could jets trade for ryan clady to replace D'Brickashaw Ferguson ? ? ?

[kelly]

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  Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer

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Reaching into the New York Jets mailbag for our question of the week :

Fady ‎@FadyDizzle

@RichCimini any chance the @nyjets now target Ryan Clady in a trade to improve or bring depth to o-line? #jetsmail

2:25 PM - 18 Mar 2016

 

@RichCimini: First, there are two things to know: After signing left tackleRussell Okung, the Denver Broncos are shopping Ryan Clady, who is coming off ACL surgery and has a $10.1 million cap charge. Meanwhile, left tackleD'Brickashaw Ferguson is on slightly shaky ground with the Jets. On Friday, general manager Mike Maccagnan said he expects Ferguson to be on the opening-day roster, but he left some wiggle room, saying it's a fluid situation. Prior to this year, Ferguson's status never had been in question.

 

If the Jets make a move at left tackle, it would be for the same reasons the Broncos did -- to get younger and cheaper. Okung, 27, is about a year younger than Clady, who is three years younger than Ferguson. Okung is due to make $5 million in the upcoming season, Clady is at $9.5 million and Ferguson is at $10.1 million.If the Jets are intent on replacing Ferguson, whose overall play slipped last season, why didn't they make a run at Okung? That's what leads me to believe they won't pursue a trade for Clady. Yes, they showed interest in free agentKelvin Beachum, but he's only 26 years old. Like Clady, he's coming off a major knee injury. Beachum wound up signing with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The other concern with Clady, aside from his knee, is his price tag. He has two years and $19.5 million left on his contract, and the four-time Pro Bowler reportedly rebuffed the Broncos when they requested a pay cut. In other words, he still wants major bucks.So I ask : Why would the Jets make a trade and pay big money for a older tackle (he'll be 30 for the season) 10 months removed from ACL surgery? It seems pointless. They already have an older tackle making serious money, and their guy -- Ferguson -- is one of the most durable players in recent NFL history. In 10 years, he hasn't missed a snap due to injury. When healthy, Clady is better than Ferguson, but Clady has been on injured reserve in two of the past three seasons.

If the Broncos can't trade Clady and release him, it might be worth a phone call for the Jets. He'd be worth considering if the medical checks out and he's willing to play for $5 million in 2016. At that price, they'd save $4.7 million on this year's cap in a Ferguson-for-Clady swap.In the end, I think Ferguson will remain with the Jets, but he probably will have to take a pay cut. They don't see him as a $14.1 million player. They haven't approached him yet, but you have to figure it'll happen at some point. His Pro Bowl-level days are over, but he's still a winning player. If Ferguson gets cut, he'd probably get an immediate call from the New York Giants, who missed out on Okung.

Bottom line  :  I'd be surprised if the Jets to jump into the Clady sweepstakes -- if, in fact, there is a sweepstakes.

>  http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/59116/could-jets-trade-for-ryan-clady-to-replace-dbrickashaw-ferguson

 

[kelly]

The Jets haven't been too active in free agency, but they've done enough—and still have more to do, considering they still don't have a starting quarterback—that they'll have to make some roster cuts or contract restructures in the near future to comply with the NFL's salary cap.

One of those cuts could be left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Ferguson has been a cornerstone of the Jets' offense since being taken No. 4 overall in the 2006 draft. He's started every game and played just about every snap for 10 seasons running, and for a long time he was one of the NFL's best left tackles.But Ferguson is 32, and even though he's still a solid left tackle, he's not the player he once was. And he carries an expensive ($14 million) cap number for 2016.

Last week, the Jets brought former Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum in for a visit. Beachum, 26, wound up signing with the Jaguars, but the implication was clear: The Jets want to get younger on the offensive line, and not even Ferguson's job was safe.Among the issues the Jets face if they were to cut Ferguson—and also right tackle Breno Giacomini, whose release would bring $4.375 million in cap savings—is the lack of a suitable, experienced replacement.But on Friday, when asked whether Fergsuon would be on the team in 2016, general manager Mike Maccagnan stopped short of giving Ferguson a vote of confidence.

"Right now, obviously, D'Brickashaw's under contract," Maccagnan said. "And I would say our thought would be he would be."But like everything else, with all players—and I've said this earlier on, with free agency this year—it's kind of a fluid free agency for us. We're trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of the organization, both short and long-term. So I would say right now he would be on our roster going forward, but we'll see how this thing unfolds."

>   http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/what_is_dbrickashaw_fergusons_future_with_jets.html#incart_river_index

[Larz]

rally sperm, you asked cimini that ?

c'mom man

[RutgersJetFan]

Could they? I suppose they could.

On the other hand, they could not.

[drdetroit]

Do it

[JetPotato]

39 minutes ago, RutgersJetFan said:

Could they? I suppose they could.

On the other hand, they could not.

How has CNN not snatched you up yet?

[Il Mostro]

5 minutes ago, JetPotato said:

How has CNN not snatched you up yet?

 

As soon as Rutgers is accredited, he is as good as gone.

[JetPotato]

4 minutes ago, Il Mostro said:

 

As soon as Rutgers is accredited, he is as good as gone.

I would have loved that line if I hadn't gone there too. I demand a safe space.

[Jetdawgg]

1 hour ago, Larz said:

rally sperm, you asked cimini that ?

c'mom man

Lol

[Sperm Edwards]

7 hours ago, Larz said:

rally sperm, you asked cimini that ?

c'mom man

If Cimini gave me that ridiculous answer I would have been all over him.

[Rangers9]

What about Kap for Clady. Help both teams and don't the Niners have cap space?

[Sperm Edwards]

1 minute ago, Rangers9 said:

What about Kap for Clady. Help both teams and don't the Niners have cap space?

Problem is they're the lead team to get Kaepernick for a 3rd rounder. I think Clady has more trade value than that.

[Larz]

5 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

If Cimini gave me that ridiculous answer I would have been all over him.

I have to give you props, fady dizzle is a hilarious pseudonym

[Sperm Edwards]

Just now, Larz said:

I have to give you props, fady dizzle is a hilarious pseudonym

Lol I didn't even see that. Could you imagine?

[kelly]

The Jets haven't been too active in free agency, but they've done enough—and still have more to do, considering they still don't have a starting quarterback—that they'll have to make some roster cuts or contract restructures in the near future to comply with the NFL's salary cap.

One of those cuts could be left tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

Ferguson has been a cornerstone of the Jets' offense since being taken No. 4 overall in the 2006 draft. He's started every game and played just about every snap for 10 seasons running, and for a long time he was one of the NFL's best left tackles.But Ferguson is 32, and even though he's still a solid left tackle, he's not the player he once was. And he carries an expensive ($14 million) cap number for 2016.

Last week, the Jets brought former Steelers left tackle Kelvin Beachum in for a visit. Beachum, 26, wound up signing with the Jaguars, but the implication was clear: The Jets want to get younger on the offensive line, and not even Ferguson'sjob was safe.

Among the issues the Jets face if they were to cut Ferguson—and also right tackle Breno Giacomini, whose release would bring $4.375 million in cap savings—is the lack of a suitable, experienced replacement.But on Friday, when asked whether Fergsuon would be on the team in 2016,general manager Mike Maccagnan stopped short of giving Ferguson a vote of confidence.

"Right now, obviously, D'Brickashaw's under contract," Maccagnan said. "And I would say our thought would be he would be.

"But like everything else, with all players—and I've said this earlier on, with free agency this year—it's kind of a fluid free agency for us. We're trying to make decisions that are in the best interests of the organization, both short and long-term. So I would say right now he would be on our roster going forward, but we'll see how this thing unfolds."

>       http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2016/03/what_is_dbrickashaw_fergusons_future_with_jets.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

I stopped calling the Jets starting left tackle by his first name years ago when it became crystal clear that he was destined for political office in his next career. So, D'Brickashaw Ferguson became known to me simply as Senator.

Nice game, Senator. Why do you wear two knee braces when you haven't missed a single snap due to injury in your 10-year career, Senator? How have you managed to play such a demanding position without a scratch, Senator?

Who's going to be your running mate during the 2036 election?

Ferguson always smiled, knowing full well that I had given up any real hope of getting a look behind the Jets curtain from him. I just approached him now, because I thought he was a good man.Ferguson should command respect for everything he has done for the Jets for the past 10 years. He's a home-grown three-time Pro Bowler at the second most important position in the sport. He's played a mind-boggling 10,357 out of a possible 10,358 snaps in 170 career games after the Jets took him with the No. 4 overall pick in 2006. The lone missed snap? He watched Eric Mangini's failed gadget play at the end of the 2008 season from the sideline.

He has never missed a game. He has never appeared on the injury report. He has never been in trouble. He is the embodiment of a professional on and off the field.There is no loyalty in professional sports, but the Jets should be ashamed of the way they've handled Ferguson's situation this offseason. Sure, it's a cut-throat, bottom-line business, but players like Ferguson should be treated with more respect than what the organization has shown since the season ended.

Let's not sugarcoat it: Due to Ferguson's age (32) and declining skills, there is little chance the Jets will pay him the more than $10 million that he's scheduled to make this season.Whether Ferguson is now a quality, serviceable or below-average left tackle is in the eye of the beholder, but he's going to have to re-work his deal to have any chance of sticking around. He'll almost certainly have to take a pay cut. Otherwise, he'll almost certainly get cut. The team will free up about $9 million by releasing him.

Do the Jets have any interest in actually keeping him ?

When Ferguson, the players' union rep for the Jets, returned from the NFLPA annual meeting in Hawaii earlier this week, he was still in the dark.Not one member of the coaching staff or front office has contacted Ferguson since the season ended, an odd way to deal with a player, who will undoubtedly be inducted in the team's Ring of Honor one day.Ferguson's play last season doesn't warrant a $14.1 million cap charge in 2016, so why haven't team decision makers broached the topic of a pay cut or release with the player or his representative?It's no secret that the Jets brought in free-agent left tackle Kelvin Beachum for a visit before he signed with the Jaguars last week. Did they think that Ferguson didn't notice?

Ferguson's agent Brad Blank declined comment to the Daily News.

Mike Maccagnan and Todd Bowles had a solid first year together, but they're handling this situation about as poorly as you can."Right now, D'Brickashaw is under contract," Maccagnan said last week. "Our thought is that he would be (on the roster)… We're trying to make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization — both short and long term — so right now I would say he would be on our roster going forward, but we'll see how this thing unfolds."

>     http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/mehta-jets-treatment-ferguson-embarrassing-article-1.2574558

[Integrity28]

What if they trade for Joe Thomas instead?

[JiFtheOracle]

Ryan Clady has played like 2 games in 2 years.  He's a walking injury.

But hey, lets do it and save money!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! or not because Clady still wants to get paid.

[kelly]

With NFL free agency already underway and the draft fast approaching, Pro Football Focus took a look at the positions teams around the league need to address. When it comes to the New York Jets, PFF writes that Gang Green needs to do something about its offensive line after sub-par years from D’Brickashaw Ferguson and Breno Giacomini.

Ferguson’s regression is a major concern. After consistently grading among the top offensive tackles for a number of years, Ferguson’s performance fell off a cliff in 2015. He ranked as just PFF’s 60th offensive tackle, giving up four more combined knockdowns than he has in any season of his career. The 59 combined pressures he gave up were 22 more than he allowed in 2014. Opposite him, Breno Giacomini’s struggles were less of a surprise; the extent of his struggles, however, was certainly a concern. The former Seahawksoffensive lineman ranked 64th out of 77 tackles, allowing 54 combined pressures. With a pair of bookends who combined to allow over 100 pressures last season, the Jets will be on the lookout for tackle help in 2016.

PFF is not wrong about the Jets OT situation or the fact that both “Brick” and Giacomini both failed to meet expectations in 2015. As a result, both are possible cap causalities as New York continues to go about its business.Should the Jets look to get younger in the draft – they hold the 20th-overall pick – they do have a few options. Sports Illustrated recently predicted Jack Conklin, Vernon Butler and Andrew Billings would be within striking distance, though ultimately mocked up versatile but troubled defender Noah Spence landing in East Rutherford.

While offensive tackle is certainly an area of concern for the Jets, it is not the only one. The team still needs to figure out who will be under center in 2016 – the goal right now s to re-up with free agent Ryan Fitzpatrick. New York could also use some assistance at tight end if it wants to add another layer to its offense.Nonetheless, the holes at OT need to be addressed, especially if Ferguson and Giacomini are sent packing. It will be interesting to see how exactly the Jets go about upgrading that part of the roster as the offseason progresses.

>     http://jetswire.usatoday.com/2016/03/25/pff-says-jets-need-to-fix-glaring-hole-at-offensive-tackle/

[Shockwave]

I think the Jets are just doing due dilligance. They seem to "Search through every rock and stone". 

Whats funny is people talk about the jets trading all these picks to go get a QB. I see it just as likely that they move up for a LT. Maybe not to top 5 but in the teens. Fitzpatrick had the ball out of his hands near the top of the league last year and Dbrick was still allowing him to get hammered. 

Dbrick cost ALOT of money for a very average player. It should be telling that we didn't even approach him at a deal that perhaps is similar to Okung's or Beachems. The Jets may cut him and not want him at a lower price. 

[Gas2No99]

D'Brickashaw Ferguson - T -  Jets

The Baltimore Sun reports the Ravens are "monitoring the potential availability" of Jets LT D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Broncos LT Ryan Clady.

The Ravens clearly would like to move on from LT Eugene Monroe, and both Clady and Ferguson could be available. The Jets are giving Ferguson the cold shoulder as they attempt to force the veteran to take a pay cut, and the Broncos do not need Clady after signing Russell Okung and Donald Stephenson in free agency. Baltimore would certainly rather pick up one of them as a free agent, but trading for either one could be an option.

Related: Ryan Clady, Eugene Monroe, Ravens

 

Source: Baltimore Sun 

Mar 28 - 10:16 AM

[whodeawhodat]

wow, didnt realize our tackles were piss poor last year...

[kelly]

The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec expects the Baltimore Ravens to monitor the status of both Ryan Clady and D'Brickashaw Ferguson in Denver and New York, respectively. Clady's time with the Denver Broncos will likely come to an endnow that Russell Okung is in the fold, while Ferguson's standing with the New York Jets has come into question for the first time since he joined the NFL. Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the Broncos were attempting to lower Clady's $10.1 million salary-cap charge for the coming season, but are now trying to trade the tackle. If they can't find a partner, Clady is then expected to be released. Meanwhile, ESPN's Rich Cimini expects the Jets to eventually approachFerguson about restructuring his contract considering his recent decline in play. Despite the new-found uncertainty it seems likely, per Cimini, that Ferguson remains on the Jets' opening day roster.

Zrebiec doesn't believe the Ravens would be interested in trading for either tackle given the bad contracts both players are on, but expects Baltimore to at least "kick the tires" if either is waived. As for current Baltimore tackle Eugene Monroe, owner Steve Bisciotti naming Monroe the team's starting left tackle in 2016 doesn't change the situation, according to Zrebiec. If Baltimore was to cut the LT, it would be after June 1, so the team still has a couple months to seek an upgrade at the position. Zrebiec has left tackle currently listed as Baltimore's third-biggest need, despite Bisciotti's recent vote of confidence for Monroe.

>      http://espn.go.com/blog/nfl/rumors/post/_/id/29960/nfl-rumor-central-ravens-expected-to-monitor-clady-ferguson
 

[Jetsfan80]

21 hours ago, whodeawhodat said:

wow, didnt realize our tackles were piss poor last year...

Ferguson is just a name at this point.  Like the Curtis Martin of LT's in the twilight of his career.  His best asset is not getting injured, which is good, but not good enough to justify the money he's about to make this season.  His best skill used to be handling speed rushers, but that is basically gone at this point.

Meanwhile, Breno is just plain terrible.  I would have loved to have gotten Bobby Massie to replace him but it was not to be.  Still, pretty much anyone would be better at RT than Breno.  I at least hoped his history in a zone blocking scheme and what appeared to be decent run-blocking skills when he was in Seattle would translate here.  They didn't.  He was awful last season.  In every way.

Only reason we didn't take a lot of sacks was Fitzpatrick's propensity to get rid of the ball quickly, masking our weaknesses at both OT spots.  Get a 7-step drop QB under center or some rookie and we'll be among the league leaders in QB pressures/sacks allowed next season.  And potentially among the league leaders in turnovers as well.  Hence why Macc is actively trying to fix something that is actually broken (something many Jets fans won't admit is broken, because Brick was really good 4 years ago and 2015 sack numbers and stuff). 

[kelly]

22 hours ago, whodeawhodat said:

wow, didnt realize our tackles were piss poor last year...

..i would not be surprised if we select at least one OT in this year's draft   

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~ ~

[whodeawhodat]

35 minutes ago, kelly said:

..i would not be surprised if we select at least one OT in this year's draft   

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~ ~

going out on a limb with that one, eh?

[Sperm Edwards]

2 hours ago, kelly said:

The Baltimore Sun's Jeff Zrebiec expects the Baltimore Ravens to monitor the status of both Ryan Clady and D'Brickashaw Ferguson in Denver and New York, respectively. Clady's time with the Denver Broncos will likely come to an endnow that Russell Okung is in the fold, while Ferguson's standing with the New York Jets has come into question for the first time since he joined the NFL. Per ESPN's Jeff Legwold, the Broncos were attempting to lower Clady's $10.1 million salary-cap charge for the coming season, but are now trying to trade the tackle. If they can't find a partner, Clady is then expected to be released. Meanwhile, ESPN's Rich Cimini expects the Jets to eventually approachFerguson about restructuring his contract considering his recent decline in play. Despite the new-found uncertainty it seems likely, per Cimini, that Ferguson remains on the Jets' opening day roster.

Zrebiec doesn't believe the Ravens would be interested in trading for either tackle given the bad contracts both players are on, but expects Baltimore to at least "kick the tires" if either is waived. As for current Baltimore tackle Eugene Monroe, owner Steve Bisciotti naming Monroe the team's starting left tackle in 2016 doesn't change the situation, according to Zrebiec. If Baltimore was to cut the LT, it would be after June 1, so the team still has a couple months to seek an upgrade at the position. Zrebiec has left tackle currently listed as Baltimore's third-biggest need, despite Bisciotti's recent vote of confidence for Monroe.

>      http://espn.go.com/blog/nfl/rumors/post/_/id/29960/nfl-rumor-central-ravens-expected-to-monitor-clady-ferguson
 

If this is true then trade them a conditional 7th rounder for him 30 seconds before they cut him. It's nearly a $1M savings over what Ferguson's scheduled to make, and he's a night & day upgrade (I don't know that he's a downgrade even if he gets injured and misses the season again).

 

[Sperm Edwards]

2 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

Ferguson is just a name at this point.  Like the Curtis Martin of LT's in the twilight of his career.  His best asset is not getting injured, which is good, but not good enough to justify the money he's about to make this season.  His best skill used to be handling speed rushers, but that is basically gone at this point.

Meanwhile, Breno is just plain terrible.  I would have loved to have gotten Bobby Massie to replace him but it was not to be.  Still, pretty much anyone would be better at RT than Breno.  I at least hoped his history in a zone blocking scheme and what appeared to be decent run-blocking skills when he was in Seattle would translate here.  They didn't.  He was awful last season.  In every way.

Only reason we didn't take a lot of sacks was Fitzpatrick's propensity to get rid of the ball quickly, masking our weaknesses at both OT spots.  Get a 7-step drop QB under center or some rookie and we'll be among the league leaders in QB pressures/sacks allowed next season.  And potentially among the league leaders in turnovers as well.  Hence why Macc is actively trying to fix something that is actually broken (something many Jets fans won't admit is broken, because Brick was really good 4 years ago and 2015 sack numbers and stuff). 

One should further keep in mind, as bad as Ferguson was in 2015, he's been on a steady decline every year. The excuse the prior 2 seasons & offseasons was the garbage playing next to him at LG, and the addition of Carpenter - more of a pass blocker than run blocker with Seattle - would show that it was all because Brick was helping out his lesser pass-blocking neighbor to his immediate right. Well we know that didn't happen and - like from 2013 to 2014, and 2014 to 2015 - we should realistically expect him to be even worse in 2016 than he was in 2015. 

[Jetsfan80]

2 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

One should further keep in mind, as bad as Ferguson was in 2015, he's been on a steady decline every year. The excuse the prior 2 seasons & offseasons was the garbage playing next to him at LG, and the addition of Carpenter - more of a pass blocker than run blocker with Seattle - would show that it was all because Brick was helping out his lesser pass-blocking neighbor to his immediate right. Well we know that didn't happen and - like from 2013 to 2014, and 2014 to 2015 - we should realistically expect him to be even worse in 2016 than he was in 2015. 

Indeed.  If Brick is still here this season, 2016 should be his last as LT for the Jets.  Up to Macc to replace him adequately, whether that be via free agency next offseason or the next 2 drafts.

[bitonti]

4 minutes ago, Sperm Edwards said:

One should further keep in mind, as bad as Ferguson was in 2015, he's been on a steady decline every year.

DBrick was so bad last year the Jets were 2nd in sacks and 10th in rushing. And they won 10 games.

 

What a disaster. 

[kelly]

4 hours ago, whodeawhodat said:

going out on a limb with that one, eh?

well,.. not exactly a..

... Limb   

[Sperm Edwards]

4 hours ago, bitonti said:

DBrick was so bad last year the Jets were 2nd in sacks and 10th in rushing. And they won 10 games.

 

What a disaster. 

Because of D'Brickashaw Ferguson, no doubt.

Has nothing to do with the good run blockers on the line, nor did it have to do with Fitz getting the ball out so quickly (part of what prevents him from being really good - that he doesn't go through his WR progressions - simultaneously makes his blockers look better). That's why the team has been looking to move on from him instead of coming to Ferguson with a restructure offer.