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Jets hoping to corner the market.


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Jets hoping to corner market in first round

By RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Tuesday, April 24th 2007, 4:00 AM

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Fifty cornerbacks have been selected in the first round of the last 12 drafts - not one by the Jets, who haven't gone that way since Aaron Glenn in 1994. That was so long ago that Eric Mangini, only 23 at the time, still hadn't landed his first NFL job as a ball boy for the Browns.

Mangini could end the streak Saturday. After enduring a season of musical corners, employing five different starters, the Jets are targeting the position with their first-round choice, 25th overall. The top prospects are Leon Hall (Michigan), Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh), Aaron Ross (Texas), Chris Houston (Arkansas) and Marcus Mccauley (Fresno State).

Hall and Revis figure to be gone by the time the Jets are on the clock. The Jets like the latter three, but they won't reach for a corner if the value isn't there, according to GM Mike Tannenbaum.

"We really don't have any preconceived notions," he said. "I really like it that way because, historically, if you look at the draft over the last 10 years from a league-wide standpoint, the gross majority of the mistakes are when teams have reached for a specific need."

Tannenbaum and Mangini cut their teeth in programs that traditionally don't pick corners in Round 1. New England, where Mangini was an assistant from 2000 to 2005, hasn't selected a first-round corner since 1997. The Jets' highest pick since Glenn has been Justin Miller (Round 2, 2005), who isn't developing as quickly as they had hoped.

The Jets faced a similar situation in 2002. With every draftnik expecting them to take a corner, they opted for the free-agent route and signed veteran Donnie Abraham during the draft. That allowed them to take a best-available-athlete approach, and they wound up with defensive end Bryan Thomas. The current free-agent pool is weak, but Tannenbaum is exploring the trade market, sources said.

If the Jets decide not to take a corner in round 1, their other options include defensive lineman Justin Harrell (Tennessee) and end/linebacker Anthony Spencer (Purdue), according to sources. It'll be a tough call. Ross is a dynamic punt returner (three career touchdowns) with good ball skills, but he'll be 25 in September. He likes to believe that Devin Hester's impact as a return specialist last season for the bears will increase his value.

"I hope so," Ross said at the scouting combine. "He's a great punt returner. His rookie campaign was amazing back there on kicks and punt returns, and I feel that's something i really want to do on the next level." Some scouts say that McCauley might be the most talented corner, but his play slipped last season, raising red flags. Houston is one of the fastest and strongest players in the draft (he ran the 40 in 4.32 seconds), but he lacks recognition skills, evidenced by seven pass-interference calls last season. if Houston's personality is anything like that of his mentor - Deion Sanders - he might not be fit for Mangini's buttoned-down Jets. Asked if he patterns his game after Sanders, Houston said, "Of course. Everybody's got a little Prime Time in him, especially since I watched him when i was younger."

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Thank you.

Cornerback is the number one need and is a MUST for us to select in the 1st 2 rounds, preferably at 25 with either Chris Houston, Darrelle Revis, Aaron Ross or Marcus McCauley.

I think who the Jets take in the first round depends (among other things) on which 'sleepers' they like in the lower rounds. So, if there is a CB or two that they think has the physical attributes to be a successful NFL CB but for one reason or another is not projected to go in the first round then the Jets may not be inclined to use the first pick on a CB.

as an example, I have seen both of these guys going to the Jets in mock drafts (courtesy SI):

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Thank you.

Cornerback is the number one need and is a MUST for us to select in the 1st 2 rounds, preferably at 25 with either Chris Houston, Darrelle Revis, Aaron Ross or Marcus McCauley.

It is a definate need, but between Miller and Dyson, i think we will be more than adequate for a couple more years.

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It is a definate need, but between Miller and Dyson, i think we will be more than adequate for a couple more years.

I'm not in love with the fact that Ross is 25 already, I would mind if we somehow nabbed Hall, Reves or Houston though.

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Andre Dyson is fine. He's a solid corner who is our #1 and can and has been a #1 in this league before, there is no questioning his ability. Miller however is over aggressive and just will not work out, or so it seems 2 years into his career. We must draft another guy in either Houston, Revis, Ross or McCauley so they can step in Day 1 and take over the #2 Cornerback role to solidify the secondary that already includes Dyson, Kerry Rhodes & Erik Coleman / Eric Smith.

Cornerback = the New York Jets' #1 need.

Go Cornerback at 25 or go home.

You wanna get another one who can be a year or two project in the 3rd, 4th (if we can get a 4th for Barton) or 5th round? Fine, go with Usama Young or whomever there, but solve the problem now and go Corner at 25.

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Miller however is over aggressive and just will not work out, or so it seems 2 years into his career.

If Miller's problem is simply overaggressiveness then I would expect Mangini to be able to work it out. The guy is very fast and very strong. He is as good a prospect as any CB the Jets will get at #25.

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If Miller's problem is simply overaggressiveness then I would expect Mangini to be able to work it out. The guy is very fast and very strong. He is as good a prospect as any CB the Jets will get at #25.

don't forget he is 23 (or younger i can't remember). he was drafted young, and has amazing athletacism.

If he isn't a 98 in speed in madden i'll be pissed :)

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Andre Dyson is fine. He's a solid corner who is our #1 and can and has been a #1 in this league before, there is no questioning his ability. Miller however is over aggressive and just will not work out, or so it seems 2 years into his career. We must draft another guy in either Houston, Revis, Ross or McCauley so they can step in Day 1 and take over the #2 Cornerback role to solidify the secondary that already includes Dyson, Kerry Rhodes & Erik Coleman / Eric Smith.

Cornerback = the New York Jets' #1 need.

Go Cornerback at 25 or go home.

You wanna get another one who can be a year or two project in the 3rd, 4th (if we can get a 4th for Barton) or 5th round? Fine, go with Usama Young or whomever there, but solve the problem now and go Corner at 25.

I agree that CB is a huge need, but there are also glaring holes at OG and even the RT spot. Kendall needs to be replaced and so does Moore. At CB, at least we have a good player in Dyson and one with potential in Miller. But I think we definitely need to take a CB and an OL with 2 of our first 3 picks.

If Revis is there, I think he should definitely be the pick. I'm not sold on Ross though, but I wouldn't be disappointed with that pick. I'm definitely not sold on Houston; he wasn't a great player in college and seems like that type of player who shoots up the draft boards with great workouts. I really would love to see Blalock in Green and White though; he's going to be a great player.

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I agree that CB is a huge need, but there are also glaring holes at OG and even the RT spot. Kendall needs to be replaced and so does Moore. At CB, at least we have a good player in Dyson and one with potential in Miller. But I think we definitely need to take a CB and an OL with 2 of our first 3 picks.

If Revis is there, I think he should definitely be the pick. I'm not sold on Ross though, but I wouldn't be disappointed with that pick. I'm definitely not sold on Houston; he wasn't a great player in college and seems like that type of player who shoots up the draft boards with great workouts. I really would love to see Blalock in Green and White though; he's going to be a great player.

I think Chris Houston is the best CB in the draft. He shut down Jarret, Meacham and Bowe, three 1st round WR's. He's also the fastest CB in the draft.

I agree with you about the offensive line. We have maybe the smallest O-line in the NFL. Kendall, Clement and Moore are back-ups on most NFL teams. Ferguson has been a disappointment. The only position that is really solidified is Center.

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I think Chris Houston is the best CB in the draft. He shut down Jarret, Meacham and Bowe, three 1st round WR's. He's also the fastest CB in the draft.

I agree with you about the offensive line. We have maybe the smallest O-line in the NFL. Kendall, Clement and Moore are back-ups on most NFL teams. Ferguson has been a disappointment. The only position that is really solidified is Center.

Im not going to agree or disagree with that... just want to point out a fact that makes it hurt even more...

We could have had....

Cutler

Mangold

Mcneil

Instead we have

Dbrick

Mangold

Clemens

Mcneil > Brick

Cutler > Clemens

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Im not going to agree or disagree with that... just want to point out a fact that makes it hurt even more...

We could have had....

Cutler

Mangold

Mcneil

Instead we have

Dbrick

Mangold

Clemens

Mcneil > Brick

Cutler > Clemens

McNeil has the spine thing, thats why he dropped. He might not have had a very long career.

I was hoping we took Cutler at 4 last year, IMO he's the real deal. Gonna be a great one. I think Ferguson will too so I was happy with that pick, but who knows if Clemens pans out or not.

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I agree with you about the offensive line. We have maybe the smallest O-line in the NFL. Kendall, Clement and Moore are back-ups on most NFL teams. Ferguson has been a disappointment. The only position that is really solidified is Center.

I'm not disapointed in Ferguson, he had to go against three all-pro's a total of 6 times. and that's just the division. I agree he could have been better, but come on, he is going against one of the toughest postions in the NFL.

I still think last years draft was right on. Culter could be great, but so could Clemens, time will tell.

As for saying Kendall would be a back-up on most teams is a reach. I can think of at least 15 teams that don't have quality guards, despite his lack of size. Kendal isn't just playing his position last year, he had to coach as he went along, i don't think enough is said about the job he did being sandwitched (god i can't spell...) between two rooks.

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I'm not disapointed in Ferguson, he had to go against three all-pro's a total of 6 times. and that's just the division. I agree he could have been better, but come on, he is going against one of the toughest postions in the NFL.

I still think last years draft was right on. Culter could be great, but so could Clemens, time will tell.

As for saying Kendall would be a back-up on most teams is a reach. I can think of at least 15 teams that don't have quality guards, despite his lack of size. Kendal isn't just playing his position last year, he had to coach as he went along, i don't think enough is said about the job he did being sandwitched (god i can't spell...) between two rooks.

Nice post, a lot of people forget that about Ferguson. If he beefed up as much as he is reported to have, he should be better prepared for the grind of his second season. Once you get drafted in the NFL, you start minicamps within a few weeks and then training camp, leaving you no time to workout. Either way, we'll learn a lot from him this season, but I think he'll be a great NFL tackle.

You're right, the jury is still WAY out on Cutler vs. Clemens. Some analysts claimed Clemens would be the best QB to come out of last year's draft, so let's give him a chance before we judge 15 year careers on one year, in which one of the QBs didn't even play.

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Im not going to agree or disagree with that... just want to point out a fact that makes it hurt even more...

We could have had....

Cutler

Mangold

Mcneil

Instead we have

Dbrick

Mangold

Clemens

Mcneil > Brick

Cutler > Clemens

How can you evaluate Clemens when he's yet to make a start and further more, how can you judge on one season?

Yeah, Jay Cutler is going to be a good one but last years performance was nothing to say HOLY ****! about.

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I agree that CB is a huge need, but there are also glaring holes at OG and even the RT spot. Kendall needs to be replaced and so does Moore. At CB, at least we have a good player in Dyson and one with potential in Miller. But I think we definitely need to take a CB and an OL with 2 of our first 3 picks.

If Revis is there, I think he should definitely be the pick. I'm not sold on Ross though, but I wouldn't be disappointed with that pick. I'm definitely not sold on Houston; he wasn't a great player in college and seems like that type of player who shoots up the draft boards with great workouts. I really would love to see Blalock in Green and White though; he's going to be a great player.

I agree with everything you said, especially seeing Blalock with the Jets

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Thank you.

Cornerback is the number one need and is a MUST for us to select in the 1st 2 rounds, preferably at 25 with either Chris Houston, Darrelle Revis, Aaron Ross or Marcus McCauley.

D-Line/Linebacker is the number one need, actually...

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