I keep looking over three or four draft sights as I look for what could be draft answers to NYJ's offensive and defensive line of scrimmage problems. The NYJ are long time losers on the line of scrimmage -- it is a cultural and a strategic issue that won't go away because of a single free agency market or a one off-season's draft pick. Do we have a platoon for the left side? for the right side? It's not just about injuries, depth is needed so that we develop OL and DL and LBs that can come in and step it up energy-wize without slacking off on dominance and technique. What do you think Bender's going to do? Oldenburg? Montgomery? Do we have to replace them all? If we make the assumption that the first string is pretty much set for DBrick, Faneca, Mangold, Moore, and Woody -- can we count on Brandon Moore to play well enough not to be the weakest link? If we don't get Gholston, who will we use to upgrade the LBs? Barton?! Bowen?! Hobson?! Don't we need some LB speed, or is that gone with Jonathan Vilma, and should be replaced by more "David Harris's"...? These are the areas where we maybe can really do something about losing this year, and afterwards too. What do you think?
I dont know many of the lower ranked OL but what I've researched into the 4-6 range of talent is below OT Brandon Keith,Northern Iowa Tony Hills,Texas Breno Giacomini,Louisville Kirk Barton,Ohio State Chad Rinehart,Northern Iowa Barry Richardson,Clemson Duane Brown,Virginia Tech King Dunlap,Auburn OG Robert Felton,Arkansas Donald Thomas, Connecticut Eric Young, Tennessee Christopher McDuffie,Clemson Andrew Crummey,Maryland With our 3-4 and not many colleges running a 3-4 I looked mainly at DT that can covert into 3-4 Ends or possibly be a future NT DE Kendall Langford,Hampton 6'6/287/4.95 Marcus Dixon,Hampton 6-4/292/5.14 DT Ahtyba Rubin,Iowa State 6-3/315/5.2 Nate Robinson,Akron 6-4/320/5.11 Barry Booker,Virginia Tech 6-4/284/5.06 Maurice Murray,New Mexico State 6-3/334/4.98 Lionel Dotson,Arizona 6-4/296/5.38 I havent finished scouting LB's Id like
Pretty good list from Docny. DE: Kenny Iwebema, IOWA, and Brian Johnston, Gardner-Webb ILB: I've always been a fan of taking J Leman, Illinois, in the later rounds.
How about Eric Young, Tennessee: "Strengths: Very good size and bulk...A good athlete...Quick with good agility...Moves his feet well...Excellent lateral mobility...Good strength and delivers a terrific initial blow...A decent drive blocker..Has displayed the ability to recover when beat..Understands angles...He shows nice awareness...Offers some versatility..Still has some upside. "Weaknesses: Underachiever who doesn't always play up to his physical tools..Inconsistent with his technique...Not a finisher and lacks a killer instinct...Poor balance...Struggles in space...Won't do much at the second level..Not real powerful or tough...Has some durability concerns....Classic 'tweener who'll be forced to make a position change. "Notes: Played out of position at left tackle as a senior...Also played right tackle during his college career...Had his senior year ended prematurely after just eight games due to a quad injury...Definitely has some physical tools to work with and could thrive once he's not playing out of position..A little overrated but he has the potential to start at the pro level...Similar to Arron Sears but not nearly as good of a prospect." Scott Wright, Draft BLog
How about Kerry Brown, OG, Appalachian St. ? Height: 6-6 | Weight: 310 | 40-Time: 5.25 "Strengths: Has excellent size and a huge frame...Real tough and physical...Plays with a nasty demeanor and has a killer instinct...Very strong and powerful..Is relatively athletic with good mobility..Quick and agile...Stout at the point of attack...Can pull and get to the second level...Has a great motor...Nice awareness....Has lots of experience. Weaknesses: Didn't play against a lot of premier competiton...Will lose his balance...Can be too aggressive at times...Not necessarily a dominant drive blocker...Is a step slow off the snap...Struggles to recover when beaten...Seemed to get bored on occasions. Notes: Four-year starter...Was a two-time Division I-AA All-American..Father Bruce played basketball at Georgia Tech...Sister Kristy was a basketball standout at Stetson...A great small school prospect who has the physical tools along with the intangibles you look for in an offensive lineman..Very underrated who somehow didn't receive an invitation to the '08 Scouting Combine....Showed real well at the Texas vs. The Nation game..Wouldn't surprise me in the least if he wound up starting in the NFL." Scott Wright Draft Blog
How about Gary Guyton, Outside Linebacker Georgia Tech Height: 6-15/8 | Weight: 245 | 40-Time: 4.47 "Strengths: Good size and a solid frame...A very good athlete...Has good range...Can deliver a big hit...More quick than fast and has a burst to close...Versatile...Smart with solid intangibles...An excellent special teamer..Is still improving and has a bit of upside. Weaknesses: His timed speed is merely average...Is not very explosive...He lacks fluid hips and struggles in coverage...Does not shed blocks well...Is not real physical...A sub par tackler...Does not have great instincts or awareness and he can be slow to react. Notes: Was overshadowed by Philip Wheeler...He has experience at both the strongside and weakside positions...Only a two-year starter but is coming off of a productive senior campaign...Might not have all of the physical tools you look for but is just a quality football player...Should at the very least be a nice backup...Could surprise." Scott Wright Draft Blog
How about Marcus Howard, Outside Linebacker, University of GA Height: 6-01/2 | Weight: 237 | 40-Time: 4.42 "Strengths: Outstanding timed speed...Great athleticism...Very quick with an excellent burst..A terror off the edge...Great range and does a fantastic job in pursuit..Superb agility and changes directions well...Has fluid hips to turn and run in coverage...A reliable tackler...Offers some versatility...Nice special teams potential...Has a lot of upside. Weaknesses: 'Tweener who may have to make a position change...Is either extremely (DE) or a little (OLB) undersized depending on where he plays...Isn't very stout at the point and is a liability against the run..Can be physically manhandled..Struggles to shed blocks...Not a fit for everyone...One-Dimensional...Didn't start until his senior year. Notes: College defensive end who will likely have to make the move to outside linebacker in the pros...Began his college career as a strongside linebacker before moving to the defensive line in '05...Backed up Quentin Moses and Charles Johnson early in his career...After waiting his turn he really came on in 2007 and finished his career on a high note with 3 sacks against Hawaii in the Sugar Bowl...It is hard to define exactly how he'll fit in at the next level (3-4 OLB? 4-3 OLB? 4-3 DE?) but there will always be room for a top pass rusher with his type of elite speed and athleticism." Scott Wright Draft Blog
Kendall Langford is a guy that the FO should take a look at on day 2. I also think Breno Giacomini could be a good depth guy for his 1st 2 yrs.
One gets the impression that not only are the Big Uglies singularly unattractive for discussion on this "Message Board", but there is little appreciation of how vital they are for the NYJ. This little understood (by myself included) area of selecting, molding, and managing for the team will spell the success or failure of the NYJs. It looks like it will be done totally outside our view. I'm still looking though.
Kerry Brown is a little to slow for me on the OL I tend to like guys with the 4.9 - 5.2 time I heard he ran 5.4
Does anybody have a good web site where you can check the measurables of prior year draft picks (like people that we know) so we have some means of comparison for these guys? I know there's plenty of stuff out there, but so far I am not happy with what I've been able to find. Thanks.
I'd love Kerry Brown or Greco on the OL. I'm not I see Rubin falling to round 4, but I'd love if he did. Still, the Chargers, Browns, Dolphins, Niners, all play the 3-4 and need a NT. The Broncos, Jaguars, and every other team that needs a big DT will also be looking at him. There was talk of him going to the Chargers in the first during Senior Bowl week, but I'm guessing thats ridiculous.
Docny1975, what about Maurice Murray,New Mexico State 6-3/334/4.98 --? He looks bigger and faster than all those guys you listed before him...?! What's the deal with Murray?
I like him as a 6th or 7th round pick but more then likely a walk on Strengths: Has excellent size and bulk with long arms...Is strong and powerful...Good speed and quickness...Plays with great pad level and leverage...Can penetrate and get pressure...Does a nice job against the run...Offers a lot of versatility...Has upside. Weaknesses: 'Tweener who may be making a position change...Is not real explosive and lacks a burst to close...Motor runs hot and cold...Struggles when double teamed...Doesn't have great instincts...Not real stout at the point..Work ethic has been questioned. Notes: Transfer from Long Beach City College...Missed the entire '05 season with a staph infection in his knee...Played end in the Aggies 3-4 defense...Underrated prospect who could project to either tackle in a 4-3 scheme or end in a 3-4 at the pro level. He is ranked lower because he didnt play his entire college career at the higher lvl transfered to NM state from Long Beach City College
