I know it is early, but I have to say I am pretty impressed with the new regime. While the moves they have made have been unspectacular, the team is steadily moving in the right direction. Here is just a smattering of what they've done: Traded Abraham - While Abraham was a great player when he was on the field, he could not be counted on, especially for all the money he would have cost us. The fact that we got a first rounder for him was a bonus. Released older players - Mawae, Fabini, Fiedler, and Law were good-to-great players at some point in their careers. However, they were all on the downside of their careers. Used high draft picks on the O-Line - It's not sexy, but it is the best way to long term improvement. Both Furgeson and Mangold appear to be the real deal. Picked up a 2007 2nd rounder - Would never happen with Bradway. Selected a potential QB of the future - While it is too early to call him the next Tom Brady, Clemens looks like a guy with a lot of potential....2007 should be very interesting. Found playermakers in the mid-rounds - Brad Smith and Leon Washington both appear to be versitile players who can add some instant excitement. Brought it some veteran talent - Dwight, von Oelhoffen, and Dyson. Ran a tough camp - Determine who are the Mangini players and who aren't....I like it. Playing Cotchery over McCareins - This was one many of us were begging for. I hope it sticks and Cotch-Coles are the starting wide-outs. Play calling - I know it is pre-season, but the team seems to be experimenting with some creative play calling on offense, defense and special teams. Shoring up the RB spot - Curtis was on the decline with or without the injury. I give a lot of credit to Tangini for not panicking and taking a RB early in the draft (I would have taken one). They spent much of camp looking at the other RBs, but clearly they realized that they weren't happy with what they had. Suggs was an OK pickup...but Barlow was better. If there is any truth to the Ledell Betts rumor, I would love that. I think they are doing a bang-up job. The fact that the NY media hates them makes me think even more that Tangini is doing something right. The moves I would like to see yet to come are the release/trade of Ramsey (I liked the trade, but I've seen enough...Bolly or Clemens for backup) and McCareins (Coles, Cotchery, Dwight, Smith and Newhouse are a nice group...J-Mac is expendable). I've tried to temper my expectations, but I've just got a funny feeling that after a rocky start, this team is going to finish the season strong and be back in playoff contention next season. DbJ
WOW I cant believe ou didnt bash the FO (sarcasm). You nailed it DBJ, A Tripple Lundy!! (back to school)
I echo your sentiments. There is a lot to be optimistic about with this regime so far. I do however, want to temper my excitement, because the schedule is brutal, and there's alot of youth on both sides of the ball. But, we are certainly moving in the right direction, and you can't help but get excited about the prospects of these players getting better with experience. With parity as it will be in the NFL, we just might be in the thick of the hunt again in a couple of years....maybe sooner.
"Traded Abraham - While Abraham was a great player when he was on the field, he could not be counted on, especially for all the money he would have cost us. The fact that we got a first rounder for him was a bonus." - death by jets. considering he cost far less than the qb, why is the egg still around? we lost a lot of talent because so much cap space was being tied up by mr. checkbook. i did not hear anyone describe abe as ' like an egg back there'.
dbj, Great points. Hey, its gutsy and not pretty when you choose to cement your offensive line for the next 5-10 years. Those positions on offense, along with qb, make playoff teams. The 2nd rounder next year stays way under the radar...but not next year come draft day. Either a solid pick..or a good chip to move up to take a possible franchise running back etc. That pick will be big come next year. What has impressed me the most so far is the way they have focused on impact players..guys that might not rush for 150 yards...or catch 2 touchdown passes a game...but will have that one or two impact plays per game. They made a decision and stuck with it. They could have either gone for 2 impact offensive players playing behind an offensive line held together with scotch tape...or sured up an offensive line. Great lines can make decent players very good...see Denver. All in all...I like what I see. I love the no nonsense approach. There will be mistakes, Im sure...but it wont be because of a lack of preperation. For a rebuilding year, I am really looking forward to the upcoming season...alot more then I thought I would back in February.
Would have cost us more to release Pennington than to keep him. If he gets injured this season, I suspect it will be his last with the Jets. Plus it is easier to replace a DE (especially when you are switching to a 3-4) than a QB.
I agree with what you said about our offensive playcalling. They haven't even opened up the playbook yet - it has all been short to intermediate passing so far. Still I have this feeling of confidence that was missing under the Herm regime. We actually have looked really good on 3rd down conversions. Then again - maybe my standards are set too low as anything other than a draw play on third down seems like sheer genius :smile:
we need the season to start already so we dont have to just rehash the same bullshit over and over and over again.....so we traded abraham? and drafted o-lineman? really, I had no idea....and its a triple lindy not lundy
By opening day, I bet McCareins is back at #2. Just a gut feeling, but I wish people would get over their Mccareins sucks syndrome. He had a bad year, sure, but every player has a bad year. Let's see if it continues before casting him off.
i disagree.... i think hes the #3 or #4 for good until we can unload him to another team for the right price...I think Mangini has plans for him this season as a backup but will still have a significant role...after that its bye bye and we will find a new receiver...if we need to
I thought he was going, but hearing that we baulked at Atlanta wanting him in exchange for Duckett gives me pause for thought.
Yeah Atl needs a #3 WR, and JM could fill that role with 1 arm. The fact that the CS wouldn't give him up for Duckett says a lot. WHy? Who knows. Perhaps they feel he can pull it out and make some plays. If you look at film, JMac has made some monster plays. Just not enough of them.
