Jets Pre-Draft News 4/28

[TaborJet]

Baker: I can be playmaker

BY RICH CIMINI

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Saturday, April 28th 2007, 4:00 AM

It has been more than a decade since the Jets had a downfield receiving threat at tight end, which explains their serious interest in Miami's fleet-footed Greg Olsen. Chris Baker has an easier solution: Just give me the damn ball.

Baker, coming off his first full season as the starter, believes he's ready for an expanded role in the passing attack. Although he's never about being a blocker - and he's not now - the five-year veteran is eager to become a so-called "complete" tight end.

"I felt I had a decent year, but I wish I could've been more involved in the passing game," Baker said yesterday in a phone interview. "There are a lot of opportunities out there, and I think I've earned part of that. I feel I deserve a chance to do something in the passing game. Hopefully, those opportunities will come this year. I can't call the plays."

Despite being the third or fourth option in many passing schemes, Baker set career highs in receptions (31) and yards (300). But he averaged only 9.7 yards per catch, and the Jets are looking for an over-the-middle threat who can stretch a defense and reduce the pressure on wideouts Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery.

The Jets apparently feel Olsen, from Wayne, N.J., can be that guy.

In recent days, Olsen and Auburn guard Ben Grubbs have been the two hottest names linked to the Jets, who own the 25thpick in the first round. They're also believed to be interested in linebackers David Harris (Michigan) and Paul Posluszny (Penn State) and defensive tackle Justin Harrell (Tennessee).

The Jets also own two picks in the second round (59th and 63rd overall) and one in the third (89th). Look for them to fill their cornerback need on Day 1.

If Olsen is off the board at No. 25 - the Panthers (No. 14) are said to be interested - the Jets could trade down for Grubbs, according to sources. Olsen would be a controversial pick among Jets fans, who have bad memories of first-round tight ends from years past - Johnny Mitchell, Kyle Brady and Anthony Becht.

Baker arrived with little fanfare in 2002 as a third-round pick. Known at Michigan State as a receiving tight end, he has developed into a sturdy blocker. Olsen is regarded as a shaky blocker, but he could be used in two-tight end packages with Baker, who recognizes the importance of having a pass catcher at the position.

"Teams want to take away Jerricho and Laveranues, so somebody else has to step up," he said. "The tight end's job is to control the middle of the field. I feel I can do that. Hopefully, I get the opportunity. I'm taking a wait-and-see approach."

Baker said he "wouldn't have an issue" with the Jets if they select Olsen, adding, "I don't feel threatened by things like that." Two years ago, he withstood a challenge from Doug Jolley, who never panned out after coming from the Raiders in a trade. Maybe Olsen could fill the receiving void.

"That's kind of my strength," Olsen said last week. "That's something I feel very confident I could do at the next level."

[TaborJet]

Scouting The 1st Round

By GARY MYERS

DAILY NEWS SPORTS WRITER

Posted Friday, April 27th 2007, 4:00 AM

1 Raiders - JaMarcus Russell QB LSU

Why is Al Davis so nervous about taking a QB? The last time he took one in the first round was 1991 and he made a small blunder: Todd Marinovich over Brett Favre. Why take Calvin Johnson when Randy Moss has already disappeared with no QB.

2 Lions - Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech

Expect Bucs to move up here and take Johnson with the Lions getting Gaines Adams at No. 4. The Falcons also want Johnson. If Matt Millen can't make a deal, he gets the best player in the draft, even if it's his fourth WR in top 10 in last five years.

3 Browns - Brady Quinn QB Notre Dame

Will Quinn be the next Joe Montana, or the next Rick Mirer? Romeo Crennel is 10-22 and needs to win now. His buddy Charlie Weis won with Quinn. GM Phil Savage loves Russell, who came to his camp when he was 15.

4 Bucs - Gaines Adams DE Clemson

If the Bucs don't make a pre-draft deal, Millen could take Johnson and have 30 minutes to put pressure on Jon Gruden to trade, like Chargers did with Eli Manning. If Gruden can't get Johnson, then Adams fits right into the middle of his defense.

5 Cardinals - Joe Thomas T Wisconsin

Matt Leinart already overnighted this draft card up to Roger Goodell at the podium. Rookie coach Ken Whisenhunt had better keep Leinart healthy or it's back to Kurt Warner. Arizona overpaid for Edgerrin James last year, meaning no Adrian Peterson.

6 Redskins - LaRon Landry S LSU

Daniel Snyder should write on the blackboard 10 times: You Can't Buy The Super Bowl. It's Landry over DT Amobi Okoye to team with Sean Taylor, or Washington will trade for Lance Briggs. When will the real Joe Gibbs show up?

7 Vikings - Adrian Peterson RB Oklahoma

He's been compared to Eric Dickerson, which sounds pretty good. Late rumors about his collarbone sound like typical pre-draft hysteria. What happens if Quinn gets by Browns and falls here? Hey, Minnesota has Tarvaris Jackson and Brooks Bollinger on its QB depth chart.

8 Falcons - Amobi Okoye DT Louisville

It's Bobby Petrino's turn to get the most out of Michael Vick, who got Dan Reeves and Jim Mora fired. Falcons want to move up for Johnson, but Petrino takes the 19-year-old he coached at Louisville. Atlanta would rather have Landry.

9 Dolphins - Levi Brown T Penn State

Miami's starting QBs in the seven years after Marino: Jay Fiedler, Ray Lucas, Damon Huard, Sage Rosenfels, Brian Griese, A.J. Feeley, Gus Frerotte, Daunte Culpepper, Joey Harrington and Cleo Lemon. Yuck. New coach Cam Cameron is bout to get Trent Green. Brown protects him.

10 Texans - Darrelle Revis CB Pitt

Houston was a Texas-sized joke passing on Vince Young and Reggie Bush last year and keeping David Carr with an $8 million option bonus and taking low-impact Mario Williams. The Texans traded for Matt Schaub and cut Carr. Revis is a top cover corner.

11 49ers - Adam Carriker DE Nebraska

The Niners are my pick to win the NFC West. Alex Smith and Frank Gore are rising stars. Too bad they won too many games last year to miss getting Calvin Johnson for Smith. Carriker beefs up the D-line for Mike Nolan.

12 Bills - Patrick Willis LB Mississippi

Will they trade down for Marshawn Lynch? Willis McGahee was traded to the Ravens after suggesting the Bills move to Toronto. He has not yet suggested that the Ravens move back to Cleveland. Willis replaces London Fletcher, who signed with the Skins.

13 Rams - Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas

They still have lots of firepower with Marc Bulger, Steven Jackson, Torry Holt and Isaac Bruce. St. Louis could have taken Ted Ginn Jr., if it didn't trade for Dante Hall. The Rams may trade a second-rounder for Carolina DT Kris Jenkins.

14 Panthers - Reggie Nelson S Florida

Prediction: By October at the latest, John Fox will switch from Jake Delhomme to David Carr. In the meantime, if you saw the secondary against the Giants last year, you know Fox needs help.

15 Steelers - Lawrence Timmons LB Florida State

What an unstable franchise. Mike Tomlin is already their third coach in the last 38 years. Lane Kiffin is the Raiders' third coach in three years. They salary-dumped Joey Porter, so Timmons fits right in.

16 Packers - Marshawn Lynch RB California

Brett Favre refuses to retire. And getting Lynch to replace Ahman Green may convince Favre to stick around even longer. Green Bay won its last four in '06 and could be a wild-card team this season.

17 Jaguars - Jarvis Moss DE Florida

Crucial year coming up for Jack Del Rio. He needs to settle on Byron Leftwich or David Garrard. In the meantime, Moss provides a pass rush alongside DTs Marcus Stroud and John Henderson.

18 Bengals - Leon Hall CB Michigan

The Bengals need to take small steps in the character department. This year's goal: Getting their draft choices to training camp before any of them are arrested. Last year, four of their eight picks were arrested, two before camp.

19 Titans - Ted Ginn Jr. WR Ohio State

Roger Goodell wiped out Pacman Jones, Tennessee's best defensive player and return man for at least 10 games and probably the season. Ginn takes over the return duties and makes up for the loss of Drew Bennett to the Rams. Titans could trade for Chargers RB Michael Turner.

20 Giants - Jon Beason LB Miami

Are there conflicting agendas here? A rookie GM with a long-term plan and a coach who needs to win now? All Jerry Reese has done is cut veterans. The Giants need LBs and CBs. Isn't it time for Tiki Barber to rip Tom Coughlin again?

21 Broncos - Alan Branch DT Michigan

No team has suffered more heartache with the deaths of CB Darrent Williams and RB Damien Nash. QB Jay Cutler is the real deal, so Mike Shanahan wants more defense and is trying to move up for Carriker or Willis.

22 Cowboys - Dwayne Bowe WR LSU

Bill Parcells ignoring T.O. was entertaining. What adventures does T.O. have in store for Wade Phillips? Tony Romo's late-season meltdown has taken shine off his star, but fresh legs at wideout behind T.O. and Glenn could bring it back.

23 Chiefs - Robert Meachem WR Tennessee

Herm Edwards proved in the playoffs he could lose with L.J. There's talk that K.C. is shopping L.J. Silly stuff. Is Herm going to win with Damon Huard/Brodie Croyle throwing it 50 times a game?

24 Patriots - Michael Griffin S Texas

Would you trade Deion Branch for this pick? The Pats did. They have two of the next five. Tory James is insurance against the Asante Samuel mess getting uglier.

25 Jets - Greg Olsen TE Miami

Can't be hypocritical now. Still think Gang Green would have been better off with Matt Leinart than D'Brickashaw Ferguson. But now that Chad Pennington has re-established himself, getting him a Jeremy Shockey-like tight end makes sense.

26 Eagles - Anthony Spencer DE Purdue

Clearly, Philly is the most generous team in the NFL, paying Brian Westbrook's $3 million roster bonus twice. Oops. The Eagles want the money back. Jevon Kearse is coming off a serious knee injury, and Andy Reid will look for insurance.

27 Saints - Paul Posluszny LB Penn State

Sean Payton, Drew Brees and Reggie Bush are more popular in the French Quarter than a bowl of gumbo. Saints went from 3-13 to the NFC title game. Who needs first-round picks when you can find Marques Colston in the seventh round?

28 Patriots - David Harris LB Michigan

Not them again. Pats are the only team with two No. 1 picks. Can see Bill Belichick adding an inside linebacker for Tedy Bruschi to mentor. Harris has been rising up the boards lately.

29 Ravens - Joe Staley T Central Michigan

He can learn behind Jonathan Ogden - if Ogden doesn't retire. This is an improving division: No Bengal was arrested this week, and Ben Roethlisberger should have a bounce-back year if he stays off his motorcycle.

30 Chargers - Justin Harrell DT Tennessee

No coach has more pressure on him than Norv Turner, who takes his 59-83-1 career record to a 14-2 team. How lucky can a guy get? No grace period here. Look at it this way: If Turner gets SD to the playoffs, he can't do any worse than Marty Schottenheimer.

31 Bears - Dwayne Jarrett WR USC

They traded Thomas Jones, Lance Briggs wants out, Lovie Smith shook up his staff, but Rex Grossman is still the QB. Which means Smith will continue to play him, and Jarrett slipping this far is a gift.

32 Colts - Aaron Ross CB Texas

Peyton Manning couldn't beat Florida, he couldn't beat the Patriots, he couldn't win a big game. Well, he still hasn't beaten Florida. The Colts lost starting CBs Nick Harper and Jason David as free agents, so it's obvious what they need.

[TaborJet]

Jets Stream Mock Draft: Trading Down

by Rich Cimini

There are about 567 mock drafts on the Internet because everybody turns into Mel Kiper, Jr., in late April. Make it 568.

Here goes nothing:

1. Oakland

[TaborJet]

JETS

Expect more of same: Safe, then aggressive

BY TOM ROCK

tom.rock@newsday.com

April 28, 2007

Although the Jets seem to enjoy the mystery surrounding their thinking, they made one aspect of their strategy clear last year, Mike Tannenbaum's first as general manager: They will exercise discipline early and rely on the keen eyes of their scouts to be more aggressive later.

This is a team that had a chance to trade for Reggie Bush and could have selected Matt Leinart at a time when the health of both its running back and quarterback were in question. Rather, they spent the fourth overall pick on offensive tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and selected center Nick Mangold later in the first round, making them the first team since the 1975 Rams to take two offensive linemen in the same first round of a draft. It wasn't until later in the day that the Jets started jumping around.

"In the second round alone, we initially traded down, picked up an extra sixth-round pick in '06 and a two this year. Then we traded back up to get Kellen [Clemens]," Tannenbaum said recently. "I think the second-round pick of 2006 is just a very good example of being patient, being a good listener, and then sitting there with the other people in the room trying to make the best decision for the organization in a short amount of time."

How does that apply for 2007? Expect the Jets to be just as conservative in the first round as they were last year. If a top-tier cornerback is available - a position most agree to be the Jets' most pressing need - the Jets will likely take him. If not, they'll likely trade down and pick up more selections. Director of college scouting Joey Clinkscales said he thought this draft had good depth at the secondary position, so the Jets may believe they can find a starting corner in the second round, players such as Marcus McCauley (Fresno State) or Josh Wilson (Maryland).

The Jets have five returning starters on the O-line, but they'll be looking to add depth in later rounds and could take Marshal Yanda (Iowa) or James Marten (Boston College). They're unlikely to grab guards Ben Grubbs (Auburn) or Justin Blaylock (Texas) in the first round, and those players don't figure to be available deep into the second. The Jets will want to stockpile players for their 3-4 defense; inside linebacker David Harris (Michigan) and defensive tackle Quinn Pit**** (Ohio State) could be first-day picks.

[TaborJet]

Draft Day is Here

Posted by Bob Bullock April 28, 2007 12:33AM

Categories: 2007 Draft

Only a few hours away and still not a clue as to where Gang Green will go at pick number 25. The Jets are said to have targeted 5 to 7 players, all names that we all have heard a thousand times already....Ross, Houston, Harris, Spencer, Olsen and so on and so on. All are "Mangini Guys" as far as character and toughness, which is the biggest reason these guys are being linked to the Jets as possible draft picks.

There are also some strong indications that the team will trade down in the first round to grab an extra pick, possibly another third round selection. That would give Gang Green two second round picks AND two third round picks, giving the team 5 first-day selections.

Obviously that will depend on how the draft unfolds though. If a player the Jets really like is there at 25, someone who "slips" further than expected, the Jets could jump on the guy. If a player like an Adam Carriker or a Darrelle Revis was still on the board, for instance, the team would sprint the card to the commissioner in 10 seconds flat. Don't count on that happening though; those players should be gone by pick 15.

The player I had the Jets grabbing the whole time was Aaron Ross, the cornerback from Texas. Lately however, it is looking more and more like Ross will be off the board before the Jets get to pick. That being the case, I could certainly see the Jets trading down a few slots, picking up an extra pick and grabbing Chris Houston from Arkansas.

It will go down in just a few more hours, so check back here at Jetstream to read the latest on what Gang Green decides to do in the 2007 NFL Draft.

[TaborJet]

Plugging defensive holes is Jets' top priority

Saturday, April 28, 2007 BY DAVE HUTCHINSON

Star-Ledger Staff

The Jets have been wearing their best poker face this week leading into today's NFL Draft. And with 21 of 22 starters returning, general manager Mike Tannenbaum can afford to be coy.

But upon closer inspection of the Jets' roster, they desperately need to shore up their defense, in particular the cornerback position, and that's what they're expected to do with their first-round pick, 25th overall.

The Jets also have two second-round picks and a third-rounder to use on Day One of the draft and Tannenbaum appears to be open to using all of his options, including trading up or down, to get his man.

In addition to cornerback, linebacker and the defensive line are areas of need. The Jets have virtually no depth at linebacker and would like to add a quality defensive lineman.

On offensive, the Jets might act if a highly touted guard falls into their lap, someone to groom to replace veteran Pete Kendall. They're also on the lookout for a wide receiver, with veteran Justin McCareins on the trading block. He can be dealt for a draft pick this weekend.

Tannenbaum, however, cautions that the best-laid plans can often go up in smoke.

"When you go into the draft saying we really got to work on offense, the board falls defense," Tannenbaum said. "It never seems to fail.

"Again, having 21 of the 22 starters back (fullback B.J. Askew, who signed with the Bucs, is the lone exception), we really don't have any preconceived notions."

Despite all of the predraft posturing, defense will likely be the Jets' rallying cry on draft day and their first-round pick could come from among the likes of cornerbacks Aaron Ross (Texas) and Chris Houston (Arkansas), linebackers Paul Posluszny (Penn State) and David Harris (Michigan) or defensive tackle Justin Harrell (Tennessee).

Several mock drafts have the Jets selecting tight end Greg Olsen (Miami), but that seems unlikely. They have more pressing needs and the organization is probably still snakebitten from the last time they went after a pass-catching tight end, acquiring Doug Jolley in a 2005 trade involving their first-round pick. Jolley was a bust.

Cornerback is a top priority because after Andre Dyson, the Jets are thin. Journeyman Hank Poteat is the other starter, Justin Miller has been slow to develop and David Barrett ($3.5 million base in 2007) might be a June 1 casualty.

Also, the Patriots have stockpiled wide receivers this off-season, adding Donte Stallworth, Kelley Washington and Wes Welker.

The top two cornerbacks, Leon Hall (Michigan) and Darrelle Revis (Pittsburgh), are expected to be off the board by the time the Jets are on the clock, leaving Ross and Houston. Marcus McCauley (Fresno State) is a good value in the second round and the Jets might go that route and address another need with their first-round selection.

Ross, 6-0 1/2 feet, would be hard to pass up if he's on the board at 25th. He has size, good speed (4.4 in the 40), can tackle and is a solid citizen. He also returns punts, another area the Jets want to upgrade.

At linebacker, talk persists that there could be a shake-up. Though it's highly unlikely Jonathan Vilma will be traded despite his struggles in the 3-4 (coach Eric Mangini loves him), fellow inside linebacker Eric Barton might be jettisoned. If so, there's speculation that outside linebacker Victor Hobson could be moved inside and the Jets would draft an outside linebacker.

Finally, the Jets would still like to find a bona fide pass-rushing defensive end despite addressing the position in free agency.

Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchison@starledger.com

Three things Jets fans can expect:

The Jets selecting a cornerback with one of their first three picks.

GM Mike Tannenbaum making at least one deal, perhaps trading WR Justin McCareins for a draft pick.

The Jets addressing the offense by taking a guard or wide receiver on the first day.

-- Dave Hutchinson