NY Jets Reporter Stupid or Incompetent?

[Gibbon]

"The last time Schlegel played, he struggled in pass coverage in the second half of the preseason game at Washington. And it was telling when Eric Mangini cut inside linebacker Ryan Myers, picked up 'backers Ryan Riddle and Cody Spencer, and both began playing while Schlegel continued to sit."

The above statement from and article by Randy Lange (see 11/8 Stories sticky) is filled with errors that indicate that Lange is either stupid or just really bad at his job.

1. The last game Schlegel played was the last Preseason game against Philadelphia -- a game in which he had six tackles including one for a loss. He also played in the Preseason game against the Giants and had at least one tackle (since that was the starters last real warm up the backups didnt play much). Why wouldnt a reporter check something like this out. I checked in about 3 minutes by going to NFL.com.

2. Ryan Myers did not play a down at ILB during the season. He was strictly a ST linebacker. He was cut because the Jets thought that Cody Spencer was a better ST linebacker. Spencer has not played a down at ILB either.

3. Riddle is not an ILB. He is an OLB brought in in the hopes of improving the Jets pass rush. He has played both ST and in pass rush packages on D.

Schlegel's not playing is a story that can and should be covered. The question of why has been addressed by both Mangini and Westhoff. Other than that this article is either an example of incredibly sloppy reporting or of an intentional attempt to skew the facts in order to create an impression of the player or the coaches that is different from the impression left by their answers.

[aec4]

"The last time Schlegel played, he struggled in pass coverage in the second half of the preseason game at Washington. And it was telling when Eric Mangini cut inside linebacker Ryan Myers, picked up 'backers Ryan Riddle and Cody Spencer, and both began playing while Schlegel continued to sit."

The above statement from and article by Randy Lange (see 11/8 Stories sticky) is filled with errors that indicate that Lange is either stupid or just really bad at his job.

1. The last game Schlegel played was the last Preseason game against Philadelphia -- a game in which he had six tackles including one for a loss. He also played in the Preseason game against the Giants and had at least one tackle (since that was the starters last real warm up the backups didnt play much). Why wouldnt a reporter check something like this out. I checked in about 3 minutes by going to NFL.com.

2. Ryan Myers did not play a down at ILB during the season. He was strictly a ST linebacker. He was cut because the Jets thought that Cody Spencer was a better ST linebacker. Spencer has not played a down at ILB either.

3. Riddle is not an ILB. He is an OLB brought in in the hopes of improving the Jets pass rush. He has played both ST and in pass rush packages on D.

Schlegel's not playing is a story that can and should be covered. The question of why has been addressed by both Mangini and Westhoff. Other than that this article is either an example of incredibly sloppy reporting or of an intentional attempt to skew the facts in order to create an impression of the player or the coaches that is different from the impression left by their answers.

1) Good point

(1-0 Gibbon is leading)

2) Just because Myers did not play ILB in the season doesn't mean he wasn't listed as an ILB

(1-1)

3) I don't see in the quote you left where it says Riddle is a ILB.

(Lange leading 2-1)

Lange is the best beat reporter the Jets have, and it isn't even close.

[Gibbon]

The paragraph I quoted implies that Myers, Spencer, and Riddle were playing instead of Schlegel. Since none of them actually does play the same position, implying that these guys are playing instead of Schlegel is inacurate no matter where on the PR created depth chart -- which by the way indicates that we play a 4-3 -- they are listed.

[Ten]

I'm pretty sure that Ryan Myers saw time at llinebacer for a few snaps in the first few games.Don't think he made a tackle but i remember seeing him out there.

[Gibbon]

Further mistakes

Lange says that Schlegel only hit one opposing player while a Jet. He had twelve preseason tackles and I'm sure in the process hit more than that.

Lange also states that Schlegel was a "multiple-Division 1-A team captain". Schlegel was only a Captain at the Airforce Academy during his sophomore year. He was not a captain -- though he was a leader -- at Ohio State during his junior or senior years.

Lange references the fact that according to NFL sources "Team X considered him a second day selection and Team Y didnt give him a draftable grade." This is the apogee of poor and cynical reporting. These are apparantly unamed sources working for other NFL teams. I'm sure there were a lot of Team X's. And, it pretty common knowledge that the Giants had Schlegel rated as an UDFA. Big surprise! The Giants run a 4-3 defense and had just picked up Lavar Arrington to be their MLB. So, it isnt particularly shocking that they didnt have Schlegel rated high as a draft pick for their team. It doesnt really matter if every team but two didnt want Schlegel at all. If one other team wanted him and the Jets did then that could be a reason for picking him higher than all the other Team X's. Teams dont rate players in general. They rate players based on the needs of the team. Thats why they differ so much in where they have people rated. Lange, of course, doesnt point this out because he either doesnt know this or it doesnt support his thesis.

Ten,

Myers did play some ILB along with Schlegel in the preseason, but I am confident that he did not in the regular season.

[Thor99]

As long as you don't call Cannizzarro fat, all is well.

[4HCrew]

The bottom line as of this point Schlegel is a complete bust. The fact they are working him in as a special teams player when the defense is struggling tells tons

[Gibbon]

The bottom line as of this point Schlegel is a complete bust. The fact they are working him in as a special teams player when the defense is struggling tells tons

This could be true. Its too early to tell (thats my opinion). I dont have a problem with the article questioning the pick or Schlegel's ability to play, but I do have a problem with a paid reporter being so negligent or intentionally misleading in implying this. If you think it just say it.

[PeterNorth09]

Lange is a good reporter. Schlegel isn't a bust because he hasn't had a chance to suck in regular season games yet? The fact that he can't get reps in with our inept defense says something about him as a player.

[#27TheDominator]

The bottom line as of this point Schlegel is a complete bust. The fact they are working him in as a special teams player when the defense is struggling tells tons

Why do you say he is being worked in as a special teams player? Schlegel may well be a complete bust (I certainly haven't seen anything I like yet) but Meyers and Spencer are both primarily ST guys. They are active because of ST ability, not because they are better ILBs.

[Gibbon]

Lange is a good reporter. Schlegel isn't a bust because he hasn't had a chance to suck in regular season games yet? The fact that he can't get reps in with our inept defense says something about him as a player.

I think you and I have been through this before Pete, but to recap:

1. The position with the most quality depth on the Jets this year is ILB. Vilma is a Pro Bowler (is it reasonable to expect Schlegel to beat him out of any time? no) Barton is an 8 year veteran returning from an injury year and a player who has had a good pro career (is it reasonable to expect that Schlegel would be able to beat him out of his job in his rookie year? no). Kassell has subbed in for Barton this year. He is a five year veteran coming off a 100 tackle year (is it reasonable to expect that Schlegel would be able to beat him out in his rookie year? Maybe) Kassell spent most of his first four years in the league as a ST and had a lot of success in this area. So if you are the HC and its game 1 (or hell game 8) and you have to chose an ILB to make the dress list and its between a rookie and a veteran with great ST credentials who do you pick even if (as Mangini has indicated) the rookie has been exactly what you thought he would be? Up till now the answer has been Brad Kassell. We'll see as the season continues.

2. All the LBs are learning a new Defensive system, but only one of them is at the same time learning what it means to be a professional football player and adjusting to the speed of the game -- Schlegel. Mangini has obviously committed to giving his veterans a chance to learn the new scheme and to giving them chances to prove that they can play in the system. Until one or more them proves that they just dont get it Schlegel will not get PT -- and no, 8 games in the new system probably wasnt enough for Mangini.

3. Unlike most of the other rookies who have seen playing time there have been no injuries to the guys in front of Schlegel that would have gotten him on the field

4. The Jets have only played 8 regular season games since drafting him. Considering all the other factors I mentioned 8 games is a little to quick to label a guy who hasnt played a bust.

[PeterNorth09]

I think you and I have been through this before Pete, but to recap:

1. The position with the most quality depth on the Jets this year is ILB. Vilma is a Pro Bowler (is it reasonable to expect Schlegel to beat him out of any time? no) Barton is an 8 year veteran returning from an injury year and a player who has had a good pro career (is it reasonable to expect that Schlegel would be able to beat him out of his job in his rookie year? no). Kassell has subbed in for Barton this year. He is a five year veteran coming off a 100 tackle year (is it reasonable to expect that Schlegel would be able to beat him out in his rookie year? Maybe) Kassell spent most of his first four years in the league as a ST and had a lot of success in this area. So if you are the HC and its game 1 (or hell game 8) and you have to chose an ILB to make the dress list and its between a rookie and a veteran with great ST credentials who do you pick even if (as Mangini has indicated) the rookie has been exactly what you thought he would be? Up till now the answer has been Brad Kassell. We'll see as the season continues.

2. All the LBs are learning a new Defensive system, but only one of them is at the same time learning what it means to be a professional football player and adjusting to the speed of the game -- Schlegel. Mangini has obviously committed to giving his veterans a chance to learn the new scheme and to giving them chances to prove that they can play in the system. Until one or more them proves that they just dont get it Schlegel will not get PT -- and no, 8 games in the new system probably wasnt enough for Mangini.

3. Unlike most of the other rookies who have seen playing time there have been no injuries to the guys in front of Schlegel that would have gotten him on the field

4. The Jets have only played 8 regular season games since drafting him. Considering all the other factors I mentioned 8 games is a little to quick to label a guy who hasnt played a bust.

Yes, but Anthony Schlegel sucks. Ask Eric Mangini.

[Gibbon]

Yes, but Anthony Schlegel sucks. Ask Eric Mangini.

Great come back Pete. Whew! You really put me in my place with that one.

*The above statement is sarcasm.

BTW, the real Peter North is not a heterosexual just ask Christy Canyon.

[PeterNorth09]

Gibbon I don't know what your love affair with Anthony Schlegel is. The guy is a scrub. He is a slow piece of crap that can't cover anybody and now that he doesn't have AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter playing next to him he is being exposed as a lousy football player.

Keep writing your novels defending him though. It's starting to be quite entertaining.

[Sperm Edwards]

Lange references the fact that according to NFL sources "Team X considered him a second day selection and Team Y didnt give him a draftable grade." This is the apogee of poor and cynical reporting. These are apparantly unamed sources working for other NFL teams. I'm sure there were a lot of Team X's. And, it pretty common knowledge that the Giants had Schlegel rated as an UDFA. Big surprise! The Giants run a 4-3 defense and had just picked up Lavar Arrington to be their MLB. So, it isnt particularly shocking that they didnt have Schlegel rated high as a draft pick for their team. It doesnt really matter if every team but two didnt want Schlegel at all. If one other team wanted him and the Jets did then that could be a reason for picking him higher than all the other Team X's. Teams dont rate players in general. They rate players based on the needs of the team. Thats why they differ so much in where they have people rated. Lange, of course, doesnt point this out because he either doesnt know this or it doesnt support his thesis.

Arrington is an OLB. And frankly he probably also fits better in a 3-4 than a 4-3; or at least he did when he still had wheels.

[Gibbon]

Arrington is an OLB. And frankly he probably also fits better in a 3-4 than a 4-3; or at least he did when he still had wheels.

Thanks for catching my mistake about Arrington. I guess I should apply for a job as a Jets beat reporter since accuracy for them apparantly isnt very important either.

[Gibbon]

Gibbon I don't know what your love affair with Anthony Schlegel is. The guy is a scrub. He is a slow piece of crap that can't cover anybody and now that he doesn't have AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter playing next to him he is being exposed as a lousy football player.

Keep writing your novels defending him though. It's starting to be quite entertaining.

I am an Ohio State fan who followed the success Schlegel and the other LBs from last year. I think you are wrong about Schlegel and attempted to explain why.

Now explain your obsession with male porn star Peter North and your hostility to my post pointing out the mistakes in Lange's article about Schlegel?