It is easy to talk about the Tom Brady that everyone knows now. The records have all been set and more remain within reach, but at one time, Brady was not a record holder. Brady was not arguably the greatest in the world.
In 2001, Brady stepped into the starting quarterback spot for the Patriots after Drew Bledsoe was injured during a week two matchup against the Jets. The young quarterback was just given an opportunity to make a name for himself in the league.
Most know the story of Brady’s rise to football stardom, but many do not some of the people that were first to contribute or try to get in the way of it.
First Touchdown Pass: Terry Glenn, Wide Receiver
Week 5, 2001
Tom Brady and Terry Glenn, coming from opposing Big Ten schools, came together to help lift the Patriots out of a 1-3 start to the season. The pair had an unusual beginning to their season before that play. Glenn came off the bench from a four-game substance-abuse suspension. And Brady, well, everyone knows how that story goes. In this game, Glenn caught a 21-yard pass to record Brady’s first touchdown pass.
Born in Columbus, Ohio, Gleen played at home for The Ohio State Buckeyes. The walk-on received the Biletnikoff Award for being one of the top college receivers. He was the Patriots seventh pick in the first round of the 1996 draft. Once in the league, he played 11 seasons for the Patriots, Packers, and Cowboys.
The wide receiver had a troubled personal life outside of football. He often found himself in trouble with the law, issues spawning from domestic violence to public intoxication and auto theft. Glenn’s life came to a tragic end in 2017 at age 43 in a rollover car accident. He left behind children and a fiance, who was injured in the accident.
First Sack: Brad Scioli, Defensive End
Week 6, 2001
Another first, another former Big Ten player. Scioli was in his third season with the Colts. The defensive end was up against a young, seemingly unknown quarterback who just stepped into the position. And when it was time to make a big play, it was Scioli that got that first sack.
Originally from Bridgeport, Pennsylvania, Scioli stayed in-state to play at the college level, playing for a tough Penn State program headed by Joe Paterno. He finished his degree in hotel, restaurant, and institutional management and was then drafted in the fifth round by the Colts in 1999. His NFL career was spent in Indianapolis before injuries forced his retirement in 2004.
Following his exit from the league, Scioli went into teaching. He received a teaching certification from West Chester University and received a master’s from Wilkes University. Eventually, Scioli moved back home and is now working for the Upper Merion Area School District.
First Interception: Denard Walker, Safety
Week 6, 2001
This 2001 Patriots team was on the edge of turning their season around, and up next on their to-do list was Denver. While the Patriots maintained a lead to start the game, the Broncos won it in a strong second-half effort. Many big plays helped the mile-high team secure their comeback, including the play made by Walker, causing Brady’s first interception of his career.
Denard Walker was born in Dallas Texas and attended LSU. He was drafted in the third round of the 1997 NFL draft to the Tennessee Oilers and was with the team as they became the Tennessee Titans. Walker bounced from the Titans to the Broncos, next to the Vikings and ended his career with the Raiders in 2005.
Patriots have really made it no secret that they are searching for a top of the line receiver. AJ Brown has made it no secret he wants to be a Patriot. AJ could be this year’s most complete receiver, and he would provide an interesting and exciting twist to the slot position. A bigger slot receiver makes a lot of sense after Belichick recently eluded to bigger receivers becoming more valuable in this league. Cornerbacks are starting to get smaller. Playing AJ Brown in the slot position would create some mismatches in man coverage. A receiving group of AJ Brown, Julian Edelman, Josh Gordon, Philip Dorsett and Demaryius Thomas would be a very solid one.
31 (Cowboys) *Originally LAR
Johnathan Abram S Mississippi State
Trade details: Cowboys trade 58th, 165th and next year’s second round pick for Rams 31st
Rams want draft picks. They don’t have many. Cowboys do not have a first round pick and although rumors are not swirling that they want to trade up, it makes sense. Jerry Jones loves first round draft picks. In fact, tell me what sounds more Jerry Jones than making a huge splash by trading into the first round, to grab a player that could be the best at his position, in which the Cowboys have a need for. Abram would immediately start for the Cowboys, serving as a linebacker at the safety position. Abram’s coverage skills may have it’s questions but he can hit hard, make tackles real well, and use his ball skills to get Dak Prescott and the offense on the field as much as possible. Abram to Dallas makes perfect sense.
30 (Packers)
Noah Fant TE Iowa
Packers miss out on T.J Hockenson but they still land Noah Fant. This news will make Aaron Rodgers happy. Fant is probably the best receiver out of the trio of Hockenson, Smith, and himself. Fant could learn a few things from Jimmy Graham and pair up with him to make Rodger’s life a whole lot easier. If the Packers pick Fant, Rodger’s fantasy value gets a huge boost.
29 (Chiefs)
Amani Oruwariye CB Penn State
Amani Oruwariye. This guy will be hated by three groups of people. He will be hated by quarterbacks for his ability, offensive coordinators for the same reason, and commentators for being forced to pronounce that name of his. Chiefs will love him though. Chiefs need corners. Patriot fans know how bad the Chiefs secondary was last year. Amani Oruwariye will help change that. Amani has no problem helping in run support and can cover some of the bigger receivers in the NFL. Look for him to cover Josh Gordon or Demayrius Thomas in the AFC Championship.
28 (Patriots) *Originally LAC
T.J. Hockenson TE Iowa
Trade details: Patriots trade 56th, 73rd and next year’s 3rd round pick to Chargers for 28th
SPLASH! Hockenson will fall farther than most people think. Primarily due to the Packers decision to wait, he slides all the way to #28 where the Patriots leapfrog the Packers second pick to get him. Hockenson is a unique talent that does not come around to often at the tight end position. Forget Irv Smith, forget Noah Fant, forget everyone else. Do this thing right, go get the tight end of the future Bill! Go ahead and call me crazy, Hockenson will be a surprise faller in the draft, much like Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds last year.
27 (Raiders)
Joshua Jacobs RB Alabama
This remodeled Raiders team still misses a three-down runningback. This extremely weak runningback class might have just one great back in it. Joshua Jacobs might not be available come the Raiders second round pick. It might be safer to grab the guy now and sure up that backfield.
26 (Colts)
Christian Wilkins IDL Clemson
By disregarding the tight end position, Christian Wilkins is the best remaining player on the board. Wilkins can be the leader of this defensive line and defense all together. One year removed from landing both Quentin Nelson and Darius Leonard, these drafts would be considered back to back bangs for the Colts by now picking Christian Wilkins. Wilkins, a Massachusetts native would provide not just leadership but also versatility and a very high motor.
25 (Eagles)
Nasir Adderley S Delaware
Nasir or Abram could both easily go here. Adderley might be a better fit in the City of Love. Nasir gets knocked for playing in a small-school program. Small-school programs are not a problem in Philly. Just ask their part-time quarterback Carson Wentz. Jim Schwartz likes his defensive backs with cornerback experience, which Adderley has a lot. In fact, Philly makes the most sense for this talented, small-school prospect.
24 (Raiders)
DeAndre Baker CB Georgia
Raiders fill another position of need here, taking DeAndre Baker. A very solid player with a starting grade on him. Baker will fit in well and be an anchor at one of the corner spots in Oakland.
23 (Texans)
Andre Dillard OT Washington State
Texans have no compliments about this pick here. Some scouts like Dillard better than they like Ford or Williams, primarily because he will be a pure tackle in the NFL. Texans need to protect DeShaun Watson badly. Dillard can be plugged right in to the starting lineup and alleviate some of the issues with this offensive line.
22 (Ravens)
Marquise Brown WR Oklahoma
When making this pick, the Ravens have to be conscious of Lamar Jackson’s less than mediocre throwing ability. None the less, Marquise Brown has the potential to be a Pro Bowl receiver. He frequently draws comparisons to DeSean Jackson. A better comp might be someone who just left Baltimore, John Brown. Marquise Brown, Antonio Brown’s cousin (too many Browns here), will thrive in a role much like John Brown’s was. Pencil in Marquise Brown, Antonio Brown’s cousin, to fill the absence of John Brown and make teams like the Browns have headaches.
21 (Browns) *Originally SEA
Chauncey Gardner-Johnson S Florida
Trade details: Browns trade 49th, 119th and next year’s second round pick to Seattle for 21st and next year’s sixth round pick
Browns are rumored to be actively looking to trade back into the first round. The Seahawks are looking to trade down. Browns have both needs at cornerback and safety. Gardner-Johnson can play both. While he will probably play safety at the next level, the flexibility really helps his case to go to Cleveland. Gardner-Johnson will bode well in Cleveland’s secondary that has been famished for good safeties.
20 (Steelers)
Devin Bush Jr. LB Michigan
NO BRAINER. The Steelers and Devin Bush have been linked to each other ever since this whole evaluation process started. Devin Bush at 20 would be a steal for anyone but for a team so desperate for linebackers like the Steelers, it would be an act of god. The tackle machine would bring a big boost to a team that has been crippled by the unfortunate long term injury of Ryan Shazier.
19 (Titans)
D.K. Metcalf WR Mississippi
Oh boy! How can someone pass up a talent like DK Metcalf at 19? Even more, think of how happy Marcus Mariota would be to have Metcalf and Corey Davis paired together. For those who don’t know DK Metcalf, he is 6’3, 230 pounds. He has 34 7/8” arms and 9 7/8” hands. He ran a 4.33 40 yard dash, had 27 reps of 225 pounds, and had a 40.5″ vertical leap. He is an absolute freakish human who could probably even play tight end. He may not be the most complete, true receiver, but he will make good as the Titans’ number two receiver and make Marcus Mariota very happy.
18 (Vikings)
Garrett Bradbury IOL NC State
This pick makes a lot of sense. Bradbury stands as the clear top inside lineman prospect. He can play both center and guard in the NFL. With Pat Elflein struggling at center last year, all signs would point to shifting him to guard and moving Bradbury inside. This would bode well for Dalvin Cook and the Vikings zone run scheme. The Bradbury pick would give the Vikings a lot of options and flexibility on that terrible offensive line.
17 (Giants)
Dwayne Haskins QB Ohio State
Dwayne Haskins makes a lot of sense here at 17. He may not be the most talented in the group but he will hold down the fort in New York. The best comparison around for Haskins has to be Drew Bledsoe. In the right offense, Haskins will thrive and serve as a fabulous game-manager. The Giants’ offense would run through Saqoun Barkley. Haskins would manage the passing game with success and compliment Saqoun nicely.
So, it is true that the Jets could have picked Cody Ford, but the need at corner and the talent of Byron Murphy is a lot to pass up. Instead, the Panthers have an absolute no brainer pick here and take Cody Ford. Panthers desperately need some help on that line. Cam Newton and Christian McCaffery need some help here. Newton needs time to wait for Chris Hogan to get open. Cody Ford will be the guy in Carolina. Ford like Williams might slip inside to guard in the NFL but as of late, that theory has kind of been squashed. Pencil in Ford as a starting tackle for the Carolina Panthers.
15 (Jets) *Originally WAS
Byron Murphy CB Washington
So after trading down, the Jets hoped to draft an edge rusher or offensive tackle. The prospects that they would have hoped to land at this spot are gone however there is no reason to cry about it. Byron Murphy has a lot of scouts really excited. Put Byron Murphy in the same secondary as Jamal Adams and Tramaine Johnson, a hard defense to throw against there.
14 (Falcons)
Jerry Tillery IDL Notre Dame
Another more surprising pick, Jerry Tillery to Atlanta. The frequently underrated defensive line prospect out of Notre Dame continues to be overlooked in this draft process. A combo of Jerry Tillery and Grady Garrett will make opposing offensive coordinators wish their mother never had them. It will be the “Nightmare on Peachtree Street”. Clogging inside holes, stopping the run, and getting to the quarterback. Missing out on Ed Oliver will quickly become not so big of a deal for Atlanta.
13 (Dolphins)
Jonah Williams OT Alabama
The Dolphins have needs all over the offensive line. For a team headed for a rebuilding year, the smart move would be to build up the line and draft a quarterback next year. That class will be a whole lot stronger and the Dolphins draft choice will probably be a whole lot closer to number one. Pick Jonah Williams. This guy will be an absolute stud at the next level. His future will probably be at guard with his footwork and arms indicating so. However, don’t rule out Williams playing tackle. He played tackle in college and played really well. The Dolphins and Williams are perfect for each other because of the flexibility he possesses.
12 (Packers)
Clelin Ferrell EDGE Clemson
Well, this would raise a lot of eyebrows. There are always eyebrow-raisers in the draft. First round last year, Rashaad Penny, Baker Mayfield first overall, the Saints trading for Marcus Davenport, Derwin James and Tremaine Edmunds falling. Point being, the draft is an unpredictable animal. A lot of people think the Packers will go tight end here. Well, they have two first round picks and literally no defensive ends. Defensive ends are now limited and the last remaining one with no big question marks is Clelin Ferrell. They will be able to pick from at least two of the top three tight ends in this draft at #30. They will have much less selection if they wait on pass rusher. The Packers are clamping down on defense this year, focusing on improving that side of the ball. Clelin Ferrell will be the pick here at #12.
11 (Bengals)
Jawaan Taylor OT Florida
Jawaan Taylor just met with the Bengals yesterday. This pick would make a lot of sense. Some of the players who the Bengals could have picked are off the board. This guy here might just be the best tackle in the draft. Bengals have a huge hole at the tackle spot, waiting to be filled. Taylor would at least help the running game. Not quite sure Andy Dalton can possibly be helped at this point. Andy Dalton needs a lot more than help to succeed. Expect Bengals to at least look at quarterback in round two.
10 (Broncos)
Ed Oliver IDL Houston
Half of this pick would be because of Ed Oliver and the other half would be that the Broncos do not appear sold on this quarterback class. This QB class truly is a bad one. The Broncos have Joe Flacco, who can still preform to an okay level. They wait a year, take a player at a position they have a need for, and put Ed Oliver on a line with Von Miller and Bradley Chubb. Very, very dangerous alignment there.
9 (Bills)
Montez Sweat EDGE Mississippi State
Bills draft an edge defender for the same reason the 49ers do. How do you attack quarterbacks like Sam Darnold, Tom Brady, and … Ryan Fitzpatrick (eew gross)? You rush the passer. Montez Sweat can do that real quickly. Sweat set a record in Indianapolis for the fastest defense lineman in combine history. Running a 4.41 at 6’6, 260 pounds is insane. Sweat reminds many of Dee Ford. He would wreak havoc on the AFC East.
8 (Lions)
Greedy Williams CB LSU
A lot of people think the Lions will go tight end here. Cornerback makes the most sense. A combo of Darius Slay and Greedy Williams will be a hard one to throw against. Going tight end would not be smart for a team that for some reason appears to be shaping up for a championship instead of rebuilding. After spending big money on Jesse James, drafting a tight end would put their tight end spending near the top of the league. If they want any shot at a championship, draft a corner to help defend against a pass-happy league.
7 (Jaguars)
Brian Burns EDGE Florida State
Just like the Giants, former Giants coach and current GM of the Jaguars, Tom Coughlin values pass-rushers as well. Brian Burns will be a special talent at the next level. The speed, smarts, and effort are top notch. Burns is a dominant pass-rusher and tremendous athlete. The only drawback, his weight. A few fast food trips will help.
6 (Giants)
Rashan Gary EDGE Michigan
Gary undoubtedly presents some risk at six for the Giants, however, the talent might be too much to pass up. Gary is a talented, elite athlete and plays a position that the Giants have always valued. This move makes sense for New York.
5 (Buccaneers)
Devin White LB LSU
Undoubtedly the best linebacker in this draft provides the most value here at five for the Buccaneers. With Kwon Alexander leaving for San Fran and Kendell Beckwith’s health concerns, it makes sense to draft a linebacker. Not to mention, LaVonte David will be 30 years old soon and could use a very capable, young blood that can be his tackle machine buddy while his career does nothing but wind down. Plus, once White and Bush are gone in round one, the position sees a steep drop off. Better to address that issue now.
4 (Raiders)
Josh Allen EDGE Kentucky
This guy aspires to be Khalil Mack. The Raiders did not pay Khalil Mack top dollar. This guy would not need top dollar money until roughly his fourth year in the league. Raiders take a poor man’s Khalil Mack, or a Mack lite, and find a long-term solution to such a big problem last year. Maybe this guy can become a monster and they can trade him away too.
3 (Redskins) *Originally NYJ
Kyler Murray QB Oklahoma
Trade details: Jets trade 3rd overall, 68th overall, 196th overall, 217th overall and next year’s sixth round pick to Washington for 15th overall, 46th overall, 227th overall and next year’s first round pick.
Rumor on the block is that the Jets want desperately to trade back. Redskins desperately need a quarterback and to make a splash. Redskins give up a lot of capital to make this move, but get the guy who could be the best quarterback in the draft. A move like this would be eerily similar to the trade up to get Robert Griffin III a few years back, but would most likely be more successful. The Redskins could do some of the same things they did with RG3 with Kyler. A quarterback of Kyler’s ability would work out a lot better in this system than RG3 did.
2 (49ers)
Nick Bosa EDGE Ohio State
How do you shutdown quarterbacks like Jared Goff? Josh Rosen? And how do you disrupt Russell Wilson’s rhythm? You rush the passer. How better to attack your division rivals than add Dee Ford and Nick Bosa to your team? Those three teams also have spectacular run games. 49ers bulk up their defensive line to assemble one of the more deadly pass-rushing cores in the league.
1 (Cardinals)
Quinnen Williams IDL Alabama
So, a lot of thought went into this pick. Here is what it boils down to, Cardinals have a quarterback, his name is Josh Rosen. Cardinals pass on their absurd idea to put him up on the auction block for chump change and decide to build a stronger defense. Quinnen is a prospect teams cannot afford to pass up. Cardinals take a position they need to improve on and insert the best player in this draft class into that spot.
Boston versus New York doesn’t have the same meaning in football
The Patriots travel to play the Jets on Sunday afternoon. The 7-3 Patriots are coming off a bye week after getting pummeled by the Titans in Tennessee. The history of the Patriots and Jets isn’t the same obviously as the Red Sox and Yankees. For one thing, the Jets aren’t that good of a football team. They can’t seem to get it together and get crushed by the Patriots almost every time they play them. With the Red Sox and Yankees, both teams are good and the rivalry is always intense. Those games are primetime and usually come down to the last minute. With the Patriots and Jets, it’s sometimes not even close and it’s over by the first half.
The Patriots and Jets don’t have hype around the games they play against each other.
Devin McCourty is looking forward to going down there on Sunday saying, “When we go down there, it’s not many Patriots fans in there. If they are in there, you probably don’t want to be too loud in that stadium because the Jets fans will get rowdy. It’s a lot of fun.” The Patriots don’t lose back to back games often and after a bye, they’ll be ready to go. Rob Gronkowski will be back after an extended time off due to injury so he should be ready to go.
The Patriots are 61-54 all-time against the Jets. At MetLife Stadium the Patriots are just 4-3 but again the hype between those two teams isn’t there. Despite the Patriots struggles on the road this season, I really don’t see them losing to the Jets – not with again having extra rest and time to prepare. The only great rivalry between Boston and New York is Red Sox versus Yankees. The other three leagues don’t have the same hype.
We are just 49 days away from Super Bowl Sunday! Let’s look back on the iconic third Super Bowl featuring the NFL’s Baltimore Colts and the AFL’s New York Jets. Super Bowl III was played at Miami’s Orange Bowl.
Baltimore Colts 49 Years Ago
Over the course of history, we have known some great teams that did not win the Super Bowl. The 2007 Patriots, 1998 Vikings and 2001 Rams jump off the page in that regard. But, before all those teams were conceived, there was one obvious candidate – the 1968 Baltimore Colts.
That Colts’ team did not have Hall of Famers across the field like Lombardi’s Packers. They did not possess any flair like the great AFL teams of the era. But, they did have Don Shula. And, Shula brought to that organization his signature toughness on defense. Hence, the Colts pummeled everything in their path on the road to Super Bowl III.
The Colts finished the regular season at 13-1. They scored over 400 points on the season while surrendering just 144. In the playoffs, they pushed around the Vikings and punished Cleveland giving them their first NFL title since 1959.
One of the most interesting tidbits about this incredible unit is they did it without Johnny Unitas. Unitas was injured during the preseason, so Shula turned to the venerable Earl Morrall. Morrall proceeded to have the best season of his twenty-year career, winning the NFL MVP award.
If their offense was good, their defense was fantastic. Led by Bill Arnsparger and Chuck Noll, the Colts pounded all but one regular season opponent. The defense was excellent at all three levels and featured all-world defensive end Bubba Smith.
New York Jets 49 Years Ago
Their opponents in Super Bowl III were the New York Jets. The Jets had the most popular player in professional football on their team; the eccentric Joe Namath. Namath took New York city by storm and it didn’t all have to do with his performance on the field. He resembled the counter-culture of the time with his long hair and white shoes.
Namath was a good football player, not great. But, for his time, he was a gunslinger. And, that brand of football was only found in the AFL. Led by Namath and a great receiving corps with the likes of George Sauer and Don Maynard, New York went 11-3 over the regular season. They then stunned the defending-AFL champion Raiders in a classic 27-23 to earn their first title and the trip to face the Colts in the Super Bowl.
The Colts were overwhelming favorites. Consequently, in some circuits, Vegas posted the Jets as 20-point underdogs. However, the cocky Namath guaranteed that his team would win. Subsequently, that prediction became the main story of the day and should have been bulletin-board material for Baltimore.
Jets Not Intimidated
The Jets held one crucial advantage. Their head coach was former-Colts head man, Weeb Ewbank. Ewbank called a superior game on offense. The Jets known for their loose passing game went conservative. Indeed, the numbers bear that running back Matt Snell was the work horse on the day. When Namath did pass, he focused on the possession-minded Sauer. A nice mix of pass and run allowed New York to strike first. They led 7-0 at the half.
On defense, the Jets’ defense could not prevent the Colts from moving the ball, but they could prevent them from scoring. Morrall tossed three first half interceptions, all deep in Jets’ territory. One of the picks occurred late in the half on a gadget play where Morrall failed to see the intended receiver (Jimmy Orr) running wide open in the post.
After a slew of missed opportunities, Shula turned to Unitas. But, he could only briefly rekindle his magic. Trailing 16-0, Johnny U led the Colts on a late TD march. But, it was too little and too late. Hence, New York pulled off the improbable upsetting the Colts, 16-7.
AFL Victory
This was not just a victory for the Jets, it was a victory for professional football. There were serious doubts that AFL teams could actually compete with NFL 49 years ago. The Jets did not just win this game. They implemented a strategy that allowed them to CONTROL the game, especially the second half.
The loss sent shockwaves throughout the football world. Shula only coached one more season in Baltimore. He left for Miami and helped build a dynasty there. Without Shula, the Colts won Super Bowl V.
The Jets, to the day, have not returned to the Super Bowl. Namath remained the sport’s most popular player until the emergence of OJ Simpson. But, by the 70’s, Namath was never the same.
Tomorrow, we’ll talk about the Super Bowl from 48 years ago and see if the AFL evened up the series!
Michael Salfino, writer for the Meadowlands Media Group, weighed in on the possibility of Kirk Cousins going to the Jets. The original tweet and cap space argument:
This is fun to think about as a Jets fan, given the possibility of having a decent quarterback like Cousins, coming to the Jets. Does it really make sense? Let’s look at whether the Jets should try to sign Kirk Cousins in March. We can look at which positions the Jets should address in free agency with the amount of cap space they possess.
Pros
Kirk Cousins brings a skill set and talent to a team that lacks overall talent, and a consistently good quarterback. In 2016, he was third in passing yards and yards per game. Cousins was in the top-ten completion percentage, passer rating, and QBR. He also led the Redskins to four 4th quarter comebacks, which was tied fourth in the league. This season, he has continued putting up similar numbers. Cousins is fourth in completion percentage, yards per attempt, as well as third in total QBR. He is in the top ten of nearly every quarterback statistic in the NFL. All of the rankings and stats previously mentioned are brought to you via Pro Football Reference.
The Redskins have had a disappointing record of 3-4 so far this season. The disappointment cannot be blamed on Cousins. He has played well this season, and the offense has put up good numbers. They are 12th in terms of offensive points per game, and are 17th in rushing yards per game this season. Combining these statistics draws the conclusion that the Redskins are in the top half of the league in offense. The defense, however, is 28th points per game, despite ranking 12th in yards surrendered per game. The defense, or lack of defense, has been the Achilles heel of this Redskins team, not a lack of offense.
Cons
Cousins turned 29 this past August, which would make him 30 years old to start next season. That is not a haunting age, but the Jets may not be contending for another two or three years. This would put Cousins at 32 or 33 when Gang Green hits their stride. That is the same age as Aaron Rodgers, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan and Alex Smith this season. Can Cousins turn into an undisputed elite quarterback by then? Sure, but the upcoming quarterback class is strong. The Jets should have a good pick in this upcoming draft, as I pointed out in my previous article.
Cousins would also cost a pretty penny, probably demanding upwards of $18 million per year, and a five-to-six year contract. This demand could block signings to fill in other positions, such as improvement of the offensive line, defensive tackle and cornerback. These positions can be filled in this offseason via free agency. With drafting a quarterback in the first round, it would only take up about $7-$9 million a year of cap space, half of what Cousins would cost. These are based on projections that the Jets finish between the fifth and tenth pick.
Uses with the Cap Space: Cornerback
At cornerback, Trumaine Johnson, Vontae Davis and Malcolm Butler are future free agents. All are top 20 cornerbacks, and can fill in needed roles for the rebuilding New York Jets franchise. Morris Claiborne, the Jets current number one cornerback, has played beyond expectations thus far. Another top 20 cornerback can be afforded by the Jets’ cap space this offseason, even after resigning Claiborne, who is a free agent in the spring of 2018. If the struggling Muhammad Wilkerson is cut, this will free up $11 million in cap space for next season, as described in Salfino’s thread of tweets.
Offensive Line
At offensive line, John Greco, Nate Solder, Trai Turner, Luke Joeckel and several more suitable linemen, are on the free agent market this season. I would expect the Jets to sign one or two offensive linemen in the upcoming offseason. Thankfully, Gang Green can afford to shell out a bit of cash for the line, given the enormous cap space they have created.
Defensive Tackle
At defensive tackle, the talented Dontari Poe is up for grabs, but may cost too much. At the age of 27, he is hitting his prime at defensive tackle, which makes Poe an intriging option at defensive tackle, to take over the aging Steve McLendon. Bennie Logan and Jared Crick are all younger, but established, defensive tackles or nose tackles, who will cost less than Poe. Crick has less talent than both Logan and Poe, but Crick can serve as an effective, somewhat young defensive lineman.
Where Cousins May Go
Although Kirk Cousins has undeniable talent, he may not fit this Jets team right now. He could land a role with another team, one who may not have a top ten pick in this year’s draft. I would look out for the Jaguars, Saints or Cardinals to pursue Cousins as well. The Saints and Cardinals have aging quarterbacks, and Drew Brees is a free agent this offseason. Cousins would be an upgrade over the inconsistent Blake Bortles, and would create a bigger threat to defenses than Bortles. The receiving core of Robinson, Hurns and Lee resembles that of the core Cousins had last year with the Redskins.
Kirk Cousins may be the most intriguing free agent this offseason, and will be a story to track. Stay tuned for more free agent rumors in the second week of February.
I have been a Jets fan for about twelve years now. For all but three years, it has been a repetitive kick in the groin. The first year under Rex Ryan, 2009, the New York Jets defeated the Bengals and Chargers in the playoffs. Eventually they lost to the Colts in the AFC Championship game. The future looked very bright, the ground and pound offense combined with a stifling defense provided some hope. In 2010, the same Gang Green group defeated Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in back-to-back weeks in the playoffs. Sexy Rexy and Co. then lost to Big Ben and the Pittsburgh Steelers. That loss to the Steelers, in the AFC Championship game, sent the Jets into the never ending abyss. Since then, they have had one season over .500, which occurred in 2015. After losing to the Bills in Week 17, due to two fourth-quarter interceptions by Ryan Fitztragic, the Jets failed to make the playoffs. I was not able to stand that season, but surprisingly, I have been able to stomach is this season.
Why We Can Endure This Season
This underwhelming season has featured a team that possesses veterans far past their prime; and young players who have two or three more years until they hit their prime. They have 38 year-old Josh McCown at quarterback–who had a career record of 2-24 as a starting quarterback coming into the season. They have a duo of rookies at safety–Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Their anticipated bright spots are two former All-Pro defensive lineman, who have more combined interceptions than combined sacks this season. To cap it off, their best receiver, Quincy Enunwa, was sidelined for the season in August. They were projected to win zero games this season, even with the lowly Browns on their schedule.
Eight Games In, and the Results Are…
At the halfway mark for the season, the Jets have won three games. One of those victories was against the Jaguars, who are the leaders of the AFC South at 4-3. The next was against their division rival Miami. The most recent win, in Week 5, was against the winless Browns. The Jets have exceeded expectations. They are rebuilding a franchise with a solid core of young talent. The green and white possess a GM that has drafted efficiently in his first two NFL Drafts. He and the scouts choose by determining who is the “best” player at what pick they are given. They retained all players they had chosen in the 2016 or 2017 draft, on either the active roster or their practice squad. Of those fourteen picks between 2016 and 2017, about eight and a half have made contributions to the team. The half being Jordan Leggett, who has been bothered by a knee injury for the majority of the season. Despite the injury, he has a good upside, given his large frame (6’5″, 258 lbs) and promising ability, to both block and catch the football.
Where to Go From Here
Where do the Jets go from here? They sure as hell should NOT tank. It is such an easy way to give up on yourselves, and is poor for team morale and the franchise in general. Jordan Jenkins, Coach Todd Bowles, and others claimed early in the season, that tanking was not on the agenda. So far, their words have been true. Three of the five losses have happened when they have had at least ten-point leads on teams. This is poor showing, they seem to have an inability to keep leads and close out games. This problem can be contributed to the inexperience of the defense, and the lack of clutch talent on the offense. Those losses against the Patriots, Dolphins and the Falcons, who are all more experienced, and more talented teams than the Jets. To fix these issues, they need three things: a quarterback, a young early-down running back, and a slot receiver. All of these can be acquired through the 2018 NFL Draft.
Addressing the Running Back
Bilal Powell will turn the haunting age of 30 after this season. Matt Forte is past the age of 30. Elijah Maguire has potential, but he should be used as a third down running back. I think they need to take a running back in the second round. If I were Coach Bowles and Mike Maccagnan, I would look at Nick Chubb out of Georgia. He provides the ability to be a workhorse back, and as of right now, holds an early second round value. Another running back that may fly under the radar for a third-round pick is Kalen Ballage out of Arizona State. His size (6’3″, 230 lbs) will compliment the smaller, shiftier Elijah Maguire in the backfield. Ballage has had a down season this year compared to his 2016 campaign. In 2016, he totaled 1,005 offensive yards, and fifteen touchdowns for the Sun Devils. Ballage could reach his potential as a big-time back after a year or two of experience in the NFL.
Addressing the Quarterback
The quarterback scenario is dire, and it is quite obvious that Christian Hackenberg, nor Bryce Petty, are the answer. This needs to be the first thing the Jets address in this year’s draft. The obvious choices are Sam Darnold and Josh Rosen, but if the Jets slip out of the top 10, these options won’t be available. In the case that Darnold and Rosen are not available, Ryan Finley, Josh Allen or Lamar Jackson should be available. I really like Lamar Jackson, especially the athletic similarity Jackson has to Michael Vick.
Addressing the Wide Receiver
To fit wide receiver needs, I would look to Deebo Samue,l out of South Carolina; Deontay Burnett, out of USC; or Antonio Callaway, out of Florida. All are six-feet tall or smaller, ideal for the slot. All reportedly run a sub-4.50 40-yard dash, according to walterfootball.com. Walter Football also projects all receivers to be drafted in the second round or later. This is a perfect value, for a solid receiver, to play at a WR3 or WR4. Right behind Robbie Anderson, Quincy Enunwa and Jermaine Kearse.
The future for the New York Jets looks bright, despite what has been a poor season thus far. The tandem of Jamaal Adams and Marcus Maye, should mirror that of Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas, in a year or two. The receiving core is young and explosive. They possess a young, talented but relatively inexperienced linebacker core. With a quarterback, additions of an early-down running back and another solid wide receiver, the future looks bright for the Jets.
