It is never too early to consider what areas need strengthening and how to go about it. The current roster does not have a blocking TE. I can't figure out why we haven't addressed this, given our intention to run the ball as much as possible. Neither Keller nor Cumberland can block. And that's run or pass block. In the 1st Qtr alone we saw Cumberland dusted around end by an OLB, and Keller get beat to the inside position to a DE on an inside run. Outcomes: a sack on Sanchez on the first, and a 2-yard loss by Greene on the second. In the past we have found blocking TE's at the end of the pre-season (Hartstock comes to mind) but we should look to add this spot as soon as possible to incorporate into the offense. Another is WR, where a veteran with polished route running skills and good hands could go a long way to helping Sanchez. Someone like Cotcherry circa 2010. I heard the name Camarillo thrown about. I'd prefer a higher ceiling guy, but anyone to take pressure off Hill, who at the moment will HAVE to produce right away. And finally, our open wound called the punter is once again festering. It's absurd that we haven't chosen to find a better solution. We just cut the guy who was competing with Conley......who we all know is awful. On this point, there was a paragraph from the ESPN write-up of last night's Oak-Dallas game that caught my attention: "One of the most impressive Raiders on Monday was a player who will not be on the 53-man roster – punter Marquette King. The rookie, who is playing for injured star Shane Lechler, has a huge leg. But he sent beating out Lechler. Perhaps Oakland will try to stash King of the practice squad as insurance for Lechler, who is entering the final season on contract. But with the film King is putting out there, there is a chance a team in this punter-hungry league could snap him up." If I were Tanny I would be all over this guy. Scout him for one more week and then offer a 7th rounder. Oakland will take a pick rather than lose him to a team on the wire. And what value can we place on solving a loooooong time problem for us?
Thats the thing about the NFL though, every team has holes to adress, every last team has a hole somewhere.
You should be fine in finding a blocking TE. They can come of the scrap heap. Even if there are none worthy of a roster spot, I'm sure the coaches would just use an extra lineman. I wouldnt worry about a punter. I did see that guy from the Raiders punt a few times tonight, his leg is ridiculous. I would worry about a receiver. What happened to Kerley as the slot guy? I liked him the few times I saw him. Is Hill ready to be a starter at #2?
Just my opinion but I think these are the holes the Jets need to address before camp breaks or we've got real problems: 1. RT - no surprise here, the Jets still do not have an NFL caliber RT. Failing to address this will cap the season at a much lower level than it might otherwise attain. 2. WR - the Jets have one starting caliber WR at this point in Santonio Holmes and he's currently hobbled. Nobody else is going to get 40+ catches as a starter. Kerley will reach that as the third guy but not if he's got one of the starting corners on him. 3. TE - as you point out the Jets have no blocking TE at this point. 4. Swing Tackle - The Jets don't have one right now. If D'Brick goes down the Jets do not have an NFL caliber tackle on the roster. Nothing they're trying to do is going to work if they don't get the tackle situation sorted out. 5. Backup Guard - Maybe the guy they took in the 6th round is ok, maybe Caleb Schlauderaff is actually an NFL player instead of the FO's latest improbable wet dream, but Vladimir Ducasse is a stiff and the fact that he couldn't beat out Slauson at LG, preventing the Jets from having Slauson be the swing tackle or starting at RT is a problem. 6. Punter. The defense has enough talented bodies that Rex will figure it out. The offense is a total mess at this point.
1) Hunter is starting 2) Hill might, Kerley will, Turner could... if he starts 3) 100% accurate 4) Austin Howard, more experienced @ LT, looked ok @ RT in preseason. Also our Jumbo TE 5) Vlad is fine for a backup LG 6) I wouldnt mind an upgrade
Yea the only wet dream is everyone's fantasy about filling every hole every year, Every team has "suspect" players Talent is not EVERYWHERE its tough to find
How many different threads are people going to come up with to address the same question? Oh BTW, Burnz check your inbox.
I just read over on the post that Austin "Danger" Howard played TE in college (as well as basketball). Sounds like a pretty good option to use as the blocking TE at 6'8" 330lbs.
yeah, I was hoping the JETS were going to select TWO offensive linemen fairly high in this past draft...... 1 to replace Hunter, 2, to be ahead of the curve as the wheels fall off B.Moore
The Jets are rebuilding on offense. I just hope Tannenbaum realizes that. We arguably have the worst offensive personnel in the league. Cleveland, St Louis, Miami and Jacksonville are all in the mix. The only person we really added was Tebow and a rookie WR who played in an option offense. Considering how brutal the offense was last year....it was a bizarre offseason to say the least.
Bingo. Accept it for what it is. the Jets are indeed rebuilding their RB/WR corps. But I don't think they are short on athleticism/talent..the personnel is just very green & it will take time to get them up to speed. Hard to fault the team for trying to build an offense the right way...especially considering the defense can likely carry the team for 16 weeks. I think the questions regarding the Jets O-line depth is off base & silly. Yes the camp fodders playing in the preseason stink. They can't pass protect & it makes any of the back-up units very hard to watch. But most of these guys will not be on the team. Shlauderoff,Ducasse Hunter/Turner(who ever doesn't start) & Griffin are all decent. the only spot in question is starting RT. Lets hope Howard keeps stepping up Blocking TE is the most glaring need on the roster. Ground & pouind will not be successful w/o a viable solution.
Does anyone know approx. what Eric Winston signed for as a free agent? was it more than the JETS could afford (under the cap)?
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/03/17/winston-gets-22-million-over-four-years/ $22M over 4 years.
It wouldn't look that absurd if he was pancaking guys into the turf - not saying it'll happen but it's intriguing to think about
i agree...if we are in a jumbo set let howard play the interior and let our #2 TE play the exterior. It wouldn't tip our hand if done that way.
There was one play in the first preseason game where they bumped Ducasse out to LT and Howard out to TE. If Howard doesn't beat out Hunter I can definitely see him being the TE on obvious running downs.
If T-Bomb didn't guarantee WFH's salary, Eric Winston was WELL within reach. (About $4M/yr, at $22M/4 year contract) Thanks, T-Bomb.
It was a surrender off-season. The Jets basically surrendered for the upcoming season unless several very improbable things happen. Those being Hunter miraculously becoming an acceptable RT at the age of 31, no injuries happening on the offensive line, a rookie WR from a running offense playing well enough to be a solid #2, a phantom TE showing up to block for them and nobody suddenly aging out.
