the team in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, then two seasons with the Broncos.After struggling a bit with Jacksonville, Knighton, nicknamed ‘Pot Roast,’ found a home on Denver’s defense as the team’s nose tackle. He played quite well from 2013-2014, too, registering a combined 61 tackles and five sacks.Knighton’s true impact on Denver’s defense though isn’t really illustrated in traditional statistics. Dive a bit more into analytics, and suddenly Knighton’s performance is overwhelmingly evident.

Knighton earned aProFootballFocus.comgrade of 29.1 (17.0 vs run, 10.0 vs. pass) in 2013, which was the ninth-highest among qualifying defensive tackles. In 2014, he had a respectable grade of 16.2, or the 11th-best among defensive tackles.Despite his impressive play, Knighton quietly made his way to Washington to play on a one-year deal worth $4 million last offseason. According to a report from ESPN, it’s unlikely the Redskins retain Knighton, in spite of a solid season that saw the big man record 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

If he isn’t brought back, could he be the perfect replacement for Harrison ?

While Knighton was solid last season for Washington, he wasn’t dominant. Essentially what that means is there hasn’t been much of a change from his value in 2015, to now 2016. If he hits the open market, deals for one, two years worth $4 million annually are likely what will be on the table for the 29-year-old.With a list of unrestricted free agents that also includes names like “Ryan Fitzpatrick,” “Chris Ivory,” and “Muhammad Wilkerson,” and an estimated $11-$13 million in salary cap space right now, there’s a very real chance another team out-bids the Jets for Harrison.That leaves a hole in the middle of New York’s defense. And if the 6-3, 354-pound Knighton can do nothing else, it’s fill a hole.

While he’s not quite the player Harrison is, Knighton is solid. He’s stout against the run, and isn’t a liability as a pass rusher (he has 14 career sacks). He’s proven he can play at the NFL level, and more important than anything else, he won’t break the bank.With second-year pro Deon Simon the only other nose tackle on the roster, it wouldn’t exactly be wise for the Jets to enter next season with strictly he, or even a rookie drafted this year, as the only at the position. As a bit of an insurance policy, the Jets are going to need a proven veteran.If the Jets could get Knighton on the cheap ($3-$5 million), he could be exactly that.

From Snacks to Pot Roast ? There are worse things that could happen to the middle of the Jets defensive line.

>    http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/02/17/could-the-jets-sign-terrance-knighton-to-replace-damon-harrison/
 

[Raideraholic]

42 minutes ago, kelly said:

Damon Harrison wants to return to the Jets. He loves the team, the team loves him.

The only thing keeping Harrison from coming back to New York is money.

That’s just, well, kinda a big “only.”

While the impending free-agent was vocal Tuesday about his hopes a deal gets done, GM Mike Maccagnan and Co. are no doubtedly working on contingency plans incase ‘Snacks’ bolts in free agency.

Could one of those backup options be the Redskins Terrance Knighton ?

Knighton, 29, is coming off of his first season in Washington after bouncing around the NFL his first few years. Knighton spent three years with the Jaguars after being taken by the team in the third round of the 2009 NFL Draft, then two seasons with the Broncos.After struggling a bit with Jacksonville, Knighton, nicknamed ‘Pot Roast,’ found a home on Denver’s defense as the team’s nose tackle. He played quite well from 2013-2014, too, registering a combined 61 tackles and five sacks.Knighton’s true impact on Denver’s defense though isn’t really illustrated in traditional statistics. Dive a bit more into analytics, and suddenly Knighton’s performance is overwhelmingly evident.

Knighton earned aProFootballFocus.comgrade of 29.1 (17.0 vs run, 10.0 vs. pass) in 2013, which was the ninth-highest among qualifying defensive tackles. In 2014, he had a respectable grade of 16.2, or the 11th-best among defensive tackles.Despite his impressive play, Knighton quietly made his way to Washington to play on a one-year deal worth $4 million last offseason. According to a report from ESPN, it’s unlikely the Redskins retain Knighton, in spite of a solid season that saw the big man record 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks.

If he isn’t brought back, could he be the perfect replacement for Harrison ?

While Knighton was solid last season for Washington, he wasn’t dominant. Essentially what that means is there hasn’t been much of a change from his value in 2015, to now 2016. If he hits the open market, deals for one, two years worth $4 million annually are likely what will be on the table for the 29-year-old.With a list of unrestricted free agents that also includes names like “Ryan Fitzpatrick,” “Chris Ivory,” and “Muhammad Wilkerson,” and an estimated $11-$13 million in salary cap space right now, there’s a very real chance another team out-bids the Jets for Harrison.That leaves a hole in the middle of New York’s defense. And if the 6-3, 354-pound Knighton can do nothing else, it’s fill a hole.

While he’s not quite the player Harrison is, Knighton is solid. He’s stout against the run, and isn’t a liability as a pass rusher (he has 14 career sacks). He’s proven he can play at the NFL level, and more important than anything else, he won’t break the bank.With second-year pro Deon Simon the only other nose tackle on the roster, it wouldn’t exactly be wise for the Jets to enter next season with strictly he, or even a rookie drafted this year, as the only at the position. As a bit of an insurance policy, the Jets are going to need a proven veteran.If the Jets could get Knighton on the cheap ($3-$5 million), he could be exactly that.

From Snacks to Pot Roast ? There are worse things that could happen to the middle of the Jets defensive line.

>    http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/02/17/could-the-jets-sign-terrance-knighton-to-replace-damon-harrison/
 

The only question why wouldn't  you keep the much younger snacks over Terrance Knighton.   There isn't going to be as big a difference in contract for each player. 1 -2 million.  

Terrance Knighton easily would have gotten six million in Fa last year. He got greedy and priced  himself out.    Teams that were interested , went in another direction.    He was left with only one team , and had to take whatever they offered at that point.( your not getting him for what Washington paid him last year- he learned his lesson.

[Freemanm]

Find the money to pay Snacks, or watch the Jets run defense get much worse next season. I don't even consider Knighton to be anywhere as good as Snacks. 

It would be a shame but the Jets have a lot of guys on the DL so seeing Mo leave is something that the Jets can bounce back from. Finding someone as good as Harrison would be extremely difficult.

[SenorGato]

Knighton...Rubin...Mebane...Raji...maybe even Ngata....Ian Williams...someone can occupy space for a down or two without costing a shyte ton of money and years to play a limited role.

 

 

[CrazyCarl40]

5 minutes ago, SenorGato said:

Knighton...Rubin...Mebane...Raji...maybe even Ngata....Ian Williams...someone can occupy space for a down or two without costing a shyte ton of money and years to play a limited role.

 

 

There's a difference between "occupying space" and doing what Harrison does. He doesn't just take up space, he dominates inside that space. He doesn't only open up plays for others to be made, but he makes the plays himself, as evidenced by his 72 tackles, including 8 for loss (the best on the team).

[SenorGato]

4 minutes ago, CrazyCarl40 said:

There's a difference between "occupying space" and doing what Harrison does. He doesn't just take up space, he dominates inside that space. He doesn't only open up plays for others to be made, but he makes the plays himself, as evidenced by his 72 tackles, including 8 for loss (the best on the team).

That's nice, someone else can pay for that difference. The Jets are a fine run defense without him and can focus more on adding speed.

[CrazyCarl40]

1 minute ago, SenorGato said:

That's nice, someone else can pay for that difference. The Jets are a fine run defense without him and can focus more on adding speed.

The former is yet to be seen, and the latter doesn't really apply to the argument. The Jets need to get faster in the linebacking core. They aren't trying to get faster at "running stuffing NT". There is probably very little improvement to be made in that regard, if at all. No matter what they do at the NT position, if they don't bring back Snacks they are getting worse at the position.

[SenorGato]

8 minutes ago, CrazyCarl40 said:

The former is yet to be seen, and the latter doesn't really apply to the argument. The Jets need to get faster in the linebacking core. They aren't trying to get faster at "running stuffing NT". There is probably very little improvement to be made in that regard, if at all. No matter what they do at the NT position, if they don't bring back Snacks they are getting worse at the position.

The former has been seen and of course it applies, overspending on run defense for a run stopper who comes off the field for passing downs costs them the opportunity to shop for some speed at LB. The Jets have fielded strong run defenses before Harrison, and will do so without him. Commiting to a run stuffing NT is the opposite of building a faster defense, espscially one wih three well above average run stoppers on there already.

[CrazyCarl40]

1 minute ago, SenorGato said:

The former has been seen and of course it applies, overspending on run defense for a run stopper who comes off the field for passing downs costs them the opportunity to shop for some speed at LB. The Jets have fielded strong run defenses before Harrison, and will do so without him. Commiting to a run stuffing NT is the opposite of building a faster defense, espscially one wih three well above average run stoppers on there already.

No, giving Revis 17 million a year, David Harris nearly 8, Cro 8, Buster Skrine is going to make nearly 8 million this year all makes it cost prohibitive to bringing in speed in the middle and off the edge.

I guess I'm confused as to how you see the defensive alignment next season on 1st and 2nd down. You said previously that they need to bring in someone to occupy space but you also are saying you don't want to commit to someone because everyone on the line is good against the run. So which is it? You just don't want to commit the years and money Snacks is asking for but are willing to give 3-4 million to someone else to be much worse? Ever think that Harrison being so good against the run raises the level of Wilk, Richardson, and Williams?

[UntouchableCrew]

Didn't everyone say we would have a hard time replacing Pouha?

I like snacks but NT just isn't a position smart teams break the bank on in today's NFL.

[SenorGato]

3 minutes ago, CrazyCarl40 said:

No, giving Revis 17 million a year, David Harris nearly 8, Cro 8, Buster Skrine is going to make nearly 8 million this year all makes it cost prohibitive to bringing in speed in the middle and off the edge.

I guess I'm confused as to how you see the defensive alignment next season on 1st and 2nd down. You said previously that they need to bring in someone to occupy space but you also are saying you don't want to commit to someone because everyone on the line is good against the run. So which is it? You just don't want to commit the years and money Snacks is asking for but are willing to give 3-4 million to someone else to be much worse? Ever think that Harrison being so good against the run raises the level of Wilk, Richardson, and Williams?

Revis is the second best player on this team and still the best CB in the NFL, he improves team speed. Harris is gone after next year, but is more valuable than Harrison anyway. Skrine will get restructured, but is a top 100 DB naming low-tier FA money for his ages 25-28 seasons. 

You're confused because you want to be confused. Buying another NT doesn't mean I secretly value the position more than I let on, it's no different than picking up a depth RB as far as I see it.

You commit to a lesser player on a smaller deal because the difference between Harrison, a guy who was off the field 46.1% of the time last year and 52.4% of the time last year, and some other guy isn't going to hit this defense as bad as losing anyone who plays the pass better.

I don't think that, no. Wilkerson was an elite run stuffer before Harrison was, one of the very best in the league in 2012 and well above average even as a rookie (playing 80% of the smaps). Richardson and Williams have been effective or better, and offer more against the pass. 

[Larz]

how can you replace a guy who plays 45% of the snaps ?

 

[Saul Goodman]

53 minutes ago, SenorGato said:

Knighton...Rubin...Mebane...Raji...maybe even Ngata....Ian Williams...someone can occupy space for a down or two without costing a shyte ton of money and years to play a limited role.

 

 

Nonsense. No one can replace the immortal Damon "Snacks" Harrison. Might as well fold the franchise if we can not retain this beast. 

[SenorGato]

Come on guys - Bill Belichick said it would be a reeeeeeaaaallllyyyy good idea to pay Harrison.

[drdetroit]

What's the point? Knightin will want similar $

[drdetroit]

15 hours ago, Saul Goodman said:

Nonsense. No one can replace the immortal Damon "Snacks" Harrison. Might as well fold the franchise if we can not retain this beast. 

Yeah cz the 3-4 defense looks great when you don't have a good Nose Tackle.  The 2006-2007 Jets say hi

[Kevin L]

IMO, rushing the QB is more important to defensive success than stuffing the run. You cannot let your best pass rusher go (Wilkerson) for the sake of keeping Harrison.

[#90]

If you cant stop the run, you are done. PAY SNACKS!! END OF STORY!!!

[CrazyCarl40]

13 minutes ago, Kevin L said:

IMO, rushing the QB is more important to defensive success than stuffing the run. You cannot let your best pass rusher go (Wilkerson) for the sake of keeping Harrison.

What kind of pass rush will the Jets need when teams are constantly in 3rd and short or, not getting to 3rd down at all?

Jets against the run (yards allowed):

2015 - 2nd

2014 - 5th

2013 - 3rd

2012 - 26th

Guess which year Harrison was the starting nose tackle for the whole season and the next two after that?

 

 

[Joe Jets fan]

Yes, its a passing league and you need to stop the pass, but its the NFL, if you can't stop the run teams will run on you all day.  You HAVE to make teams one dimentional.

I would think you can keep snacks for like 18 mil over three years,

2016 2 mil
2017 4 mil
2018 6 mil

with a 6 mil signing bonus paid now but spread over life at 2 mil a year.  Makes his cap hit only 4 mil this year but gives him 8 mil in hand.

[Kevin L]

36 minutes ago, CrazyCarl40 said:

What kind of pass rush will the Jets need when teams are constantly in 3rd and short or, not getting to 3rd down at all?

Jets against the run (yards allowed):

2015 - 2nd

2014 - 5th

2013 - 3rd

2012 - 26th

Guess which year Harrison was the starting nose tackle for the whole season and the next two after that?

 

 

The opposite is also true, though. Why have a great run defense when the QB has all day to pick your secondary apart?

[CrazyCarl40]

1 minute ago, Kevin L said:

The opposite is also true, though. Why have a great run defense when the QB has all day to pick your secondary apart?

So you can't have both? A stout run defense and a defense that gets after the QB? A few teams this season had both. Why can't the Jets?

[Kevin L]

Just now, CrazyCarl40 said:

So you can't have both? A stout run defense and a defense that gets after the QB? A few teams this season had both. Why can't the Jets?

That would absolutely be the best scenario. I'm just talking specifically about Wilkerson and Harrison. For me, Wilkerson is more important and it's not even close.

[kelly]

51 minutes ago, #90 said:

If you cant stop the run, you are done. PAY SNACKS!! END OF STORY!!!

agreed !.. i Luv Snacks ! ! 

i'm hopin'  we can  re-up him    

[RutgersJetFan]

Good question. My opinion is that they could. Or they could not. 

[SenorGato]

1 hour ago, RutgersJetFan said:

Good question. My opinion is that they could. Or they could not. 

Honestly, it depends on what Mac thinks is best for the team. 

[Gas2No99]

9 hours ago, drdetroit said:

Yeah cz the 3-4 defense looks great when you don't have a good Nose Tackle.  The 2006-2007 Jets say hi

 

On February 17, 2016 at 4:33 PM, UntouchableCrew said:

Didn't everyone say we would have a hard time replacing Pouha?

I like snacks but NT just isn't a position smart teams break the bank on in today's NFL.

As endearing as Harrison's story is, his position Is not one of premium salary priority. Easily replaceable wthout investing BIG $$$ or premium draft pick on.

we have shown, time & again, that a 3-4 NG merely needs to be a BIG body willing to take the blows to keep our LBs free & clear to make the tackles. When we had a high performing defense under the 3-4, our roster consisted of NGs easily acquired: Ernie Logan (9th Rnd pick in '91 by ATL) played '97-'01 , Jason Ferguson (7th Rndr in '97) played '97-'04, S. Pouha 3rd Rnd '05-'12, Kris Jenkins was A BEAST EXCEPTION which cost us a 3rd & 5 and played only 2008 & 2009. Snacks took over in 2013. While UDFA MAMMOTH TJ Barnes was being groomed to take over when Snacks left up until Rex poached him on Dec 1st 2015.

histoy has shown that these "big bodied fatties" merely need to do the dirty work of occupying 2 blockers in a 3-4 scheme and ARE EASILY REPLACEABLE. If you care about the team WINNING, the  you MUST RECOGNIZE that the NG position is not a position  worth spending g a premium penny on. Plain & simple.

i love and <3 Harrison as much as any other Jets fan here, but he is a simply collateral damage in the business of NFL and most likely easily replaceable by our 7th round pick in '15 Deon Simon. That's the beauty of the 3-4, you just need another body to surfeit the role of "taking the beating" in order to free up the LBing playmakers.

The $$ has to go to Mo and Snacks, if he wants to win, MUST recognize he's the lunch pail sewage tank cleaner who sacrifices his ego for the greater good: unfortunate reality of the business if he TRULY wants to just win a ring. He should get more, but the reality of the business is that he won't because his position is the equivalent of chum scrubber: plenty of others willing to do it cheaper if given the opportunity.  For a guy who played at W&M, anything over $2.5/annum from the 3rd ward can't complain; and if he did, plenty others willing to step in his place.

Get used to Deon Simon

[CanadaSteve]

On 2016-02-17 at 4:41 PM, SenorGato said:

Revis is the second best player on this team and still the best CB in the NFL,

Not even close.  There are about half a dozen CB better than Revis now.  That does not mean he is not good, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone in NFL circles that thinks Revis Island is alive.  Once Cromartie is released however, there are some good CB out there that will probably come it at his price. 

[SenorGato]

3 hours ago, CanadaSteve said:

Not even close.  There are about half a dozen CB better than Revis now.  That does not mean he is not good, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone in NFL circles that thinks Revis Island is alive.  Once Cromartie is released however, there are some good CB out there that will probably come it at his price. 

There's one CB I can imagine is close to him, Harris Jr. on the Broncos, but Revis is still top dog. 

[kelly]

On 2/18/2016 at 10:25 AM, RutgersJetFan said:

Good question. My opinion is that they could. Or they could not. 

we will !..

 

[CanadaSteve]

6 hours ago, SenorGato said:

There's one CB I can imagine is close to him, Harris Jr. on the Broncos, but Revis is still top dog. 

Chris Harris Jr, Richard Sherman, Josh Norman, Patrick Peterson, Desmond Trufant.  This also considering what Revis is paid.  He is not the top dog anymore.  Most of football agrees.  Definitely top ten, but not one.  The concern is how much he is getting paid to not be number one.  It had to be done, and we are out from under his contract in two seasons.  Lets hope he plays good again next year.

[SayNoToDMC]

 

[SenorGato]

6 hours ago, CanadaSteve said:

Chris Harris Jr, Richard Sherman, Josh Norman, Patrick Peterson, Desmond Trufant.  This also considering what Revis is paid.  He is not the top dog anymore.  Most of football agrees.  Definitely top ten, but not one.  The concern is how much he is getting paid to not be number one.  It had to be done, and we are out from under his contract in two seasons.  Lets hope he plays good again next year.

What Revis is paid has nothing to do with his play except in the sense that he earned it, but I did have a feeling money was the deciding factor for you. I was actually wrong about Harris Jr., very very very good but none of these guys are in Revis' league. While the names in the top 3 individuals at CB tends to rotate two out every year, the constant is Revis, who is still the best and definitely definitely not as low as 6th.

[drdetroit]

The jets fans that think good NT's grow on trees - I almost feel sorry for you.

[SenorGato]

3 hours ago, drdetroit said:

The jets fans that think good NT's grow on trees - I almost feel sorry for you.

+1

For anyone to not know that people don't grow on trees....especially these days with the internet and all. Everyone knows that NTs, like all people, are made by Jah and delivered by storks.

Edit: I just thought of something...What if you're confusing NTs for nuts? Nuts grow on trees.