j4remi wrote:Flaming Mo wrote:In recent years the Jets have been vulnerable for big name signings and trades for fairly high costs. But I do not think they will give up on Sanchez. Why should they? He has improved every year, has a great track record in big games (especially playoffs) and he is not afraid of the NY spotlight.
If we want to improve there are much bigger weaknesses on the team. How about a RT who does not let Sanchez get hammered in the pocket after 2 or 3 seconds? Or wide receivers who actually get seperation and help out the QB? And don't get me started on the defense and our great safeties....
This was exactly what I was saying the game thread. QB is the least of our worries. I'd like to fix the right side of our O-Line, our safeties, might be time for a new TE since Keller has disappeared two years in a row and I think we could certainly improve at running back as well.
I agree with you obviously that the QB position isn't a problem. In terms of our needs I absolutely agree with the safety position and as it seems we also need a RT as Hunter isn't even good enough to be a place holder for one season. Seriously, he's gonna get Sanchez seriously hurt when he doesn't get his act together which is unlikely after a horrific season. Other than those two positions I think our needs are the following:
1)
Linebacker - We need speed in our linebacking corps and a better pass rush. Bart Scott and Calvin Pace are getting up there in age and Bryan Thomas most likely will not return. David Harris is our only real three down LB. Maybin, Westerman and Scott are mainly specialists right now and can't be counted on throughout an entire series. I hope the Jets look to get Bart Scott's replacement (Vontaze Burfict anyone) and find a real pass rusher at OLB. Pace has a well rounded game but doesn't scare anybody off the edge. Maybin has ways to go. It would be great if he can develop into a three down backer but right now I dont see it.
2)
Wide receiver - If we expect Sanchez to take a bigger step forward we have to add some weapons for him. Rex has praised the talent of our receiving group but in the end we got Santonio Holmes (who is having a down year) and a bunch of question marks. Burress doesn't get any separation and looks mad slow. Kerley is a rookie. After that we got Patrick Turner. That's it. We have nobody who can get down the field, we have nobody who keeps defenses honest and we have nobody that can truly create huge matchup problems. Braylon Edwards last year blew the top of the opponent's defense and it really helped our overall offensive rythmn. This year teams crowd the box and do not respect our deep game at all. Why should they, we only got wide receivers who can make catches inside of 15 yards. If we get more dangerous on the outside and especially with guys who can get upfield, then it will make our running game effective again.
3)
Tight End - I agree with you that we need a tight end but not one to replace Keller who is already having a career year (should end up with about 800 yards on the season). The player that has to be replaced is Matt Mulligan. He is a walking penalty, can't pass protect and the worst thing of all is that he can't catch at all. So this basically takes every any opportunities that we could get from two tight end sets. We have to find someone who is a good blocker but also can catch a pass here or there for a solid gain so the defense has to account for him. Cumberland seemed to be a riser but after his achilles injury it would be a miracle if he comes back strong next year, if at all.
I would love to get an upgrade at RB or a guy who takes the load off Shonn Greene but right now that would be a luxury. Greene is still a solid back who fits our style of offense. LT and McKnight are terrific third down backs. Yet I think with the way we have run the ball the last couple of seasons and how our team is built, we could ask for more from the position. Yet with the drafting of McKnight and Powell in consecutive seasons, I can't see how we can invest another pick into the position (if not for Trent Richardson or Lamar Miller) and really expect an upgrade.
To me the first job this coming offseason is to get the defense dominant again. No more Eric Smith please, Leonhard looks done aswell and we need younger talent in the LB corps. Our team is a squad that is build around its defense and under Rex that's how it always should be. But for that to work we need better talent.