Smizzy Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Offseason update: New York Jets By Vic Carucci National Editor, NFL.com (June 8, 2007) -- This is what I like about the New York Jets' offseason moves: One of the very best trades of the offseason, if not the best, was the Jets' swapping second-round draft picks to land Thomas Jones from the Chicago Bears. This has robbery written all over it. Although the Bears viewed Jones as expendable after deciding to put the bulk of their running game in the hands of Cedric Benson, the Jets wound up with a back who figures to be as good as if not better than any runner they could have selected in the first round. Jones, who gives the Jets the most talented player they have had at the position since Curtis Martin suffered a knee injury in 2005, should do wonders to help Chad Pennington sell his patented play-fakes. Thomas Jones is now flexing his muscles in the Jets backfield. As impressive as general manager Mike Tanenbaum and coach Eric Mangini were in making that deal, they displayed more trading prowess during the draft. Rather than wait for the best available players to come to them, they moved up to get the ones they wanted -- former University of Pittsburgh cornerback Darrelle Revis in the first round and former Michigan linebacker David Harris in the second. Revis was one of the two best cornerbacks in the draft, along with Leon Hall of Michigan, and immediately becomes the best on the Jets' roster. Revis has enough athleticism to help him overcome the typical mistakes that all rookies at the position make. He needs to refine his skills, but is easily capable of becoming a starter right away and holding his own against quality receivers. Revis has lined up at nickel back with the first-string defense during offseason workouts. Harris is a physical, smart, instinctive player who excels at making plays at the point of attack. He does not possess great athleticism and would likely be a liability in man-to-man coverage. But Harris should function well in Mangini's scheme, which does a nice job of putting players in the right position to succeed. Harris has been working with the second-unit defense in offseason workouts, but should eventually work his way into a starting spot. This is what concerns me: Pennington made a remarkable comeback from two surgeries on his throwing shoulder. The fact he was able to remain healthy and play the first full season of his NFL career was impressive enough, but he also contributed to the Jets' reaching the playoffs. However, it might be unrealistic to believe he could duplicate those accomplishments in 2007. If he can't, the Jets would be in serious trouble because they don't appear to have another legitimate starter in backups Marques Tuiasosopo and Kellen Clemens. The Jets still don't look as if they have much-needed bulk in the middle of their defense. Although nose tackle Dewayne Robertson played better in the second half of the '06 season than he did through the first eight games, he is better at making plays on the move rather than tying up blockers so that linebackers can get to the ball. Defensive end Shaun Ellis has been in a two-year sack slump. Inside linebacker Jonathan Vilma seems like a square peg in the round hole that is Mangini's scheme. If Ellis doesn't step up and play as effectively as he did while generating a combined 23 1/2 sacks in 2003 and '04 and Vilma doesn't find his comfort zone, the Jets' defense is going to be vulnerable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nj meadowlands Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 No legitimate starters backing up Chad? Dun dun dunnnnnn Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Irish Jet Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 No legitimate starters backing up Chad? This is true, Kellen has literally done nothing to proove he can be an NFL starter, until he does no one can say otherwise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Boozer76 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 This is true, Kellen has literally done nothing to proove he can be an NFL starter, until he does no one can say otherwise. True, we also didn't have a legitimate starter behind Testaverde in 2002. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
124 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 True, we also didn't have a legitimate starter behind Testaverde in 2002. OWNED. POTW Nomination baby! I agree with everything Vic said, of course MINUS the statement that there is no starting Quarterback sitting behind Noodle Arm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PeterNorth09 Posted June 11, 2007 Share Posted June 11, 2007 Is Kellen wearing high heels in this pic? He actually looks like he can see over Eric Mangini. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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