Coztanza's Jets Commentary

6:34:54 PM EDT The Jets have signed a few undrafted free agents to contracts. These deals are not based so much by need as by signing anybody a team can find to see who can actually play on the level and maybe become a steal. Finding any sort of player from the undrafted is a major coup.

Danny Woodhead, RB from Chadron State

Woodhead ended his career as the NCAA's all-time leading rusher with 7,962 yards at Division 2 Chadron State. There were two knocks on him, the level of competition and his 5'7" 197 pound frame. He absolutely dominated the inferior competiton, so that is not a significant issue. There are also many diminutive running backs who make contributions. Sometimes they are harder to bring down because defenders have less to grab. Woodhead is very well-spoken to the media. He seems like a classy character guy. He also has elite speed as he was timed at 4.33 in the 40 yard dash. Very few people expect him to be an everydown back, but he could make some kind of impact as a change of pace runner, a third down back, or on special teams. At best, he might be another Leon Washington. The team certainly could use as many Leons as it can find. In terms of undrafted free agents, Woodhead probably has the best shot of making a roster.

Jehuu Calcrick, RB from Michigan State

Calcrick is a power back from Michigan State without much speed. His size and inability to run for even 4 yards per carry in the Big Ten probably doom his hopes of being a tailback in the NFL. His best position will be fullback, but he is hardly an elite blocker. He probably will not make much noise as a pro and be an early camp casualty.

Bryan Mattison, DE from Iowa

Mattison was a captain at Iowa, where he recorded 9 sacks in 2007. He is a hard worker, who is best against the run. If he somehow made the team, Mattison would move to 3-4 outside linebacker, but because of his lack of athleticism, burst, and pass rushing moves, he probably will not have an NFL career of which to speak.

Alfred Phillips, CB from Wagner

I cannot find anything resembling a scouting report on this guy.

There are still a pair of players out there the Jets at whom should take a strong look. The first is Tommy Blake, a defensive end from TCU. Blake was viewed a potential top fifteen pick before the year started. A pair of mysterious leaves of absence scared teams away as rumors of psychological disorders grew. His teammates and coaches still spoke glowingly of him. He also took a full course load to fulfill a promise to his grandmother than he would graduate from college. No matter what issues the guy may have, these are indications he is a good guy at heart. He also is a terrific pass rusher with great athleticism, who profiles really well as an outside linebacker in a 3-4 scheme. He is explosive, stout at the point of attack, and has a nonstop motor. The ability to find a guy with that much upside at such a low cost almost never happens. The Jets would have to make sure Blake had a tremendous support system surrounding him, but he could team with Vernon Gholston to give Gang Green an elite pass rush for over a decade if he somehow got things together. If he did not, the team would literally lose nothing.

The other player the Jets should try to nab is De'Cody Fagg, a wide receiver from Florida State. Fagg went undrafted after blowing out his knee at the combine. He has a decent frame and is a superb athlete. While his timed speed is slow, he plays faster and his athletic ability allows him to gain separation and outwork opponents for balls. He is also very tough.

Neither of these guys would likely make a dent in 2008. Blake needs to get his life in order, while Fagg needs his knee to heal. However, these investments could pay huge dividends down the line at a ridiculously low cost.
  

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5:51:40 PM EDT With the 113rd pick, the Jets select...

Dwight Lowery, CB from San Jose State

The Jets seemed content to grab a corner at 102 in the fourth round, but Tyvon Branch and Justin King went off the board in the two picks preceding Gang Green's turn on the clock. The Jets then traded with Green Bay, giving up pick 102 in exchange for the fourth round pick from New Orleans the Jets dealt the Packers on Saturday and Green Bay's fifth round selection. With the fourth rounder from New Orelans through Green Bay and themselves, the Jets took Lowery. This was a head-scratcher. Lowery is a project without great cover skills. He figures to top out as a nickel back best suited for a zone or cover two scheme. The Jets passed on Trae Williams from South Florida, a superior man to man corner with starting potential. This team clearly needed to address a glaring need at corner. The problem is that Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini grabbed a guy at the position who figures to contribute very little. The selections of Branch and King were rough, but taking Lowery is not going to fix the deficiencies at corner.

With the 162nd pick, the Jets select...

Erik Ainge, QB from Tennessee

With the other pick obtained from Green Bay, the Jets grabbed a quarterback. Ainge is a great value pick at the end of the fifth round. He has all of the physical tools to be a productive starter in the NFL. He had four years of experience starting against a high level of competition. The issue has always been consistency. Ainge gets sloppy with his mechanics for long periods of time. He has gone into long slumps, which have affected his mental game. The Jets can have patience with Ainge. He will not be expected to do much right off the bat. They can slowly rebuild him and instill in him proper mechanics. This gives the team another option in case Kellen Clemens does not improve, but since the Jets did not invest much in Ainge, Clemens will not have to look over his own shoulder. Finding a guy with Ainge's potential a few picks from the sixth round is terrific. The development of quarterbacks is always hit or miss. With Ainge, the Jets found somebody with the talent to start without having to give up a massive amount of money.

With the 171st pick, the Jets select...

Marcus Henry, WR from Kansas

Standing at 6'4" Henry will serve as a big target down near the goal line, something the team sorely needed. Brian Schottenheimer can start calling for fades to Henry instead of the diminutive Laveranues Coles. Monk did very little until his senior year of college, when he had over 1,000 receiving yards and averaged 18 yards per catch. This could be the case of a late bloomer whom the Jets can develop. In addition to his size, he runs precise short routes, which are essential in this offense. Henry will never be a playmaker down the field, but he is the guy the Jets can bury on the depth chart early in his career to try and develop.

With the 211th pick, the Jets select...

Nate Garner, OT from Arkansas

Garner will probably be able to add some weight to his 6'"6 frame as he currently weighs only 325 pounds.While raw, he does have the potential to develop into a mauler in the run game. Run blocking is his biggest strength. He probably will begin his career on the practice squad.

Final Thoughts:

It is difficult to be too negative regarding a Draft where the Jets addressed their glaring pass rushing deficiencies by picking a player with as much upside as Vernon Gholston. Aside from that, I am not in love with what the Jets did. They reached to grab Dustin Keller to play at tight end, which was not a need. That precluded them from addressing the wide receiver position until later rounds. When they did, they grabbed a vastly inferior receiver in Henry from anybody else they could have had. The low impact selection of Lowery was also uninspiring. The middle rounds are where there is value for guys who will upgrade depth in the trenches. Carl Nicks, a big tackle from Nebraska with tremendous upside, and Athyba Rubin, a potential successor at nose tackle for Kris Jenkins and a guy whose first step would have made him an immediate impact player at 3-4 end, would have been steals, who were on the board well into the second day. Keller had better be one heck of an impact player because this team cost itself a chance to improve up front by picking him and neglecting other needs until later in the Draft, which consequently blew any shot of obtaining depth.


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7:54:49 PM EDT Dustin Keller, TE from Purdue

I was in the midst of writing a second round wish list when the Jets traded with the Packers to move up to pick 30 of the first round. New York gave up its second round pick and the fourth rounder acquired for Jonathan Vilma to select Keller, the tight end from Purdue. This pick leaves significantly more to be desired than did the selection of Vernon Gholston.

Chris Baker made it known in the past week that he is unhappy with his contract status and demanded a trade. The question is why the Jets decided to cut the cord with the disgruntled tight end so soon. The team did not allow for a cooling off period or try to quietly work something out. It seemed awfully soon to declare the relationship between team and player over.

Even if the Jets were done with Baker, the team signed Bubba Franks not only as a blocker but also for insurance in case Baker missed considerable time. Franks is a viable starter. There was also no reason to burn a fourth round pick to move up to pick Keller. The teams between 30 and 36 either lacked a need for a tight end or had more pressing needs.

There was no issue with the Jets trading up. They could have landed Devin Thomas, considered the most complete wide receiver in the Draft. He would have provided a significant upgrade in the slot, an area where the Jets have no proven player. A Coles-Cotchery-Thomas trio would have comprised a complete receiving corps. The Jets also could have landed Limas Sweed, who would have become the big target down by the goalline the team has missed since the Keyshawn Johnson trade or DeSean Jackson, who would have been a sorely-needed deep threat.

The Jets also could have had one of the Draft's top free safeties, either Kenny Phillips or Tyrell Johnson. Either would have provided an instant upgrade at the position. The Jets would have owned an elite young secondary with either safety joining Kerry Rhodes and Darrelle Revis for the forseeable future. The Jets have bigger deficiencies at safety and receiver than at tight end even if Baker is gone.
 
Keller might be athletic with good receiving skills and the ability to exploit a defense at the seams, but Chris Baker, a converted receiver, could do that almost as well if the Jets were able to properly utilize him. He has shown all the skills necessary. The team just has not been able to exploit his strengths. Keller will likely suffer the same fate, and considering his subpar blocking skills, he could become a liability.

Only time will truly tell. Keller could become the next Antonio Gates, but at this point, there is not much to like about this selection. Gang Green overreached for a one-dimensional tight end in a weak year for the position.


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4:48:24 PM EDT Vernon Gholston, OLB/DE from Ohio State

After Darren McFadden and Chris Long came off the board, this was the right pick. It would have been phenomenal to get a gamebreaker like McFadden, but things that good never happen to this franchise. Gholston helps to beef up the pass rush. We have seen time and again, the way to beat the Patriots is to get to Tom Brady. It was how the Jets beat the Pats in November 2006 and shut down arguably the greatest offense in NFL history in December 2007. Everybody of course remembers the whipping the Giants gave the Pats up front in Super Bowl XLII.

The Jets can now show any number of defensive fronts. Bryan Thomas, Shaun Ellis, Calvin Pace, and Gholston can line up in a three point stance or standing up. Eric Mangini can attack from all angles with a deep pash rushing corps. Pace is such a good all-around player that the team might even consider moving him inside and having Thomas and Gholston start outside. Pace has the frame, the coverage skills, and the run stuffing ability to play effectively inside.

Gholston's frame, athleticism, and ability to beat linemen make him born to play outside linebacker in the 3-4. This was an excellent pick.


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2:56:43 PM EDT  I am going to attempt to blog at least part of this afternoon's Draft. The Jets sit picking at 6th in the first round. Their selection will probably be in at 4:00 PM. Jake Long is going to Miami. That is a done deal. The following is a list of potential picks listed by my preference.

1. Darren McFadden: McFadden is the best player in the Draft. He would give the Jets a gamebreaking offensive player for the first time in what seems like forever. He has blazing speed, good pass catching skills, and the tools to work well in any number of gadget plays which Brian Schottenheimer can draw up. There are two knocks on him. The first is that he does not break tackles well. That is just silly. Nobody can dominate a conference as good as the SEC without the ability to be physical and get tough yards. The second knock on him is character. He has had multiple children out of wedlock and been in a few barroom scuffles. Having children out of wedlock is not a character issue. Even if it is, it certainly is not one that has any effect on Sunday. Shannon Sharpe is arguably the greatest tight end in history and had four kids with four different women. He was not married to any of them. The conflicts at bars led to zero criminal investigations, which means they might have just been a bit overblown. McFadden is a special player. With any luck, he will fall to 6.

2. Chris Long: Long is the son of Hall of Famer and FOX analyst Howie Long. He established himself as one of college football's best pass rushers and has experience in the 3-4. While Long might have played end in college, his best position in an NFL 3-4 is outside linebacker. His blend of athleticism, technique, and arsenal of moves would make him a top flight pass rusher. Ends in the 3-4 typically are there to hold the point of attack and tie up blockers. They rarely change games. To maximize his impact, Long needs to play a position where his job will be to get to the quarterback. He is the best pass rushing prospect in the Draft. If the Jets pick him, they will waste him if he plays end.

3. Vernon Gholston: Gholston appears to be the most likely pick at this point. He would not be a bad consolation prize at all. His blend of size, speed, and athleticism make him a prototypical 3-4 outside linebacker. Based on his physical stature and college production, he has drawn comparisons to Shawne Merriman. He registered the only sack against Jake Long last season. Gholston should have a long career leaving defensive coordinators up at night.

4. Matt Ryan: I think it is premature to give up on Kellen Clemens. He has all of the physical tools to succeed. He also showed flashes in his first NFL action last season. Kellen excelled in pressure situations, which is a good indicator of future success for a young quarterback still learning the ropes in the NFL. If Ryan is on the board and the other three are off, the Jets still have to think about taking him. Ryan has all of Chad Pennington's positive attributes. He is tough, smart, and a great leader. He also is a high character guy. Notwithstanding a stretch at the end of last season when he tried to do too much, Ryan protected the football well. He was named the conference's best offensive player twice in two different schemes directed by offensive coordinators with pro experience. Matt also ran two minute drills with no help from his coaching staff. The first time he won the award, he played half the season on a broken ankle. Unlike Pennington, he has the physical tools (a big arm). Kellen Clemens still could turn out to be excellent, but it is better to have two good quarterbacks than none. Ryan is a really good bet to succeed. There has to be some concern about a situation similar to Jacksonville's developing, an inferior quarterback ending up starting for years because he went higher in the Draft, but Ryan is the best bet to be a franchise quarterback in the Draft.

5. Leodis McKelvin:  This would be the pick of need. McKelvin is the best cornerback available. The Jets need somebody to line up opposite Darrelle Revis. McKelvin has terrific cover skills and athleticism. He played at a small school against weak competition, but Troy has produced standouts like Osi Umenyiora and DeMarcus Ware. McKelvin is also an explosive return man who could add to an already stellar special teams corps. Having the top corner in the 2007 Draft class start next to the top guy in the 2008 class would give the Jets a top flight pass defense for years to come.

In just about an hour, one of these guys should be a Jet. Fans should be thrilled to have any of them.


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3:12:17 PM EDT The Jets have signed a pair of free agent running backs to one year contract. Jesse Chatman is leaving Miami to don the green and white, and Tony Richardson chose to become Gang Green's lead blocker. Both bring a new dimension to the club, and both came cheaply. These quiet signings enhance this team's excellent free agent period.

Richardson is an elite blocking fullback. He is a bit undersized for the position at 238 pounds, but his athleticism and technique more than make up for his lack of bulk. Tony is a threat as a receiver and does a good job in short yardage situations. He is versatile enough to play the H-back role the team typically employs at fullback but also excels in a traditional lead blocking role. Tony has guided Priest Holmes, Larry Johnson, and Adrian Peterson. Now he will help the Jets' running game, joining Alan Faneca and Damien Woody as new members of the team's road grating front.

Chatman spent 2007 with the Dolphins. Playing with a lousy offensive line, Jesse still ran for 515 yards and an average of 4.0 per carry. He has an excellent career average of 4.6 yards per rush. The 223 pound bruiser will provide the team with a quality power runner in short yardage situations and a good contrast to cutback runners Thomas Jones and Leon Washington. This was a really nice pickup for depth. Since his contract is so small, Chatman's presence should not preclude the team from picking an elite prospect like Darren McFadden should the back fall to 6 in the Draft. This team carried four tailbacks in 2006. It could again in 2008. This move just adds to the depth, making McFadden more of a luxury and less of a need.

With questions aplenty at quarterback, this team will need to have a quality running game to compete in 2008. Chatman and Richardson add new dimensions and beef up the depth at running back.


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1:13:05 AM EST On the same day the team signed Calvin Pace, the Jets also agreed to terms with free agent lineman Damien Woody. The former Patriot and Lion will make $25.5 million over 5 years. The 30 year old's contract will come with $8 million guaranteed. This probably completes the team's offensive line makeover during the free agency period.

This was a terrific signing. The Jets got Woody at a very reasonable price. The former Pro Bowler has experience at all three spots on the line. Woody has a pair of Super Bowl rings from his time in New England. Having his leadership in the locker room will be invaluable. Damien will probably play right tackle in New York, a position he played very well for the Lions at the end of 2007. Woody represents a significant upgrade over Anthony Clement. He is a mauler in the running game at 335 pounds and is fundamentally sound and athletic as well.  By replacing Clement and Adrien Clarke with Woody and Allan Faneca, Gang Green has turned a weak offensive line into an area of strength.

Because of his age and relative lack of experience at tackle, Woody is a stopgap. The team should still look into investing in an offensive lineman to develop in the Draft. If the Jets took a tackle, Woody could move inside to guard and relegate Brandon Moore to the bench. This team addressed yet another area of weakness by adding a talented and versatile player.


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12:33:53 AM EST The Jets continued their free agent shopping spree by signing Arizona's Calvin Pace to a contract. The outside linebacker will reportedly make $42 million over 6 years. $22 million will be guaranteed. It is another refreshing display of Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini aggressively addressing an area of weakness.

There is no doubt that the Jets gave way too much money to Pace if those salary numbers are accurate. It is one of the biggest contracts ever for a linebacker, and it went to a guy who has put together one good year. A much more established player, Lance Briggs, did not make make out that well. This move was still sensible for the Jets. The current nature of NFL free agency requires teams to overpay if they want to acquire talent. This would be more worrisome if the team's general manager was not a cap wizard. After Mike Tannenbaum's miraculous renegotiations in the 2005-2006 offseason to put the team from the league's most dire cap situation into a good one without gutting the roster, fans should be assured that he will be able to get out of any financial mess. Giving out big salaries becomes worth the risk.  Coupling this with the way the salary cap is rising and a realistic possibility of labor strife leading to its elimination, there should be little room for concern even if this deal seems fiscally irresponsible. The actual contract numbers may be less than the media is reporting as well. We have already received faulty reports about the return for Jonathan Vilma, a deal of Dewayne Robertson to Cincinnati, Pace signing with Miami, and Kris Jenkins making far more than the $30.25 million/$9 million guaranteed than he actually received in his contract.

Pace is a great addition. At 6'4" and 272 pounds, he is a perfect size to play strong side outside linebacker. He is big enough to shed blocks and provide support in the run game. He is also extremely athletic. After struggling early in his career due to bad coaching and being miscast in systems for which he was ill-suited, he seemed to find a niche when moved to 3-4 outside linebacker in 2007. He posted 6.5 sacks. There is still a lot of room to improve since he is only 27 years old and has terrific athleticism. As he grows more comfortable with his new position, refining his technique and awareness, Pace has the potential to grow into the kind of guy for whom defenses always need to account. This deal is a gamble for the Jets, but the team at least rolled the dice with aguy talented enough to pay back the investment.

This move gives the Jets flexibility in the upcoming Draft. The pass rush probably still needs to be upgraded, but the team can probably survive for a year with Pace and Bryan Thomas. Now the team can at least afford to pass on Vernon Gholston or Chris Long if Darren McFadden is available. Gang Green filled another gaping hole and found an upgrade over Victor Hobson.


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12:20:18 AM EST After a period of intense speculation, the Jets announced on Saturday that they have reached a deal with free agent guard Alan Faneca. The former Steeler will sign a 5 year contract worth $40 million. $21 million will be guaranteed in the richest contract for an offensive lineman in NFL history. This is one of the best moves this franchise has made in a long time.

Faneca is a seven time Pro Bowler. He is a major force in the running game and holds his own in pass protection. He represents a monumental upgrade over Adrien Clarke. He will be able to help D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold the same way Pete Kendall did. The main difference is that Faneca is a substantially more effective lineman. D'Brickashaw will thrive next to Faneca as he will no longer have worry about covering for a missed assignment by the left guard as he did constantly when playing next to Clarke. Alan can also help compensate for Ferguson's deficiencies in run blocking. Thomas Jones and Leon Washington will see more daylight than they ever have as Jets. Kellen Clemens will actually have time to throw and avoid falling into bad habits that arise when one repeatedly has to rush one's throwing mechanics. With this single move, the Jets have transformed their offensive line from a liability into an asset.

There are other hidden benefits to this deal. It will increase fan confidence in ownership. When the team did next to nothing in free agency after a successful 2006 season, there was some lingering concern within the fanbase that Johnson was a tightwad. The Jets had never made a huge splash during Woody's ownership. His two head coaches, Herman Edwards and Eric Mangini, have been among the lowest paid in the league. The reason Edwards left was over money. Fans can now be assured that their owner is not afraid to put out money to bring New York a winner.

This contract also sends a message to NFL players. The front office played hardball with Pete Kendall, and storm clouds are gathering over Laveranues Coles. In addition, Kevin left New York on bitter terms. When respected veterans feel that they have been shafted, word starts to spread. The Jets could have gotten a bad reputation in league circles about being unwilling to treat veterans with proper respect (this is money in player language), which could have made players leery about coming to the Jets in the future. This signing will give Mike Tannenbaum and Eric Mangini more credibility in relation to players in negotiations. They have shown that they are not stingy penny-pinchers who only worry about the bottom line. They will pay for talent.

Anybody who does not like this move from the Jets' perspective is crazy. It turned a glaring weakness into a major strength. It would have been nice to find a younger, cheaper player, but teams are keeping their own talent thanks to the rising salary cap. Faneca may be aging, but he is still among the best in the game. As much as he will help D'Brickashaw Ferguson and Nick Mangold, they will make him better. Part of his perceived decline during his last year in Pittsburgh was due to instability at the left tackle and center positions. Offensive lines function as a unit. The Jets now have three elite talents next to each other on the left side. Things are starting to look bright for 2008.


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1:41:09 AM EST The Jets have acquired Kris Jenkins from Carolina. The 28 year old three-time Pro Bowler will be the new anchor for New York's defensive front. The team has a quality nose tackle for the first time in the Eric Mangini Era. Fans will finally have a chance to see how the 3-4 defense is supposed to look. Jenkins is the run stuffer on the line the team has lacked since Jason Ferguson left after the 2004 season. The Jets had to give up a third round and a fifth round pick in the 2008 Draft. It was well worth the price.

Jenkins comes with his share of question marks, but they should not prevent him from being an excellent nose tackle. The first issue is that he has never played in the 3-4 before. For much of his career in Carolina, he was one gap undertackle. Just because he has never played on the nose in the 3-4 before does not mean that he is not capable. At 6'4" and 349 pounds, he is certainly big enough. His quickness forces consistent double teams, and his power at the point of attack allows him to shed blocks well. Jenkins also has a nonstop motor. This skill set translates favorably to the nose tackle position.

Another issue is the fashion in which he left Carolina. It was not a good situation as Jenkins had publicly critical of the club during the season. That should not be an immediate problem in New York. Most malcontents are on their best behavior as they start out with a new team, thankful to get a second chance. Jenkins is saying all of the right things at the start. Down the road his behavior might be an issue, but this move provided too much of an upgrade not to risk it.

Jenkins' health is another risk. He has battled knee issues during his career, playing only 5 games combined in 2004 and 2005. Kris has turned a corner since, though. He has played every game for the past two seasons. The primary job of the nose tackle in a 3-4
is to clog running lanes. Gang Green only needs Jenkins to be a two down player. The team also can rotate Jenkins with Sione Pouha, who received a contract extension on Friday, to keep him fresh.

A pair of Draft picks might seem like a heavy price to pay on top of a 5 year, $35 million contract the team handed Jenkins. It is completely worth it. This team has had defensive issues up front for the past two years. The opposition has dominated the middle of the line against Dewayne Robertson. Jenkins will keep New York stout at the point of attack and improve the run defense markedly. He is going to make the lives of Shaun Ellis, Kenyon Coleman, and David Harris much easier by doing the grunt work in the middle of the line. If nothing else, Jenkins will be a viable stop gap who will give the Jets time to find and develop their nose tackle of the future.


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