By Tom Rock
Sorry I was away from the switch for a good portion of the day, but as many of you have heard by now (it was reported in the Boston Globe today) the Jets have been meeting with Randall Gay this evening and, according to a person I spoke with, are scheduled to continue with some meetings on Tuesday. If the Jets pursue Gay – and having the guy in for a few laps around Memory Lane with ol’ Coach Mangini isn’t the same as an offer sheet – it would be the first time during the off-season that the Jets address their secondary. They did resign Hank Poteat just prior to free agency, but that was a status quo move and not a status melior (pardon my Latin).
Anyway, they’d have to give the Pats a second-round pick if they sign Gay. While Gay may be more talented than any of the CBs the scout gang has seen heading into this draft, and he has a familiarity with Mangini’s systems, handing a draft pick to an arch-rival is never a good idea. The draft is enough of a gamble, you don’t want to shift the odds in favor of the Patriots any more than you need to. A second-rounder taken by the Pats could wind up haunting the Jets for years. Besides, Gay hasn’t finished either of the last two seasons healthy and has played in only eight games the last two seasons.
Your thoughts? Is it worth giving the Patriots a second-round pick for a cornerback with terrific speed and knowledge of the schemes but a record of injuries?
Comments (9)
I don't mind giving up a second round pick for this guy if the jets talent evaluators feel like he is better than anyone they could get in the draft this year, sure giving the Pats a pick hurts, but doesn't it hurt the Pats to sign one of their players?
I mind like hell! Don't do it!!
Don't do it!
He couldn't even stay on the field in college.
Hhmmmm, a young player, proven to be compentent,with superbowl experience for what's behind round number 2? Doesn't sound all THAT bad...
I don't know that much about Gay, but it seems this is a strong draft for CB's with a number of solid players that could fall to the Jets at #25. Revis, Ross and Houston come to mind. The two 2nd round picks could then be used for the best availalbe OL, TE, OLB or WR. At this point, I have more confidence in Mangini's coaching ability than than Gay's durability.
Being a Pats season ticket holder, I can say that Gay is a solid player - when healthy.
That is the rub on him...Can he stay healthy? This guy is not Hank Poteat, he can actually play and would be a loss for the Pats, particulary with the dicey Asante Samuel negotiations.
For entertainment value, I hope the Jets sign him - this will only increase the rivalry and make the games more interesting.
I hope the Jet give him an offer. I think the guy is pretty good, but for the Long Term I think it's better for the pats to get te 2nd round pick.
DONT DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think it would be a good decision to sign Randall. I've followed him since his freshman year at LSU and dispite his injuries, he is an excellent player. He is very tough mentally as well as physically. Alot of people fail to realize that he is a 'smart' player that is able to learn any position quickly. He would be an asset to the Jets. And as far as his last injury which was a hanstring, he really was not hurt....that was a smart move by the Pats to ensure that they would have him for another year!