The Jets just saw the MVP they need to make a run at

[joewilly12]

 

MARK CANNIZZARO

SPORTS

 

The Jets just saw the MVP they need to make a run at

By Mark Cannizzaro

February 5, 2018 | 5:00pm

 

Modal Trigger

Nick FolesGetty Images

 

Just do it, Jets.

If the call wasn’t already made Monday morning before Eagles general manager Howie Roseman finished his morning coffee (or last glass of celebratory Cristal), then waste no more time and call him immediately to ask what it’ll take to trade for Nick Foles.

Knee-jerk reaction to Foles’ transcendent MVP performance in the Eagles’ 41-33 Super Bowl LII winover Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the dynastic Patriots?

No, it is not.

A list of factors that favors the Jets prying Foles away from the Eagles runs longer than the list of things he did so brilliantly inside the resplendent clear dome of the U.S. Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

Start with this: For those of you who were sure Foles was going to turn from prince to pumpkin with the searing glare of the Super Bowl spotlight on him, what more do you need to see?

 

 

Sure, Brady threw for a Super Bowl-record 505 yards and three touchdowns in the game, but Foles was better. On this night, he was more accurate and he was more clutch than arguably the most clutch, accurate and greatest quarterback of all time.

 

When Brady was at his most dangerous best — doing what he’s done better than anyone in the history of the game, which is bringing his team back from a deficit — Foles had a counterpunch for every haymaker Brady landed on the Philadelphia defense.

Foles completed 28-of-43 passes for 373 yards and three touchdowns.

Foles was more accurate than Brady. And, in one of the most fascinating plot twists in Super Bowl history, he was the better receiver, too.

On a brilliant fourth-and-goal trick play call from the New England 1-yard line, Foles caught a touchdown pass from tight end Trey Burton to give the Eagles a 22-12 lead at the half.

 

Earlier, Brady allowed a pass from Patriots receiver Danny Amendola to graze off his hands.

This, though, isn’t about one game, one special, historic performances authored by Foles. This is about the body of work that he put together after the MVP season Eagles starter Carson Wentz was having was halted by a knee injury in Week 14.

When most experts had the Eagles headed for a free fall after the Wentz injury, Foles took little time to gain his footing and build toward the memorable postseason run that would result in a first Super Bowl title for Philadelphia. Then, his performance in the playoffs was exquisite — 100-of-139 passing (71.9 percent), 1,166 yards, eight touchdowns and only one interception and an eye-popping 113.2 passer rating.

In the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl, he threw six touchdown passes and just a single interception — because of an Alshon Jeffery deflection.

Foles, who’s just 29, signed a five-year, $27.5 million contract with the Eagles before this season, but it’s constructed more like a two-year, $11 million deal.

Foles clearly has proven himself to be starter material and, with Wentz on schedule to return healthy in time for next season, he has no future as a starter in Philadelphia.

Surely, the Eagles would not let Foles go for a truckload of cheesesteaks — if they’d let him go at all based on the insurance he provides in case Wentz’s knee isn’t right or he reinjures himself.

But the Jets must inquire.

 

The Eagles got a first-round pick and a future fourth-rounder from Minnesota in exchange for Sam Bradford in 2016, but Bradford was considered a more accomplished quarterback than Foles is now.

The 49ers traded a high second-round draft pick for New England’s unproven but high-upside backup Jimmy Garoppolo this season.

A second-round pick offer from the Jets might loosen the Eagles’ grip on their Wentz insurance policy.

If you’re a Jets fan and you want no part of trading away a high draft pick — and that does go against general manager Mike Maccagnan’s build-through-the-draft philosophy — this is understandable.

But are Maccagnan and his staff that committed and certain that Sam Darnold, Sam Rosen or Josh Allen are can’t-miss prospects coming out of college this year?

 

And that’s if the Jets, who have the sixth-overall pick, will even have the option to draft one of them considering the quarterback-needy teams drafting ahead of them (the Browns, Giants and Broncos).

There has been speculation the Jets might make a run at Kirk Cousins, whom the Redskins had locked up with a franchise tag the last two years instead of signing him to a long-term deal.

When Washington traded for Alex Smith last week, it was a sign that they’re not signing Cousins (unless, of course, they still tag him, which would make him a trade target).

But Foles would come cheaper and, if the Eagles would let him go at the right price, with less hassle.

If Foles is traded, he would be playing for his fourth team in four years. He spoke during Super Bowl week as if he was content staying in Philly even as a backup.

“I’m not worried about my future right now,” Foles, the game’s MVP, said Monday in the day-after press conference in Minneapolis. “There’ll be a time and place to handle all that. I take a lot of pride wearing the Philadelphia Eagles jersey. I’m just living in the moment right now.”

There will be moments to come, though, when reality will set in for Foles, and he’ll realize he’s facing the prime of his career with little chance to play if he stays in Philly.

As the saying goes: Strike while the iron is hot.

That goes for the Jets, too, which is why they should make every effort to make this happen.

Foles might not be the 27-touchdown, two-interception quarterback he was in 2013 under then-coach Chip Kelly in Philadelphia.

But he’s not a one-hit-wonder like Brock Osweiler or Matt Flynn.

Make the call, Jets. Just do it.

[Larz]

Does he come with the o-line and coaches? 

[bitonti]

The Eagles are not trading Foles one week after Wentz starting weight bearing exercises. 

If they are smart they will wait until Wentz actually can run and cut etc. And that could take months. Foles might not be traded until mid season, and even then, he's clearly an asset.

They might just want to hold on to him for another year in case wentz goes down again. They don't have to trade him. 

It's like yes the Jets suck and desperately want to get better but look at it from the Birds' perspective what is their motivation to trade this player?  Their super bowl window is right now. 

[freestater]

[Joe W. Namath]

Foles under this coaching staff you would get the same results as Foles in St louis.  

[detectivekimble]

This would be a pretty Jets like move.

[joewilly12]

4 minutes ago, detectivekimble said:

This would be a pretty Jets like move.

Throwing mad money and draft picks at Washington for Kirk Cousins would also be a Jets like move. 

[detectivekimble]

8 minutes ago, joewilly12 said:

Throwing mad money and draft picks at Washington for Kirk Cousins would also be a Jets like move. 

Lots of teams are already after Kirk Cousins.  It's an obvious good move.  Trading something substantial for Foles will be one of those Jets moves that no one understands but the Jets think is some genius idea that no one else thought of.  The Rams were already fooled.  Let's see who gets suckered into trading for him this time.

[joewilly12]

18 minutes ago, detectivekimble said:

Lots of teams are already after Kirk Cousins.  It's an obvious good move.  Trading something substantial for Foles will be one of those Jets moves that no one understands but the Jets think is some genius idea that no one else thought of.  The Rams were already fooled.  Let's see who gets suckered into trading for him this time.

The Eagles were fooled too I guess did you not see what Nick Foles did in the Super Bowl. 

[detectivekimble]

Just now, joewilly12 said:

The Eagles were fooled too I guess did you not see what Nick Files did in the Super Bowl. 

Great.  He played a good game (against a crappy defense).  Mediocre QBs play good games.  It happens.  

Prisoner of the moment.

[Paradis]

Fck off with this

[BigRy56]

No way bro 

[Gastineau Lives]

He is worth more to the Eagles than what we should be willing to give up for him. Not would, but should.

 

[joewilly12]

[Freemanm]

2 hours ago, bitonti said:

The Eagles are not trading Foles one week after Wentz starting weight bearing exercises. 

If they are smart they will wait until Wentz actually can run and cut etc. And that could take months. Foles might not be traded until mid season, and even then, he's clearly an asset.

They might just want to hold on to him for another year in case wentz goes down again. They don't have to trade him. 

It's like yes the Jets suck and desperately want to get better but look at it from the Birds' perspective what is their motivation to trade this player?  Their super bowl window is right now. 

How about a top draft pick to put more pieces around Carson Wentz who, let's face it, will still be the starting QB for them next season. The question is, is he worth a #6 pick that could probably be used to trade up, and probably one of our two #2 picks (if not the #1 pick next season probably?) 

[jetscrazey]

This is called "buying the high."  Almost always doesn't work out.

[Jetsfan80]

6 hours ago, bitonti said:

The Eagles are not trading Foles one week after Wentz starting weight bearing exercises. 

If they are smart they will wait until Wentz actually can run and cut etc. And that could take months. Foles might not be traded until mid season, and even then, he's clearly an asset.

They might just want to hold on to him for another year in case wentz goes down again. They don't have to trade him. 

It's like yes the Jets suck and desperately want to get better but look at it from the Birds' perspective what is their motivation to trade this player?  Their super bowl window is right now. 

 

At no point will Foles' value ever be higher than it is right now, with this performance fresh on peoples' minds, at least a handful of QB-needy teams in the league out there, guys like Cousins, Keenum, Bridgewater, etc not yet sorted out, and the likes of Rosen and Darnold not fully evaluated or drafted yet. 

Wait until midseason, when everyone already has their QB's one way or another, and everyone will forget about Foles' magical playoff run, because he'll be carrying a clipboard for Wentz.  Not to mention, 2018 picks are more valuable than 2019 picks.  

Even if Wentz isn't ready to go by Week 1, they can afford to sign a cheap backup to replace Foles and roll with him until Wentz is fully healthy.  They just won the freaking Super Bowl, I think the fanbase will cut this regime some slack for a good long while.  

Now is the time to deal him.  

[Sperm Edwards]

20 minutes ago, Jetsfan80 said:

 

At no point will Foles' value ever be higher than it is right now, with this performance fresh on peoples' minds, at least a handful of QB-needy teams in the league out there, guys like Cousins, Keenum, Bridgewater, etc not yet sorted out, and the likes of Rosen and Darnold not fully evaluated or drafted yet. 

Wait until midseason, when everyone already has their QB's one way or another, and everyone will forget about Foles' magical playoff run, because he'll be carrying a clipboard for Wentz.  Not to mention, 2018 picks are more valuable than 2019 picks.  

Even if Wentz isn't ready to go by Week 1, they can afford to sign a cheap backup to replace Foles and roll with him until Wentz is fully healthy.  They just won the freaking Super Bowl, I think the fanbase will cut this regime some slack for a good long while.  

Now is the time to deal him.  

I don’t know about that. If Wentz is slow to return, and Foles continues where he left off in the postseason, his trade value grows even higher — evern more so if, before the trade deadline, Wentz returns and then a contender loses their starter for the season.

It could arguably be higher after this FA period and draft is over, since there hasn’t been this supply of available QBs in recent or distant memory, and the pick(s) surrendered in trade wouldn’t be until the following season. 

I don’t know if it’ll end up this way, but as of today many people are legitimately talking about 4 different QBs getting taken by our pick at #6. Then at least 2 more prospects at least being discussed as later 1st or 2nd rounders, not to mention any more below them. Then there’s Cousins and Keenum available as UFAs, as well as Bradford, probably Taylor, maybe Eli, and maybe McCarron (depending on his arbitration hearing). That doesn’t include the types that are always available but are typically only signed to be backups to non-Jets teams (e.g. Fitz, McCown, Moore, Geno, etc.). Also Bridgewater will get signed by someone if he passes physicals, but nobody’s going to bet their season on him alone and rightly so.  

So without counting Foles, what is that, over a dozen available starting QBs (and starting QB prospects)? I’ve never seen anything like it. No, they’re certainly not all SB MVPs, but given this supply, what are teams going to offer the Eagles, who have legitimate cause to keep him for 2018, and they’ll then get a comp pick for him a year later anyway.   

[Kleckineau]

Middle of the pack QB with a former QB / HC who is smart, daring and knows how to tailor game plans to his QBs strengths.

Do you think DB coach Bowles could do the same for Foles or even Wentz for that matter?

[Jetsfan80]

7 hours ago, Sperm Edwards said:

I don’t know about that. If Wentz is slow to return, and Foles continues where he left off in the postseason, his trade value grows even higher — evern more so if, before the trade deadline, Wentz returns and then a contender loses their starter for the season.

It could arguably be higher after this FA period and draft is over, since there hasn’t been this supply of available QBs in recent or distant memory, and the pick(s) surrendered in trade wouldn’t be until the following season. 

I don’t know if it’ll end up this way, but as of today many people are legitimately talking about 4 different QBs getting taken by our pick at #6. Then at least 2 more prospects at least being discussed as later 1st or 2nd rounders, not to mention any more below them. Then there’s Cousins and Keenum available as UFAs, as well as Bradford, probably Taylor, maybe Eli, and maybe McCarron (depending on his arbitration hearing). That doesn’t include the types that are always available but are typically only signed to be backups to non-Jets teams (e.g. Fitz, McCown, Moore, Geno, etc.). Also Bridgewater will get signed by someone if he passes physicals, but nobody’s going to bet their season on him alone and rightly so.  

So without counting Foles, what is that, over a dozen available starting QBs (and starting QB prospects)? I’ve never seen anything like it. No, they’re certainly not all SB MVPs, but given this supply, what are teams going to offer the Eagles, who have legitimate cause to keep him for 2018, and they’ll then get a comp pick for him a year later anyway.   

 

If just one team thinks Foles is the best of the bunch, or at least somewhat comparable to Cousins, I imagine the Eagles could get a high 3rd out of the deal. 

[UntouchableCrew]

I can't believe any Jets fan legitimately believes this guy would be successful for us. There's a reason he was a flop with the Rams and said he'd "only play for Andy Reid" when he decided not to retire. He's a system guy who needs great coaches and players to prop him up.

For the people claiming Cousins would be Neil O'Donnell -- no, THIS GUY would be Neil O'Donnell.

[Sperm Edwards]

4 hours ago, Jetsfan80 said:

 

If just one team thinks Foles is the best of the bunch, or at least somewhat comparable to Cousins, I imagine the Eagles could get a high 3rd out of the deal. 

I think it'll take more than a high 3rd to pry him loose as things presently stand.

For comparison, in preseason 2015 - while still penciled in as the backup, and with nowhere near the resume Foles presently has - Washington was seeking a 1st or 2nd for Cousins. That was coming off a 2014 season with numbers that weren't dramatically better than Geno Smith's, and two 3+ interception games in his 5 starts, despite better #wepponz and offensive coaching. 

I don't know how eager the (obvious contender) Eagles are going to be to move the incumbent SB MVP QB - let alone for a 3rd round pick - with Wentz's exact timetable still uncertain by the draft. Even if Wentz's timetable was already known, and even if he was already healthy, Foles and Keenum showed just how important a competent backup is for a serious contender.

Remember, teams often draft backup QBs in rounds 3-4, and with Wentz's injury I don't think by April they'll be in a position to wait until later than that new 3rd round pick to draft another, meaning their net gain is close to zero. Philly's not going to find a better fit for their current team this year, and a 3rd round pick isn't worth potentially putting the entire season in jeopardy 6 months earlier. 

It's not impossible, but I'll be shocked if anyone gets Foles that cheaply. With his recent play and cheap $ for the 2018 season, my guess is it'll take at least a high 2nd or late 1st, otherwise the Eagles will be more than happy to keep him.

[Beerfish]

Almost literally not one word about Nick Foles before about 3 weeks ago.

When this happens (playoff heros) it is almost always  a huge mistake.

[Stark]

19 hours ago, Joe W. Namath said:

Foles under this coaching staff you would get the same results as Foles in St louis.  

 

17 hours ago, Paradis said:

Fck off with this

This ....

Bowles is not the coach that can get the same play from Foles. Pederson took plays from 2013, Chip Kelly because that is what Foles did best. Our coach wouldn't think to do that and has not shown an ability to coach to his players strengths. Foles would be what he was before Pederson, and for us that would be not good - considering the investment you would have to make to get him. Not trading for a guy that has never won a starting job.

PASS.... 

[#27TheDominator]

Why are people still acting like QB is be all end all?  The last 4 QBs playing in 2017-8 were Brady, Foles, Bortles and Keenum.  Pretty good chance you could get 2 of them this offseason. If you are going to give me a sh*tty QB give me somebody cheap.  Either pay Cousins or give me somebody else with some hope, not another old man that can't throw outside the hash marks.

[New York Mick]

**** no

[prime21]

4 hours ago, UntouchableCrew said:

I can't believe any Jets fan legitimately believes this guy would be successful for us. There's a reason he was a flop with the Rams and said he'd "only play for Andy Reid" when he decided not to retire. He's a system guy who needs great coaches and players to prop him up.

For the people claiming Cousins would be Neil O'Donnell -- no, THIS GUY would be Neil O'Donnell.

With the chances of getting one of the QB's in the draft or getting Cousins, I do not want Foles.  But although some systems can help a QB, they do still need to make the read and the throw.  Foles showed that he is a good QB.  He looks like he has learned a few things through experince and being a back-up.