With two big moves in the 2009 NFL Draft, the Jets showed they were worried about quality not quantity when it cam to draft strategy.
After trading up for Mark Sanchez in round 1, GM Mike Tannenbaum and Head Coach Rex Ryan decided to roll the dice again and bundle most of the rest of their 2009 picks in a bid to grab arguably the top remaining running back left on the board, Iowa Hawkeye Shonn Greene.
With many Jets fans wondering what is so special about Greene, here is my analysis of the newest Gang Green power running back and how he might fit in the new regime's plans.
Ht: 5-10 (1/2) - Wt 227
Pluses
Greene is an incredibly powerful runner, who can not only show patience in waiting for a hole to develop and the vision to see it happening, but is very tough to bring down for the defense. When they do drag him down, he'll get you that extra distance more by falling forward. He also gets stronger as the game goes on and doesn't easily tire out.
Even though he is older than your average rookie (at 24), he actually doesn't have much wear and tear on those legs. He doesn't cough the ball up, is a very hard worker and a solid team player.
Minus
While he is a very good inside runner, he has problems getting outside and turning the corner. He's not terribly fast and he won't be winning any footraces against most defenders.
There are some doubts about his football IQ and while he shows patience waiting for a play to develop, he sometimes appears indecisive. As he missed some games with shoulder and knee injuries early in his career and has had ankle injuries during his college career.
How It Comes Together
Many feel this pick was a shot across Thomas Jones' bow to end his holdout, but I don't know that's the case. Erik Boland put it best in his Jets Blog on Newsday - even if Jones wasn't holding out, the guy is 31.
The classic thought on running backs is that 30 is the beginning of the end and while Jones has continued to play well, how much tread does he have left? Boland is right - they needed to get younger at the position and look towards the future.
If Jones holds out, the Jets bring Greene in and run him between the tackles while Leon Washington continues to work the outside. Greene can wear the defense down and then Washington can light them up.
If Jones doesn't hold out, or if Greene struggles in camp, he can still rotate in on occasion and give Jones a breather throughout the season as he gets his NFL legs.
And when Jones is done, Greene can move into the backfield with a year of experience and get the hard yards.
Either way I think Greene has a very good chance to be the future power back in an offense that will be geared to the power run behind an offensive line that is built to succeed in the arena.
This will also take pressure off Mark Sanchez if he starts this year or Kellen Clemens if Sanchez gets a year holding a clipboard.
The biggest question is whether the Jets bypassed bigger needs with the trade (there were several solid defensive linemen they could have drafted at that spot or later if they didn't trade up) or if they gave up too much to move up from their position in the third to the top of the round.
Time will tell. What is certain is the fact that the Jets saw an opportunity to jump up and grab at the brass ring not once but twice.
In what is considered an overall weak draft class, they decided that it wasn't how many picks they had or how many rookies they could throw on the field, but instead the quality of those players and what they could mean for the franchise in the long term.
Showing posts with label New York Jets. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New York Jets. Show all posts
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Shock And Awe: The Winners and Losers for Day 1 of the 2009 NFL Draft
It's a little bit folly to try and really declare winners and losers for a draft that isn't even finished, much less a day old. Players haven't even stepped on a NFL field yet, and some may not pay off for several years to come, forget this season.
Still, by the end of Saturday, it's a worthwhile endeavor to examine some teams who have ended up looking smart and others....
Well, not so much.
So with the realization in mind that we still don't know everything - here are the teams who made our jaws drop, though not always for good reasons.
The Shock
Oakland Raiders
Maybe Al Davis and his Raiders will prove us all wrong, but right now their draft can be summed up in an exchange I saw between Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times (where the Raiders once resided) and Raiders beat writer Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (which is close to Oakland i suppose).
Farmer: Why were the Raiders reaching like that in the second?
Jones: They reach because that's what they do.
They weren't going to go offensive tackle, despite the need, because that's not really the Raiders way.
And I knew they weren't going to grab Crabtree, whether or not he was the best wide receiver on the board at the time. Crabtree's lack of timed 40 speed made it impossible because Davis is crazy for speed like the bird in that cereal commercial is coo-coo for cocoa puffs.
But I never thought he would bypass Missouri's Jeremy Maclin, who had the speed and a more developed game. I'm a little nonplussed.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish Heyward-Bey a failed career and he will probably turn out ok. But picking him up at 7, when they could have traded back and picked him later?
That's just not achieving maximum value.
Worse, the team manages to follow it up with an even bigger reach in choosing Ohio Safety Michael Mitchell, a guy most people didn't even have ranked in their drafts much less the second round.
Mitchell also may develop into a solid player, but right now he looks like a workout warrior and a huge reach as the third safety off the board behind Patrick Chung of Oregon and Louis Delmas of Western Michigan.
It's one thing to fall in love with a player. It's another to waste a pick five rounds early.
The Raiders have five picks on Sunday, two in the fourth round. They can recover, given the tremendous value still on the board, but if they keep picking like this, they might as well throw darts at a list on the wall.
Dallas Cowboys
How can I say it's a bad draft when they didn't draft anyone?
Bad enough the Cowboys didn't have a pick for the first round due to last year's wheeling and dealing, but they then traded out of the second.
Meanwhile, value continued to tumble by them in the form of solid safeties, wide receivers and defensive ends.
Maybe it's not bad in the sense the Raiders draft was on Saturday but it's shocking to watch the usually wheeling Cowboys nuetered and missing out on the value on the board.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns made a big move back when the Jets traded for the fifth pick and Mark Sanchez (more on that in a minute) and were poised to grab some great value all day long.
Instead, they kept moving backwards accumulating more and more picks. And when they did spend them, it's questionable whether they took the best value on the board.
I can't argue with the selection of Alex Mack. The center from Cal is a versatile lineman who can work at almost any position along the line. And Brian Robiskie is a polished, fast receiver who runs a solid route tree and will contribute early, especially if Braylon Edwards is traded on day two.
But the Browns can't rush the passer and need a linebacker or top flight defensive lineman.
I say need because while Mack is a great center, USC linebackers Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga as well as Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitus were on the board still.
Maualuga was in fact still on the board when Robiskie was picked. While offensive line and wide receiver were needs, the pass rush was a bigger one and with several very good linebackers on the board, the Browns chose to fill less important needs.
They also bypassed shoring up their need at cornerback by letting Vontae Davis and Alphonso Smith sneak away as well.
And as much as I think Hawaii defensive end/linebacker convert David Veikune will be a good upside pick, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was a luxury, especially behind the Robiskie pick.
Massaquoi may become a good possession receiver down the road, but they could have grabbed a corner, safety or even replace Winslow at tight end.
For a team with so many holes who is rebuilding, it seems like they filled few of them with four picks in the first two rounds.
The Browns have four more picks on Sunday - one in the fourth and three in the six. Lots of defensive talent remains on the board and I hope they can recover from a lackluster day one.
The Awe
New York Jets
Jet Nation is a tad split over the selection of USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, especially given the talent that slid out of the first round and through the second. But when you look at the price they paid, it's more than reasonable for a possible franchise quarterback.
Defensive end Kenyon Coleman, quarterback Brett Ratliff and safety Abram Elam were players who in all likelihood would get cut before camp or in Ratliff's case, clearly hadn't impressed the new regime all that much.
Aside from that, adding the second rounder to a swap that spanned twelve spots between first rounders is a marginal price to pay.
The Jets have put themselves in a position where they cannot make many mistakes on day two though. They have four more picks on Sunday spread across four of the five rounds.
As I said with the Browns, there are many value picks to be had but the Jets have to be conservative to a great extent. They already rolled their dice once and that's as much as they can risk.
Detroit Lions
I will openly admit - and it's a shock to nobody who has read my work the last few months - that I do not agree with the Stafford pick. It's not an awful pick - just not one I believe had to happen this year.
Yet, Stafford could develop into a nice franchise quarterback and he is far from awful. While I may not agree with the strategy to rebuild the franchise, it's a solid pick.
On the surface, Brandon Pettigrew at 20 made me wince as well. But, like Stafford, Pettigrew is considered the top at his position and on top of it, he's a tremendous blocker.
He's no offensive tackle but he will be able to stay in and protect Stafford. A pick that is more shrewd than i gave it credit for at first. As Stafford and the oline get better, Pettigrew can release and become more of a pass catching tight end.
Finally, hard hitting cornerback Louis Delmas. Again, top at his position. And Delmas is the type of hard nosed player who could help give this defense a personality - something it greatly lacks.
The Lions are looking to become more physical on the defensive side of the ball and Delmas will bring that in spades. They also need some help in the secondary and this fills that hole.
Three picks. Three players arguably at the top of their class. They may not have filled all their needs but the ones they did fill were given top talent.
With five picks on day two, including the first in round three and another later the same round, the Lions stand to pick up some very good value. They could easily pull someone like Jarron Gilbert or Michael Johnson to help fill the defensive line hole, pick up the top guard on the board in Duke Robinson or even a decent tackle like South Carolina's Jamon Meredith.
New England Patriots
The rich get richer. And richer. And richer.
How the organization ended up with the same amount of picks they started with, but also an embarrassment of riches in players is beyond me, but that's how they end up being the great team they are every year.
Four picks in the second and every one a value.
Patrick Chung, second best safety in the class brings some thump to the secondary and will make receivers pay dearly.
Defensive tackle Ron Brace got overlooked a bit with BJ raji getting the love at Boston College, but will stuff the run as good as anyone in the draft class and is likely to take over for Vince Wilfork at the nose tackle.
Darius Butler, one of the top corners in the draft, probably won't start this coming season but will take over in the aging secondary within the next year or two.
And while Sebastian Vollmer is a project for the offensive line, he will develop into a nice right tackle and used to play tight end, so he has the versatility to move around for trick plays if need be.
And, oh by the way - they have seven more picks. By the end of the draft they may have multiple picks for next years draft as well.
Before I let you go, dear reader, here are a few teams I am on the fence about. Tomorrow could be pivotal for them.
San Francisco 49ers: One pick, but what value. But you better build on Crabtree use your remaining six picks wisely.
Houston Texans: Methodically took care of two key needs with picks of USC LB Clay Matthews and DE Connor Barwin. Six more picks to shore up the corners and get a back to compliment Steve Slaton.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Almost made the Awe list, but as much as I loved watching them grab two very good offensive tackles in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, passing on Crabtree and Maclin and then a host of good defensive line prospects makes me wonder if last season's Oline injury woes didn't get in their head too much.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Did you really need to leap up and pay the price you did to move a few spots? Especially since nobody in front of you was likely to grab your choice of Josh Freeman? Six picks on day two and like the Jets you'd beter make them count. Unlike the Jets though, your new franchise quarterback is a far bigger project and has more question marks.
Still, by the end of Saturday, it's a worthwhile endeavor to examine some teams who have ended up looking smart and others....
Well, not so much.
So with the realization in mind that we still don't know everything - here are the teams who made our jaws drop, though not always for good reasons.
The Shock
Oakland Raiders
Maybe Al Davis and his Raiders will prove us all wrong, but right now their draft can be summed up in an exchange I saw between Sam Farmer of the Los Angeles Times (where the Raiders once resided) and Raiders beat writer Jason Jones of the Sacramento Bee (which is close to Oakland i suppose).
Farmer: Why were the Raiders reaching like that in the second?
Jones: They reach because that's what they do.
They weren't going to go offensive tackle, despite the need, because that's not really the Raiders way.
And I knew they weren't going to grab Crabtree, whether or not he was the best wide receiver on the board at the time. Crabtree's lack of timed 40 speed made it impossible because Davis is crazy for speed like the bird in that cereal commercial is coo-coo for cocoa puffs.
But I never thought he would bypass Missouri's Jeremy Maclin, who had the speed and a more developed game. I'm a little nonplussed.
Don't get me wrong, I don't wish Heyward-Bey a failed career and he will probably turn out ok. But picking him up at 7, when they could have traded back and picked him later?
That's just not achieving maximum value.
Worse, the team manages to follow it up with an even bigger reach in choosing Ohio Safety Michael Mitchell, a guy most people didn't even have ranked in their drafts much less the second round.
Mitchell also may develop into a solid player, but right now he looks like a workout warrior and a huge reach as the third safety off the board behind Patrick Chung of Oregon and Louis Delmas of Western Michigan.
It's one thing to fall in love with a player. It's another to waste a pick five rounds early.
The Raiders have five picks on Sunday, two in the fourth round. They can recover, given the tremendous value still on the board, but if they keep picking like this, they might as well throw darts at a list on the wall.
Dallas Cowboys
How can I say it's a bad draft when they didn't draft anyone?
Bad enough the Cowboys didn't have a pick for the first round due to last year's wheeling and dealing, but they then traded out of the second.
Meanwhile, value continued to tumble by them in the form of solid safeties, wide receivers and defensive ends.
Maybe it's not bad in the sense the Raiders draft was on Saturday but it's shocking to watch the usually wheeling Cowboys nuetered and missing out on the value on the board.
Cleveland Browns
The Browns made a big move back when the Jets traded for the fifth pick and Mark Sanchez (more on that in a minute) and were poised to grab some great value all day long.
Instead, they kept moving backwards accumulating more and more picks. And when they did spend them, it's questionable whether they took the best value on the board.
I can't argue with the selection of Alex Mack. The center from Cal is a versatile lineman who can work at almost any position along the line. And Brian Robiskie is a polished, fast receiver who runs a solid route tree and will contribute early, especially if Braylon Edwards is traded on day two.
But the Browns can't rush the passer and need a linebacker or top flight defensive lineman.
I say need because while Mack is a great center, USC linebackers Clay Matthews and Rey Maualuga as well as Ohio State linebacker James Laurinaitus were on the board still.
Maualuga was in fact still on the board when Robiskie was picked. While offensive line and wide receiver were needs, the pass rush was a bigger one and with several very good linebackers on the board, the Browns chose to fill less important needs.
They also bypassed shoring up their need at cornerback by letting Vontae Davis and Alphonso Smith sneak away as well.
And as much as I think Hawaii defensive end/linebacker convert David Veikune will be a good upside pick, wide receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was a luxury, especially behind the Robiskie pick.
Massaquoi may become a good possession receiver down the road, but they could have grabbed a corner, safety or even replace Winslow at tight end.
For a team with so many holes who is rebuilding, it seems like they filled few of them with four picks in the first two rounds.
The Browns have four more picks on Sunday - one in the fourth and three in the six. Lots of defensive talent remains on the board and I hope they can recover from a lackluster day one.
The Awe
New York Jets
Jet Nation is a tad split over the selection of USC quarterback Mark Sanchez, especially given the talent that slid out of the first round and through the second. But when you look at the price they paid, it's more than reasonable for a possible franchise quarterback.
Defensive end Kenyon Coleman, quarterback Brett Ratliff and safety Abram Elam were players who in all likelihood would get cut before camp or in Ratliff's case, clearly hadn't impressed the new regime all that much.
Aside from that, adding the second rounder to a swap that spanned twelve spots between first rounders is a marginal price to pay.
The Jets have put themselves in a position where they cannot make many mistakes on day two though. They have four more picks on Sunday spread across four of the five rounds.
As I said with the Browns, there are many value picks to be had but the Jets have to be conservative to a great extent. They already rolled their dice once and that's as much as they can risk.
Detroit Lions
I will openly admit - and it's a shock to nobody who has read my work the last few months - that I do not agree with the Stafford pick. It's not an awful pick - just not one I believe had to happen this year.
Yet, Stafford could develop into a nice franchise quarterback and he is far from awful. While I may not agree with the strategy to rebuild the franchise, it's a solid pick.
On the surface, Brandon Pettigrew at 20 made me wince as well. But, like Stafford, Pettigrew is considered the top at his position and on top of it, he's a tremendous blocker.
He's no offensive tackle but he will be able to stay in and protect Stafford. A pick that is more shrewd than i gave it credit for at first. As Stafford and the oline get better, Pettigrew can release and become more of a pass catching tight end.
Finally, hard hitting cornerback Louis Delmas. Again, top at his position. And Delmas is the type of hard nosed player who could help give this defense a personality - something it greatly lacks.
The Lions are looking to become more physical on the defensive side of the ball and Delmas will bring that in spades. They also need some help in the secondary and this fills that hole.
Three picks. Three players arguably at the top of their class. They may not have filled all their needs but the ones they did fill were given top talent.
With five picks on day two, including the first in round three and another later the same round, the Lions stand to pick up some very good value. They could easily pull someone like Jarron Gilbert or Michael Johnson to help fill the defensive line hole, pick up the top guard on the board in Duke Robinson or even a decent tackle like South Carolina's Jamon Meredith.
New England Patriots
The rich get richer. And richer. And richer.
How the organization ended up with the same amount of picks they started with, but also an embarrassment of riches in players is beyond me, but that's how they end up being the great team they are every year.
Four picks in the second and every one a value.
Patrick Chung, second best safety in the class brings some thump to the secondary and will make receivers pay dearly.
Defensive tackle Ron Brace got overlooked a bit with BJ raji getting the love at Boston College, but will stuff the run as good as anyone in the draft class and is likely to take over for Vince Wilfork at the nose tackle.
Darius Butler, one of the top corners in the draft, probably won't start this coming season but will take over in the aging secondary within the next year or two.
And while Sebastian Vollmer is a project for the offensive line, he will develop into a nice right tackle and used to play tight end, so he has the versatility to move around for trick plays if need be.
And, oh by the way - they have seven more picks. By the end of the draft they may have multiple picks for next years draft as well.
Before I let you go, dear reader, here are a few teams I am on the fence about. Tomorrow could be pivotal for them.
San Francisco 49ers: One pick, but what value. But you better build on Crabtree use your remaining six picks wisely.
Houston Texans: Methodically took care of two key needs with picks of USC LB Clay Matthews and DE Connor Barwin. Six more picks to shore up the corners and get a back to compliment Steve Slaton.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Almost made the Awe list, but as much as I loved watching them grab two very good offensive tackles in Eugene Monroe and Eben Britton, passing on Crabtree and Maclin and then a host of good defensive line prospects makes me wonder if last season's Oline injury woes didn't get in their head too much.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Did you really need to leap up and pay the price you did to move a few spots? Especially since nobody in front of you was likely to grab your choice of Josh Freeman? Six picks on day two and like the Jets you'd beter make them count. Unlike the Jets though, your new franchise quarterback is a far bigger project and has more question marks.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Interview Transcript: Jarron Gilbert, DT, San Jose St.
So as most of you ho read my stuff know, I attended both California and San Jose State Pro Days last week and interviewed a bunch of players including hot defensive tackle Prospect Jarron Gilbert, who spent a ton of time with Jet Head Coach Rex Ryan during defensive line drills.
I would go so far as to say if Ryan spent any more time with Gilbert I would have expected him to get down on one knee and offer his giant Super Bowl ring up in a proposal.
Which is not to say that the Jets will absolutely pick Gilbert as their second, maybe third round pick. First, he may flat out not be there. Mind you, the Jets showed last year with Dustin Keller that they have a willingness to move up if need be for a player they fall in love with.
But they are doing their homework and that has to make Jets fans happy. Ryan has been all over the place and the jets have been working out, interviewing and investigating a ton of players, as you can see in my team interest article on Draftguys.com.
That list looks as long as the one the Patriots have built and we all know how good they are at working the draft.
You can find the interview with Gilbert, as well as the ones I did with Coye Francies and Chris Owens here and also see this transcript and a ton of other great NFL Draft information at NFLDraftbible.com.
I will be at both USC's and Hawaii's Pro Days next week, so more interview transcripts from
those schools, as well as interviews with players from San Jose State, California, Stanford and more over the coming weeks.
Enjoy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garda: I’m here with Jarron Gilbert, who just had a pretty good Pro Day. Today you spent a lot of time with Rex Ryan–how did that go?
Gilbert: Oh, it went good. We just went through some drills–I think I did pretty good with him, picking things up. Just had a pretty good day out here.
Garda: It definitely looked like you had a very good day. You’ve got a great deal of athleticism. How do you approach the game when you have a good natural, God-given talent? What does that allow you to do that some other players sometimes don’t get a chance to because they have to work a little bit harder at it? When things come easy like that because you have that natural athleticism, how does that change your approach to the game?
Gilbert: Well, I think I’m a lot more comfortable and confident in trying new moves or trying to do things with my body in the trenches that other guys might be afraid to do. Like certain spin moves and just using my speed to beat guys with athleticism and just get around them.
Garda: Ok, I’m sure everybody has asked you this, but the YouTube video? How did that come about?
Gilbert: This is my 1,000th time answering the question, but I heard something our strength coaches said, that Adam Archuleta, the former safety, could jump out of a pool and he was kind of a freak athlete. And everybody was shocked and amazed by it. But I thought to myself it wasn’t a big deal so I went and tried it and brought a video camera out and went out there and did it. No failed attempts, no bloopers.
Garda: You were the 2008 WAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. That speaks to a great deal of consistency as well as production. What goes into your day to day workout routine that allows you to reach such a high-level of play?
Gilbert: Well, during the season I watched a whole lot of film and studied my opponents to a tee. I knew everything about them going into the week, so that really helped me during the season. And I had a lot of free time during the semester, I only took one unit during the semester and that was archery. I had already graduated so it gave me a lot of time to really study my opponent and a lot of confidence going into the game. So, it helped me out there on the field.
Garda: So film study…A lot of guys–the gym, the field–that’s their biggest focus, but it sounds like film study to you is as important as anything else in the game.
Gilbert: Yeah, film study and staying strong during the week, staying healthy. Getting in the training room and getting in the weight room and getting my body back to its peak for Saturday. That was the biggest thing for me.
Garda: So coming away from the day, what do you feel was the best part of your workout, what do you think probably left people with the best impression of you?
Gilbert: My broad jump I think was probably the most impressive thing of the day. I jumped a 10’7” on broad. I jumped a 9’11” at the Combine, but I just couldn’t stick it for some reason at the Combine so I had to do it about nine or ten times. But I got out here today and I jumped a good number. I think it impressed a lot of people.
Garda: What do you feel was the biggest difference between the two things? What did you do differently between the Combine and now, either training or otherwise? That’s a pretty decent increase from what you jumped from one to the other.
Gilbert: Yeah well, at the Combine I was landing around 10’4” I think–10’4”/10’5”-ish but I couldn’t stick it, so by the time I stuck it on the eight or ninth try, it was a 9’11”. But I got out here and was able to stick it today.
Garda: It seems like that's happening a lot, actually. Chris Wells did like, fifteen, as I remember watching. Last question, then I will let you go. You’re able to not only produce plays out in space, once a player has gotten past the line of scrimmage, you get in the backfield and you cause a ruckus back there as well. What do you do that gives you that edge so you can get into the backfield and disrupt a play before it even really takes off?
Gilbert: I’m just quick off the ball. Quick with a good first step, and I get strong at the point of attack which allows me to get a lot of penetration. I came into the season pretty much a three year starter at end and moved inside, so coming inside I felt more athletic and quicker dealing with the guards then they’re used to. So being able to get off with speed really helped me out.
Garda: Well, you definitely had a good day today. The experience you bring to the table starting as many games as you have is certainly something that’s valuable at the NFL level, so I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing you on draft day when they call out your name.
Gilbert: Thank you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My thoughts: Gilbert is an intriguing prospect and one people have moved up on their boards significantly. He can either play tackle in a 4-3 or move to end as a five-technique in a 3-4. He would fit well with the Jets 3-4 scheme and it would be nice to finally see the Jets draft guys who can play the scheme they have, rather than try to jam a guy into a scheme they don't fit. Guys like Vernon Gholston aren't busts yet (it's too soon, I don't care what anyone says) but the Jets have drafted guys who didn't fit their defense for years, ever since Mangini came into the picture in fact.
A guy like Gilbert is a tweener, not fitting into any one category easily. But that versatility can also be a strength for some teams.
He looked smooth and solid on his Pro Day, so that may allay some fears about his technique being a little sloppy. Follow up private workouts may get teams a better look at how he uses his hands and perhaps a closer look at effort and motor, something some scouts have been concerned with.
I like Gilbert a ton and think he's worthy of a late second, early third round pick - and he may go earlier than that.
I would go so far as to say if Ryan spent any more time with Gilbert I would have expected him to get down on one knee and offer his giant Super Bowl ring up in a proposal.
Which is not to say that the Jets will absolutely pick Gilbert as their second, maybe third round pick. First, he may flat out not be there. Mind you, the Jets showed last year with Dustin Keller that they have a willingness to move up if need be for a player they fall in love with.
But they are doing their homework and that has to make Jets fans happy. Ryan has been all over the place and the jets have been working out, interviewing and investigating a ton of players, as you can see in my team interest article on Draftguys.com.
That list looks as long as the one the Patriots have built and we all know how good they are at working the draft.
You can find the interview with Gilbert, as well as the ones I did with Coye Francies and Chris Owens here and also see this transcript and a ton of other great NFL Draft information at NFLDraftbible.com.
I will be at both USC's and Hawaii's Pro Days next week, so more interview transcripts from
those schools, as well as interviews with players from San Jose State, California, Stanford and more over the coming weeks.
Enjoy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garda: I’m here with Jarron Gilbert, who just had a pretty good Pro Day. Today you spent a lot of time with Rex Ryan–how did that go?
Gilbert: Oh, it went good. We just went through some drills–I think I did pretty good with him, picking things up. Just had a pretty good day out here.
Garda: It definitely looked like you had a very good day. You’ve got a great deal of athleticism. How do you approach the game when you have a good natural, God-given talent? What does that allow you to do that some other players sometimes don’t get a chance to because they have to work a little bit harder at it? When things come easy like that because you have that natural athleticism, how does that change your approach to the game?
Gilbert: Well, I think I’m a lot more comfortable and confident in trying new moves or trying to do things with my body in the trenches that other guys might be afraid to do. Like certain spin moves and just using my speed to beat guys with athleticism and just get around them.
Garda: Ok, I’m sure everybody has asked you this, but the YouTube video? How did that come about?
Gilbert: This is my 1,000th time answering the question, but I heard something our strength coaches said, that Adam Archuleta, the former safety, could jump out of a pool and he was kind of a freak athlete. And everybody was shocked and amazed by it. But I thought to myself it wasn’t a big deal so I went and tried it and brought a video camera out and went out there and did it. No failed attempts, no bloopers.
Garda: You were the 2008 WAC Co-Defensive Player of the Year. That speaks to a great deal of consistency as well as production. What goes into your day to day workout routine that allows you to reach such a high-level of play?
Gilbert: Well, during the season I watched a whole lot of film and studied my opponents to a tee. I knew everything about them going into the week, so that really helped me during the season. And I had a lot of free time during the semester, I only took one unit during the semester and that was archery. I had already graduated so it gave me a lot of time to really study my opponent and a lot of confidence going into the game. So, it helped me out there on the field.
Garda: So film study…A lot of guys–the gym, the field–that’s their biggest focus, but it sounds like film study to you is as important as anything else in the game.
Gilbert: Yeah, film study and staying strong during the week, staying healthy. Getting in the training room and getting in the weight room and getting my body back to its peak for Saturday. That was the biggest thing for me.
Garda: So coming away from the day, what do you feel was the best part of your workout, what do you think probably left people with the best impression of you?
Gilbert: My broad jump I think was probably the most impressive thing of the day. I jumped a 10’7” on broad. I jumped a 9’11” at the Combine, but I just couldn’t stick it for some reason at the Combine so I had to do it about nine or ten times. But I got out here today and I jumped a good number. I think it impressed a lot of people.
Garda: What do you feel was the biggest difference between the two things? What did you do differently between the Combine and now, either training or otherwise? That’s a pretty decent increase from what you jumped from one to the other.
Gilbert: Yeah well, at the Combine I was landing around 10’4” I think–10’4”/10’5”-ish but I couldn’t stick it, so by the time I stuck it on the eight or ninth try, it was a 9’11”. But I got out here and was able to stick it today.
Garda: It seems like that's happening a lot, actually. Chris Wells did like, fifteen, as I remember watching. Last question, then I will let you go. You’re able to not only produce plays out in space, once a player has gotten past the line of scrimmage, you get in the backfield and you cause a ruckus back there as well. What do you do that gives you that edge so you can get into the backfield and disrupt a play before it even really takes off?
Gilbert: I’m just quick off the ball. Quick with a good first step, and I get strong at the point of attack which allows me to get a lot of penetration. I came into the season pretty much a three year starter at end and moved inside, so coming inside I felt more athletic and quicker dealing with the guards then they’re used to. So being able to get off with speed really helped me out.
Garda: Well, you definitely had a good day today. The experience you bring to the table starting as many games as you have is certainly something that’s valuable at the NFL level, so I wish you the best of luck and look forward to seeing you on draft day when they call out your name.
Gilbert: Thank you.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My thoughts: Gilbert is an intriguing prospect and one people have moved up on their boards significantly. He can either play tackle in a 4-3 or move to end as a five-technique in a 3-4. He would fit well with the Jets 3-4 scheme and it would be nice to finally see the Jets draft guys who can play the scheme they have, rather than try to jam a guy into a scheme they don't fit. Guys like Vernon Gholston aren't busts yet (it's too soon, I don't care what anyone says) but the Jets have drafted guys who didn't fit their defense for years, ever since Mangini came into the picture in fact.
A guy like Gilbert is a tweener, not fitting into any one category easily. But that versatility can also be a strength for some teams.
He looked smooth and solid on his Pro Day, so that may allay some fears about his technique being a little sloppy. Follow up private workouts may get teams a better look at how he uses his hands and perhaps a closer look at effort and motor, something some scouts have been concerned with.
I like Gilbert a ton and think he's worthy of a late second, early third round pick - and he may go earlier than that.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Monday NFL Draft News and Notes
Week three of the Pro Day Meat Market has commenced and there are a ton of schools over the next six days who will be hosting NFL Scouts and Staff to their home campus to give their guys a look and maybe a shot at being grabbed by a team in April.
I mentioned many schools to look for in this week's Pro Day Rewind as well as my impromtu Pro Day episode of All Access Football show, but honestly there is no way to cover every school and even the players who aren't having their expos are news in some cases.
Here are some of the big pieces today and my thoughts on them:
DE Michael Johnson ran an official 40 time of 4.59 at the Georgia Tech Pro Day on Monday, although the Lions had him at 4.49. Which is odd and totally opposite my personal experiences at USC and UCLA's Pro Days last year. Sometimes a school will put an athlete's time much faster than the Scouts do but I don't think I've seen a discrepancy flipped like this. And .10 of a second in a 40 time is an eternity. How does that happen? My thoughts on Johnson really are simple. He measures up really well, but gets pushed around and lacks consistent effort from play to play. However, Johnson is looking to be a late second, early third pick right now and could still move up depending upon what times other teams got today.
Beat writers and mockers have the Jets grabbing the best available wide receiver at #17. All sorts of guys - Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jeremy Maclin most often - get mentioned so far and the only thing that really might not be accounted for could be that Rex Ryan is a defense guy. So given how good I think the defensive class is (article forthcoming), it wouldn't shock me, even with the cash they've spent over two years, if Ryan went with a great defensive player.
Georgia QB Matt Stafford (sorry, Matthew) apparently kicked some serious tail in personal interviews at the Scouting Combine. While it comes as a shock to nobody that he's still in the conversation to be Detroit's pick, it's something interesting to hear. This is not a fantastic quarterback class. Stafford testing well may bump up it's overall grade. Now we'll see what we hear of Sanchez as well. He's a guy I am very interested to see when I head to USC's Pro Day on April 1st.
Mike Mayock was on the NFL Network and is talking up University of Connecticut running back Donald Brown pretty hard. He was already looking at him as his second best back in the draft, an opinion I didn't particularly share. I've been watching tape I can get ahold of and have been gradually getting on board. I haven't gotten to the point where I have him as high as Mayock but he's starting to get there.
I was supposed to interview Utah QB Brian Johnson, but he had to postpone (hence the impromptu Pro Day show on all Access) and so was paying close attention to Utah's Pro Day this afternoon. Johnson was very productive in an offense that led a team on an undefeated run last season - so you kind of need to look and see what's there. Some injury issues and an offense which worked largely out of the spread are question marks. He moved all right in the 40 (4.88/4.89) and the three-cone in 4.41. Johnson is a long shot, but is just intriguing enough to maybe catch on as a Rookie Street Free agent.
I mentioned many schools to look for in this week's Pro Day Rewind as well as my impromtu Pro Day episode of All Access Football show, but honestly there is no way to cover every school and even the players who aren't having their expos are news in some cases.
Here are some of the big pieces today and my thoughts on them:
DE Michael Johnson ran an official 40 time of 4.59 at the Georgia Tech Pro Day on Monday, although the Lions had him at 4.49. Which is odd and totally opposite my personal experiences at USC and UCLA's Pro Days last year. Sometimes a school will put an athlete's time much faster than the Scouts do but I don't think I've seen a discrepancy flipped like this. And .10 of a second in a 40 time is an eternity. How does that happen? My thoughts on Johnson really are simple. He measures up really well, but gets pushed around and lacks consistent effort from play to play. However, Johnson is looking to be a late second, early third pick right now and could still move up depending upon what times other teams got today.
Beat writers and mockers have the Jets grabbing the best available wide receiver at #17. All sorts of guys - Darrius Heyward-Bey and Jeremy Maclin most often - get mentioned so far and the only thing that really might not be accounted for could be that Rex Ryan is a defense guy. So given how good I think the defensive class is (article forthcoming), it wouldn't shock me, even with the cash they've spent over two years, if Ryan went with a great defensive player.
Georgia QB Matt Stafford (sorry, Matthew) apparently kicked some serious tail in personal interviews at the Scouting Combine. While it comes as a shock to nobody that he's still in the conversation to be Detroit's pick, it's something interesting to hear. This is not a fantastic quarterback class. Stafford testing well may bump up it's overall grade. Now we'll see what we hear of Sanchez as well. He's a guy I am very interested to see when I head to USC's Pro Day on April 1st.
Mike Mayock was on the NFL Network and is talking up University of Connecticut running back Donald Brown pretty hard. He was already looking at him as his second best back in the draft, an opinion I didn't particularly share. I've been watching tape I can get ahold of and have been gradually getting on board. I haven't gotten to the point where I have him as high as Mayock but he's starting to get there.
I was supposed to interview Utah QB Brian Johnson, but he had to postpone (hence the impromptu Pro Day show on all Access) and so was paying close attention to Utah's Pro Day this afternoon. Johnson was very productive in an offense that led a team on an undefeated run last season - so you kind of need to look and see what's there. Some injury issues and an offense which worked largely out of the spread are question marks. He moved all right in the 40 (4.88/4.89) and the three-cone in 4.41. Johnson is a long shot, but is just intriguing enough to maybe catch on as a Rookie Street Free agent.
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Favre retires - REACT
Hey folks, hope you are having a fine Wednesday.
As promised, the site is gearing up again and what better way to start off than with the announcement that Brett Favre will be retiring. again. Maybe for real.
NFLDraftbible.com has compiled some reaction to the imminent departure of Brett the Jet, myself among them.
Click the link for some other thoughts on it, but here is what I had to say:
"Brett Favre has retired yet again and while the season didn't exactly go the way he or the Jets envisioned, that's not what leaves me with a poor taste in my mouth. It's the rumors that he has, once again, asked to be released prior to deciding to retire (presumably to play for the Vikings, where he wanted to go last summer) that really will stick in my craw. Will we see a repeat of last off-season, when Favre pitched a fit as he once again flip-flopped on retirement and, failing to force his outright release, then settled for a trade to the Jets? For the Jets, being able to move forward with their quarterback situation prior to free agency and the draft while dumping Favre's $13 million cap hit is a positive. But one has to wonder - will the Favre controversy from 2008 rear its ugly head in 2009, all dressed up for a repeat performance?
Let me be clear on this - I love Brett Favre. I think he is a heckuva competitor and has put together a fine career which should not be much marred by the sub-par end of last season. The Jets collapse was not just his fault - he was part of many issues.
That said, I have to wonder if he will ever get that he is not in control. Twice now he has (allegedly) tried to force an outright release to (allegedly) play for the Vikings (who are a QB and good playcalling away from being a legit Super Bowl contender).
I like Favre - I still think the trade for him was a no-brainer, no-lose situation which played out very well for part of the season, only to peter out for many reasons at the end. I am happy I have a Brett favre jersey. I am glad he played for the Jets. Maybe Pennington would have had the success he had with the Dolphins, had he stayed with the Jets. But I doubt it (though some of the failure rests on Mangini's hands - best of luck Brady Quinn).
Regardless it was a risk worth taking and I think the Jets made the right call.
Right now I'm hoping Favre makes an equally good call and stays retired. I really don't want to see him again in yet another uniform for a team that is good, though far from great.
Still, given last year, you have to wonder.
Best of luck, Brett - enjoy hunting season.
As promised, the site is gearing up again and what better way to start off than with the announcement that Brett Favre will be retiring. again. Maybe for real.
NFLDraftbible.com has compiled some reaction to the imminent departure of Brett the Jet, myself among them.
Click the link for some other thoughts on it, but here is what I had to say:
"Brett Favre has retired yet again and while the season didn't exactly go the way he or the Jets envisioned, that's not what leaves me with a poor taste in my mouth. It's the rumors that he has, once again, asked to be released prior to deciding to retire (presumably to play for the Vikings, where he wanted to go last summer) that really will stick in my craw. Will we see a repeat of last off-season, when Favre pitched a fit as he once again flip-flopped on retirement and, failing to force his outright release, then settled for a trade to the Jets? For the Jets, being able to move forward with their quarterback situation prior to free agency and the draft while dumping Favre's $13 million cap hit is a positive. But one has to wonder - will the Favre controversy from 2008 rear its ugly head in 2009, all dressed up for a repeat performance?
Let me be clear on this - I love Brett Favre. I think he is a heckuva competitor and has put together a fine career which should not be much marred by the sub-par end of last season. The Jets collapse was not just his fault - he was part of many issues.
That said, I have to wonder if he will ever get that he is not in control. Twice now he has (allegedly) tried to force an outright release to (allegedly) play for the Vikings (who are a QB and good playcalling away from being a legit Super Bowl contender).
I like Favre - I still think the trade for him was a no-brainer, no-lose situation which played out very well for part of the season, only to peter out for many reasons at the end. I am happy I have a Brett favre jersey. I am glad he played for the Jets. Maybe Pennington would have had the success he had with the Dolphins, had he stayed with the Jets. But I doubt it (though some of the failure rests on Mangini's hands - best of luck Brady Quinn).
Regardless it was a risk worth taking and I think the Jets made the right call.
Right now I'm hoping Favre makes an equally good call and stays retired. I really don't want to see him again in yet another uniform for a team that is good, though far from great.
Still, given last year, you have to wonder.
Best of luck, Brett - enjoy hunting season.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Thundering Blurb Football Show - special guest
Hey guys
Just a quick reminder that the Thundering Blurb Football Show will be on tonight at it's regularly scheduled 9pm EST/6pm PST time and we will be once again welcoming Eric Boland, Jets beat writer for New York Newsday and Newsday.com.
I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about both for the Jets and the newly signed head coach of the Browns, Eric Mangini.
Should be good - check it out live or download it via ITUNES or Blogtalkradio.com. Subscribe to the feed and never miss a show!
Just a quick reminder that the Thundering Blurb Football Show will be on tonight at it's regularly scheduled 9pm EST/6pm PST time and we will be once again welcoming Eric Boland, Jets beat writer for New York Newsday and Newsday.com.
I'm sure we'll have a lot to talk about both for the Jets and the newly signed head coach of the Browns, Eric Mangini.
Should be good - check it out live or download it via ITUNES or Blogtalkradio.com. Subscribe to the feed and never miss a show!
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Interesting Dustin Keller stat
So, now this is not turning into a Jets blog, despite my interview with Eric Boland of New York Newsday on the Blurb last night and now this story.
This morning, Eric posted this story on his blog at Newsday.com regarding rookie TE Dustin Keller. Here's the link but the gist of it is that Keller is having a ridiculous rookie season, only trailing Shockey for production by the recent era of guys at the position.
Yes, better than Gates, Witten and Gonzalez. In fact, according to the article (given to Eric by a reader with even more time on his hands than I have) it lookes like only four tight ends in the history of the position have had better first seasons.
Shockey - 74 receptions, 894 yards, 2 tds
Keith Jackson - 81 receptions, 869 yards, 6 tds
Mike Ditka - 50 receptions, 1076 yards, 12 tds
John Mackey - 35 receptions, 726 yards, 7 tds
I haven't fact checked these but damn. I'm not ready to crown him or anything, but he has played very, very well. Certainly worth what they paid to move up and grab him. On a side note, how often do we forget what Ditka did on the field? I forget he played sometimes, as if he sprang from the earth wearing a sweater vest and yelling. But that's some damned good numbers for Iron Mike and we forget about that at times.
Should have a fairly good end stretch here as well, as Favre definitely loves his rookie target.
Check out the article - the guy who hooked Boland up with it did a good job.
This morning, Eric posted this story on his blog at Newsday.com regarding rookie TE Dustin Keller. Here's the link but the gist of it is that Keller is having a ridiculous rookie season, only trailing Shockey for production by the recent era of guys at the position.
Yes, better than Gates, Witten and Gonzalez. In fact, according to the article (given to Eric by a reader with even more time on his hands than I have) it lookes like only four tight ends in the history of the position have had better first seasons.
Shockey - 74 receptions, 894 yards, 2 tds
Keith Jackson - 81 receptions, 869 yards, 6 tds
Mike Ditka - 50 receptions, 1076 yards, 12 tds
John Mackey - 35 receptions, 726 yards, 7 tds
I haven't fact checked these but damn. I'm not ready to crown him or anything, but he has played very, very well. Certainly worth what they paid to move up and grab him. On a side note, how often do we forget what Ditka did on the field? I forget he played sometimes, as if he sprang from the earth wearing a sweater vest and yelling. But that's some damned good numbers for Iron Mike and we forget about that at times.
Should have a fairly good end stretch here as well, as Favre definitely loves his rookie target.
Check out the article - the guy who hooked Boland up with it did a good job.
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Special Guest on The Thundering Blurb podcast tonight!
Hey folks,
As I mentioned on the Thundering Blurb News Stampede this morning, I was able to get ahold of Eric Boland, Jets beat writer for Newsday and Newsday.com. I said I would let you know when it was a go, and it's a go!
Very excited to have Eric on - I enjoy his Jets takes daily and have heard some excellent interviews with him in the past when he was on The Audible with Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom. Great guy, great writer and fantastic insight.
Check it out daily at Newsday.com.
So make sure you check out The Thundering Blurb Fantasy Football Show on Blogtalkradio.com tonight, at 9pm eastern/6PM pacific and we'll get some great Jets takes as you prep for the fantasy playoffs.
We will also cover the Chargers/Raiders game, news and notes as well as your questions on the phone and in the chat room.
See you there!
As I mentioned on the Thundering Blurb News Stampede this morning, I was able to get ahold of Eric Boland, Jets beat writer for Newsday and Newsday.com. I said I would let you know when it was a go, and it's a go!
Very excited to have Eric on - I enjoy his Jets takes daily and have heard some excellent interviews with him in the past when he was on The Audible with Cecil Lammey and Sigmund Bloom. Great guy, great writer and fantastic insight.
Check it out daily at Newsday.com.
So make sure you check out The Thundering Blurb Fantasy Football Show on Blogtalkradio.com tonight, at 9pm eastern/6PM pacific and we'll get some great Jets takes as you prep for the fantasy playoffs.
We will also cover the Chargers/Raiders game, news and notes as well as your questions on the phone and in the chat room.
See you there!
Thursday, November 13, 2008
SAMMY MORRIS ACTIVE
I don't know how much he will play but it certainly adds another level of difficulty for Law Firm tonight. Benjarvus Green-Ellis may have less carries against a very tough run D.
New York Jets at New England Patriots Fantasy Breakdown - Patriots
Patriots Face a Team Finally Jelling -
The Jets’ defensive unit is really starting to come together. While they have at times had lapses, overall it seems that the guys in the trenches (both oline and d) have stepped up of late. In the new style Gang Green, the Patriots find themselves face a solid overall unit and a team much better than when the met earlier this season. The Jets rush defense is 5th in the league and only allows 74.6 yds a game, with only 7 TDs to date. And with the Patriots running back core banged up, it could be tough sledding for the ground game. As for the pass defense, the Jets are 13th, giving 223 pass yards a game along with 11 TDs in the air. They are tied with Atlanta, Indy and Kansas City at 10th in league with 11 INTs and are 2nd in sacks with 31. They can bring the heat and can be opportunistic on defense.
Again, keep in mind that this game may be played in the rain and could come down to the line play – it probably will regardless – and the rushing attack. If it rains, you might bump all the pass numbers down a tick, save maybe Welker for the short yardage work and maybe Faulk for the same reason.
Did I just reuse a paragraph? Maaaaaaybe.
Cassel – I’m not a fan of rolling Cassel out in this one. I respect he is better now at protecting the ball. I think he knows what Moss and Welker look like so they have actually seen passes. But I think the Jets will keep some real pressure on him and force him into throwing away or throwing where and when he shouldn’t. Unless you are very much up against it with other matchups, I would avoid him this week. The potential rain only worsens it.
Randy Moss – Moss and Cassel have been connecting more the last few weeks but Randy still isn’t blowing up in non-PPR leagues. Frankly he isn’t killing in PPR leagues either. If he draws Revis, you can count on a shoddy fantasy output unless he gets one long. If he can get against Lowery or split zones or coverage, he could make some nice plays. But Cassel and the offense are more dink and dunk than bomb which limits his upside. I think the matchup is a wee risky. Do remember that Randy does love the spotlight and this is a huge game for the division with far ranging implications for the AFC. He often shows up for these events and could have a MNF style game. Don't love the matchup though.
Wes Welker – At some point preseason, we didn’t think Welker would repeat last season but he might. Well, he is on pace to catch an amount similar to last year’s. He fits in with the Cassel short game that is being played and so he is the best bet in the passing game, even against a tough secondary. In a PPR, he’s the guy you want – but weather, defense and Cassel make me want to warn you that he’s a lower end WR2 or 3 in a PPR league this Thursday and to be careful.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis – ‘Law Firm’ may have his work cut out for him this week. If it rains, he could see a huge workload but it may not amount to much against a tough Jets D. Bench him if you can and try not to put yourself in a position where you need to pray for a random TD.
Kevin Faulk – Short yardage stuff is nice and his value is probably more along the lines of PPR leagues than non-PPR. Still he may get some short yardage work, mud or no. Aside from last week vs Buffalo, Faulk had caught Faulk has been targeted quite often and occasionally made some big gains. A very risky flex, however.
As I said with the Jets post I am cautious with my Thursday starts, especially in this matchup. I think this could devolve into a chess-match oline/dline struggle in the trenches which could be exciting to watch (well to some of us it might be) but not explosive offensively. I think this game could go either way - it's tough to win in New England but the Jets have begun to come together and now face their biggest challenge. If they can get out of their own way, they can win this. But you can't count the Pats out, not until the final whistle.
The Jets’ defensive unit is really starting to come together. While they have at times had lapses, overall it seems that the guys in the trenches (both oline and d) have stepped up of late. In the new style Gang Green, the Patriots find themselves face a solid overall unit and a team much better than when the met earlier this season. The Jets rush defense is 5th in the league and only allows 74.6 yds a game, with only 7 TDs to date. And with the Patriots running back core banged up, it could be tough sledding for the ground game. As for the pass defense, the Jets are 13th, giving 223 pass yards a game along with 11 TDs in the air. They are tied with Atlanta, Indy and Kansas City at 10th in league with 11 INTs and are 2nd in sacks with 31. They can bring the heat and can be opportunistic on defense.
Again, keep in mind that this game may be played in the rain and could come down to the line play – it probably will regardless – and the rushing attack. If it rains, you might bump all the pass numbers down a tick, save maybe Welker for the short yardage work and maybe Faulk for the same reason.
Did I just reuse a paragraph? Maaaaaaybe.
Cassel – I’m not a fan of rolling Cassel out in this one. I respect he is better now at protecting the ball. I think he knows what Moss and Welker look like so they have actually seen passes. But I think the Jets will keep some real pressure on him and force him into throwing away or throwing where and when he shouldn’t. Unless you are very much up against it with other matchups, I would avoid him this week. The potential rain only worsens it.
Randy Moss – Moss and Cassel have been connecting more the last few weeks but Randy still isn’t blowing up in non-PPR leagues. Frankly he isn’t killing in PPR leagues either. If he draws Revis, you can count on a shoddy fantasy output unless he gets one long. If he can get against Lowery or split zones or coverage, he could make some nice plays. But Cassel and the offense are more dink and dunk than bomb which limits his upside. I think the matchup is a wee risky. Do remember that Randy does love the spotlight and this is a huge game for the division with far ranging implications for the AFC. He often shows up for these events and could have a MNF style game. Don't love the matchup though.
Wes Welker – At some point preseason, we didn’t think Welker would repeat last season but he might. Well, he is on pace to catch an amount similar to last year’s. He fits in with the Cassel short game that is being played and so he is the best bet in the passing game, even against a tough secondary. In a PPR, he’s the guy you want – but weather, defense and Cassel make me want to warn you that he’s a lower end WR2 or 3 in a PPR league this Thursday and to be careful.
BenJarvus Green-Ellis – ‘Law Firm’ may have his work cut out for him this week. If it rains, he could see a huge workload but it may not amount to much against a tough Jets D. Bench him if you can and try not to put yourself in a position where you need to pray for a random TD.
Kevin Faulk – Short yardage stuff is nice and his value is probably more along the lines of PPR leagues than non-PPR. Still he may get some short yardage work, mud or no. Aside from last week vs Buffalo, Faulk had caught Faulk has been targeted quite often and occasionally made some big gains. A very risky flex, however.
As I said with the Jets post I am cautious with my Thursday starts, especially in this matchup. I think this could devolve into a chess-match oline/dline struggle in the trenches which could be exciting to watch (well to some of us it might be) but not explosive offensively. I think this game could go either way - it's tough to win in New England but the Jets have begun to come together and now face their biggest challenge. If they can get out of their own way, they can win this. But you can't count the Pats out, not until the final whistle.
New York Jets at New England Patriots Fantasy Breakdown - Jets
Breakdown
The Jets offense Faces a Tough Challenge–
The challenge is as much mental as it is physical – maybe moreso. The Pats tend to have the Jets' number and will be at home, always a major advantage for them. The Pats' pass defense will be sorely tested by Favre & co – which is good and bad for both sides. The Pats have given up the 6th most TDs in the league through the air at 14, but they have the 22nd most sacks with just 16. They also have the 8th most INTs with 10 and that is Favre’s Achilles heel if anything this year. Teams average about 200 yds through the air against New England's D, which is better than average against the pass. They can be stout against the run also – averaging 100yds and a mere 4 TDs on the ground. Keep in mind that all those TDs came in one game against Ronnie Brown. They did just lose Adalius Thomas though, which will negatively affect the Pats' pass rush as he had the most sacks on the team at 5. This is a defense that lacks playmakers but will always get more out of the sum than its parts.
Keep in mind that this game may be played in the rain although the severity of the rain (if it arrives at all) is in question. It could come down to the line and the rushing attack regardless of weather. If it rains, you might bump all the pass numbers down a tick, save maybe Keller for the short yardage work and maybe Washington for the same reason.
Favre – He could go big or have a rough night – figure he hits the average for QBs against the Pats – 200+ but not by much – and maybe a couple TDs at most. He needs to protect the ball and make smart decisions, not turn the ball over which he has done all too frequently. If he cannot protect the ball, game over. I am cautious about starting him as I think the matchup is completely hit or moss. A Patriots pass rush minus Adalius Thomas could give Favre more time and the oline is playing much better than it did early in the season but Favre presses sometimes and if the Jets trail, he may try to make too much happen. I would be happier if my matchups elsewhere were good and pass this week.
Cotchery/Coles – I have been splitting the difference with these guys as that’s what Favre is doing. They can both hover around 50 yds, each have a shot at a TD and then again, they may not. In a blowout last week, neither was looked at much – 1 catch, 3 targets for Coles, 1 catch on 1 target for Cotchery. In a ppr I lean towards Cotch as he gets more looks (7,13,8,1 targets over the last four games) vs Coles (5,11,5,2). Coles has more TDs and gets more looks overall in the redzone (14 targets to Cotchery’s 10) but neither has a ton of TDs. I expected more and have been disappointed with the production to daye, even knowing Favre wouldn't hit stride right away. I think that one of the two will have a good game – but it’s hard to say who. Both are WR2/3 – Cotchery in a PPR is def a 2.
Keller – I bring the rookie TE up because I looked at the stats today in response to an email about him. Keller is starting to gather momentum. He has 4 red zone targets in the last 2 games and is 4th behind Coles, Cotchery and Washington for targets this season – 3rd the last 3 weeks. He’s heating up and may get some work short here.
Thomas Jones – Jones will likely be a workhorse here but no more than RB2 for you. They will need to control the clock and control the ball 0- I figure 20 or so carries – but likely no 100yds and probably no TD. RB2/flex
Washington – flex guy – may get used in the flat and on screens to keep the defenses honest but very risky to start this early in the week.
Overall, I am cautious about who I start here. As I always say, Thursday is no day for risks. Most of the Jets are risks. Even if they win (and I do believe they have an excellent chance to make that happen) the score could be low.
Back in a few with the Patriots break down.
The Jets offense Faces a Tough Challenge–
The challenge is as much mental as it is physical – maybe moreso. The Pats tend to have the Jets' number and will be at home, always a major advantage for them. The Pats' pass defense will be sorely tested by Favre & co – which is good and bad for both sides. The Pats have given up the 6th most TDs in the league through the air at 14, but they have the 22nd most sacks with just 16. They also have the 8th most INTs with 10 and that is Favre’s Achilles heel if anything this year. Teams average about 200 yds through the air against New England's D, which is better than average against the pass. They can be stout against the run also – averaging 100yds and a mere 4 TDs on the ground. Keep in mind that all those TDs came in one game against Ronnie Brown. They did just lose Adalius Thomas though, which will negatively affect the Pats' pass rush as he had the most sacks on the team at 5. This is a defense that lacks playmakers but will always get more out of the sum than its parts.
Keep in mind that this game may be played in the rain although the severity of the rain (if it arrives at all) is in question. It could come down to the line and the rushing attack regardless of weather. If it rains, you might bump all the pass numbers down a tick, save maybe Keller for the short yardage work and maybe Washington for the same reason.
Favre – He could go big or have a rough night – figure he hits the average for QBs against the Pats – 200+ but not by much – and maybe a couple TDs at most. He needs to protect the ball and make smart decisions, not turn the ball over which he has done all too frequently. If he cannot protect the ball, game over. I am cautious about starting him as I think the matchup is completely hit or moss. A Patriots pass rush minus Adalius Thomas could give Favre more time and the oline is playing much better than it did early in the season but Favre presses sometimes and if the Jets trail, he may try to make too much happen. I would be happier if my matchups elsewhere were good and pass this week.
Cotchery/Coles – I have been splitting the difference with these guys as that’s what Favre is doing. They can both hover around 50 yds, each have a shot at a TD and then again, they may not. In a blowout last week, neither was looked at much – 1 catch, 3 targets for Coles, 1 catch on 1 target for Cotchery. In a ppr I lean towards Cotch as he gets more looks (7,13,8,1 targets over the last four games) vs Coles (5,11,5,2). Coles has more TDs and gets more looks overall in the redzone (14 targets to Cotchery’s 10) but neither has a ton of TDs. I expected more and have been disappointed with the production to daye, even knowing Favre wouldn't hit stride right away. I think that one of the two will have a good game – but it’s hard to say who. Both are WR2/3 – Cotchery in a PPR is def a 2.
Keller – I bring the rookie TE up because I looked at the stats today in response to an email about him. Keller is starting to gather momentum. He has 4 red zone targets in the last 2 games and is 4th behind Coles, Cotchery and Washington for targets this season – 3rd the last 3 weeks. He’s heating up and may get some work short here.
Thomas Jones – Jones will likely be a workhorse here but no more than RB2 for you. They will need to control the clock and control the ball 0- I figure 20 or so carries – but likely no 100yds and probably no TD. RB2/flex
Washington – flex guy – may get used in the flat and on screens to keep the defenses honest but very risky to start this early in the week.
Overall, I am cautious about who I start here. As I always say, Thursday is no day for risks. Most of the Jets are risks. Even if they win (and I do believe they have an excellent chance to make that happen) the score could be low.
Back in a few with the Patriots break down.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
MCFADDEN OUT
Darren McFadden is out for the RAHDERS today.
Other notes -
Coles is in for the Jets - no word on Cotchery.
Edited to add - Cotchery will play. If it wasn't for the atrocious run D, the Jets pass offense would go off.
Other notes -
Coles is in for the Jets - no word on Cotchery.
Edited to add - Cotchery will play. If it wasn't for the atrocious run D, the Jets pass offense would go off.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Chargers leave no doubt against the Jets
The Chargers looked like the team we expected them to be last night. With the exception of a pick-six early, Rivers looks like he is taking a big step forward. The defense played better than it has in the past two weeks - Antonio Cromartie especially looked good. And while LT looked ok but not great, his 2 TDs saved his fantasy value. I still stand by the call to bench him as risky. If Sproles had stayed in o nthe first TD or Jackson had been able to make two more steps we'd be feeling differently about LT's performance. But if you had him in, you're happy. Sproles put up ok points. Cotchery had a huge night PPR wise, otherwise ok. And Brett Favre is who we thought he was - a gunslinger who can get you the huge play but also turn over the ball a whole lot. Was glad to see the Jets air it out more though dissappointed to see the receivers and Favre are not remotely one the same page at times.
As I said just after the trade, this team was not a 'Brett Favre' away. It' an 8-8 team and they will get there. But nights like last night are not surprising.
As I said just after the trade, this team was not a 'Brett Favre' away. It' an 8-8 team and they will get there. But nights like last night are not surprising.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
Jesse Chatman Update
Will post the final cutdown list for NFL teams tomorrow HOWEVER, we had reported that the NY Jets had cut RB Jesse Chatman - and this was very much not the case.
Turns out Chatman is still a Jet - just a Jet on suspension for violating the NFL Steroid policy. Chatman gets a 4 game sitdown (and his agent is saying he was not using, by the way).
When he returns, HC Eric Mangini says there is definitely a role for him, so the Jets are still pleased with his work this preseason. He's not worth rostering before his suspension (maybe even after it is over) but I thought as the initial reports were incorrect, it was only fair to correct it.
Turns out Chatman is still a Jet - just a Jet on suspension for violating the NFL Steroid policy. Chatman gets a 4 game sitdown (and his agent is saying he was not using, by the way).
When he returns, HC Eric Mangini says there is definitely a role for him, so the Jets are still pleased with his work this preseason. He's not worth rostering before his suspension (maybe even after it is over) but I thought as the initial reports were incorrect, it was only fair to correct it.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Favorite Quote of the Day
“If everything goes well, this will be the last time I play this year.”
- Jets back-up QB Kellen Clemens to press in the locker room regarding starting Thursday's last preseason game while starter Brett Favre sits.
Amen to that, right Jetsfan?
More news later, but I just enjoyed the quote.
Friday, August 8, 2008
Cowboys Camp and the news update
Hey folks,
Just returned from lovely Oxnard, California and Dallas Cowboy Training Camp. It was a short practice, as the 'boys needed to both get into makeup for another edition of Hard Knocks and then head to San Diego for their Saturday night tilt with the Chargers.
And while one of those things is certainly true, the other probably is as well if you've seen HBO's series yet.
In all seriousness though, the team looked loose and ready. Adam Jones (the man formerly known as Pacman) is still lining up against TO whenever he can, even when it's a no contact drill. I think - and it's early - but I think he finally gets what it takes to succeed in the league.
Anyway, I will be trying to get out at least once more in the last two practices next week, so we'll see if there are any nuggets to pass along.
On to the news -
Philadelphia Eagles
Big news out of Philly and comforting too, for those of you who are already Westbrook owners. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News , the Eagles have signed Westbrook not so much to an extension as it is a reworking of his current contract with more money and years. Here's what they say about the details, none of which is concerned:
Great news for the Eagles though and while we may not see much of him tonight against Pittsburgh, you will see Lorenzo Booker and see if the hype I and Cecil have been building around his involvement start to pan out.
San Francisco 49rs
According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat , Alex Smith is running out of time and 'may be too intelligent for his own good and isn't exactly a fast learner.' I have no idea how you can be too smart BUT not a quick learner, but point has been made. Smith has not run away with this job. Matt Barrows over at the 49rs blog at the Sac Bee says not too read too much into O'Sullivan's start though as HC Mike Nolan has said it's just a case of having not seen O'Sullivan play in a game before, whereas he knows what Smith and Hill do durign a game.
Not a ringing endorsement though. I still say the wide receivers will be ok plays, but the QB spot is way to risky for me in Fantasy leagues.
Tampa Bay Bucaneers
Well, here's some insult to injury. Apparently a deal the Packers rejected from the Bucs involved Chris Simms. Is it me, or is Simms jst snakebit? Somebody fly him to Dallas, quick.
Denver Broncos
With Brandon Marshall on the pine for 2-3 weeks, Eddie Royal will line up opposite Darrell Jackson for the first few games. Whereas the depth chart made it look like Jackson was slipping behind the rookie yesterday, he has merely moved into Marshall's posotion for the time being. They should both shift backwards when Marshall comes back, but if Jackson stumbles out of the gate and Royal continues to impress, the rookie could pull a Dwayne Bowe and end up as the #2.
New York Jets
It's not all roses with the Jets, according to an article in Newsday. Here's what they say:
It is, of course, more about Pennington than Favre and I think they will warm to it. But as has been pointed out by others, Laveraneus Coles was a big Chad guy and allegedly left the hotel in Cleveland when he heard the news. Yes, he came back, but let's face it - he wasn't happy.
Is this a warning sign for Fantasy Owners? I'm not sure - Coles is a professional and isn't stupid. Favre can do things Chad couldn't. But I understand the loyalty - I just doubt it will blind him to what Favre can bring to the table.
Hopefully he can react like Kellen Clemens who, when asked how he felt to go from QB battle to instant back-up, had this to say:
More later, maybe some thoughts on the Pitt/Philly game.
Just returned from lovely Oxnard, California and Dallas Cowboy Training Camp. It was a short practice, as the 'boys needed to both get into makeup for another edition of Hard Knocks and then head to San Diego for their Saturday night tilt with the Chargers.
And while one of those things is certainly true, the other probably is as well if you've seen HBO's series yet.
In all seriousness though, the team looked loose and ready. Adam Jones (the man formerly known as Pacman) is still lining up against TO whenever he can, even when it's a no contact drill. I think - and it's early - but I think he finally gets what it takes to succeed in the league.
Anyway, I will be trying to get out at least once more in the last two practices next week, so we'll see if there are any nuggets to pass along.
On to the news -
Philadelphia Eagles
Big news out of Philly and comforting too, for those of you who are already Westbrook owners. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer & Daily News , the Eagles have signed Westbrook not so much to an extension as it is a reworking of his current contract with more money and years. Here's what they say about the details, none of which is concerned:
All that means really is Westy is happy - and a happy Westy is a productive fantasy Westy, if he also remains a helthy Westy.
Neither France nor the Eagles would disclose the terms of the deal, but a source close to the situation said there is $13 million in new money. The source said that $13 million in the first two seasons is guaranteed and that Westbrook will make $21 million over the next three seasons. The source said that there are escalators based on playoff appearances and individual performance that could increase Westbrook's salary to $24 million.
Great news for the Eagles though and while we may not see much of him tonight against Pittsburgh, you will see Lorenzo Booker and see if the hype I and Cecil have been building around his involvement start to pan out.
San Francisco 49rs
According to the Santa Rosa Press Democrat , Alex Smith is running out of time and 'may be too intelligent for his own good and isn't exactly a fast learner.' I have no idea how you can be too smart BUT not a quick learner, but point has been made. Smith has not run away with this job. Matt Barrows over at the 49rs blog at the Sac Bee says not too read too much into O'Sullivan's start though as HC Mike Nolan has said it's just a case of having not seen O'Sullivan play in a game before, whereas he knows what Smith and Hill do durign a game.
Not a ringing endorsement though. I still say the wide receivers will be ok plays, but the QB spot is way to risky for me in Fantasy leagues.
Tampa Bay Bucaneers
Well, here's some insult to injury. Apparently a deal the Packers rejected from the Bucs involved Chris Simms. Is it me, or is Simms jst snakebit? Somebody fly him to Dallas, quick.
Denver Broncos
With Brandon Marshall on the pine for 2-3 weeks, Eddie Royal will line up opposite Darrell Jackson for the first few games. Whereas the depth chart made it look like Jackson was slipping behind the rookie yesterday, he has merely moved into Marshall's posotion for the time being. They should both shift backwards when Marshall comes back, but if Jackson stumbles out of the gate and Royal continues to impress, the rookie could pull a Dwayne Bowe and end up as the #2.
New York Jets
It's not all roses with the Jets, according to an article in Newsday. Here's what they say:
One player said the locker room is hardly unanimous about the move to get Favre, telling Newsday that a significant portion of the team was not in favor of giving up on Chad Pennington. The players loyal to Pennington were upset to see the team simply toss him overboard after he'd given so much to the team during his time with the Jets.
It is, of course, more about Pennington than Favre and I think they will warm to it. But as has been pointed out by others, Laveraneus Coles was a big Chad guy and allegedly left the hotel in Cleveland when he heard the news. Yes, he came back, but let's face it - he wasn't happy.
Is this a warning sign for Fantasy Owners? I'm not sure - Coles is a professional and isn't stupid. Favre can do things Chad couldn't. But I understand the loyalty - I just doubt it will blind him to what Favre can bring to the table.
Hopefully he can react like Kellen Clemens who, when asked how he felt to go from QB battle to instant back-up, had this to say:
“What can I say? Now I’m backing up a future Hall of Famer,” Clemens said. “I’ll be able to further my education.”Smart kid, that Clemens.
More later, maybe some thoughts on the Pitt/Philly game.
Morning News, then on to Cowboy Camp!
First, great 2 hour Drive Block last night - we cover everything from news to Auctions to IDP leagues. Check it out at BlogTalkRadio or on ITunes.
Between this and the Blurb, tons of great info each week.
Secondly, the next update here will be late - heading to Cowboys camp in Oxnard today. But I will catch up when I return.
On to the news -
New Orleans Saints
As we covered on the Drive Block last night, Saints second year wide receiver Robert Meachem had a great game. He needs to have a big year or else the Saints will go get another WR in the draft next year to start opposite Colston. 4 catches for 129 yards and a TD is a pretty strong showing. he has ability - he just needs to prove he has the drive and can stay healthy. Last night was a very good start.
New York Jets
In all the Favre and Pennington hubbub one thing that has been overlooked is the strong camp being had by receivers Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney. Stuckey caught 3 passes for 44 yards while Clowney blew up with 4 for 163 and 2 TDs. YOu could say he 'clowned' the Browns... eh? eh? Is this thing on?
Seriously, it's worth tracking who is hot going into the season -while Coles and Cotchery will get most of the love, if gunslinger Favre decides one of his other receivers is his favorite, the #3 in NY could end up having some good value as a #4 or byw week filler. Right now, Clowney is the guy over Stuckey and Brad Smith.
Brett Ratliff had a great game as well, going 14/20 for 252 with 2 TDs. It may be hard to stick with Favre coming in, Clemens still heir apparent and Ainge playing ok. But worth keeping an eye on if Ainge struggles. Certainly the future of the Jets QB situation remains up in the air.
Denver Broncos
It seems that rookie Eddie Royal has supassed Darrell Jackson on the Broncos depth chart. Now this is early and it could change however with Marshall facing a three game time out, Royal will definitely get three starts, barring injury. All he needs to do is play well and he could keep that job. Jackson isn't that far removed from good numbers but he's clearly not doing well enough in camp. Keary Colbert hasn't the track record to lead me to believe he will challenge. Stokely will hang in the slot.
Royal could have godo value and will be available in the latter half of most drafts.
Kansas City Chiefs/Chicago Bears
Chiefs receiver Will Franklin had a pair of catches for 31 yards, but looked rough in his first preseason outing. As I have said, all he has to do it beat out Devard Darling, which should be possible. He has to DO it though. It's debateable how valuable anyone not named 'Bowe' or 'Gonzo' will be in this offense. But take a late flier on him if he can be more consistent.
With the Bears, Orton and Grossman looked ok, but were outplayed numbers-wise by Caleb Hanie, a rookie from Colorado State. I wouldn't read much into it yet but suppose - just suppose - Hanie started doing really well? Do you think Grossman or Orton has done so well that they are untouchable? Nope, me either. It's unlikely that he wins. But it's also that Grossman or Orton is going to be consistent enough to be a starter for your fantasy team. Grossman has more upside, btu his valleys are deeper and he'll cost you as much as he'll help you. Orton is only there to manage a game and he won't put up numbers worth starting. And we're probably several weeks away from knowing who will be unlikelythe guy in Chicago - which only matters so much as it affects Mat Forte, who had 7 carries for 35 yards and looked decent doing it.
That's it for now - back tonight with more and some insights from Dallas Cowboys Camp!
Between this and the Blurb, tons of great info each week.
Secondly, the next update here will be late - heading to Cowboys camp in Oxnard today. But I will catch up when I return.
On to the news -
New Orleans Saints
As we covered on the Drive Block last night, Saints second year wide receiver Robert Meachem had a great game. He needs to have a big year or else the Saints will go get another WR in the draft next year to start opposite Colston. 4 catches for 129 yards and a TD is a pretty strong showing. he has ability - he just needs to prove he has the drive and can stay healthy. Last night was a very good start.
New York Jets
In all the Favre and Pennington hubbub one thing that has been overlooked is the strong camp being had by receivers Chansi Stuckey and David Clowney. Stuckey caught 3 passes for 44 yards while Clowney blew up with 4 for 163 and 2 TDs. YOu could say he 'clowned' the Browns... eh? eh? Is this thing on?
Seriously, it's worth tracking who is hot going into the season -while Coles and Cotchery will get most of the love, if gunslinger Favre decides one of his other receivers is his favorite, the #3 in NY could end up having some good value as a #4 or byw week filler. Right now, Clowney is the guy over Stuckey and Brad Smith.
Brett Ratliff had a great game as well, going 14/20 for 252 with 2 TDs. It may be hard to stick with Favre coming in, Clemens still heir apparent and Ainge playing ok. But worth keeping an eye on if Ainge struggles. Certainly the future of the Jets QB situation remains up in the air.
Denver Broncos
It seems that rookie Eddie Royal has supassed Darrell Jackson on the Broncos depth chart. Now this is early and it could change however with Marshall facing a three game time out, Royal will definitely get three starts, barring injury. All he needs to do is play well and he could keep that job. Jackson isn't that far removed from good numbers but he's clearly not doing well enough in camp. Keary Colbert hasn't the track record to lead me to believe he will challenge. Stokely will hang in the slot.
Royal could have godo value and will be available in the latter half of most drafts.
Kansas City Chiefs/Chicago Bears
Chiefs receiver Will Franklin had a pair of catches for 31 yards, but looked rough in his first preseason outing. As I have said, all he has to do it beat out Devard Darling, which should be possible. He has to DO it though. It's debateable how valuable anyone not named 'Bowe' or 'Gonzo' will be in this offense. But take a late flier on him if he can be more consistent.
With the Bears, Orton and Grossman looked ok, but were outplayed numbers-wise by Caleb Hanie, a rookie from Colorado State. I wouldn't read much into it yet but suppose - just suppose - Hanie started doing really well? Do you think Grossman or Orton has done so well that they are untouchable? Nope, me either. It's unlikely that he wins. But it's also that Grossman or Orton is going to be consistent enough to be a starter for your fantasy team. Grossman has more upside, btu his valleys are deeper and he'll cost you as much as he'll help you. Orton is only there to manage a game and he won't put up numbers worth starting. And we're probably several weeks away from knowing who will be unlikelythe guy in Chicago - which only matters so much as it affects Mat Forte, who had 7 carries for 35 yards and looked decent doing it.
That's it for now - back tonight with more and some insights from Dallas Cowboys Camp!
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Afternoon Camp news
We'll get right into it this afternoon -
New York Jets
As expected, the Jets cut Chad Pennington. As much as he wasn't the long term answer there, he had been trying to cope with the questioning for a long time and seemed to handle it with class. Miami is a destination being tossed around - Parcells drafted Pennington after all and wouldn't it be interesting if the QB who changed teams and went on to punk his old team in this whole mess ended up being The Chad?
Or they could get stomped by Favre and the Jets too.
Cincinnati Bengals
Rudi Johnson, who started camp like a house of fire, is now going to miss Monday's preseason opener due to a sore hammy. Ordinarily I would write that off as veteran privileged expect for 2 things - 1) He took all season last year for a hamstring recovery and 2) he's starting to miss a lot of Training Camp work. Chalk it up to more question marks for the back who used to be a solid and consistent top 10 pick every Fantasy season. I still think he will have a big season, but I am beginning to be concerned.
Detroit Lions
Kevin Smith is slated to get around 10 carries in the Lions game against the Giants. This will be a tough test for the 3rd rounder and we'll get a real sense of what he can and can't do - and whether he will blaze past Tatum Bell - very quickly over the next few weeks. Even if he doesn't win the job outright, we all know Bell's propensity for choking in the RB 1 spot. So Smith will get his chance by mid-season. Bank on it.
Miami Dolphins
Ronnie Brown may not play in Saturday's preseason opener as he is still healing from his ACL injury. He is practicing twice a day, so more than likely they just want to be careful, more than he's not ready. He'll be back in it soon, as HC Tony Sparano says 'it's mostly mental'. With ACL injuries for any player - but especially running backs - trusting that limb again to support your weight can be tough. Brown should be good to go by Week 1 and is great as a RB2 with the upside of a #1. Remember, this cat was on fire the beginning of last year until his injury. We know he could play at a high level before - now he just needs to prove he still can. High upside on the guy whose ADP is the end of the third.
More later - and don't forget to drop on by the Drive Block tonight - 7pm PST/10pm EST.
See ya then!
New York Jets
As expected, the Jets cut Chad Pennington. As much as he wasn't the long term answer there, he had been trying to cope with the questioning for a long time and seemed to handle it with class. Miami is a destination being tossed around - Parcells drafted Pennington after all and wouldn't it be interesting if the QB who changed teams and went on to punk his old team in this whole mess ended up being The Chad?
Or they could get stomped by Favre and the Jets too.
Cincinnati Bengals
Rudi Johnson, who started camp like a house of fire, is now going to miss Monday's preseason opener due to a sore hammy. Ordinarily I would write that off as veteran privileged expect for 2 things - 1) He took all season last year for a hamstring recovery and 2) he's starting to miss a lot of Training Camp work. Chalk it up to more question marks for the back who used to be a solid and consistent top 10 pick every Fantasy season. I still think he will have a big season, but I am beginning to be concerned.
Detroit Lions
Kevin Smith is slated to get around 10 carries in the Lions game against the Giants. This will be a tough test for the 3rd rounder and we'll get a real sense of what he can and can't do - and whether he will blaze past Tatum Bell - very quickly over the next few weeks. Even if he doesn't win the job outright, we all know Bell's propensity for choking in the RB 1 spot. So Smith will get his chance by mid-season. Bank on it.
Miami Dolphins
Ronnie Brown may not play in Saturday's preseason opener as he is still healing from his ACL injury. He is practicing twice a day, so more than likely they just want to be careful, more than he's not ready. He'll be back in it soon, as HC Tony Sparano says 'it's mostly mental'. With ACL injuries for any player - but especially running backs - trusting that limb again to support your weight can be tough. Brown should be good to go by Week 1 and is great as a RB2 with the upside of a #1. Remember, this cat was on fire the beginning of last year until his injury. We know he could play at a high level before - now he just needs to prove he still can. High upside on the guy whose ADP is the end of the third.
More later - and don't forget to drop on by the Drive Block tonight - 7pm PST/10pm EST.
See ya then!
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
The NY Favre Fantasy Breakdown
So after mulling it over a few hours here's how I think this affects the Jets Fantasy Prospects:
Pennington:er..... cut.
Clemens:Kellen, bench - bench, Kellen.
Those were the easy ones....
Laveranues Coles: A solid WR2 anyway, I could see him top 1000 yards this year if healthy. He doesn't go too long, and years of crossing routes have started to take their toll, however I still think he will get a lot of targets from Favre and is reliable enough to catch a lot of them (62% last year). If he manages to increase his TD total, he could float into the WR1 range.
Biggest Questions: Will he stay healthy and will Favre click with him?
Biggest Plus: awesome hands, fearless receiver
Jerricho Cotchery: Like Coles, already a #2 WR with potential #1 upside, Cotchery should top 1000 easy, maybe heading towards 1,400 land. And see his TDs increase to boot. If he clicks with The Favre, could take over as #1 for the Jets and the upside there would potentially be huge. He's already the main deep threat for the Jets, so it isn't a reach to think Favre will utilize him as such. He gets tons of targets - if that keeps up, he just became a really interesting Fantasy prospect.
Biggest Questions: Will other WRs/TEs (Keller, Smith, Clowney) eat into his targets and will the Oline jell enough to give Favre the time to hit him deep?
Biggest Plus: Goes deep, gets many targets.
Thomas Jones:Jones is doing cartwheels. This will open the offense a ton and give him room to run. He may even see some catches. I was already calling for a solid bounce baclk season - lock that in there. He should top 1,000 yards if the Oline holds. He seems to be rebounding slower from dings, but has looked good in camp so far.
Biggest Questions: Is age catching up to him and will the O-line hold?
Biggest Plus: Workhorse back who will be depended upon to keep the Jets going while Favre learns the offense.
Leon Washington: The young, dynamic back will see a ton of catches from Favre but how much it will all amount to still depends upon Washington. He makes things happen in space and that's where he coudl excel on a screen, but he won't get much work between the tackles. Could be Westbrook but more than likely will still be watching a lot of Favre from the sidelines. Like him as a bye week guy with upside though.
Biggest Question: Will he get enough touches?
Biggest Plus: Speed and a dynamic playmaking ability.
Chris Baker/Bubba Franks/Dustin Keller: I wonder if Franks had a hand in talking Favre into NY? Well, don't get carried away - Franks is enough past his prime to not have a huge impact and was brought into block. Baker is the immediate recipiant of good Favre Karma - he can do a lot of different things and will be on the field the most. However, don't be shocked if Favre bonds with Keller ala Donald Lee last year. Keller is having a great camp and aside from not being able to block, is making some great catches. He and Baker may cancel each other out but I like Keller to take over somewhere in the midst of this season.
What that means is up in the air until we see what the Jets will do with their TEs.
Biggest Questions: Who will get looks, how will the TEs get used?
Biggest Pluses: Baker can do anything, will get lots of field time, Franks blocks well, knows Favre and Keller is an exciting prospect who can open up the outside in a way the other two can't.
That's all for now - lots to consider before your draft day but the Jets just might have become a good place for some value.
Pennington:er..... cut.
Clemens:Kellen, bench - bench, Kellen.
Those were the easy ones....
Laveranues Coles: A solid WR2 anyway, I could see him top 1000 yards this year if healthy. He doesn't go too long, and years of crossing routes have started to take their toll, however I still think he will get a lot of targets from Favre and is reliable enough to catch a lot of them (62% last year). If he manages to increase his TD total, he could float into the WR1 range.
Biggest Questions: Will he stay healthy and will Favre click with him?
Biggest Plus: awesome hands, fearless receiver
Jerricho Cotchery: Like Coles, already a #2 WR with potential #1 upside, Cotchery should top 1000 easy, maybe heading towards 1,400 land. And see his TDs increase to boot. If he clicks with The Favre, could take over as #1 for the Jets and the upside there would potentially be huge. He's already the main deep threat for the Jets, so it isn't a reach to think Favre will utilize him as such. He gets tons of targets - if that keeps up, he just became a really interesting Fantasy prospect.
Biggest Questions: Will other WRs/TEs (Keller, Smith, Clowney) eat into his targets and will the Oline jell enough to give Favre the time to hit him deep?
Biggest Plus: Goes deep, gets many targets.
Thomas Jones:Jones is doing cartwheels. This will open the offense a ton and give him room to run. He may even see some catches. I was already calling for a solid bounce baclk season - lock that in there. He should top 1,000 yards if the Oline holds. He seems to be rebounding slower from dings, but has looked good in camp so far.
Biggest Questions: Is age catching up to him and will the O-line hold?
Biggest Plus: Workhorse back who will be depended upon to keep the Jets going while Favre learns the offense.
Leon Washington: The young, dynamic back will see a ton of catches from Favre but how much it will all amount to still depends upon Washington. He makes things happen in space and that's where he coudl excel on a screen, but he won't get much work between the tackles. Could be Westbrook but more than likely will still be watching a lot of Favre from the sidelines. Like him as a bye week guy with upside though.
Biggest Question: Will he get enough touches?
Biggest Plus: Speed and a dynamic playmaking ability.
Chris Baker/Bubba Franks/Dustin Keller: I wonder if Franks had a hand in talking Favre into NY? Well, don't get carried away - Franks is enough past his prime to not have a huge impact and was brought into block. Baker is the immediate recipiant of good Favre Karma - he can do a lot of different things and will be on the field the most. However, don't be shocked if Favre bonds with Keller ala Donald Lee last year. Keller is having a great camp and aside from not being able to block, is making some great catches. He and Baker may cancel each other out but I like Keller to take over somewhere in the midst of this season.
What that means is up in the air until we see what the Jets will do with their TEs.
Biggest Questions: Who will get looks, how will the TEs get used?
Biggest Pluses: Baker can do anything, will get lots of field time, Franks blocks well, knows Favre and Keller is an exciting prospect who can open up the outside in a way the other two can't.
That's all for now - lots to consider before your draft day but the Jets just might have become a good place for some value.
Favre to Jets - finally?
According to FOXSports.com , Brett Favre is now a Jet. Jay Glazer is saying there are no compensation details yet but rumor earlier was a 3rd with escalations to a 1st depending on the Jets and Favre's performances.
More when I have it.
But bump up the Jets offense considerably if it's true....
More when I have it.
But bump up the Jets offense considerably if it's true....
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
