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Gang Green eyeing Olsen


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Gang Green eyeing Olsen

Might take Miami TE at No. 25

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Posted Sunday, April 22nd 2007, 4:00 AM

Where have you gone ... Johnny Mitchell?

His legacy as a first-round underachiever notwithstanding, the retired Mitchell - 12 years removed from the Jets - was their last true receiving threat at tight end. People forget that he averaged 47 catches over his last three seasons - not bad, considering no Jets tight end has topped 40 since then.

Now comes a tantalizing possibility: Greg Olsen, raised in the shadow of Giants Stadium, could be available to the Jets when they make their first-round pick at No.25 in next weekend's draft. Olsen, a former Parade All-American at Wayne Hills High School in New Jersey, is the latest stud tight end from Miami. Could Olsen join ex-Hurricane Jeremy Shockey at the Meadowlands?

"That would be unbelievable," Olsen told the Daily News. "You couldn't ask for anything better than that. My family would have to drive only 20 minutes to see my home games."

Olsen is big (6-6, 254) and fast (a sizzling 4.51 seconds in the 40), and his ability to get downfield would add a new dimension to the Jets' passing game. Joey Clinkscales, the Jets' director of college scouting, said Olsen compares favorably to Shockey and Kellen Winslow Jr. - another former Hurricanes tight end. "There are very few athletic tight ends that can stretch a field vertically, and he's one of those guys," Clinkscales said.

Since the mid-1990s, the Jets have tried - and failed - to fill the black hole in their offense that is the tight end position. They've gone from Kyle Brady to Eric Green (yeesh) to Anthony Becht to Doug Jolley (double-yeesh) to current starter Chris Baker, who is used mostly as a blocker. Brady and Becht were both first-round picks. A player with Olsen's speed could thwart the Cover-2 defenses that sometimes suffocate wideouts Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.

"He'd be a good fit for the Jets," Mike Mayock, the NFL Network draft analyst, said of Olsen. "He'd be a playmaker. Players like that give you a chance every week."

The thing is, Olsen might be deemed a luxury pick by the Jets, who have needs on defense. His deficiency as a blocker also raises a concern - it's hard to imagine a meat-and-potatoes coach such as Eric Mangini investing a first-round pick on a one-dimensional player. Nevertheless, the Jets invited Olsen to their facility last weekend, where he had a 30-minute meeting with Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum. They also interviewed him at the scouting combine in February.

Olsen didn't produce eye-popping numbers at Miami (87 catches for 1,215 yards and six TDs in 33 games), but he was hurt by erratic quarterback play. His best game came in 2005 against Florida State, which used linebacker Ernie Sims (a first-round pick by the Lions in 2006) to cover him. The result: eight catches for 137yards.

Olsen wishes he had a TD catch for every time he's heard the Shockey comparison. "There's some merit to it," he said. "We're different guys with different personalities, but our games kind of resemble each other. He's somebody I've watched and learned from, but I have a long way to go."

Mitchell, who lives in Boca Raton, Fla., and has seen Olsen play, would like his old team to take another tight-end plunge. "Maybe," Mitchell said by phone, "he could bring some Miami swagger to New York."

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"Maybe," Mitchell said by phone, "he could bring some Miami swagger to New York."

Miami has not played with swagger the entire time Olsen has been there, unfortunately. This is just more of relying on their old rep than describing current reality. In fact, Olsen played pretty soft the last couple of seasons.

He is talented, and has good size, but in no way could he be described as playing with swagger.

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Im no draft expert but,

A one dimensional TE who didnt have great stats in college... This is worthy of a 1st round pick?

There has got to be better options....

:good: You took my exact thought LBS. I've NEVER been overly impressed with college underacheivers . Like WTF he's gonna get drafted and THEN turn the "on" button. I'm not from Missouri but SHOW ME 1st, THEN I'll think about taking you in the 1st round.

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The only logic to the Jets picking Olsen at 25 would to get more New Jerseyians into the Jets and have jersey sales skyrocket since Wayne (the town I lived in for 8 years and right next to The Nock) is Olsen's hometown and rests 20 minutes from The Meadowlands.

A Tight End at 25 is an absolute WASTE with our needs on the defensive side of the ball and on the offensive line.

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The only logic to the Jets picking Olsen at 25 would to get more New Jerseyians into the Jets and have jersey sales skyrocket since Wayne (the town I lived in for 8 years and right next to The Nock) is Olsen's hometown and rests 20 minutes from The Meadowlands.

A Tight End at 25 is an absolute WASTE with our needs on the defensive side of the ball and on the offensive line.

Is it a complete waste if Olsen pans out and becomes a top 5-10 TE in the NFL, and only Aaron Ross at corner is left on the board?

Drafting for need is a recipe for disaster. Its been proven time and time again.

Revis is my #1 guy, but he's a top 20 lock it seems.

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it's hard to imagine a meat-and-potatoes coach such as Eric Mangini investing a first-round pick on a one-dimensional player.

This is not true at all. Olsen can also be used as a long snapper. Also, there is no more important blocker than the TE on a stretch running play. Run blocking can be taught with good coaching which we have.

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I will not be a fan of Olsen getting picked-I rather beef up our lines if it came to that=control the line of scrimmage is the key to winning.

You can do that AFTER the 1st rd. You're not gonna get a TE close to Olsen's caliber after the 1st rd.

We have the centerpieces on our Oline (LT, C), we just need the smaller pieces around them. It doesnt mean we need to select an Olineman in the 1st rd AGAIN. Sorry........I just cant stand the thought of reaching for Blalock at 25 just because we need a G.

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I've stated this before and I'll state it again. I've met Greg, good guy (his father is best friends with my friends father) and I watched PLENTY of his games growing up in Pequannock and Wayne. He was a great, great player in High School and he never lived up to expecations in college, but, neither did his brother.

Point is, TheGarv does have one thing right, the Jets should be banned from selecting Tight Ends, at least on Day 1 of all drafts for the rest of eternity. Tight End is not a need, it is a luxury on an offense that already has 4 dangerous threats (Coles, Cotchery, Washington & Jones).

We need help on the Offensive Line and Seconardy and possibly Linebacker before we should look at any other position.

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You can do that AFTER the 1st rd. You're not gonna get a TE close to Olsen's caliber after the 1st rd.

We have the centerpieces on our Oline (LT, C), we just need the smaller pieces around them. It doesnt mean we need to select an Olineman in the 1st rd AGAIN. Sorry........I just cant stand the thought of reaching for Blalock at 25 just because we need a G.

We all have to speculate based on what happens before we pick-defensive help is what I would prefer-some people seem to forget me were terrible agianst the run for half a season and had no pass rush practically.

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We all have to speculate based on what happens before we pick-defensive help is what I would prefer-some people seem to forget me were terrible agianst the run for half a season and had no pass rush practically.

My name is Barton, and I hate the thought of Blalock at 25. :bag:

Trade down for him, pick up another 2nd or 3rd (3rd prob) and that would be fine. But he's a reach at 25 ----- REAAAAACH.

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Gang Green eyeing Olsen

Might take Miami TE at No. 25

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Posted Sunday, April 22nd 2007, 4:00 AM

Where have you gone ... Johnny Mitchell?

His legacy as a first-round underachiever notwithstanding, the retired Mitchell - 12 years removed from the Jets - was their last true receiving threat at tight end. People forget that he averaged 47 catches over his last three seasons - not bad, considering no Jets tight end has topped 40 since then.

Now comes a tantalizing possibility: Greg Olsen, raised in the shadow of Giants Stadium, could be available to the Jets when they make their first-round pick at No.25 in next weekend's draft. Olsen, a former Parade All-American at Wayne Hills High School in New Jersey, is the latest stud tight end from Miami. Could Olsen join ex-Hurricane Jeremy Shockey at the Meadowlands?

"That would be unbelievable," Olsen told the Daily News. "You couldn't ask for anything better than that. My family would have to drive only 20 minutes to see my home games."

Olsen is big (6-6, 254) and fast (a sizzling 4.51 seconds in the 40), and his ability to get downfield would add a new dimension to the Jets' passing game. Joey Clinkscales, the Jets' director of college scouting, said Olsen compares favorably to Shockey and Kellen Winslow Jr. - another former Hurricanes tight end. "There are very few athletic tight ends that can stretch a field vertically, and he's one of those guys," Clinkscales said.

Since the mid-1990s, the Jets have tried - and failed - to fill the black hole in their offense that is the tight end position. They've gone from Kyle Brady to Eric Green (yeesh) to Anthony Becht to Doug Jolley (double-yeesh) to current starter Chris Baker, who is used mostly as a blocker. Brady and Becht were both first-round picks. A player with Olsen's speed could thwart the Cover-2 defenses that sometimes suffocate wideouts Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.

"He'd be a good fit for the Jets," Mike Mayock, the NFL Network draft analyst, said of Olsen. "He'd be a playmaker. Players like that give you a chance every week."

The thing is, Olsen might be deemed a luxury pick by the Jets, who have needs on defense. His deficiency as a blocker also raises a concern - it's hard to imagine a meat-and-potatoes coach such as Eric Mangini investing a first-round pick on a one-dimensional player. Nevertheless, the Jets invited Olsen to their facility last weekend, where he had a 30-minute meeting with Mangini and GM Mike Tannenbaum. They also interviewed him at the scouting combine in February.

Olsen didn't produce eye-popping numbers at Miami (87 catches for 1,215 yards and six TDs in 33 games), but he was hurt by erratic quarterback play. His best game came in 2005 against Florida State, which used linebacker Ernie Sims (a first-round pick by the Lions in 2006) to cover him. The result: eight catches for 137yards.

Olsen wishes he had a TD catch for every time he's heard the Shockey comparison. "There's some merit to it," he said. "We're different guys with different personalities, but our games kind of resemble each other. He's somebody I've watched and learned from, but I have a long way to go."

Mitchell, who lives in Boca Raton, Fla., and has seen Olsen play, would like his old team to take another tight-end plunge. "Maybe," Mitchell said by phone, "he could bring some Miami swagger to New York."

SMOKE SCREEN!

Dear Indy,

Please trade use your 1st and 3rd for Mr. Olsen.

Sincerely,

Tangini

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unless its vernon davis, no tight ends should be taken in the 1st round. its like kickers, they are a dime a dozen to find a blocker, or to just get an oversized college wr and put him in at te, but that would just be plain stupid if the jets drafted him.

oh yeah, and some people though that shaun king could have been a 1st round pick.

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SMOKE SCREEN!

Dear Indy,

Please trade use your 1st and 3rd for Mr. Olsen.

Sincerely,

Tangini

totally agreed on the smoke screen idea right there.....if olsen is there @ 25 with no revis or houston, look for chicago or indy to try and move up to nab him. i think tangini knows what they're doing and trying to get themselves an extra pick

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I might drive up to NY with a gun in one hand and a bottle of Johnny Walker in the other if we take Olsen.

Its responses like this that REALLY have me rooting for the Jets to take Olsen at 25!

I can imagine all the hundreds of posts just like this screaming bloody murder if the Jets take Olsen. I cant wait. :lol:

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Its responses like this that REALLY have me rooting for the Jets to take Olsen at 25!

I can imagine all the hundreds of posts just like this screaming bloody murder if the Jets take Olsen. I cant wait. :lol:

He's a one dimentional player.

He definitely has a lot of athletic ability but he underachieved at Miami.

I'll be ready to rip someones face off if we take Olsen with Blalock, Revis, Bowe, Harrell, etc still on the board.

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He's a one dimentional player.

He definitely has a lot of athletic ability but he underachieved at Miami.

I'll be ready to rip someones face off if we take Olsen with Blalock, Revis, Bowe, Harrell, etc still on the board.

You can teach blocking, which is the other "dimentional" I think you're saying Olsen lacks.

You can NOT teach his speed and talent. Cant be taught. He's got that.

He's got the 1 "dimension" you need to have to be a big time Tight End. The other "dimension", blocking, can be taught.

These are college kids, not 30 yr old guys, they can still improve in parts of the game that can be taught (blocking, picking up blitzes etc etc) and Olsen is just a JR. His upside is off the charts esp for the value of the 25th overall pick.

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Yeah, I smell smoke and where there is smoke, there is a CB.

Disclaimer: I know nothing about the draft at all.

BZ

Good point. I've been a draftnik for 20+ years and there is just so much smoke, mirrors and just plain BS this time of year. Anything to try to mask your teams real intent.

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http://cbs.sportsline.com/nfl/players/draft/502524

Since he seems to be the best TE in the draft.... Is he good enough to deserve a 1st round pick??? Or is he just getting extra consideration because he went to Miami?

Reading up about him I dont feel very confident that he is 1st rd talent. He cant block (needs to be taught...) He will be facing better competition (negates some of his speed) He has problems with not catching the ball with his hands... and it goes on...

His focus is erratic at times, as he has the natural hands to reach and pluck away from his frame, but has had several drops because he prefers to let the ball absorb into his body

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don't blame olsen for his stats.look who miami had for the q.b. position.if you don't have the q.b. you will not have good stats.take my word for it.living in ft.lauderdale and watching the hurricanes play.showed me that without a decent q.b.throwing to their receivers.only proves my point.look at their record last year.

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