Archives
March 2008
3/10/08
3/4/08
3/4/08
Jets Ink Pace
3/2/08
3/1/08
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
12:33:00 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.
Written by georgecoztanza Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | 
digg this
12:33:00 AM EST
Jets Ink Pace
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.
Written by georgecoztanza Blog about this entry |
Add to del.icio.us | digg this
