And as a fan, why would you want it any other way????? You want your team burdened by guaranteed contracts for players that don't earn or play up to them??? Unless you are a player or an agent, the current system is better for the teams and the fans.
The question I have is this. Kendall was probably the best run blocker we had last year and to say that shows how putrid we were. He is most likely gone now, one way or another. Who will take his place and what can we really expect from Thomas Jones without a decent run blocking line?
Ding ding ding. Winnah. I don't like what Kendall is doing, but he is a veteran on an already shaky and inexperienced line. Signing Jones was nice but the Bears had a line for him to run behind. This whole situation would have been easier to stomach, and probably a lot less uglier (not to mention Kendall would have had ZERO leverage), if the team had addressed OL seriously at this point.
Kendall is an ageing, underweight guard he is at best average. At this point he is nothing but a hold the fort type player. For the Jets to be anything more than a 500 team we need some one to step up and give us more than Kendall did last year. This is not a big deal.
I'm concerned about the OL's status....Than again, I was concerned throughout last year. W/ that said, I believe despite Kendall's pending departure, I believe our OL will at least tread water in terms of its performance( a performance that was good enough for the playoffs last season). Here are the reasons why: 1.Cohesion- Pending acouple prospects beating out Incumbent starters, we will be returning 4/5 starters, and the replacement at this stage, would be someone who was part of the team last season and knows the system. Cohesion is the single most important factor when you're talking OL stability, and this area looks to be in good shape. 2. Brick and Mangold's development- Both are highly talented individuals who supposivey, have put in alot of hard work this offseason to improve. They are the long term corps of the OL, and as they go, the line goes. If they improve, the line will improve. 3. Competition factor- W/ Kendall leaving that creates competition at the spot w/ Clarke, Bender, Smith, and Jones. All 4 have decent ability, and anyone will tell you that TC competition on OL and DL, usually leads to very good things. Whoever wins the spot will have earned it, and w/ the talent available, we may stand to have an upgrade. You add in all those factors, and we're in alot better shape than it may seem upfront. Certainly long term the RG, LG and RT spots will need to be addressed, but for now, we at least have an experienced, cohesive group w/ 2 highly touted young players to use as a foundation.
