The Boone Docks

Jets draft position and picks traded and acquired

As of now, it looks like the Jets will be picking 17th in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft.

Current Jets Picks: Jets 1st Round, Jets 2nd Round, Saints 3rd Round (Vilma), Redskins 4th Round (Kendall), Jets 5th Round, Jets 6th Round, Jets 7th Round.

Traded Jets Picks: Jets 3rd Round to Packers (Favre), Jets 4th Round to Saints (Vilma)

Hey, Boland, you forgot to mention that Favre gave no time table for making his decision, but also did not rule out announcing in the coming days that he had still not made a decision. Ahh, we jest...

If Brett Favre can't decide about coming back--does that mean Woody can undecide to issue the PSLs?

Can we send both of them to see the Curious Case of Benjamin Button about a guy who is aging backwards?

Maybe they'll believe the story. The clock will be turned back to 1992 and we'll get the young Favre like we wanted to.

Woody will leave for vacation in the middle of the movie (around 1999) and never buy the Jets from Leon.
Parcells will be here. Let's fast forward to the past.

Only bad thing, Boland would still be in Cleveland, eating Lake Erie perch chowder and babka. Know what I'm sayin'?

Just think Terry Bradway ran the Jets draft for 5 years and all we have is 5 players to show from it excluding Nuggent.

Sione Pouha, Kerry Rhodes, Jerricho Cotchery, Bryan Thomas, and Chris Baker.

THAT'S IT!!!!!

I still can not believe that Bradway and this scouting staff is still around. I think it needs an overhaul, because you know that MrT is not watching all these college games and making the draft board up. Building a team all starts from drafting players,too bad the Jets can not keep any draft picks longer than 3 years.

Lake Erie Perch Chowder? Sounds delicious! Maybe I can have some after wiping off my face? Nice RC...

Favre has no time table because Favre can't tell time. I should lend him my talking Elmo clock.

Mangini's Baby,

Being underage and all, you could whack Favre in the skull with your talking Elmo clock and see no jail time. It may get you a free hot dog smoothie at a Browns game.

Instead of making fun of the Jets it's actually time that some journalists and fans started setting the record straight and helping get this team back on track verses knocking them further off course.

First we had the bogus reports that Cowher didn't want to come to the Jets because of Favre, which Cowher set straight with his "are you kidding me" comments on the radio which still haven't been reported in print.

Next we had all the articles claiming Favre was "forced" on Mangini despite Eric naming his REAL baby after Brett, which Eric has set straight today as well although I don't see that in print anywhere here either.

So the truth will still be avoided, and the Jets made a punch line, and everybody is supposed to be happy? Sorry but I'm not interested in laughing at this situation, I'd rather see some people take it serious and try to make it better, instead of worse.

Maybe that's just me, though, and I should become a Giants fan instead. At least I don't see constant stories misreported and them being the constant butt of jokes.

Erik--why would Brett Favre want to talk to the NY press, which includes you? You wrote about his "blather" when he talked to his home town press. If it's "blather" why on earth would you want it? I think the NY press has done a wonderful job of slice and dice on Brett Favre and made fun of everything from his wife to the year BEFORE he won the Superbowl when he sought treatment for his addiction to painkillers.

One thing being a sports icon gets is the choice to talk to whomever he feels like. I think NY has already reported all the news and twisted it to present Favre in the most unfavorable light. I doubt he'll be giving any interviews to this bad mannered crew anytime this decade. And I support him in that.

Maybe if you (I am using you as a representation of New Yorkers) had been a tad more respectful, not reported so many anonymous, insulting stories and given him some respect for what he did do for NY, (like a winning season) while factually reporting his difficulties. Maybe then Favre would feel like a Jet and give interviews in New York. Thomas and Rhodes pretty welll kicked him off the team, so why bother talking at all?

iowachick, I don't mean to be mean here, but where did I use the
word "blather?" And please point out where I've taken any cheap shots
at Favre and made fun of him. I said before the season the Favre deal was the right
one to make and I stood by that AFTER the season. It's all here in the blog.
I have said he played terrible the last five games of the year and Favre has
said the same thing. I don't mind getting ripped for things that I do
write but don't rip me for things I didn't write!

JayM, great note on futility of Bradway, correct he should be gone.

Who would thunk Sione Pouha would be in the Final Five?

Probably Final Four since Baker is odds on a salary cap casualty.

iowachick, It was actually Cimini that "blathered" in his post on
Favre.
A case of mistaken identity.

Thanks again EC for all the coverage. Any word on how the Grimm interview went?

"please point out where I've taken any cheap shots at Favre and made fun of him."

With all respect EB, you must not read your own articles, starting with your very latest one. I guess you figure your "We kid, of course" somehow makes up for making the current Jets QB a punch line, but like I already said it's time for more honesty in reporting, and less comedy. Your blog of course, my suggestion.

You go Erik! Never take crap from a barnstormer!

EB, If that's how you're going to address a chick, I can see why the futon and solara are such lonely places. Ah, we jest....

JETS JETS JETS - I'd love to take the Jets more seriously, but really now. Take a look at this team. If you don't make humor of it, I'd walk in front of the nearest eighteen wheeler passing by. This team is nothing but empty promises. You get your hopes up and then they get dashed out like an olympian 100 yard dasher. I've sat in GIANTS friggin stadium with 3000 other hopefuls during an ice storm while the JETS were cruisin to their 1-15 season. I've worn a bag over my head saying Just End The Season! I've been ridiculed by friends and family who are fans of the Giants. And worst of all, I've turned my poor kids into Jets fans.

So don't preach to me about taking this sad team seriously. Hey Mr. Green T, you need another beer out on the ledge while I'm in here!!!

Erik doesn't need me to defend him from Brett's bleeding hearts, but did anyone of them notice that #4 was persona non grata in Green Bay last year after almost taking them to the SB?

Do you think that had anything to do with the disgraceful way Favre handled his retirement/unretirement and ESPN-spun doubletalk, leaving the Packers in a hole and trying to make them look ungrateful to him.

If anything, he embarrassed himself. Why shouldn't Jet beat writers be skeptical/scornful/suspicious of Favre--his motives, selfishness and opportunuism. He was lucky the foolish Jets owner needed him to push PSLs. He and his act have gotten old fast. Time to turn the page.

Now Westhoff is interested in the coaching job

Meanwhile, Jets special teams coach Mike Westhoff told the Daily News he'd like to be considered for the job. He expressed his interest in a meeting earlier this week with Johnson.

"Why the hell wouldn't I be interested?" said Westhoff, one of the league's most respected special teams coaches. "I'm extremely qualified."

HMMMM this changes things I think

JayM, yes Mike W. getting involved does make things a little more
interesting. I know what i'll be doing tomorrow (or later today)! I had been
told he wasn't interested but didn't hear it from the man himself so
that's a lesson for me. I would guess they'll at the very least interview
him because it would be bad form not to.

Mike from Bumpass, wow, a futon AND solara comment in one! nice.
I'd expect that from someline like, um, John Z.

And RC Meany...reading through your post I was waiting for you to eventually
get to Woody Johnson, and you didn't disappoint! I really do think, at the end
of this process which has had some ups and downs, the Jets will come out
of it with a good head coach, which is the most important thing.

Damn, E-Boland, you're really making me love Rex Ryan more and more every day...

What would you think of Westhoff as the head coach, and do you think he'll get a fair chance? He stated himself that he's extremely qualified, and he's been a premier ST coach for a long time.

Give him a good OC and a good DC, and I think he'd do a good job. Like I said five minutes ago, your Rex Ryan quotes make me salivate, but there's no Ray Lewis or Ed Reed in Florham Park. David Harris and Kerry Rhodes are good, but they're the homeless man's Lewis and Reed.

Boland, way to stick up for yourself from Iowa criticism.

That Rex Ryan quote was great. He should get the job on that quote alone.

After Mangini, who I think will do well in Cleveland, we need a guy in here who will do the things Ryan can do. He will draft defensive players who are fast and attack the QB, develop a running game that is already good, and that will make it easier to nurture a young QB.

Get Rex!

That Rex quote is exactly why he will NOT get this job. He and T speak differenct languages, they will need an interpreter at the interview. Oil and Water, no way T will pick a non-intellectual type (does not mean he is stupid, there is a difference).

So Jets fans, we will never get the best available coordinator in Ryan, and Jets have already lowered expectations on Spagnolo by leaking that his interview went poorly.

So who's left? I maintain my prediction of Jim Schwartz, not my choice, my prediction, because he is good buddies with T. The rest of this interview process is a farce, T wants someone that shares his "vision", the most important part of which is T running the show.

Let's be real about Westoff, his kick return and coverage teams were outstanding.

His punt return teams were abysmal, how many punts did Leon let hit the ground last year for no reason.

The kicker and punters were below average the entire time he was here. He never managed to teach a punter how to leave a ball inside the 20, one of the worst teams in the game at that since he was here, not just during Graham's reign.

They were never ready for a fake punt, never tried a fake punt themselves despite having an allegedly athletic punter, nor a fake kick, quick kick or anything else creative.

He has, to the best of my knowledge, never been a coordinator and never been involved in game planning.

How does this make him "extremely qualified"?

I am glad Mangini is gone, but if all it accomplishes is the promotion of one of his underperforming coordinators, what is the point?

As for all the comments about the Jets being "thorough" in their search, how are they thorough if they have not interviewed a single candidate with NFL Head Coaching experience?

I am glad Mangini is gone, but have zero confidence in them finding the right replacement, hoping I am wrong.

2009 SAT question:

Rick Kotite is to Leon Hess what Eric Mangini is to ( ).

Why is most everyone blasting Woody, I feel that he the desire to win.
Most of the players under Mr. T are good young players. In the case of rewinding time
let's remember that Tuna was President and quit and left us with Al G., Then he was in the Bradway
Herm interviews. We have a new Stadium, I am sorry all you guys that have to pay PSL.
PSL and pay per view are and/or will be a way of life in the NFL.
The next HC will be excellent, Mangini and Favre were a mistake and they will both be gone by the draft.

Although I was like a crazy person screaming for Favre last summer, I now see that it was a mistake. His reluctance to commit to playing or retiring surely will hurt the coaching search which is why I now agree with previous posters stating that one of Mangini's inept assistants will be promoted and as Jet fans, we will not see Rex Ryan be HC who is the best coordinator in the game today.

A question I have been thinking about is,'Where does the Jets head coaching position rank with the other openings in the league?'
You now have the Jets, Denver, Detroit, St. Louis, Raiders(I think, who knows about Cable), and Seattle(has there been confirmation on Mora, Jr?).

I think the Jets ranks below Denver and Detroit and here is why: with the Lions, you have a hands-off owner who kept Matt Millen for years until his son openly complained about him, so whatever a new coach does, he will look like a hero. Plus, you have a top pick in the draft that you can play with if you like. If Rex Ryan decided to take that job, he could trade the pick for multiple mid-round picks and attempt to build up that defense which the motor city and its blue collar spirit would love. In Denver, you won't have to grow through the growing pains of a young QB, so all you have to do is fix up the defense and try to maintain what Shanahan did on offense, plus Pat Bowlen is a great owner(only 3 head coaches in last 25 years). St. Louis seems to be clueless of how an NFL team is run and you never know with Al Davis. He will fire a coach depending on how he perceives his appearance in the mirror with his black or white Raiders sweatsuit on.

For those reasons, I hate to say it, but we will have another lackluster coach with the Jets and be saying,'Same Ole Jets'

Here's another question: if Favre retires, do you try to trade for Matt Leinhart with a conditional draft pick? Whisenhunt didn't draft him, so he isn't married to him. I think I would. What are the other options at QB and you know Mr. Heisman Trophy USC QB would sell more PSLs than Clemens or Ratliff being that the QB is the face of your franchise.

Hey Erik, the Jets aren't serious about pursuing Derek Anderson, are they? That would be a hot ghetto mess.

Mike S,
Disagree.
The Jets have several attributes:
Solid O line
Solid running backs
Some young defensive talent.
Jenkins and his kitchen.

This was a team that sat at 8-3 after beating two top teams on the road,
manhandling the Titans. This is a team with most pro bowlers...

They also have a brand new practice facility, new stadium on the horizon,
an owner willing to toss around $$, AND a nice E-Bo blog.

Much better scenario than many teams.

Hey Erik, any info on how the Grimm interview went yesterday?

Wayne80 gotta agree with your take on why Ryan won't get the HC job. He might not clean up too well and be the polished speaker that the lawyer, Mr T., envisions ducking/answering media questions. It is an important element to have in a HC but the overidding factor should be his abilitiy to organize a team, not just his defense, and to interract effectively with his assistants and his players. His defensive philosphy speaks for itself. He wants nasty fast defenders that like to bring the wood and intimidate. The naysayers point out that "we don't have Ray Lewis or Reed..." Exactly! It's because we like to draft "smart, core value" types. He would be instrumental in aquiring the next "special" defender, not the phony Rhodes guys.

Mike S and Jetsdaily, I agree on that Rex Ryan quote. I just loved it for some reason.

I think Westhoff will get an interview because he's been a good soldier, he received one
last time around (when Mangini got the job), and there's no reason to alienate a guy like that.

dmb, I heard Grimm's interview was "solid" but that no one, regardless
of what's out there, has blown away the Jets yet. My feeling is
they're waiting very anxiously for the Ryan interview.

CGB I agree... Woody seems hands off, and wants to win.
My opinion, this is the best opening, plus the Ebola man has to count huge for an incoming coach.

I admit not a big College footbal fan, what do you guys think of Tebo.
I think he could start in the NFL as a Full Back.

Wayne 880, I take issue with your comments regarding Westhoff. In a prior thread you dismissed Westhoff as a candidate for the Jets HC job on the basis of his health, and doubted he would even be interested. It is only now after he has expressed an interest that you assail his credentials.

How can you characterize him as an under performing assistant in one breath while admitting that "his kick return and coverage teams were outstanding"? In fact, the Jets specials teams regularly outperformed the special teams of the Jets opponents throughout his tenure. While it is perhaps fair to question how much involvement he has had in game planning, Westhoff is anything but an average or below average coordinator.

I agree with you that Leon has let too many punts hit the ground, but I would bet Leon was coached to catch those balls. In fact it is all too common for punt returners throughout the league to let too many punts hit the ground. So what would you have done if, in spite of your coaching, Leon still let too many punts bounce? Would you have replaced one of the best returners in the game with someone else? I doubt it. If you remember earlier this seaon Leon caught a kickoff in bounds while straddling the sideline, which gave the Jets the ball on the 40, and Leon credited the coaching for his decision. But this is no more a reflection on Westhoff than Leon's unwillingness or inability to catch more punts.

Regarding the performance of the punters and kickers during his tenure, I think you are overstating your case. Graham actually had a couple of good seasons dropping the ball inside the 20, but ultimately that falls mostly on the punter rather than on the coach. If field position was consitently in favor of the Jets opponents you would have a point, but that simply has not been the case. Actually, I think Westhoff has done an excellent job compensating for the relative lack of leg strength of his kickers, otherwise the Jets' field position disadvantage would have been noticeable while Westhoff has been coach.

As far as trick plays are concerned, the ST coach's job is to have the plays ready and to have the players prepared to execute them. You know as well as I that most teams may attempt one or two trick plays on special teams in a SEASON. The ST coach simply does not have the discretion to call plays that other coordinators have, so it is disingenous to fault Westhoff for a failure to try something "creative". And while you could fault the Jets for not doing a better job defending fakes, how many plays are you actually talking about? Again, even though you may warn your players to watch for the fake, ultimately the players themselves are responsible for the execution.

With offense or defense you can take individual plays or games out of context and point to them as examples of good or poor coaching, since these coordinators have much more discretion and latitude than special teams coaches. But with special teams you have to look at the overall performance over the course of a full season. And on that basis, year after year, Westhoff has proven to be one of the best ST coaches in the league. Other than you, I have never heard him described as anything less.

It is fair to question whether a special teams coach has had the necessary preparation to become a good head coach. None of us knows how much input Westhoff had into game planning and how much he knows about aspects of the game outside of special teams. That's why you interview the man and see what he brings to the table. But what I can say with confidence is that, as a ST assitant, Westhoff has discharged his responsibilities as well or better than anyone, and on that basis of performance and competence, as well as based on his loyalty and familiarity with the organization, he absolutely deserves an interview.

Joe Musgo I agree with you about coaching. There is only so much a coach can do. I see fans blame the coaches more than they blame the players who are playing the game. The coach does not tackle, pass or catch the ball. But they seem to get all the blame for what the players do. The Jets had 3 guys in the secondary that were off the waiver wire, but the coaches take the blame for poor pass coverage. Player miss tackles but we still blame the coaching for not stopping the run. When the Jets played Seattle with an offensive line that was working at Wal Mart at the start of the season and the DLine could not put on a pass rush we blame the coaching. I know you are going to say a good coach puts his players in the best position possible to do his job, but it's the players who have to have the responsibility of doing their job. A coach can only do so much with the talent that he has. I would like to know a coach that can win in the NFL with untalented players.

I believe Westoff deserves an interview, never said he didn't.

I took issue with his comment, if indeed it was his, that he is "extremely qualified".

And you can not commend him for his work with the kick return game, then in the same breath give him a pass on the punt return unit and kickers due to talent. It would be just as easy to argue his star has risen precisely because he has been blessed with two pro bowl return men and a few terrific gunners who are kept active to the detriment of other units.

But I am not her to bash the man's work, he has done a fine job and is the best coach on the team. I just do not want him as HC.

I do not believe any of the resident coaches should be seriously considered for this job.

Sure buy him dinner and let him state his case, he has earned that perk.

Another publication just ranked the top candidates interviewed to date.

A total of two years of NFL head coaching experience between them, both Callahan.

The best thing going for the Jets is the Boland Blog. Asside from that, I'm not sure how great of a team we have. I know they were 8-3 at one point, but the only true Pro Bowler I see on defense is Revis, Coles and Cotchery are nice, but they are possession receivers for the most part, the O-line is good(Brandon Moore is very underrated and Damien Woody surprised me being able to be a good RT), but that can be all for not if the QB situation is unsettled.

My other concern is Thomas Jones. The man was a beast this year and I know he does not have as much mileage as other RBs who are closing in on 30 years of age, but having said that, when running backs hit age 30, it is downhill from there.

I'm really hoping they hire Rex Ryan, but knowing Mr. T, I can see them hiring a more cerebral shirt and tie approach coach. But, if Baltimore wins in Tennessee and is playing for an AFC title after two dominating defensive weekends, they must get him. He seems just like his dad, Buddy, and I loved Buddy Ryan. Here is a reminder of how good Buddy Ryan was: he left Rich Kotite with a team that went 36-28 over Kotite's 4 years in Philly and Kotite was 36-21 before dropping his final 7 games in Philly. Yes, that Rich Kotite.

Mike S Interesting stat on Kotite.
I think it is obvious that the JETS have Ryan as #1 choice.
If this is the case, would you trade Mangini for Ryan?
I think the 8-3 was a bit over rated, but this team should have made the
playoffs, you will see a number of new faces next year including
QB(I hope).
One thing for sure, at least the post season is exciting.

Just thing in another month we will be tied for 1st place.

Ryan according to people I know in Baltimore is absolutely loved by players and fans alike. He's similar to his father in that he puts his foot down and gets the players to run through walls. However, I'm told he's smarter on the x's and o's than his dad though they share the same type of converstional skills. I think that's a plus as players better understand these types than the professorial coaches like EM. Ryan is also different from Lewis in that Lewis worked as a players friend much like Carroll. I am told Ryan is more like a Cowher or Tuna who invokes respect or passion because of attitude rather than the guy they'd go to a BBQ with. I just hope Jets management sees this and does not look to promote Schott because it's easy or like Carroll because they fear he may be good.

Erik when you get a chance can you tell us what you have heard about the other teams who are looking for a coach and GM. I think there are 2 or 3 GM positions that are open, KC and Cleveland. Then if the Patriots lose Pioli who are they going to replace him with? tia

JayM, the open GM jobs are in KC and Cleveland, as you mentioned. If Pioli leaves, that
job, if the Pats stay within the organization, might go to Nick Caserio, the team's
director of player personnel.

Besides the Jets, the Lions, Rams, Broncos and Raiders are looking for a coach. I'm
immersed in this Jets search but from everything I'm hearing the biggest competition
for Spagnuolo is going to come from the Broncos though I just saw Bowlen had a second
interview with Josh McDaniels. I know the Jets are very, very much
looking forward to interviewing Ryan.

Boland, can we form a Watergate-esque situation and find out exactly what is going on during the Rex Ryan interview? I am extremely interested in what he has to say. I know he cannot bring Ed Reed with him, but I think he is a better choice for a coordinator than Spagnuolo just because of what that D has done to inferior QBs and the fear Ryan can put into opposing offenses. Remember when Chris Baker called their D 'scary good' before last year's Jet-Raven week 2 game.

Since we lost to Miami and failed to make the playoffs, Woody and Mr. T have been very "busy." From where I sit, here are things that have been in the air or that have unfolded out of Florham--roughly along the lines of the 12 Days of Christmas.

On the Tuesday after losing, Woody gave to me glowing praises for Mangini, as he fired his promising boy HC.

Next we heard of Bill Cowher, his great chin and raw power, but Woody was flying somewhere beyond the sea. And we wondered who'd replace Mangini.

Spag's name got several mentions, yet we don't know his or our intentions, as Big Blue makes us green with envy.

Suddenly Shanahan lost his HC status, took a two-week hiatus--the third big name to leave us up a tree.

Now we're getting hot for that Raven: Rex Ryan's guts and fire we've been craving. But that seems too strong for Woody and Mr. T.

Talked with Callahan and B. Schott, maybe Westhoff too--let's see what he's got, as we go along so very thoroughly.

Meanwhile, Favre's still hesitating, Woody's PSLs are waiting, the media's speculating and the fans keep on debating over who would make the best HC.

And our choices grow Grimm and Meek as we pass the second week to find out who'll replace Cleveland's new HC.

Did the Jagz move make you feel inspired? He didn't mind being fired for the chance to be hired. How's that if you want a risk-taking HC!

Don't forget the elder Schottenheimer; Fassell, Billick or some old-timer--maybe we should also call up Marv Levy.

But the best guy Woodenbaum could hire: It's about time they spoke to Ira, if they ever want to taste victory.

In the end they'll stumble upon their man, telling us this had always been their plan as they introduce us to our new, improved HC.