Jets News 4/27/10

[SoFlaJets]

Braylon Edwards Excited To Have Holmes

April 26th, 2010

[SoFlaJets]

Crusher asked so he gets an articles thread today

[SoFlaJets]

1) Reaction to the Faneca and Washington moves- The fallout from the Jets releasing of Alan Faneca and trading of Leon Washington continues as experts from all across the country are chiming in. The comments range from the Jets getting younger and upgrading their talent, to making huge mistakes losing great character and locker room guys. While I understand the Jets reasoning for trading Washington (contract concern, readiness for 2010), I still think they made a mistake with Faneca. Yes, Alan has lost a step, but I think he would have been a great mentor for Ducasse, just as he was with Mangold and Ferguson. In addition, he was a vital cog on one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. The Jets offensive line is a tight knit, productive group that should have been kept together for one more year.

2) Jets react on twitter- There are several New York Jets that are active on twitter and most have been quiet since the moves. Damien Woody and Nick Mangold were the only two to comment and they were as follows:

Mangold: "I know it's a business but after 2 years with a guy and then not to have him at workouts is rough. This one is going to take some time."

Woody: "Man, it was like a day of mourning at work today."

3) Gang Green's draft grades- The New York Jets seem to be getting very good reviews from their recent draft. While I think the Jets made some smart moves, no one will really know for sure until the players get on the field. The one thing I do know, is that the Jets need to start gathering picks rather than throwing them around in trades. Successful teams in the NFL build through the draft instead of always relying on signing free agents.

4) Adalius Thomas to the Jets?- Adalius Thomas was recently released by the New England Patriots and there is already speculation that he will be reunited with his former coach Rex Ryan. There could be a spot available with the Jets moving of Gholston to defensive end, but I think it may come down to the amount of playing time Thomas is looking for. Could this be the reason why the Jets did not draft an end in the draft? But what about special teams? It seems like the Jets keep acquiring players that are towards the end of their career and will not have a role in coverage units.

[SoFlaJets]

That wasn't exactly a full-scale revolt by Jets players over Mike Tannenbaum jettisoning Leon Washington and Alan Faneca. Still, to hear the GM speak, any players not down with the moves have every right to moan.

Does anyone believe this? In interviews, Tannenbaum sounds sincere and forthcoming, even when he pooh-poohed a possible exit by Faneca before actually pulling the plug.

In his profession, Tannenbaum's media style is a good thing. But who knows what will come from the lips - or Twitterations - of the cast of characters he's assembled? There's no way the Jets will fly into the season under the media's radar. The expectation level is already off the charts.

A fall, even from an imaginary mountaintop, hurts.

So, if the results don't match all the talking, Tannenbaum just might have to put his foot down - or in someone's mouth. Now is not the time. Or is it?

After hearing Tannenbaum's Sunday interview with ESPN-1050's Ian O'Connor, it's a question worth pondering.

The GM was asked if players, griping about the Washington/Faneca moves on Twitter, should be "reined in."

"No, I think that's great. Guys have earned the right to speak their minds," Tannenbaum said. "... That kind of passion is what we are looking for. ... I appreciate the fact they feel such loyalty to their teammates."

This, coming from one half of the group (with Eric Mangini) known as The Mummy Brothers? Tannenbaum sounded sincere. Yet, it seems at least one Jets player "spoke" his mind, then changed it. Or had it changed.

On Twitter, after the moves were made, D'Brickashaw Ferguson wrote: "Whhhhhyyyy!!!!" Within about an hour he changed it to: "Lost some good teammates today."

There could be a few reasons why Ferguson "edited" himself. Maybe he had a flashback to 2009 when, after wideout David Clowney tweeted he was "disappointed about my playing time" in Week 2 against New England, he was benched by Rex Ryan the following week against Tennessee.

Or maybe Ferguson wanted to expand on his one-word entry. Or maybe someone in the Jets organization suggested he tone it down a bit. Would anyone be shocked?

Tannenbaum, or any other GM, would rather not have his decisions questioned publicly by an employee, even if the player has supposedly "earned the right" to speak his mind. Draw any conclusion you wish. Going forward, this will be worth watching - closely.

[SoFlaJets]

Former Pro Bowl linebacker Adalius Thomas, a Rex Ryan favorite who was cut by the Pats Monday, doesn't appear to be headed to the Jets.

A source familiar with the Jets' thinking said Monday night it is "doubtful right now" the team will pursue Thomas.

Thomas had his best years under Ryan, when he was the Ravens' defensive coordinator. The recent addition of Jason Taylor, who plays a similar role to Thomas, is likely the reason the Jets aren't interested.

The Giants have "kicked the tires" on former Pro Bowl defensive tackle John Henderson, according to an NFL source, and could be interested in signing him. The 31-year-old was cut by the Jaguars and will begin making free-agent visits in Kansas City Tuesday.

Henderson, who just turned 31, was a first-round pick of Tom Coughlin's Jaguars back in 2002. Coughlin still likes him enough that, a report said, he attempted to trade for the 6-7, 335-pounder during the NFL draft.

[The Crusher]

Crusher asked so he gets an articles thread today

Go's great with three cups of coffee a pound of bacon and half dozen eggs. Unfortunately Ms Crusher got me on calorie lockdown so it's an egg white omelet, three faggot turkey sausages, a half a graperuit and a glass of tomato juice. thank God for Jimmy, not sure I couldn;t make it without you. Thanks.

[SoFlaJets]

As soon as Adalius Thomas was released yesterday by the Patriots, speculation that Thomas would quickly be signed by the Jets gained momentum.

The veteran linebacker, after all, has always been a favorite of Rex Ryan, having played for him for six years in Baltimore, where he had his best seasons. Thomas knows Ryan's defense inside and out.

Thomas, too, could potentially help a Jets pass rush that struggled to get to the quarterback last season, finishing with a low sack total of 32.

Despite the stars seemingly aligned for a Thomas-Ryan reunion, however, a highly-placed NFL source told The Post last night that the Jets' interest in signing Thomas is "minimal."

Make no mistake, the Jets have had conversations about Thomas and signing him is not out of the realm of possibility, but it seems unlikely.

Ryan last week, responding to an Internet report that said Jets linebacker Bryan Thomas was going to be released, guaranteed Bryan Thomas would remain on the team.

The Jets just signed Dolphins outside linebacker and pass rush specialist Jason Taylor, leaving them with three starting-caliber outside linebackers. Thomas is 32 and is coming off a couple years of declining production -- making 148 tackles and 14

[SoFlaJets]

I'll post more as they are released today in the meantime feel free to post 'em as you find 'em right here in this thread-SFJ

[SoFlaJets]

Jets Reportedly Interested in LB Adalius Thomas

by Zach Berger Written on April 27, 2010

The New England Patriots, as expected, released Adalius Thomas yesterday. The veteran linebacker hasn

[SoFlaJets]

Loyalty, the Jets and a

[SoFlaJets]

5 Things About the Jets that Worry Me

by Erik Manassy on April 26, 2010

What a whirl-wind of an offseason so far topped by this past weekend at the NFL Draft it has been for the New York Jets. It is very clear to me and the league has been put on notice that the Jets are building a team to win the Super Bowl this year. Forget about the future, as it is the SB or bust.

Now that I really have time to let the dust settle from all the moves this past weekend, I can now reflect on the entire offseason thus far and I

[SMC]

Thanks, SFJ.

LOL at the Adalius Thomas reports. They're all over the map.

Tough to hear about the workouts. We forget that these are real people and they have friendships like the rest of us. They use "it's a business" as a coping mechanism. It sucks for them, but they usually get over it.

[SoFlaJets]

GM Tannenbaum Made Tough Decisions And Found Immediate Impact And Projects, But Many Questions Remain

By JEFF CAPELLINI,

If someone had told you the Jets would enter the 2010 season without Kerry Rhodes, Jay Feely, Alan Faneca and Leon Washington you'd think they were nuts, right?

They are four guys who played in some cases huge roles in the Jets' run to the AFC Championship game last season.

Among them there is athleticism, leadership and a bunch of Pro Bowl appearances.

Yet they are all gone.

So what gives?

The initial reaction to each player's dismissal was debated among Jets fans everywhere, especially the departures of Faneca and Washington during what was a crazy NFL draft, three days of wheelings and dealings all over the place, including in the war room in Florham Park, N.J.

But rest assured Jets fans, there appears to be a method to GM Mike Tannenbaum's apparent madness. The crafty executive made some tough decisions that were supported by nifty selections in the draft.

The Rhodes trade and refusal to re-sign Feely were basically addressed before the draft when the Jets traded for Antonio Cromartie and signed Brodney Pool to solidify the secondary, and signed Nick Folk to take over the kicking duties. Tannenbaum further helped his defensive backfield by drafting a player thought to be a can't-miss prospect in Boise State's Kyle Wilson in the first round on Thursday.

But then the rumors started to swirl, which in Jetland often means something's afoot. Reports started surfacing on the Internet that Tannenbaum was actively shopping nine-time Pro Bowl left guard Faneca, a beast of a man who was guaranteed $5.25 million in 2010 whether he donned a green jersey or not, or would release him outright after the draft.

Sources told wcbstv.com on Friday the Jets were looking to move up in the second round to grab an offensive lineman, which further confirmed that Faneca's days in green were about to end. However, it wasn't until after the Jets selected massive guard Valdimir Ducasse out of I-AA UMass with the 61st selection and Tannenbaum offered a weak vote confidence to Faneca that the Jets let the guy with a secondary residence in Hawaii go.

Initially, I wasn't in favor of the move to release Faneca, but supported the notion of drafting a raw talent in Ducasse for development down the road. The Jets have other plans for the 6-foot-4, 330-pounder. He's going to platoon in all likelihood at Faneca's former position next season.

Between Ducasse and developing Matt Slauson the Jets may not miss beat along their line, but I am worried about messing with the dynamic of a group that was the best run-blocking unit in the NFL last season.

In other words, Ducasse better be the real deal because the notion of Faneca going somewhere else and proving that at 33 he still has a lot left will bug me and many like me.

To hear the Jets talk about Ducasse is to think they just drafted the next coming of Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz. Ducasse is said to have all the tools to be great, including incredible feet that will help him protect quarterback Mark Sanchez's weak side and help open holes for the Jets' stable of solid running backs.

We'll see. In the interim, I, for one, am more interested in watching Ducasse eat lunch during training camp on HBO's "Hard Knocks."

The Jets initially didn't have a third- or fifth-round pick, but did grab shifty Joe McKnight out of USC in the fourth round. The running back played with Sanchez and is said to be a clone of Leon Washington, only a bit bigger with a tendency to put the football on the ground. The Jets made room for McKnight in their now-crowded backfield by trading fan-favorite Washington to Seattle.

I think replacing Washington was necessary, but would rather have seen the Jets go defensive line with that selection. They are really putting all their eggs in aging Shaun Ellis' and newcomer Jason Taylor's baskets when it comes to putting pressure on the quarterback.

And if all else fails with those two the Jets can always hang their hats on the conversion of first-round bust Vernon Gholston to back-up defensive end, another announcement over the weekend that had many in Jets Nation rolling their eyes.

McKnight will likely step right in and be a complement to starter Shonn Greene and versatile LaDainian Tomlinson. Watch McKnight on screens. He's dynamic after the catch, but has never been a workhorse or lived up to the hype that came with him after a sensational high school career in Louisiana.

The Washington trade to the Seahawks went as follows: Leon and the Jets' seventh pick for Pete Carroll's sixth rounder. With that selection the Jets picked up John Conner out of Kentucky. Conner, reportedly coach Rex Ryan's favorite player in the entire draft, was later called the best fullback available by ESPN's super draft guru Mel Kiper Jr. Conner, at 5-foot-11, 240 pounds, is a bruising blocker who can step right in and replace Tony Richardson after he completes his 17th NFL season.

No complaints here. "The Terminator" is certainly big enough to take on Arnold. Hopefully Conner becomes a stalwart blocking ahead of Greene for years.

So in a nutshell, what the Jets did over the long weekend was save some money, address their aging offensive line and give Sanchez two more toys to play with going forward, while ridding themselves of players with questionable futures in Faneca and Washington due to birth dates and injury.

All in all, I'd grade the Jets' draft a B mostly because they might have gotten steals with Ducasse and Conner, but didn't address the one glaring need from last season -- pass rusher. Expect them to bring a lot of defensive linemen into camp and hope they find a hidden gem or a few guys for depth.

From where I am sitting the Jets are now set at quarterback, running back, wide receiver (free agency next season will be interesting), tight end, offensive line and secondary for 2010. Defensive line, linebacker and the kicking game should be good, but there's no telling what those positions will look like after this season.

The Jets have some really important pieces to lock up long-term. Corner Darrelle Revis and center Nick Mangold have earned every bit of every dollar they will eventually get. Tackle D'Brickashaw Ferguson and linebacker David Harris, also home-grown Jets, will have to be taken care of too, provided they show in 2010 what they've shown previously.

As for the newcomers, guys like Cromartie, and receivers Braylon Edwards and Santonio Holmes, they will have to show they can do it first in green before they get the green to stay here. My guess is they will, but if so Tannenbaum will have more than half a dozen players he'll have to give big money to immediately after the season.

That will leave more difficult decisions next offseason.

Bottom line: Jets are better now than they were before the draft and have solidified themselves at certain positions going forward. The hope is the lack of pure talent along the defensive line will be masked by Ryan's 46 blitzing scheme.

They will bring the house up front and from the middle and hopefully blanket and tackle in the secondary. On offense, expect the Jets to be much more balanced in 2010. The running game should be just as good as last season and now with serious receivers in Edwards, Holmes, Jerricho Cotchery and tight end Dustin Keller, Sanchez should flourish in his second year.

Despite all the seemingly incredible moves Tannenbaum has made, the 2010 Jets will only go as far as Ryan and Sanchez take them.

So really, nothing's changed

[SMC]

GM Tannenbaum Made Tough Decisions And Found Immediate Impact And Projects, But Many Questions Remain

By JEFF CAPELLINI,

***

Despite all the seemingly incredible moves Tannenbaum has made, the 2010 Jets will only go as far as Ryan and Sanchez take them.

So really, nothing's changed

That's 100% the truth.

I don;t think the Jets make such moves without the franchise QB in place.

There will be no greater impact on the Jets than Sanchez' play if it improves.

[SoFlaJets]

That's 100% the truth.

I don;t think the Jets make such moves without the franchise QB in place.

There will be no greater impact on the Jets than Sanchez' play if it improves.

what worries me the most SMC is I don't want to see this Jets team make the same mistake that Parcells made in 1999-make SURE we have a legit back-up QB

[SoFlaJets]

http://espn.go.com/blog/afceast/post/_/id/13236/video-are-the-jets-really-better

[SMC]

what worries me the most SMC is I don't want to see this Jets team make the same mistake that Parcells made in 1999-make SURE we have a legit back-up QB

That was a horrible mistake by Parcells.

BUT, there's absolutely no way in hell the Jets get to the SB without Sanchez.

Seriously. Do the Colts or Saints get to the SB without Peyton and Brees? Of course not.

We can talk about backup QB's all we want, but a competent backup isn't taking us to the promised land.

That said, I hope Kerry Collins gets cut so the Jets can sign him. He'd be a great backup QB.

[SoFlaJets]

That was a horrible mistake by Parcells.

BUT, there's absolutely no way in hell the Jets get to the SB without Sanchez.

Seriously. Do the Colts or Saints get to the SB without Peyton and Brees? Of course not.

We can talk about backup QB's all we want, but a competent backup isn't taking us to the promised land.

That said, I hope Kerry Collins gets cut so the Jets can sign him. He'd be a great backup QB.

Brunnell, Garcia, Collins-somebody like that-hey the Giants won one with a b/u QB-it CAN be done-also St Louis did OK when it seemed like total disaster when Trent Green who was having a GREAT year went down and they won it with Warner

[SMC]

Brunnell, Garcia, Collins-somebody like that-hey the Giants won one with a b/u QB-it CAN be done-also St Louis did OK when it seemed like total disaster when Trent Green who was having a GREAT year went down and they won it with Warner

Those are the exceptions, not the rule.

Kurt Warner was a once in a generation situation. A Roy Hobbs story of a never was older QB who came out of nowhere and became a borderline HOFer.

That's like building a draft strategy around getting a franchise QB in the 6th round.

That's pure luck. Those things don't happen.

The Giants were 11-3 when Simms got hurt and Hostetler took over and played the last 2 games. That's a big difference from the 1999 Jets when the backup QB had to play the whole season.

But again, Collins is the guy for me. Garcia and Brunnell are done even as backups IMO.

[THE ILK]

Brunnell, Garcia, Collins-somebody like that-hey the Giants won one with a b/u QB-it CAN be done-also St Louis did OK when it seemed like total disaster when Trent Green who was having a GREAT year went down and they won it with Warner

Maybe we could get Warner to back us up.

[Thor99]

Brunnell, Garcia, Collins-somebody like that-hey the Giants won one with a b/u QB-it CAN be done-also St Louis did OK when it seemed like total disaster when Trent Green who was having a GREAT year went down and they won it with Warner

Didn't Green get hurt in the preseason?

[SMC]

Didn't Green get hurt in the preseason?

Yep, Green got hurt in the preseason. Tore his ACL.

Warner started all 16 games and won the MVP.

[SoFlaJets]

Didn't Green get hurt in the preseason?

yea I just looked it up Tee-you're right but he looked so great B4 the injury as he was slated to be the starter

[SMC]

yea I just looked it up Tee-you're right but he looked so great B4 the injury as he was slated to be the starter

No question Green was going to be the starter.

He was their big FA signing that year. Warner was the backup after Banks & Bono were cut (they were ahead of Warner on the depth chart).

[slats]

what worries me the most SMC is I don't want to see this Jets team make the same mistake that Parcells made in 1999-make SURE we have a legit back-up QB

I expect Brunnell here come July - for better or worse.

Ideally, one of O'Connor or Ainge will demonstrate significant improvement over last year. They obviously like them both. I'll have a lot more confidence in the QB situation if a vet is signed, but they go with one of the guys already here as #2 on merit.

[Green DNA]

Her's a newsflash for all of the people worrying about chemistry, leadership blah, blah, blah. This effin team was 9-7 last year and we made the playoffs by the skin of our teeth. The playoff run was sweet, no doubt, but going 12-4 or 13-3 with some home playoff games would be even sweeter and set us up in better shape to go all the way.

[SoFlaJets]

Her's a newsflash for all of the people worrying about chemistry, leadership blah, blah, blah. This effin team was 9-7 last year and we made the playoffs by the skin of our teeth. The playoff run was sweet, no doubt, but going 12-4 or 13-3 with some home playoff games would be even sweeter and set us up in better shape to go all the way.

I totally agree Craig and anybody who couldn't see that Faneca and Leon had lost something are blinded by homerism.

Faneca gave up 7 sacks and was manhandled by our rival's mediocre DLman Starks-and that is unacceptable

Leon Washington who every single one of us liked seemed to lose a half a step last year. Gone were the STs TD's, and in fact gone were ANY points.

Thomas Jones a great and inspirational leader for sure but had lost a LOT by the middle of the year. Anybody who says that LT is a downgrade doesn't know what they're talking about.

LadanianTomlinson is younger and has been working extra hard with a special strength coach. He is a man on a mission who feels he has something to prove. Don't doubt the 1st ballot HoFer.

I also don't buy into this idea being purported that we signed a bunch of misfits and trouble makers.

Santonio Holmes screwed up and will pay the price for 4 games. He smoked friggin weed-BFD.

Braylon Edwards has shown himself to be a very willing team player that wants to win badly.

Antonio Cromartie-OK so the guy likes sex-BFD-does that make him a "bad boy"? I don't think so. I screwed a lot of chicks too when I was his age and knocked a few up too and my family is OK.

There IS room for improvement because like you said we only went 9-7, it's not like we had a Colts-like season. There's a lot of room for improvement and I like the direction this team under Rex and Tannenbaum are going.

[4th&Long]

I screwed a lot of chicks too when I was his age and knocked a few up too and my family is OK.

Classic

[SoFlaJets]

Classic

LOL hey it was different back in the 70's 4th&Long

[SoFlaJets]

The Jets were wondering why USC RB Joe McKnight was plummeting in the NFL Draft, so they turned to his former teammate for answers.

GM Mike Tannenbaum said the Jets talked to QB Mark Sanchez, who played with McKnight at USC, before trading up in the fourth round to pick the explosive running back.

[SoFlaJets]

GM Mike Tannenbaum did not rule out the Jets signing LB Adalius Thomas, but did not make it sound like a priority.

[SoFlaJets]

By Rich Cimini

Former Jets running back Leon Washington, in his first New York-area interview since his trade to the Seahawks, didn

[Green DNA]

I totally agree Craig and anybody who couldn't see that Faneca and Leon had lost something are blinded by homerism.

Faneca gave up 7 sacks and was manhandled by our rival's mediocre DLman Starks-and that is unacceptable

Leon Washington who every single one of us liked seemed to lose a half a step last year. Gone were the STs TD's, and in fact gone were ANY points.

Thomas Jones a great and inspirational leader for sure but had lost a LOT by the middle of the year. Anybody who says that LT is a downgrade doesn't know what they're talking about.

LadanianTomlinson is younger and has been working extra hard with a special strength coach. He is a man on a mission who feels he has something to prove. Don't doubt the 1st ballot HoFer.

I also don't buy into this idea being purported that we signed a bunch of misfits and trouble makers.

Santonio Holmes screwed up and will pay the price for 4 games. He smoked friggin weed-BFD.

Braylon Edwards has shown himself to be a very willing team player that wants to win badly.

Antonio Cromartie-OK so the guy likes sex-BFD-does that make him a "bad boy"? I don't think so. I screwed a lot of chicks too when I was his age and knocked a few up too and my family is OK.

There IS room for improvement because like you said we only went 9-7, it's not like we had a Colts-like season. There's a lot of room for improvement and I like the direction this team under Rex and Tannenbaum are going.

For whatever reason, the so called journalists like to find stories where there may be none. The biggest toolbag is Gary Myers, with his incessant haprping on the Jets "going for it all". Shouldn't every team be trying to win it all every year? I thought that was the bloody point. Eff them all.

[4th&Long]

LOL hey it was different back in the 70's 4th&Long

I like the "knocked up a few" line...

[SoFlaJets]

I like the "knocked up a few" line...

I think I'm tied with Cromartie in that department...and I have a strong suspicion that there's a kid somewhere in Kansas City who looks a lot like me and a mother who has been scratching her head since 1976 wondering