He went from prime cut candidate to solid backup. Improved blocking, not dropping everything that’s thrown his way, good work ethic. Assuming it’s more of a one year, $5 mil deal like Myers. Mougs locking up the depth guys this early is a smart move and a show of good faith to the roster. Baby steps.
I guess. Maybe they want some continuity and like the progress he made. But that progress was from someone who should not even be on the roster to a rosterable player, that's about it. Frankly I wanted to see what we have in Jelani Woods. But to be honest I am a bit surprised they prioritized Ruckert, I thought we could have upgraded TE2 position. Not a terrible move I suppose for 5 mil, but not jumping from joy either.
He definitely has improved a ton this year and seemingly out of nowhere. I recall reading that he wasn't even looking good in the pre/off-season. So nice to see him back for sure and can't not appreciate the whole growing up a Jets fan thing, but glad it's his play that has done the talking lately! Seems a bit rich, I'll say, but then again, the way contracts look these days maybe it's not. I appreciate the efforts to reward and take care of guys who played well and earned a bigger contract. I would imagine that sends a good message for others. And @Borat , good point about Woods. Who knows what's happening behind the scenes, but I'd had hope he could end up being a find for them. Maybe with a year of health and development he could show more next year. Even Stone Smartt I thought we'd see more of. Definitely surprised Ruckert held on to the #2 TE role
Woods is a mystery. He has every physical tool yet two teams are basically throwing in the towel on him. Ruckert is more of a blocker anyway so I don’t tie the two together, and he’s turned into a very good blocker at that. Woods is a receiver, and the TE room needs one more of those so hopefully we get some snaps out of him the last three games.
Yeah, I get the move, and I think I can see what Mooge is doing here. He does not want to invest in TE position, thinking we have Taylor, who should become TE1, and Ruckert did improve his blocking and overall performance where he is a passable #2 for just 5 mil. Plus continuity. This allows to focus on other positions like WR2, defense, etc, and not create another hole. It's not a very exciting move, but given how many holes we do have, I get it. Mooge was right about keeping Ruckert over Conklin btw, who started well, but then sucked and lost playing time in LAC.
Agreed, he is definitely at least playable at this point lol. Which is what you want out of a backup tightend. He is also a part of the special teams unit that’s the best in the league so I’m sure that plays a part. Shows how much I know, I thought he should’ve been cut before training camp.
Woody didn't want his dad to cancel his season tickets..... or drive his cement truck through the JETS facility!
I was driving that train. I wanted him cut and Greg Dulcich claimed in his place. It's hard to argue against him earning this when he's part of the best ST unit in the league and a top 10 run offense as a blocking TE. That's why I type on here and don't make decisions.
Yeah….my view on him wasn’t so much that he’s unplayable, just that he doesn’t seem to make many plays in the passing game…for whatever reason. The only thing you’ll see him do is catch like a 5 yard out once in a while. But I would also grant that part of that is the shit poor QB play we’ve had pretty much the whole time he’s been here, so that’s maybe a part of it too. I have no problem with this extension, and it’s cheap…it’s to me another kind of nice notch on Mougey’s belt…seems like he knows what he’s doing…didn’t overpay, etc. I’m good with it, and maybe if we can somehow find better QB play, we can get more out of our TE’s both Taylor and Ruckert than just having them run 5 yard outs
Good point about special teams. And I'm pretty sure anybody following closely enough wanted him cut, as well as media/podcasters calling for or projecting it. It's a small thing, but a little victory for Mougey and co. It was a big surprise he made the roster
Generally not a great sign when a guy suddenly improves during the last year of his contract. It's not much money in the grand scheme of things though so I'm not going to lose sleep over it.
He's been solid and hopefully he keeps improving. On Woods, there's has to be something we're not seeing. Maybe, he's lazy or stupid......or both.
Why tie up 5 million a year of your cap space for a guy who avg's less than 10 yard a game catching? This is insane and dumb. We could of drafted a te in the 4-6th round to replace ruckert making league minimum, no way he was getting close to 2/10 mil on the open market. He will be making as much as Zack Ertz and Austin Hooper who are way better. We gotta pretty much fill every position this offseason on defense and we are wasting millions on another bum. Big overpay what for? Because he is a long island kid and can sell tickets?
Good for him. He grew as a blocker tremendously. He is tops in that area and a solid catcher now. Dependable as hell on special teams. That is exactly what you need to help a rookie QB and for our running game. He is there when you need him. Nonsense with this overpaid BS like if a top blocker grows on trees. He was one hell of a lot more dependable than Lazar and as for Wood, useless receiver if he cannot be on the grass. TE is the last area we should go after with all our needs. Keep some continuity for Pete’s sake.
He may have started out a Jets fan, but after seeing what they look like from the inside, I bet he isn't much longer.
