I think the panic was pretty well founded. Mangini was coming in after a season where the QB situation was laughable because the Jets did not have the right depth at the position. That was not a rookie mistake - that was just a really dumb mistake. Then Curtis Martin abruptly retired and the Jets were looking at a possible catastrophe at RB. So they went after an RB. By that point it was slim pickens. First they got Lee Suggs who was so bad they pretended he failed his physical. Then they settled on Barlow. Even at the time, I'm sure Tanginibaum wasn't thrillled with Barlow. But he gave the Jets security. In hindsight, he wasn't worth it but, at the time, I can't blame the Jets for that move.
Well, Dillon is apparently retiring, so that will help everyone else. http://www.boston.com/sports/football/patriots/articles/2007/02/22/patriots_dillon_to_call_it_quits/
MaGahee is nothing to write home about either, Buffalo would like to get rid of him. Brown hasn't exactly lit it up either, and that's because the Miami O line is almost as bad at run blocking as the Jets are.
The word up in NE is that Dillion wants to leave the Pats. No long term solution but the guy can still play.
