This is the quandary the New York Jets find themselves in this off season: a regime predicated on building through the draft is faced with numerous holes to fill on a team that went 4-12 last season in a free agent pool that has top-end talent available at two positions of need – guard and cornerback. Add to that the surplus of cap space the Jets have and it would seem to be the perfect recipe for making a splash in free agency.
However, the Jets have been notoriously stingy under the Tangini reign, evidenced by not giving Pete Kendall $1 million prior to last season to keep him around, and a reticence this off season to restructure Laveranues Coles’ contract (for what it’s worth, I side with the Jets on this one). With their two likely top targets – Alan Faneca and Asante Samuel – seeking mammoth deals, it would take a significant change in philosophy for the Jets to sign either one to a contract.
Let’s break down the Jets biggest holes to fill this off season and see how they might fill them (without delving too deep into possible selections in April’s Draft).
Offensive line
An enormous problem for the Jets in ‘07, and the unequivocal number one priority to fix before training camp, particularly left guard. As previously mentioned, Alan Faneca would be a great pick up from a talent standpoint. The question is, will Tannenbaum be willing to pay out such a big contract (Faneca’s agent, Drew Rosenhaus, expects Faneca to sign for about $7 million a year with a $10 million signing bonus) to an O-lineman on the wrong side of 30? History suggests no, but given the dire straights of Gang Green’s line last season, I could see them overpaying to help shore up this unit for ‘08.
After Faneca, there is a significant drop off in free agent guards available, though the Jets are reportedly interested in Lions guard Damien Woody. Tannenbaum may opt for a cheaper alternative if they decide not to break the bank on Faneca. If you’re thinking about taking a talented OL prospect with the sixth overall pick in the draft, that’s not likely, barring a trade. Jake Long will probably be gone by then, and the sixth slot is too high to select any of the remaining crop of offensive lineman (other than, perhaps, Ryan Clady).
Steveo21’s Take – Tangini will have to cringe on this one, but they’ll sign Faneca.
Cornerback
For the most part, the Jets are in great shape in the secondary for next season. After a terrific rookie campaign from Darrelle Revis, he looks to be a long-term fixture in the Jets defensive backfield. Hank Poteat and David Barrett are quality nickel and dime corners, and the safety positions are in good shape with Kerry Rhodes at strong safety and the tag-team of Abram Elam and Erik Coleman manning free safety.
But, there is a vacant starting spot across from Revis available. The popular name being bandied about as free agency descends upon us is Samuel. Samuel is a prototypical play-making corner. He’s a ball hawk and has very good hands (late drop against the Giants in Super Bowl XLII notwithstanding). The problem is, he often gambles to put himself in a position to make an interception.
He knows Mangini from the Mangenius’ time in New England, and given the Jets need for a corner and their available cash, he seems to be a nice fit – not so fast my friends. Samuel is reportedly seeking a contract that would pay him $10 million a season for 10 seasons, including a guarantee for $30 million. Which is to say, he won’t be a Jet.
Given the overall strength of the secondary right now, and the depth of quality corners available in the draft, there is no way the Jets can justify giving Samuel a Nate Clemens-esque contract, as much as it might rankle Bill Belichick to steal one of his players.
Steveo21’s Take – Let someone else overpay Samuel. Address the second corner spot in the draft.
Nose Tackle
Not a position likely to be filled via free agency, but absolutely a position of need, especially with the potential trade of Dewayne Robertson, as we’ve noted. The imminent Jonathan Vilma trade also plays a key role in addressing the need to upgrade at nose. The more information we receive, the more intertwined these two potential deals seem to be, so perhaps it’s best to start with Vilma.
The Panthers and Lions seem to have emerged as the main suitors for Vilma. The buzz surrounding both potential deals is that in return the Jets would receive an interior defensive lineman – Kris Jenkins or Shaun Rogers – who would fit better in a 3-4 scheme than Robertson.
Netting Jenkins would be a major upgrade for NY as he would immediately become the most dominating player on their defense and occupy two blockers on each play – which has been Robertson’s greatest short-coming. Rogers would also present a significant upgrade, although he’s only played consistently in one season (last year).
Interestingly, in the article linked above, Dave Hutchinson notes that if Robertson were to restructure his contract the Jets would like to bring him back and potentially move him to defensive end should they land Jenkins or Rogers.
Steveo21’s Take – Adding either Jenkins or Rogers would be an immediate upgrade. You think David Harris would enjoy playing behind either one of them?
Linebacker
Despite the loss of Vilma, the Jets aren’t desperate to add a middle linebacker from the free agent market. Harris had a stellar rookie season as mentioned above, if the Jets can find a true nose guard, no one will benefit more than Harris. Eric Barton started 9 games in place of an injured Vilma last season and is capable of starting full-time in ‘08.
The Jets real need is at the rush linebacker position. They did a horrible job generating pressure last year, and the starting outside linebackers (Bryan Thomas and Victor Hobson) accounted for only 4.5 sacks between them. Hobson is a free agent and it’s unlikely he will return.
Should the Jets attempt to improve through free agency on the edge, Clark Haggans is one possibility. Haggans, who took down opposing signal callers 4 times last season, has played his entire career with the Steelers. He is a known commodity and has averaged over six sacks a season for the past four years.
Another option is Calvin Pace from the Cardinals. Pace, 27, is four years younger than Haggans, and posted 6.5 sacks last year. My only concern with Pace is that last year (98 tackles, 6.5 sacks and 1 interception) wasn’t a fluke. Previously, his season highs were 32 tackles and 5 sacks.
Steveo21’s Take – Not convinced the Jets will sign an OLB, but if they do, it’ll be Pace or Haggans.
Wide receiver
Could the Jets sign someone to give Kellen Clemens more weapons on the outside? Maybe, but I’d doubt it. The Jets lack a true number one wide out, but other than Randy Moss, none are available in this class.
Bernard Berrian has been a popular name as he would give the Jets a homerun hitter on the outside, but he’s asking for a bigger contract than Deion Branch signed. Also, this is another position deep in talent in this year’s draft class.
Steveo21’s Take – Don’t look for much action on this front. At that price, I think Berrian is a long-shot. If anything, look for a smaller signing to fill Justin McCareins’ spot.
1 Comment
February 29, 2008 at 6:45 pm
hey im on OBs board!
1. berrian sucks
2. mccareins sucks too, a mossy log could fill those shoes
3. vilma for a 4th round pick in 2009?!?!
a. vilma is a pro-bowl caliber LB
b. 4th round is very late
c. 2009 is 2 drafts away!!
d. am i missing something?