For the record: Jonathan Vilma is the 3rd very talented player to leave town since 1998 because of a defensive alignment shift that made him much less valuable. 1998 - Hugh Douglas, a strong pass-rushing defensive end in the 4-3, winds up traded to Philadelphia for a 2nd round pick because he does not fit in Parcells new 3-4. 2001 - James Farrior, an ok outside linebacker in the 3-4 is allowed to leave for Pittsburgh, where he becomes an All-Pro inside, because he doesn't fit in Herm Edwards new 4-3 Cover-2. 2008 - Jonathan Vilma, a good 4-3 middle linebacker, is traded to New Orleans because he doesn't fit in Eric Mangini's 3-4. I'm leaving out the John Abraham departure, because although it is also linked to a switch in defensive front, there were other factors involved too.
Which is exactly the reason you stick it out with Mangini and company at this point. They seem to be making the right moves and already have vastly improved the D-Line this offseason with the addition of Jenkins. We are build toward a goal of not only being a vialble team now, but down the road as well. While they are not perfect by any means, they have a plan for today and the future that seems to be headed in the right direction.
While I agree with you about the defensive alignment shifts being very costly over the years, your examples arent all that great. Hugh Douglas clashed with Parcell from the start and that was the #1 reason he was dealt, he probably would have made a fine OLB in the 3-4. James Farrior had his best season as a Jet in the 4-3 cover 2, he wasnt very good before that in the 3-4. In hindsight getting rid of him turned out to be a bad move but at the time there was every reason to believe he turned it on in his contract year. Nothing to say about Vilma, the shift to the 3-4 has clearly affected his play and is the reason he was just dealt, probably will be able to add DRob to the list as well pretty soon.
At this point though i'm not sure we had to trade Vilma. Especially if the deal is as reported for a FOURTH or possibly THIRD? If he meets the incentive??? That's terrible. Vilma was worth more than a third, at least to see if he would pan out with the new personnel we bring in this year.
Agreed - But, it was the Herm / Bradway era we could have done without.. Espcially when they hired Cotrell..... At least Mangini came in with his own defense -Herm and Bradway came here and tried to invent a hybrid defense...... I'm not overly pained by Mangini's switch either cuz I don't think the defense was anything special when they got here anyway - So 4-3 or 3-4 Mangini had his work cut out for him. And Vilma was overrated anyway. Robertson was just a disater pick from day 1.
With one year left on his contract at least we got somethign for him. He would have walked if not franchised next year and I highly doubt our FO was willing to do that. I'm assuming that this also saves us some $$ against the cap. With Jenkins new deal, hopefully at least one O-lineman comming in FA, and Rhodes to extend, it will help.
They are leaving out Cox, Pfifer, Drob, and a host of others that didn't fit the schemes of our ncoming coaches.
I just included the pro bowl caliber players. Obviously the moves have been costly in other ways also, with Mo Lewis and Marvin Jones both effectively being retired by the finalization of the shift to the 4-3 Cover 2. Both of those guys would have been fine backstopping a 3-4 for another couple of seasons.
