Yes, some of the best have been picked off with huge contracts - probably more than anyone should spend on them. Then there are overpaid guards and backup WR's. Why are Jet fan's in panic mode? Who do the Jets really want at what positition? RB? Maybe - and there is still plenty out there for our team concepts like Travis Henry, Correll Buckhalter, TJ Ducket, or what's left of Corey Dillon? Or would we rather draft a RB? OL? DL? Patrick Kearney is still out there? Who else would really help? I am confident out FO has a plan, and will succeed without throwing away good money and hurting our cap room prior to the draft.
Why are Jet fans in panic mode? Because we're Jet fans. That's what we do. We go into panic mode at the drop of a hat, in fact we're kind of known for it.
Relax and let the headless chickens run around. I'm all for that. If I learnt one thing from last seasons new regime its that NO-ONE is going to know what we are doing until its in the bag. I would hate to play poker with Tangini.
Let's not get conservative to a fault. I'm a big fan of the way Mangini and Co. handled FA and the draft last year. They had to see what they had and get the house in order. Great job not trying to make a big splash by making silly deals. That said, this is year 2 and they have to their house in order and they know what they have heading into the 2007 season. I was looking at the last years depth chart (here's the link) http://www.nfl.com/teams/depthcharts/NYJ Bottom Line, the Jets need to make at least one big FA deal for an impact defensive player. They will have to spend some real money and they better not "wait and see" too long. They need to stick their collective necks out a little bit and make a big move NOW. As far as RB, there are few credible nfl backs out there and they can take their time with that and save some cash, not so with top notch defenders.
Why? Do you know who they are targeting? Do you know who they decided they were going after before the FA started? Just because they haven't made a big signing, or signed a player you wanted, or made the newspapers with some huge over the top free agent splash, DOES NOT mean they are sitting on their hands. Perhaps the players they wanted from day 1 are still out there. Perhaps they have a trade in the works. Or they are targeting a few players in the draft. Maybe they are in talks to secure some more of our own players like Hobson and Rhodes. The fact is this FO is secretive, and we won't know what their plan is until we see it unfold. And that is making fans impatient, and think the FO is letting FA pass them by. Incorrectly I might add. We as fans have to "wait and see" how the entire offseason plays out and how that translates into the season. Until then it is all hype.
Here we go ... the 10-6 finish. That makes everything ok. That has all the answers. Please, if you watched the games last season you know that the 10-6 finish was done on a wing and a prayer. It was a great accompishment by the coaching staff with a rag tag bunch. This is a universally accepted fact. I am not promoting the Jets go out and sign an army of flashy big-name free agents and created a cap mess. The Pat's signing of A.Thomas was a bold move for a very good player. He improves that defense significantly. We did not make such a move last year and that made sense then with so many question marks. Thats not gonna cut it this year. We fans pay alot of cash for season tickets and we have enough cap room to make one big signing, dig up a few Hank Poteats and still sign our draft picks without hamstringing the team. The best players sign fast and I would like to see one in Jet Green.
I'm just enjoying the ride. No need for a quick fix here. I want the Jets to be the Steelers of the next 30 years, not a joy-riding wreck waiting to happen.
I am not an extremist by any means. Most people on this board are to some extent. I do believe that playing it close to the vest is a good gameplan for the offseason on the whole. Lets not run out and throw money at guys because they are famous & were great 3 years ago. Lets not go out and dump an insane amount of money on 2 or 3 players and bury the team in debt for years to come. We've done these things in the past and it has hurt this team for years. What I am saying is that there are quality high-caliber players in the FA market and the FO owes it to the fans to grab one of these players and improve this team. Depth-type players are all well and good. We know the FO is adept at finding such players. But guess what, the signable starts are no secret and they will cost $$$. We should, no we need to, sign one of these players. Particularly on defense. No stop gap, no hold the fort, no he brings a winning attitude, no he looked good in a limited role for the blahblah team ... a bonafide starter that instantly improves this team. Once again ... not looking to win the offseason, not looking to buy a new jersey, not looking to see big espn article... just looking to improve this team before the draft. That is one of the purposes of FA. We need to get in the mix. Again, no selling out out teams future ... just one quality starter.
Im not worried. We didnt make a big splash last year either. We signed low key guys who get the job done and fit the system. Thats they way we run things. Then we build the team through the draft.
We can debate free agency philosophy all we want, but the facts are these: I think most everyone will agree that based on our playoff loss that the gap between the Jets and the Patriots was substantial from a football standpoint. Now, after three days of free agency, that gap has substantially increased. You though our o-line had a problem blocking guys like Banta Cain? Wait till they try to block A. Thomas! But don't worry, our 5th round tackle from North Dakota state that we'll pick up in late April will be up to the task.
I think the most ironic thing about the whining is that it comes from the same people who make fun of the Redsins for spending lavishly on the best players available every offseason and yet piss and moan that the Jets do not replicate the same practice. which is it? most free agents are very good players, but this shouldn't get confused with great players just because they are the best player available that offseason. yet they get paid great player money simply because teams are desperate to add a new piece.
that's why the games are played on the field, not in the arena of your worries. if anything, the history of free agency in pro-sports reveals big signings or even trades do not neccessarily equate to brilliant success on the field.
