...are ruling nothing off, or on, the table. That's the synopsis of this afternoon's 45-minute pre-draft press conference involving General Manager Mike Tannenbaum, Director of College Scouting Joey Clinkscales and Director of Player Personnel Terry Bradway.
That's not a criticism. No team in league history, I don’t think, has come out nine days before the draft and said, “We’re taking this guy!” The only irritating thing Tannenbaum does is use the word “process” too much, but so does Eric Mangini. You say potato, they say process.
Anyway, there will be more from this afternoon in Sunday’s paper - and on the Web – as myself, Tom Rock and Bob Glauber start what will be a week’s worth of draft preview stuff. Of most interest today was Clinkscales answer to a question about some of Darren McFadden’s off-the-field troubles and whether the Jets would feel comfortable drafting him.
“If we draft a player, we’ve checked out his character thoroughly, “Clinkscales said. “If that’s the pick [McFadden] we choose to make, we’ll be comfortable with that decision.”
Vernon Gholston, the player most mock drafts, including - gratuitous plug time – Bob Glauber’s, have the Jets taking, drew raves as well.
"Vernon's a very explosive player," Bradway said.
There was also an amusing story Tannenbaum told about a bathroom discussion with assistant coach Bryan Cox during last year’s draft that helped lead to the deal that landed the pick resulting in David Harris. And if someone makes even one Larry Craig joke here...
Ok, a few more snapshots from this afternoon:
Addressing the yearly ‘drafting for need’ vs. ‘best player available’ debate, Bradway said, “If you push a guy up your draft board just because of need, that’s where you make mistakes.”
Tannenbaum on whether the Jets would consider the drafting of a quarterback, specifically Matt Ryan: “Sure, if that opportunity presents itself and we felt that was the best thing for the team; we’re not going to rule out any position in this year’s draft.”
Asked if he would have answered differently had Kellen Clemens performed better last season, Tannebaum said, “Philosophically, we’re going to try to stick to the value of the board as best we can.”
In terms of evaluating Ryan, both Tannenbaum and Clinkscales said he was a quarterback that, “Can make all the throws.”
Clinkscale and Tannenbaum both spoke highly of McFadden’s physical skills and said the cornerback position, a definite Jets need, looked deep for this year’s draft.
Near the press conference’s start, Bradway said of this year’s draft overall, “I think there’s more depth this year than last year.”
Of course, like releasing draft plans, I’ve never heard – at least publicly – a team official call a draft “weak.”
Finally, a D-Rob update: there isn’t one. Tannenbaum smiled throughout the presser but when asked – twice – about Robertson, he didn't smile.
“Dewayne’s under contract with us,” Tannenbaum said, sounding unenthusiastic at best. “Until something changes, he’s going to be here.”
Looks increasingly as if any Robertson deal won’t be done until the draft, probably Day 2.
Comments (11)
Erik any chance you see the jets trading down. If they did by getting 2 picks in the first round. Why not use one of the picks to trade for Chad Johnson. He is just like TO and Moss and look at how well those two have done in new enviornments. Plus the bengals have zero defense and cant build in one year. So what do you think about this ??????????????????????
nj8611, are you serious? First of all every one wants to move down this year. Secondly Dallas are the only team with 2 picks in the first and Jones already said he does not want to move up where we are. He doesn't like Mcfadden and he already has a good QB why would he do it. Then Why on earth would the Jets trade for a 30 year old loud mouth who wants 9 mill per year and will make Coles crazy because they didn't give him the extension and then we will have two big mouth wide recievers. By the way if the Jets don't do well, which is a possibility, he woluldn't be happy. Those other two players are playing for SB contenders, that's why they shut up. They both were disruptive on teams that were not contenders, do you remember that time?
As far as clemens doing better last year, that's a joke, Brady would have been on the bottom 1/3 on QB ratings with last year's offensive (offensive) line. With that being said if Ryan is still on the board it's a no brainer. I think we are keeping Chadwick cause we can't get enough for him, as no other NFL team see's him as a starter! I wonder what Bradway thinks of unloading Dewayne for a 4th rounder. Why not Chad Johnson when is the last time we had a deep theat? or a real playmake Welcome aboard Eric, rock liked. fish more then the jets. So i feel your a real upgrade
unfortunately, it's pretty well-known around the league that we're gonna have to cut D-Rob before the June 1st roster bonus. I think they (Denver incl.) are just playing the waiting game now.
As for Chad Johnson, we need to unload D-Rob because of his monster cap hit, not get another player with the same problem. C'mon guys, this isn't 'Madden'.
Sounds like the Jets are trying to drum up business (to trade down) by saying that pretty much whoever falls to them at no. 6 they are prepared to take. That means that any team that has set their hopes on that player falling to them will consider trading up if they see the value there.
Darrell is right and nobody seems to give Coles the respect he deserves. He can burn most corners in the league and has incredible hands. He may not be a Moss or a TO, but he is definitely a second Tier player maybe a step below Roy Williams. He's not afraid of going over the middle and he sure as hell would go deep if (and when) we unload Clemens' cannon.
The Jets have to give Clemens a go just like they gave Pennington a go. I see them, in all honesty, taking Mcfadden if he's there or Gholston. It wouldn't be too hard to unload Thomas Jones for a later round pick or a pick in next years draft. Hell, why not just keep him and use him as Chester Taylor was used last year for the Vikings?
I think that we're going to cut D-Rob if we can't swing a deal with Denver, but at the same time, cutting D-Rob doesn't mean that Denver will be able to sign him later as there will be other teams in the mix. So a trade just guaratees Denver will get him and not have to out bid teams for him.
I hope you're right, Big A. The only leverage we have is the fact that a trade means it wouldn't be 'open bidding'. A single 4th rounder (or ~ value) would be a win in my book.
"Addressing the yearly ‘drafting for need’ vs. ‘best player available’ debate, Bradway said, “If you push a guy up your draft board just because of need, that’s where you make mistakes.”
Bradway should know... With the 4th overall pick Bradway and Mangini select:
DeWayne Robertson and D'Brickasha Ferguson.
I heard that D-Rob also visited the Eagles recently.
Hey Jet Fans,
Wake up! The Jets have zero interest in Chad Johnson and cannot afford him on their salary cap. They have only one decision. That is to take McFadden in the first round, even if they move up to the three pick. Matt Ryan is questionable at best and may not be an improvement over Clemens, who needs a chance with a better offensive line. We need the game breaking speed of McFadden desperately. We need to be able to consistently run the ball and McFadden will provide that. Jones is not consistent. They should consider Flacco in the second round and a cornerback in third round. (There is a lot of depth a corner this draft).