NIGHT STALKER Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 SPECULATION MOUNTS THAT JETS INTENTIONALLY FLUNKED SUGGS In the wake of the trade that sent running back Kevan Barlow to the Jets from the 49ers, there is growing speculation in league circles that the Jets knew that Barlow was available before deciding that Browns running back Lee Suggs was not able to pass a Jets-imposed physical. The Jets acquired Suggs last week in a trade with the Browns, but Suggs failed the physical due apparently to a knee injury that Suggs had suffered in college -- and that had not prevented him from practicing with or playing for the Browns. The speculation (and we emphasize that it is only speculation) is that the Niners offered up Barlow after word broke of the Suggs trade, that the Jets then nixed the Suggs trade by finding that he had flunked his physical, and then that the Niners and the Jets opted to wait a few days before doing the deal, in order to defuse any suspicions regarding whether there was any winking and/or nodding going on between the 49ers and the Jets before the Suggs deal went down the tubes. Meanwhile, one league source has offered up an opinion regarding our story from earlier on Monday as to the Jets' emphasis on character guys and the decision to acquire Barlow: "If they were that concerned about high character and people, this trade that they just made really goes against that thought process." The source added that Barlow's reputation in league circles is far from stellar, and that he's not regarded as a high-character guy. Also, to the extent that the Jets are being perceived as doing things the "Patriots way," there are other deviations. The team's decision to circulate a depth chart with the players listed in alphabetical order is something that not even the facts-frugal Bill Belichick has ever tried to get away with. PLAYERS TAKING TO MANGINI Even as the New York Jets are drawing criticism of their handling of the running back position in the wake of the fact that Curtis Martin has no cartilage in his knee, we're hearing that the players in New York are buying in to new coach Eric Mangini's approach to the game. We're told that the rookie coach is viewed as organized and stern, and that the players fear him but don't hate him. Sounds to us like Mangini definitely learned a thing or two from his former boss, Pats coach Bill Belichick. In another example of emulation of the Patriots' approach, we're also hearing that the Jets plan to begin identifying key players with high character who can be locked up for the future at reasonable contracts. So even though things could be difficult for the Jets this season, things could turn around pretty quickly for the franchise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Meanwhile, one league source has offered up an opinion regarding our story from earlier on Monday as to the Jets' emphasis on character guys and the decision to acquire Barlow: "If they were that concerned about high character and people, this trade that they just made really goes against that thought process." The source added that Barlow's reputation in league circles is far from stellar, and that he's not regarded as a high-character guy. Also, to the extent that the Jets are being perceived as doing things the "Patriots way," there are other deviations. The team's decision to circulate a depth chart with the players listed in alphabetical order is something that not even the facts-frugal Bill Belichick has ever tried to get away with. League source? What does that mean? Does that include whining writers who are pissed they can't look like they know more than they actually do anymore? Or did they go straight to the source-o-soundbytes himself? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4HCrew Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 For some reason I think this story has merit..and the fact the Romeo and Mangini are friends probably allowed this to happen and both teams to move on Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SeniorFlaJet Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I believe they had the same story yesterday but said they intentionally failed him because they were more interested in Duckett. Also yesterday they said it was their "opinion". Today its speculation. I have found with PFT you have to be very careful in reading their words. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 For some reason I think this story has merit..and the fact the Romeo and Mangini are friends probably allowed this to happen and both teams to move on I don't doubt that the story has merit. It doesn't seem that far-fetched. I just love when these guys quote "a league source" when that could mean a janitor. Also, outside the Tuna/Belli tree, a lot of coaches in the league (like Donnie Henderson) were pissed off b/c Mangini hadn't been a DC for that long. So it shouldn't be too hard to find "a league source" anyway. But it hardly means that they asked anyone intelligent any more than asking someone bitter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CapeCoralJetFan Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 I don't doubt that the story has merit. It doesn't seem that far-fetched. I just love when these guys quote "a league source" when that could mean a janitor. Also, outside the Tuna/Belli tree, a lot of coaches in the league (like Donnie Henderson) were pissed off b/c Mangini hadn't been a DC for that long. So it shouldn't be too hard to find "a league source" anyway. But it hardly means that they asked anyone intelligent any more than asking someone bitter. Don't knock the janitors! Janitors sometimes know more of "What's going on" then the third or fourth tier of command because they take out & can READ what is in the trash. we used to get a lot of "confidential" stuff from the janitors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sperm Edwards Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Don't knock the janitors! Janitors sometimes know more of "What's going on" then the third or fourth tier of command because they take out & can READ what is in the trash. we used to get a lot of "confidential" stuff from the janitors. I think you know what I meant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BwanaZulia Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Pretty ballsey for a new young HC to be doing deals like this if it is true. Hopefully we got the better player who can help us win this year. BZ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KSJets Posted August 22, 2006 Share Posted August 22, 2006 Also, to the extent that the Jets are being perceived as doing things the "Patriots way," there are other deviations. The team's decision to circulate a depth chart with the players listed in alphabetical order is something that not even the facts-frugal Bill Belichick has ever tried to get away with. They forgot to mention that Parcells does this too, and Mangini worked with him as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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