Kelly Dept.: Kelly posts links to articles and Big Bang Theory gifs here ~~~

[kelly]

Nick Mangold's future the focal point of Jets' O-line rebuild

7:00 AM ET

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  Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer

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With free agency approaching (March 9), we're analyzing the biggest needs on the New York Jets' roster and examining possible upgrades:

Position: Offensive line

2017 cap hits of top returnees :

 

• Nick Mangold -- $9.1 million

• Brian Winters -- $8 million

• James Carpenter -- $6.8 million

Pending free agents: Ben Ijalana, Wesley Johnson (restricted).

Key stat: A good way to measure the run-blocking strength of an offensive line is how it performs on first down. The Jets didn't fare well, averaging only 3.8 yards per rush (21st in the NFL).

Money matters: They began the offseason with a $42 million cap charge for the line, a ridiculous amount of overspending. Since then, they've lowered the number by $14.5 million, releasing Ryan Clady ($10 million savings) and Breno Giacomini ($4.5 million). If Mangold returns, he probably will have to take a pay cut. His base salary is a non-guaranteed $6.1 million, plus another $600,000 in bonuses.

Big picture: The Jets took care of a major piece of business by signing Winters to a four-year, $29 million extension. They're set at guard with Winters and Carpenter, but everything else is up in the air. Let's start with the tackles. They have no experienced left tackles under contract, and right tackle belongs to Brandon Shell and Brent Qvale, neither of whom is proven. The big question involves Mangold, one of the best centers in franchise history. Mangold, 33, is a second quarterback on the field, but he missed eight games with a serious foot/ankle injury that wasn't healing as quickly as he had hoped. It would be a painful cut, but the Jets could end up cutting their longest-tenured player. By opening day, the Jets could have three new starters.

Free-agent market watch: Ricky Wagner (RT), Andrew Whitworth (LT), Russell Okung (LT), Matt Kalil (LT), Riley Reiff (RT), Andre Smith (RT), Mike Remmers (LT), Byron Bell (RT), Kelvin Beachum (LT), Joe Hawley (C), A.Q. Shipley (C).

Also could become available: Austin Howard (G/T), Sebastian Vollmer (RT), D.J. Fluker (RT).

The game plan: The hunch is the Jets are eyeing a three-pronged overhaul: Sign a left tackle (Ijalana is a possibility), draft a left tackle in the second or third round and release Mangold, handing the center position to Johnson. He's not as sturdy at the point of attack as Mangold, but Johnson can function in a zone-blocking scheme. Shell gets first dibs at right tackle. Look, it's not the ideal plan, but it's a start. It could take a year or two before the line is up and running at peak efficiency.

>      http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/66938/nick-mangolds-future-the-focal-point-of-jets-o-line-rebuild

[Tinstar]

Personally, I would cut Mangold, try to sign Johnson, Ijalana and Kalil  and look to the draft from there .

[kelly]

Jets need pass-rushing linebacker, but where are they hiding?

7:00 AM ET

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  Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer

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With free agency approaching (March 9), we're analyzing the biggest needs on the New York Jets' roster, examining possible upgrades :

Position : Linebacker

2017 cap hits of top returnees :

 

• David Harris -- $6.5 million

• Darron Lee -- $2.3 million

• Lorenzo Mauldin -- $802,000

Pending free agents: Erin Henderson, Bruce Carter, Mike Catapano, Corey Lemonier, Josh Martin.

The Jets are looking for help at linebacker this offseason to support standout veteran David Harris. Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images

Key stat : The pass coverage needs to improve -- by a lot. When using a 3-4 alignment, the Jets allowed a 73 percent completion rate, four touchdown passes, one interception and a 120.3 passer rating (28th), according to ESPN Stats & Information.

Money matters : Believe it or not, the Jets are in decent shape. Harris has a big cap number as he enters the final year of his contract (1oth in NFL among inside linebackers), but it's not prohibitive. He's still a starting-caliber player and a favorite of coach Todd Bowles, who values his on-field leadership. The Jets declined Henderson's option, making him a free agent on March 9 -- a $2.6 million cap savings.

Big picture : It's the same old story: They need a 3-4 outside linebacker who can pressure the quarterback -- i.e. a speed-rusher to complement the interior horses. Mauldin, a former third-round pick, was supposed to be that guy, but he has been slow to develop. Jordan Jenkins, who enjoyed a strong finish to his rookie year, is more of an edge-setting run defender than a pass-rusher. If an elite rusher becomes available, either through free agency or the draft, the Jets could pounce. They should pounce. Lee, coming off a so-so rookie year, needs to make a significant jump. At some point, he probably will take over for Harris as the every-down signal-caller.

Free-agent market watch : Chandler Jones (OLB), Melvin Ingram (OLB), Dont'a Hightower (ILB), Nick Perry (OLB), Zach Brown (ILB), Kevin Minter (ILB), Jarvis Jones (OLB), Lorenzo Alexander (OLB), DeMarcus Ware (OLB), Lawrence Timmons (ILB).

Also could become available : Brian Cushing (ILB), Elvis Dumervil (OLB), DeAndre Levy (OLB), Lamarr Houston (OLB).

The game plan : Jones and Ingram were slapped with the franchise tag by their respective teams, effectively taking two of the premier pass-rushers off the market. A side note: The Rex Ryan-Mike Tannenbaum regime passed over Jones and Ingram in the first round of the 2012 draft to pick Quinton Coples -- yikes! I remember one Jets insider whispering to me that Ingram's short arms would prevent him from becoming a productive pass-rusher.

How's that working out ?

Coples was a bust and Ingram has 18.5 sacks over the past two years. Perry, who broke out last season with 11 sacks, is an attractive option. His first position coach in Green Bay was Kevin Greene, the Jets' new outside linebackers coach. Hmm. I don't think the Jets have given up on a Jenkins-Mauldin tandem, but it wouldn't shock me if they explore the market just a bit. They also need experienced depth at inside linebacker.

>      http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/66983/jets-need-pass-rushing-linebacker-but-where-are-they-hiding

[Dunnie]

... All three together still less than one of our DLmen.


Sent from my iPhone using JetNation.com mobile app

[kelly]

The Jets are not expected to re-sign left tackle Ben Ijalana, a pending unrestricted free agent, before the NFL's free agency period begins Thursday, a league source told NJ Advance Media.The Jets have been in touch with Ijalana's camp about perhaps re-signing him, but they likely will wait to see how the offensive tackle free agent market plays out before getting serious with a contract offer, the source said.

Mike Maccagnan Jets takeaways from NFL Scouting Combine

Free agency officially begins at 4 p.m. Thursday. The NFL's two-day negotiating window opens at noon Tuesday, but that pertains only to pending free agents on other teams. The Jets have no restrictions on when they can re-sign Ijalana, because he is already on their team. 

But once 4 p.m. Thursday rolls around, Ijalana would become an unrestricted free agent.

Considering Ijalana's lack of overwhelming experience as a starter, it'll be interesting to see what kind of interest he attracts on the open market. Because of his experience last season, his stock is higher now than it was a year ago, at least. 

The Jets began last season with Ryan Clady as their left tackle. But when a shoulder injury landed Clady on injured reserve (after eight starts), Ijalana took over at left tackle. The Jets this offseason cut ties with Clady, so they're seeking a new starting left tackle, in addition to new starters at right tackle and center. 

Ijalana, 27, is not a consistently proven starter. He started 13 games last season, when he began the year in a starting rotation with Brent Qvale at right tackle. Before that, he hadn't started at all in his NFL career. The Colts drafted him in Round 2 in 2011. He has spent the past four seasons with the Jets, and he showed some potential while starting last year. 

The Jets have Brandon Shell, a rookie last year, set to return in 2017. He could be the new starting right tackle. He started three games last year.

Or perhaps, if Shell isn't ready, Ijalana could take over at right tackle, and the Jets could sign a left tackle in free agency -- something that seems likely anyway. Free agent left tackle possibilities for the Jets include Russell Okung and Kelvin Beachum. In an ideal situation, Ijalana surely isn't the Jets' top preference for their starting left tackle in 2017. 

The Jets had just one high-profile in-house free agent this offseason, right guard Brian Winters, and they have already re-signed him this offseason.That leaves Ijalana and long snapper Tanner Purdum as probably the Jets' two most notable pending unrestricted free agents this week.Ijalana played last season on a one-year contract worth $846,000, including $150,000 guaranteed. The Jets traded for Clady after D'Brickashaw Ferguson retired last offseason. And once again this offseason, the Jets have uncertainty at left tackle. 

>      http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/03/jets_not_expected_to_re-sign_ben_ijalana_before_fr.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

just an fyi..

~ ~ The Los Angeles Chargers will release starting offensive lineman D.J. Fluker, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter.Fluker, 25, was a first-round draft choice in 2013, when the Chargers selected the former Alabama star with the 11th overall pick.After beginning his NFL career at tackle, Fluker shifted inside to guard in 2015, starting 28 games at the position over the past two seasons.

The 6-foot-5, 339-pound Fluker was scheduled to make $8.821 million in 2017, which would have been the final year of his rookie deal. The Chargers will save the full amount on their salary cap.Fluker appeared in 59 games -- all starts -- in his four seasons with the Chargers. Team brass liked Fluker's energy, enthusiasm and toughness, but he struggled at times with speed rushers in pass protection.

ESPN's Eric D. Williams contributed to this report.

>    http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/18843796/los-angeles-chargers-release-dj-fluker?ex_cid=espnapi_public

[kelly]

more info..

~ ~ The Los Angeles Chargers are parting ways with a former first-round draft pick.

NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Tuesday that the team is releasing offensive lineman D.J. Fluker.

•   (Updated) Top 101 Available Free Agents
•   Wesseling: Jets need reality check
•   Free Agency: Who will spend the most?
•   Schein: Best 30-plus free agents
•   Overpriced free agents | Best Bargains
•   Free Agency: 3 needs for each AFC team
•   Free Agency: 3 needs for each NFC team
•   Brooks' Top 5 Prospects: QB | RB | OL 
      WR | DE/OLB | DB

Stuck with just $5 million in cap space, per OverTheCap.com, the Chargers desperately need to build up their cash reserves. With Fluker set to make $8.821 million this season, his release will do just that.Expected to make a handful of cuts, the Bolts also dumped wideout Stevie Johnson, per NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, a move that saves the club $3.5 million. The 30-year-old pass catcher missed all of last season following meniscus surgery.

Taken 11th overall in 2013, Fluker was drafted to give the Chargers a plug-and-play starter at tackle. Instead, the 25-year-old has spent much of the past two seasons at guard, finishing 2016 as the league's 54th-ranked player at his position, per Pro Football Focus. As the metrics site noted, Fluker allowed 2.5 pressures per game at right guard and 3.2 per tilt at right tackle while failing to stand out as a run blocker.

While Fluker has been a disappointment, he offers teams size -- he's 6-foot-5 and 339 pounds -- and starting experience at multiple positions along the line. The former Alabama star joins a crop of solid free-agent lineman, with Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang, Larry Warford, Nick Mangold and Brian Schwenke all sitting out there as viable interior options. 

With the NFL's "legal tampering period" set to launch Tuesday at noon ET, we'll find out soon enough if another club feels up to taking a shot on Fluker.

>         http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000791026/article/chargers-releasing-dj-fluker-stevie-johnson

[varjet]

1 hour ago, kelly said:

 

While Fluker has been a disappointment, he offers teams size -- he's 6-foot-5 and 339 pounds -- and starting experience at multiple positions along the line. The former Alabama star joins a crop of solid free-agent lineman, with Kevin Zeitler, T.J. Lang, Larry Warford, Nick Mangold and Brian Schwenke all sitting out there as viable interior options. 

With the NFL's "legal tampering period" set to launch Tuesday at noon ET, we'll find out soon enough if another club feels up to taking a shot on Fluker.

>         http://www.nfl.com/news/story/0ap3000000791026/article/chargers-releasing-dj-fluker-stevie-johnson

I have three thoughts about this thread and the above quote:

• The Jets must be feeling bold with Ijalana.  Worse case he could been the LT for relatively cheap.  They must feel that can get someone who is a better value (but would have to be more money)
• I am not quite getting the "he is not very good but he is big" logic above.  I thought linemen were getting smaller anyway.
• I also not quite getting how the Chargers are saving cap space.  I guess that must be his option year, so the Chargers exercised the option and then cut him, like the Jets did with Coples.  If Pryor is cut, the Jets save no money.

 

[kelly]

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets have tendered C Wesley Johnson, a restricted free agent, at the second-round level ($2.7 M), a source confirmed. (NFL Network first to report.) Even though the salary is not guaranteed, it shows the Jets value Johnson as a possible heir to Nick Mangold.

[#27TheDominator]

3 minutes ago, kelly said:

Rich CiminiESPN Staff Writer 

The Jets have tendered C Wesley Johnson, a restricted free agent, at the second-round level ($2.7 M), a source confirmed. (NFL Network first to report.) Even though the salary is not guaranteed, it shows the Jets value Johnson as a possible heir to Nick Mangold.

Man, I'd love to get that 2nd. 

Wesley Johnson gets $2.7M, Brian Winters gets $8M, what the hell are we going to pay a left tackle? 

 

[kelly]

The New York Jets finally jumped into the fray Friday night, signing their first two free agents -- left tackle Kelvin Beachum and kicker Chandler Catanzaro. They also re-signed Tanner Purdum, their long-snapper since 2010.

Terms : Not immediately available.

ESPN 150 ranking : Beachum is No. 76 on the list. Catanzaro isn't ranked.

Grade -- C-plus (Beachum) : He was the fourth left tackle in the ESPN 150 to come off the board. The Jets aimed higher than Beachum, pursuing Russell Okung, but he wound up signing with the Los Angeles Chargers for four years, $53 million. Presumably, they paid a lot less for Beachum, who is coming off a sluggish year with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He's not a geezer -- he'll be 28 on opening day -- so there's that. He will replace Ryan Clady, 31, whose option wasn't exercised. The Jets were interested in Beachum last year as a replacement for D'Brickashaw Ferguson.

What it means : The Jets are serious about overhauling their offensive line. They parted ways with Nick Mangold, Breno Giacomini and Clady, re-signed Brian Winters (in January) and Ben Ijalana and added Beachum. When they re-upped with Ijalana on Thursday (two years, $11 million), it was thought that he'd play left tackle. But now the job belongs to Beachum, who doesn't have prototypical left tackle size -- 6-foot-2, 303 pounds. Ijalana will compete with Brandon Shell at right tackle, adding to the depth and versatility of the line. The Jets know it's not a good left tackle class in the draft, which explains why they invested in a free agent.

What's the risk ? Beachum tore an ACL while playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers in October 2015, and he experienced residual soreness throughout last season. The Jets believe he'll revert to his presurgery form now that he's more than a year removed from it. The knock on him is that he's not a thumper in the running game. Statistically, the Jaguars were an average running team, but they had success to Beachum's side. They averaged 4.84 yards per carry (11th) while running toward left guard and outside left tackle, according to ESPN Stats & Information. A quick thought on Catanzaro, a curious acquisition: The Cardinals opted not to tender him after a subpar season in which he made only 75 percent of his field goals and missed four PATs. He had a tendency to get down on himself. That he had two long-snappers and at least three holders may have contributed to his problems.

>      http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/67412/jets-sign-lt-kelvin-beachum-as-offensive-line-overhaul-continues

[section314]

On 3/9/2017 at 0:25 PM, #27TheDominator said:

Man, I'd love to get that 2nd. 

Wesley Johnson gets $2.7M, Brian Winters gets $8M, what the hell are we going to pay a left tackle? 

 

I'm cautiously optimistic that the "rebuilding" includes drafting a C this year, maybe with one of our two 3 rd picks. You can't go to battle with Wesley Johnson as your starter. You just can't.

[kelly]

The Jets signed a guy. Seriously. This isn't a joke.

NFL Free Agency 2017: What's the Jets game plan?

Actually ... they signed two.

After sitting out the mayhem that was the opening day of the new league year, the Jets agreed to terms with free agent left Kelvin Beachum and kicker Chandler Catanzaro.

Looking for some info on Catanzaro? Venture on over here. How about Beachum? Check it out right below...

Meet your new left tackle. Once Beachum, who's just 27 years old, steps on the field, he figures to take over at left tackle. He played the position both with the Steelers (2012-2015), and most of last year with the Jaguars. On the opposite side, Ben Ijalana, whom the Jets re-signed on Thursday, will compete with second-year pro Brandon Shell to be the right tackle. 

The Jets offensive line is now starting to take shape. From left to right: Kelvin Beachum, James Carpenter, Wesley Johnson, Brian Winters, Ben Ijalana/Brandon Shell.

The Jets already had their homework done. Familiar? Yeah, you could say that. This isn't the first time general manager Mike Maccagnan zeroed in on Beachum. Last year, the Jets hosted Beachum for a visit. He left and ended up signing with the Jaguars, and the Jets ended up trading for Ryan Clady. A year later, they've finally got themselves a deal. 

What happened in Jacksonville? Beachum signed a four-year, $40 million deal with the Jaguars last offseason. But the contract was structured in such a way that gave Jacksonville an early out. On Feb. 15, the Jaguars elected not to exercise the team option in Beachum's contract. It got them off the hook for the $18 million owed ($5 million option bonus, $7.5 million 2017 salary, $5.5 2018 salary). Beachum, thus, became a free agent.By most counts, it was considered a surprising move. The Jaguars wasted little time in finding his replacement, though. They traded tight end Julius Thomas to the Dolphins for left tackle Branden Albert. 

He's coming off a poor season. There's no easy way to put this -- Beachum wasn't very good in 2016. Per the Times-Union game charting, Beachum allowed a combined 27 sacks/pressures/hits, including five sacks. In the run game, he was responsible for 11 1/2 plays that gained one or fewer yards.

PFF gave him a 44.3 grade, 63rd among qualifying offensive tackles. If there is a positive, though, Beachum's poor season was his first in quite some time. He was among the league's best in 2014 (85.6 grade), and 2016 (77.4) before his injury.

Was the injury to blame? There may be a reason for Beachum's poor 2016 -- He was coming off a serious injury. In October of 2015, he tore the ACL in his left knee. While NFL players can play the year after such an injury, they usually aren't the same. It's two years post-surgery before they return to form.

The logic makes sense, too. After having the surgery, said player spends the entire offseason rehabbing to get right. The second year is when he gets back to training. There's a big difference between the two.

>      http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/03/5_things_to_know_about_new_jets_left_tackle_kelvin.html#incart_river_index

[#27TheDominator]

On 3/11/2017 at 10:46 AM, section314 said:

I'm cautiously optimistic that the "rebuilding" includes drafting a C this year, maybe with one of our two 3 rd picks. You can't go to battle with Wesley Johnson as your starter. You just can't.

Well... the Texans leapfrogged the Jets in the 2nd last year to take Nick Martin.  It seems obvious the Texans expected/were afraid the Jets would take Martin.  Otherwise, they gave up their 6th for no reason.  Could have saved us the Hackenberg drama.  Of course Martin was a (medical) redshirt too.  

[section314]

2 hours ago, #27TheDominator said:

Well... the Texans leapfrogged the Jets in the 2nd last year to take Nick Martin.  It seems obvious the Texans expected/were afraid the Jets would take Martin.  Otherwise, they gave up their 6th for no reason.  Could have saved us the Hackenberg drama.  Of course Martin was a (medical) redshirt too.  

There are 4-5 centers who grade out anywhere from rd 2-4 this year. I really hope we grab one.

[kelly]

The New York Jets remain in the hunt for coveted linebacker Dont'a Hightower, who has narrowed his choices to the Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and New England Patriots, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported.It would be a stunner if the Jets pry him away from the Patriots. Only five weeks ago, Hightower was celebrating his second Super Bowl title with New England. But we've seen this before. It happened two years ago with the Jets, Patriots and Darrelle Revis, who returned to the Jets after winning a ring in New England.

Hightower is thought to be seeking $12 million per year, which would make him the second highest-paid inside linebacker in the NFL, behind Luke Kuechly ($12.4 million).The Jets have taken a low-key approach in free agency, but they really want Hightower and they're willing to give him a blockbuster contract. They'd probably have to offer considerably more than the Patriots, who negotiate with the arrogance of a organization that has won five Super Bowl titles. When they set a value on a player, they rarely budge. If the player is all about the money ... adios.

If Hightower is looking for the biggest financial score, the Jets will win the bidding war.

Hightower, who turned 27 on Sunday, is one of the better inside linebackers in the league. His arrival could prompt the Jets to release longtime middle linebacker David Harris, 33, who is due to count $6.5 million in the final year of his contract. Harris is a future Ring-of-Honor member, but the Jets are in the midst of a youth movement.

The Patriots raised eyebrows by letting Hightower hit the open market, declining to use the franchise or transition tag. The Jets see this as a unique opportunity to upgrade the roster, and they're going for it.

>      http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/67508/jets-making-all-out-blitz-for-free-agent-lb-donta-hightower

[kelly]

By many measures,  Kelvin Beachum  is a unique and exceptional young man signed by the Jets as an unrestricted free agent last week to play tackle in 2017. Here are six things we didn't know about Beachum on and off the field :

1. Sizing Him Up
The Jets list Beachum at 6'3" and 308 pounds. That, as has been noted, is not large for a left tackle. How does it match up with other tackles? In the last decade, only a handful of 6'3" O-linemen have spent any significant time at tackle. Two of them had Green & White ties. Willie Colon (6'3", 315) was the Steelers' RT before he moved to guard. Damien Woody (6'3", 327) played everywhere on the OL before settling in at RT for the Jets through 2010. Former Giant Marshall Newhouse (6'3" or 6'4", 326) started at LT for Green Bay in 2011-12.But too small? “I love it. I thrive on it,” Beachum said during his Pittsburgh heyday protecting Ben Roethlisberger's blind side. “I love adversity and challenges and proving myself. I love dismantling stereotypes that are put upon me."

2. Stellar Scouting Report
It's not about the size of the dog in the fight ... Beachum drew wide praise from independent observers, before his injury-shortened '15 and last season spent with Jacksonville. PFF, in its 2014 offensive line rankings, wrote, "You don’t often hear the name Kelvin Beachum mentioned, but the former seventh-round pick has developed into an excellent tackle, finishing fifth overall in our left tackle rankings," and further tabbed him as the Steelers' "secret superstar" for 2015.

3. Kudos to June
Beachum credits June Jones for getting him focused on his work in the trenches. Jones is the former NFL QB and head coach with Atlanta and San Diego and the revered head coach at the University of Hawaii. In between gigs in the Aloha State, Jones was SMU's head coach from 2008-13."My first year [2007], I redshirted and we went 1-11. I didn't want to be there," Kelvin recalled. "But when Coach Jones first met me, he said, 'You're going to be NFL.' He's a visionary, he knows how to speak into your life. Whether you take his words and use them, that's up to you. I took those words and tried to live up to them, not only for him but for me, too. For him, having done that, he had a huge impact on me."

4. All Business
A "Pony Profile" on smumustangs.com several years back noted that while many students walked the campus wearing backpacks, Beachum carried himself differently."Perception is reality -- that's why I walk around with a briefcase," he said. "I'm going to be in that world one day. You want to go to league? Working for the league starts the day you walk through the door. If you're perceived to be someone who doesn't work at all, that's who you are. You can't get there if people don't think you're willing to put in the work."

5. Where Did He Find the Time ?
Beachum clearly put in the work. In his five years of athletic eligibility at SMU, Beachum earned his bachelor’s degree in economics in 2011 and his master’s in liberal studies in 2012 and was named to the Conference USA All-Academic team.In other pursuits, he was president of the college's Student-Athlete Advisory Committee, served on the SMU president's Commission on Substance Abuse and on the Student Affairs Leadership Council and Athletic Council, was a student representative to the college's Board of Trustee's, and was a member of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

Further, he participated in an eight-day tour of historical landmarks from the civil rights movement during the Fifties and Sixties, and has been featured by NFL for community work in Mexico and Central America.

6. House Party
Beachum and his family starred in an episode earlier this year of "Fixer Upper" when he surprised his father, Kelvin Sr., and his mother, Culetta, who were moving from their longtime Mexia, TX, home to a new house, with their search being featured on the HGTV series. Unbeknown to them, Kelvin contributed $100,000 to turn the project into a palace fit for the extended Beachum family."All I wanted to do was make my mother cry, and I think I did that in a couple of instances,' Beachum said. Added his father when he saw the house for the first time: "Man, man, man. Ain't that something?"

>        http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-randylangefb/6-Things-We-Didnt-Know-About-Kelvin-Beachum/69798537-1d87-4e90-ae90-e945f70e20ef

[kelly]

Dont’a Hightower expected to make his decision today

Posted by Darin Gantt on March 15, 2017, 6:16 AM EDT

Getty Images

Dont’a Hightower should set up a table in a high school gym with three hats, and call an assembly where he’ll dramatically pick one.

Actually, when he does it this time, he’ll be getting paid for real.According to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, the free agent linebacker is expected to make his decision today after a quick tour.He visited the Jets and the Steelers, but many still expect him to return home to the Patriots.

The Jets seem the most desperate to land him, and perhaps they’ll overpay. The Steelers are looking for help inside after losing Lawrence Timmons to Miami, and rarely make such a splurge in free agency anyway. The Patriots offer familiarity, and they didn’t trade him away before it was time for his payday so they clearly like him.

We’ll let you know which hat he picks.

>      http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/15/donta-hightower-expected-to-make-his-decision-today/?hl=1&noRedirect=1

[kelly]

Dont’a Hightower stays with the Patriots

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 15, 2017, 1:35 PM EDT

Getty Images

The best remaining free agent in the NFL has found his new team, and it’s the same as his old team.Patriots linebacker Dont’a Hightower will re-sign with the Patriots, his agent announced on Twitter.

Hightower was generally recognized as the best player still available after the first couple of days of free agency, but it appeared that he wasn’t getting the kinds of offers he had hoped to receive. There’s no word yet on the value of his new contract with the Patriots, but reports indicated he was seeking $12 million a year but not getting offers worth much more than $10 million a year.

But while Hightower might have been disappointed in the market for his services, the Patriots will not be at all disappointed with keeping Hightower. Patriots coach Bill Belichick has praised Hightower many times, including after Super Bowl LI, when Belichick said Hightower’s strip-sack was the play that turned the game around for the Patriots in their dramatic comeback win.

It’s been a strong free agency period for the defending champs, who continue to look like the favorites to win the Super Bowl again in 11 months.

>     http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/03/15/donta-hightower-stays-with-the-patriots/

[kelly]

PartJetsEliteFanBase @RobbyJerzee

@Connor_J_Hughes I ask you this other day does the pursue of Hightower affect relationship w Harris ?

4:32 PM - 17 Mar 2017 · Kearny, NJ

•  

 

 

Fractured relationship with David Harris ?

HUGHES : No, I don't think so. David Harris is as professional as they come. He knows he's getting up there in age, his cap is expendable, and the Jets need to think of the future. Is he happy they're looking for his replacement? No, but he gets it. The NFL is a business. 

 

rest of above article : 

>http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/03/is_it_good_geno_smith_left_jets_whats_up_with_davi.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

-- The Jets on Tuesday announced that they signed Jonotthan Harrison, a versatile offensive lineman.

He was a non-tendered restricted free agent with the Colts. He entered the NFL undrafted in 2014, and has spent his entire career so far with the Colts. He has played in 44 games, with 23 starts -- 10, nine, four in each of his three years. He is 25 years old. 

Could he challenge Wesley Johnson for the Jets' starting center spot, now that the organization has cut Nick Mangold ? 

Johnson received a second-round restricted free agent tender from the Jets, so he almost certainly will return in 2017. Johnson also entered the NFL in 2014. He has nine career starts, including eight last season and one in 2015. So he isn't proven over the long haul, but the Jets really like his potential. Harrison, who is 6-foot-4 and 308 pounds, can play various roles on the offensive line. Though that certainly doesn't mean he will beat out Johnson for the Jets' starting center job. 

All of Harrison's 19 starts from 2014-15 were at center. His four starts last year were at left guard. The Jets are set at their guard spots -- Brian Winters on the right side, and James Carpenter on the left.Last season, Harrison also saw action at left tackle, right tackle, center, and right guard for the Colts, as a reserve player. He played in 13 games last season. 

>     http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2017/03/jets_sign_offensive_lineman_jonotthan_harrison.html#incart_river_index

[kelly]

The Jets have re-signed fourth-year linebacker Julian Stanford.

Stanford (6'1", 230), who hails from Bloomfield, CT, and played his college ball at Wagner, played in nine games for the Jets last year with three midseason starts for injured rookie LB Darron Lee, against the Browns, Dolphins and Rams, before going on Injured Reserve for the final three games.He had 28 tackles for the season, including a career-high 10 plus 1.5 tackles for loss/no gain in the win at Cleveland. He played 244 snaps on defense and 169 more on special teams 

Stanford began his NFL career as an undrafted free agent signed by Jacksonville after the 2012 draft. He also had stops with Detroit in 2013-15 and on Tampa Bay's practice squad in 2015 before joining the Jets' practice squad in December '15 and signing a reserve/future contract a month later.He began 2016 on the active roster, was waived Sept. 26, returned to the Jets' practice squad the next day, then was re-signed to the active roster in time to contribute to the win over the Ravens.

>      http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-9/Jets-Re-Sign-4th-Year-LB-Julian-Stanford/aa325bd4-7682-4b66-bf61-c415f0aeb6d8

[kelly]

This is the fifth in a series of features on the 2017 NFL Draft, position by position. Today's position: Offensive Line. The Jets' OL roster synopsis is followed by five players considered top candidates at OL.

After a season up front where lineup changes were the norm, the Jets took steps in the offseason to fortify their offensive line.

Before free agency commenced, RG Brian Winters signed a multi-year extension. Then the Jets addressed the tackle position with the signing of Kelvin Beachum and the re-signing of Ben Ijalana.With one of the more formidable guard combinations in football in Winters and James Carpenter, tackle and center will be the spots to watch throughout the offseason and into training camp. Beachum and Ijalana will compete along with second-year pro Brandon Shell on the outside.

In the middle, the Green & White parted ways with Nick Mangold. The team liked what they saw out of Wesley Johnson last year at center and he recently signed his restricted free agent tender. Jonotthan Harrison joined the club after playing all over the Colts’ line last season and he is expected to provide further competition.Despite starting nine line combinations last season, the Jets ranked sixth in the AFC with 4.31 yards per rush. Eight different players participated in at least 20 percent of the snaps up front. Jets OL coach Steve Marshall is one of the better teachers in the business.

G FORREST LAMP, WESTERN KENTUCKY
An excellent left tackle at Western Kentucky, the 6’4”, 309-pound Lamp will most likely make his home on the interior come Sundays. Lamp started 51 games at left tackle for the Hilltoppers with all but three coming at left tackle. He is an impressive athlete who posted a 5.0 time in the 40-yard dash and bench-pressed 225 pounds 34 times at the NFL Scouting Combine.  Could Lamp vault past the tackles in this year’s class and become the first OL selected?

T GARETT BOLLES, UTAH
A projected first-rounder, Bolles wowed many scouts with his 4.96 40-yard dash time at the Combine.Not always on the fast track, the once troubled 6’5”, 297-pound Bolles worked as a garage door repairman after high school.  As a youngster, Bolles was kicked out of five schools, used drugs and often got in trouble with the law. Then he enrolled at Snow College, a JUCO school, and flourished before moving on to the Utes. Bolles, who started 13 games in 2016 at left tackle, will turn 25 in May as he served an LDS church mission in Colorado.

 

Ryan Ramczyk’s 84.6 run-blocking grade led all FBS offensive tackles in 2016.

Scouting report:http://buff.ly/2pKqjLK 

5:31 PM - 17 Apr 2017

T RYAN RAMCZYK, WISCONSIN
After two seasons at Wisconsin-Stevens Point, Ramczyk started 14 games for the Badgers as a redshirt junior at left tackle and earned consensus first-team All-America honors.  The 6’6”, 310-pounder underwent surgery on Jan. 5 to repair damage in his right hip and was limited to the bench press (25 reps) in Indy. He still could be a first-round selection after helping the Badgers rush for 203.1 yards per game and allowing just a sack and eight total pressures according to Pro Football Focus.

OL CAM ROBINSON, ALABAMA
While Robinson played left tackle for the Crimson Tide, the mammoth 6’6”, 322-pound OL might project better at right tackle or inside at guard. The trenches favor the man who gets his hands on his opponent first and Robinson is an impressive early striker who follows with sheer power. Robinson was arrested last year on drug and weapons charges, but the charges were later dropped due to insufficient evidence. A team captain in 2016, Robinson started 43 games for the Tide at LT and was awarded the Outland Trophy, given annually to the nation’s top interior lineman on offense or defense.
 

OL TAYLOR MOTON, WESTERN MICHIGAN
While much has been written about the aforementioned four prospects, it will be interesting to see how the offensive linemen will fall once we reach Rounds 2 and 3. After tuning down a walk-on opportunity at Michigan State, Moton took a scholarship at Western Michigan. The 6’5”, 319-pound Moton started 25 games at RT in 2013-14, played 13 games at RG in 2015 and then went back to RT and started 14 games while earning first-team All-MAC honors. No stranger to the weight room, the powerful Moton had a max squat of 570 pounds and has no issue benching 400 pounds. Moton will have to work on his technique, but the team captain is known to have a good work ethic. Moton’s ideal spot in the NFL might be guard and Dan Feeney (Indiana) and Dion Dawkins (Temple) could very well be ahead of him on some teams’ big boards. 

>     http://www.newyorkjets.com/news/article-7/Prospect-Preview-Offensive-Line/666e2184-f330-4c6f-8da8-563c94141f2c

[kelly]

This is the fifth installment of our position-by-position breakdown for the New York Jets as we head to the April 27-29 draft:

Position: Offensive line

Current personnel: Center -- Wesley Johnson (signed through 2017), Jonotthan Harrison (2017); Guard -- Brian Winters (2020), James Carpenter (2018), Dakota Dozier (2017), Brent Qvale (2017), Craig Watts (2017); Tackle -- Kelvin Beachum (2019), Ben Ijalana (2018), Brandon Shell (2019), Jeff Adams (2017), Donald Hawkins (2017).

Key newcomers: Beachum, Harrison.

Departures: C Nick Mangold (cut), RT Breno Giacomini (cut) and LT Ryan Clady (option not exercised).

Projected starters: LT Ijalana, LG Carpenter, C Johnson, RG Winters, RT Beachum.

Overview: General manager Mike Maccagnan believes he "stabilized" the offensive line by adding Beachum and re-signing Winters and Ijalana. The offseason overhaul definitely made it a younger unit than last year, as the average age of the starters went from 29 to 27.2. But don't be fooled into thinking everything is peachy. Johnson is on a one-year contract and still is somewhat of an unknown (nine career starts). There's also some uncertainty regarding Beachum, whose surgically repaired knee (from 2015) still is a concern to some. Many figured he was signed to play left tackle, his position since 2013, but Beachum actually will start out at right tackle, according to coach Todd Bowles. Part of the thinking is that Ijalana made progress at left tackle and they don't want to move him. Beachum will compete with Shell, a 2016 draft pick, but we know how that will turn out. The Jets didn't give Beachum a $12 million guarantee to sit him on the bench.

The last lineman drafted: In 2016, they took Shell in the fifth round -- and they're still paying for it, meaning they traded a 2017 fourth-rounder to get him. Currently, they have no fourth-round picks. Shell showed some promise at the end of the season, but a tap of the brakes is in order. He got a lot of help in pass protection.

Potential targets: Maccagnan took care of business in free agency because he knows this isn't a great draft for offensive linemen. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Jets wait until Day 3 to address any needs, if then. They could use a center and a developmental tackle, but they haven't been linked to any of the top prospects in terms of private workouts and visits. Only five centers have draftable grades, according to Scouts, Inc. Perhaps if Pat Elflein (Ohio State) and Ethan Pocic (LSU) are still around in the third, when the Jets have two picks, they will give it some thought. Tackles Zach Banner (USC) and Julie'n Davenport (Bucknell) -- mid-round projections -- have received cursory interest from the Jets. It always helps to add young players to the pipeline, but they have so many other needs. This could be the first time since 2011 they don't draft an offensive lineman.

Need factor (based on a scale of 1 to 10) Center -- 6; guard -- 5; tackle -- 5.

>     http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/68229/jets-dont-have-to-reach-for-o-line-help-after-stabilizing-unit-in-free-agency

[#27TheDominator]

1 hour ago, kelly said:

There's also some uncertainty regarding Beachum, whose surgically repaired knee (from 2015) still is a concern to some. Many figured he was signed to play left tackle, his position since 2013, but Beachum actually will start out at right tackle, according to coach Todd Bowles. Part of the thinking is that Ijalana made progress at left tackle and they don't want to move him. Beachum will compete with Shell, a 2016 draft pick, but we know how that will turn out. The Jets didn't give Beachum a $12 million guarantee to sit him on the bench.

This seems insance.  Beechem and Ijalana?  Ugh.  Guess they intend to draft an LT.  I like Bolles.  He needs to put some weight, but physically I like him best.  Doubt he lasts to our 2nd and I don't like any of these linemen with #6.  Banner is a behemoth, but he struggles to keep his weight down and seems a bit lazy.  

The only centers are Johnson and Jonnotthan and it is only 1 point more of a need than G and T?  Seems like a gaping hole, if an easier one to fill than most.

[T0mShane]

11 minutes ago, #27TheDominator said:

This seems insance.  Beechem and Ijalana?  Ugh.  Guess they intend to draft an LT.  I like Bolles.  He needs to put some weight, but physically I like him best.  Doubt he lasts to our 2nd and I don't like any of these linemen with #6.  Banner is a behemoth, but he struggles to keep his weight down and seems a bit lazy.  

The only centers are Johnson and Jonnotthan and it is only 1 point more of a need than G and T?  Seems like a gaping hole, if an easier one to fill than most.

Do you think Cam Robinson can play OLT?

[SickJetFan]

1 hour ago, kelly said:

This is the fifth installment of our position-by-position breakdown for the New York Jets as we head to the April 27-29 draft:

Position: Offensive line

Current personnel: Center -- Wesley Johnson (signed through 2017), Jonotthan Harrison (2017); Guard -- Brian Winters (2020), James Carpenter (2018), Dakota Dozier (2017), Brent Qvale (2017), Craig Watts (2017); Tackle -- Kelvin Beachum (2019), Ben Ijalana (2018), Brandon Shell (2019), Jeff Adams (2017), Donald Hawkins (2017).

Key newcomers: Beachum, Harrison.

Departures: C Nick Mangold (cut), RT Breno Giacomini (cut) and LT Ryan Clady (option not exercised).

Projected starters: LT Ijalana, LG Carpenter, C Johnson, RG Winters, RT Beachum.

Overview: General manager Mike Maccagnan believes he "stabilized" the offensive line by adding Beachum and re-signing Winters and Ijalana. The offseason overhaul definitely made it a younger unit than last year, as the average age of the starters went from 29 to 27.2. But don't be fooled into thinking everything is peachy. Johnson is on a one-year contract and still is somewhat of an unknown (nine career starts). There's also some uncertainty regarding Beachum, whose surgically repaired knee (from 2015) still is a concern to some. Many figured he was signed to play left tackle, his position since 2013, but Beachum actually will start out at right tackle, according to coach Todd Bowles. Part of the thinking is that Ijalana made progress at left tackle and they don't want to move him. Beachum will compete with Shell, a 2016 draft pick, but we know how that will turn out. The Jets didn't give Beachum a $12 million guarantee to sit him on the bench.

The last lineman drafted: In 2016, they took Shell in the fifth round -- and they're still paying for it, meaning they traded a 2017 fourth-rounder to get him. Currently, they have no fourth-round picks. Shell showed some promise at the end of the season, but a tap of the brakes is in order. He got a lot of help in pass protection.

Potential targets: Maccagnan took care of business in free agency because he knows this isn't a great draft for offensive linemen. It wouldn't be a surprise if the Jets wait until Day 3 to address any needs, if then. They could use a center and a developmental tackle, but they haven't been linked to any of the top prospects in terms of private workouts and visits. Only five centers have draftable grades, according to Scouts, Inc. Perhaps if Pat Elflein (Ohio State) and Ethan Pocic (LSU) are still around in the third, when the Jets have two picks, they will give it some thought. Tackles Zach Banner (USC) and Julie'n Davenport (Bucknell) -- mid-round projections -- have received cursory interest from the Jets. It always helps to add young players to the pipeline, but they have so many other needs. This could be the first time since 2011 they don't draft an offensive lineman.

Need factor (based on a scale of 1 to 10) Center -- 6; guard -- 5; tackle -- 5.

>     http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/68229/jets-dont-have-to-reach-for-o-line-help-after-stabilizing-unit-in-free-agency

Cimini is an idiot

put the Brakes on Shell dev...uh what? yeah that makes sense

Cimini is one of the dumb chorus that was saying Petty would be cut by end of training camp last year...guy is clueless I wonder if he actually watches any of the play.

 

 

[BCJet]

I 1000% do not think they intend on our starters being Beachem and Ijlana.

Ijlana filled in well last year, and while he is paid well, he should stick to LT and "battle" with Beachem for that spot and then be the swing guy.  Brandon Shell can have his own "battle" with Qvale on the right side, which based on his excellent play last year he will win.

The thing about shell is that he was a standout RT in college, and when he moved to the Left side was just average.  When the jets put him at LT in the preseason, he looked terrible but when he played RT in actual games, he graded out exceptionally well.  This also meshes with the fact that Shell specifically said he feels much more comfortable on the right side then the left.  Simply put, we should not have him play another snap on the left side again - maybe RT isnt as valuable a position as LT, but if we have a guy who can excel at it, lets keep him on the right side.

[#27TheDominator]

19 minutes ago, T0mShane said:

Do you think Cam Robinson can play OLT?

I am no expert, but I haven't liked what I have read about Robinson as an immediate starter at LT.  I may be biased.  I didn't watch much college football this past year and he seemed to false start a ton the few times I have seen him.  I am going by the what I read.  I read a lot of stuff and I am pretty good at seeing through the BS, but I am still relying on draftniks who are often idiots.  He seems like a guy that will start off on the right and then flip later.  

These guys all seem like they belong in the lower half of the round and it will be interesting.  I know a bunch of people love Lamp, but I would measure his arms myself before I thought about taking him.  His arm length grew over an inch from the senior bowl to the combine.  Seems fishy.  Even with his T-Rex arms, if he falls to our 2nd I would give him a shot at LT over Ijalana.  

20 minutes ago, SickJetFan said:

Cimini is an idiot

put the Brakes on Shell dev...uh what? yeah that makes sense

Cimini is one of the dumb chorus that was saying Petty would be cut by end of training camp last year...guy is clueless I wonder if he actually watches any of the play.

He didn't say Shell wasn't good.  He said he showed promise, but that they helped him in pass protection.  I seem to remember them chipping more with him.  There are people on this board ready to hand him the starting job.  Probably for the next decade.  That is what he is saying to tap the brakes on, not saying the kid doesn't deserve a shot or even to be the presumptive starter.  

[kelly]

1 hour ago, T0mShane said:

Do you think Cam Robinson can play OLT?

in high school.. yes. 

in college.. ok.

in the NFL...  No.

 

 

 

cheers ~ ~ 

 

[SickJetFan]

2 hours ago, #27TheDominator said:

I am no expert, but I haven't liked what I have read about Robinson as an immediate starter at LT.  I may be biased.  I didn't watch much college football this past year and he seemed to false start a ton the few times I have seen him.  I am going by the what I read.  I read a lot of stuff and I am pretty good at seeing through the BS, but I am still relying on draftniks who are often idiots.  He seems like a guy that will start off on the right and then flip later.  

These guys all seem like they belong in the lower half of the round and it will be interesting.  I know a bunch of people love Lamp, but I would measure his arms myself before I thought about taking him.  His arm length grew over an inch from the senior bowl to the combine.  Seems fishy.  Even with his T-Rex arms, if he falls to our 2nd I would give him a shot at LT over Ijalana.  

He didn't say Shell wasn't good.  He said he showed promise, but that they helped him in pass protection.  I seem to remember them chipping more with him.  There are people on this board ready to hand him the starting job.  Probably for the next decade.  That is what he is saying to tap the brakes on, not saying the kid doesn't deserve a shot or even to be the presumptive starter.  

he basically annointed him a back up and gave Beachum the RT spot and Ben LT when nobody said that

Bowles said "paraphasing here" When asked what spot Ben would play  "depends on the competition between Shell and Beachum."  when asked isnt shell a RT he said he "as of right now." something along those lines too lazy to look it up.

to me that implies Beachum and Shell are competing for LT.  Nobody suggested Beachum would become RT except for Cimini (and me in another thread last week )

so why would you have your 2 best tackles compete then give the job to apparently your 3rd best?

 

[#27TheDominator]

8 minutes ago, SickJetFan said:

he basically annointed him a back up and gave Beachum the RT spot and Ben LT when nobody said that

Bowles said "paraphasing here" When asked what spot Ben would play  "depends on the competition between Shell and Beachum."  when asked isnt shell a RT he said he "as of right now." something along those lines too lazy to look it up.

to me that implies Beachum and Shell are competing for LT.  Nobody suggested Beachum would become RT except for Cimini (and me in another thread last week )

so why would you have your 2 best tackles compete then give the job to apparently your 3rd best?

 

Wherever Beachum ends up playing and however wrong Cimini is about it, that was not the point of his "tap the brakes" comment.  That seemed strictly related to the glowing reviews Shell has been getting retroactively and the fact that Shell got pass blocking help.  You are responding to articles I haven't seen and Cimini has written plenty of doozies.  I avoid them until they end up on JN.

[kelly]

This is the seventh installment of our position-by-position breakdown for the New York Jets as we head to the April 27-29 draft:

Position: Linebacker

Current personnel: Inside -- David Harris (signed through 2017), Darron Lee (2019), Julian Stanford (2017), Jeff Luc (2018); Outside -- Jordan Jenkins (2019), Lorenzo Mauldin (2018), Josh Martin (2018), Randell Johnson (2017), Freddie Bishop (2017), Corey Lemonier (2017), Frank Beltre (2018).

Key newcomers: None.

Departures: Erin Henderson (option not exercised), Mike Catapano (free agent), Bruce Carter (free agent).

Projected starters: ILB Harris, ILB Lee, OLB Jenkins, OLB Mauldin.

Overview: The Jets have invested premium draft picks the last two years on Mauldin, Lee and Jenkins, but they're still searching for that elusive edge-rushing presence. Mauldin hasn't lived up to expectations, in part, because of injuries. This is a critical year for him. Jenkins plays on the edge, but he's more of a strong-side run-stuffer than a pass-rusher. Quite simply, they need speed on the perimeter to complement their strong interior rushers. Harris, 33, is heading into what likely will be his final season with the Jets. He's still a terrific "quarterback," but it'll be interesting to see if his role is reduced. He's always been a three-down linebacker, but those days could be over. The spotlight will be on Lee, whose speed and athleticism must translate into production. His rookie year was so-so; the coaches expect a big jump.

The last linebacker drafted: Lee was picked 20th overall last year.

Potential targets: They won't draft a linebacker with the sixth overall pick, but the position comes into play after that. They're showing strong interest in Charles Harris (Missouri), widely regarded as a top-25 pick. The Jets brought him into town for a visit. Harris, whose game revolves around speed and a quick first step, has the ability to be a disruptive edge player. He recorded 16 sacks as a three-year player for the Tigers. He's had two surgically repaired shoulders, so that bears watching. He could be an option if the Jets wind up with a pick in the 12 to 32 range. Others to watch are Ryan Anderson (Alabama) and T.J. Watt (Wisconsin), the younger brother of J.J. Watt. Both are scheme fits and could be considerations in the second round (No. 39 overall). A wild card is Tim Williams (Alabama), an exceptional speed rusher with character issues. Inside 'back Reuben Foster (Alabama), once projected as a top-10 pick, reportedly failed a drug test at the scouting combine and could slide into Round 2. From a football standpoint, he'd be a steal at 39, but there's risk.

Need factor (based on a scale of 1 to 10): Inside -- 6; Outside -- 6.

>        http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/68337/state-of-jets-linebackers-they-have-a-david-but-need-a-goliath

[kelly]

Owner Woody Johnson believes the 2017 New York Jets should be judged on how much they progress during the year, not their win-loss record. Easy for him to say; he's the boss and no one is going to kick him out.But what about linebacker David Harris, the longest-tenured player on the team? He's 33 years old, running out of time. He reached the AFC Championship Game in his third and fourth seasons, thinking it would be an annual occurrence, but now he's gone six consecutive years out of the playoffs.

For him, it's all about the wins and losses.

"I won’t say 'rebuild,'" Harris said Wednesday on a conference call with reporters. "Every team makes transactions in the offseason to try and better the team, and we still have the same goal as we do every year and that’s to win the Super Bowl."

What about defensive end Leonard Williams, the best player on the team? He's only 22 and figures to be around a long time, but he doesn't want to make losing a habit.

"I’m trusting the process," said Williams, commenting on the roster upheaval. "We have a new GM, a new head coach and they want their specific guys here. There were a lot of guys here before they got here that they didn’t necessarily draft or you didn’t know if they wanted them here or not. I think I’m just kind of moving on from it. That was this offseason, and now we’re back and we have all new guys, so I’m trying to focus on the guys that we have here and not the guys that we don’t."Actually, general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles aren't new -- it's their third year -- but this offseason has a new feel to it because of all the high-profile moves. Gone are Nick Mangold, Brandon Marshall, Darrelle Revis and several others. The Jets are rebooting in Year 3 of this regime, trying to become a young, hungry team.

"Obviously, they made some changes," guard Brian Winters said. "Some are for the better, some are a little more difficult than others to make. Obviously, I think everything is for the better."

>     http://www.espn.com/blog/new-york-jets/post/_/id/68551/jets-elder-statesman-david-harris-refuses-to-use-r-word

[kelly]

What Jets rookie outside linebacker Dylan Donahue lacks in size, athleticism and notoriety, he makes up for with confidence.

“I feel like if I played at a D-I school, I would have been in the first, second round,” the fifth-round pick out of D-II West Georgia said Friday at the opening day of rookie minicamp in Florham Park. “I have no doubt in my mind actually about that.”

The 6-3, 248-pound Donahue — the son of former NFL linebacker Mitch Donahue — took a winding path to the NFL. He received D-I offers out of high school in Montana, but his grades prevented him from accepting any scholarship. So he started his collegiate football career at NAIA school Montana Western.After struggling to balance his social life and academics, Donahue left Montana Western and started working for his father’s roofing company. Only after several months did he build up the motivation to continue pursuing football. He joined the team at Palomar College, a junior college in San Diego, before transferring to West Georgia and totaling 25.5 sacks in two seasons.

The Jets then selected Donahue in the fifth round on the recommendation of new outside linebackers coach Kevin Greene, who finished his 14-year NFL career with 160 sacks. Greene and Donahue spoke at the combine in Indianapolis.As it turns out, Donahue’s dad played against Greene and considers him “one of his favorite players.”

“He’s like the happiest I’ve seen him in a long time,” Donahue said of his dad. “He couldn’t be more excited. I couldn’t be more excited to see him like that.”Donahue believes he has “something in common” with Greene — a relentless motor and a willingness to expend maximum effort on every play.“The route I had to take caused me to never give up. I could have given up at any point, just like the rest of my friends and my teammates that gave up at some point along the road,” Donahue said. “I just decided to keep going. And I think that’s what I can bring to people on this team.

“I’m one of those guys that’s never going to stop.”

>    http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/football/jets/dylan-donahue-rookie-jets-linebacker-winding-path-nfl-article-1.3141075