First Draft: Where Jets Will Turn In First Round
Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay and Chris Sprow discuss if the Jets should use their top draft picks on more offensive weapons for Sam Darnold.
Mel Kiper Jr., Todd McShay and Chris Sprow discuss if the Jets should use their top draft picks on more offensive weapons for Sam Darnold.
Nothing says "I love you" like an exquisite pun from your significant other's favorite NFL team. Here are some of the best from around the league, including from the league's leading Casanova, the Atlanta Falcons.
A more aggressive style on defense could suit Darron Lee, Leonard Williams, Jamal Adams and Trumaine Johnson well.
The Jets are picking in the top six again and have major needs, but it would be best if one of the QB-needy teams wants to move up into their spot.
Jets legend Joe Namath is stepping up for a former teammate. Broadway Joe will be in Atlanta on Saturday to represent Emerson Boozer, who will be inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame, the BCFHOF announced Tuesday. Boozer, 75, who lives on Long Island, can't make it because of a medical issue. Boozer played at Maryland Eastern Shore and shared a backfield with Namath on the Super Bowl III champion Jets. Boozer is one of seven inductees. Former Jets DE Hugh Douglas (Central State) also will be inducted.
The Bills on Tuesday signed offensive lineman Spencer Long, who was released by the Jets last week.
The Bills on Tuesday signed free-agent OL Spencer Long to a three-year contract, the team announced. Long, 28, was released by the Jets last week after signing a four-year, $27.4 million deal last offseason. He was a third-round pick of the Redskins in 2014 who has started 44 games in his career. Buffalo's problematic offensive line is looking for help this offseason, especially on the interior. Long could compete for a job at either guard spot or center.
The Jets' top 10 cap charges for 2019 (in millions): 1. Leonard Williams $14.2, 2. Trumaine Johnson $12.0, 3. Kelvin Beachum $9.5, 4. Avery Williamson $8.0, 5. Sam Darnold $6.9, 6. Brian Winters $6.5, 7. Jamal Adams $6.1, 8. Isaiah Crowell $5.0, 9. Mike Pennel $3.3, 10. Darron Lee $3.2. Analysis: This list does not inspire hope for a turnaround. Darnold and Adams are the only players guaranteed to be on the team beyond 2019.
Adam Gase brought along six of his former Dolphins assistants and there are a few holdovers from the Jets' staff, but none on offense.
One signing or trade can dictate several more moves. Let's lay out destinations for seven potential free agents, then predict what comes next.
At age 23, Christian Hackenberg is making his first start with the Memphis Express, eager to get a second chance.
Three Jets drafted in 2016 — LB Jordan Jenkins, RT Brandon Shell and CB Rashard Robinson (49ers) — are in line for raises in 2019 based on the NFL's proven performance escalator. Their pay increases to $2.02 million because they played in at least 35 percent of the offensive/defensive snaps over their first three seasons or, in Robinson's case, at least 35 percent in two of his first three seasons. They had been scheduled to make $720,000, the fourth-year minimum. Only players drafted in rounds 3 to 7 are eligible for the bump.
The coaching staff of new Jets coach Adam Gase includes Joe Vitt, his father-in-law, and Gregg Williams, who coached with Vitt with the Saints. Vitt and Williams had a rocky relationship while together in New Orleans.
In his 2.0 mock draft, ESPN's Todd McShay has the Jets selecting Michigan DE Rashan Gary at 3. With Ohio State DE Nick Bosa and Kentucky OLB Josh Allen off the board, McShay picks Gary over Alabama DT Quinnen Williams. This would be an interesting dilemma for the Jets. Williams is generally considered a better prospect than Gary, but Gary fills a need because he can play on the edge. Gary scares me a bit because his production didn't match his raw talent. A shoulder injury probably factored into that. In this scenario, I think GM Mike Maccagnan should strongly consider trading down and taking an offensive lineman. Build a wall for Sam Darnold.
Think really hard. You probably know who won MVP, and you should know who won the Super Bowl. But now that the NFL season is over, what else do you remember?
The Jets have a lot of salary-cap space, but much of that will go toward filling spots that will be vacated by veterans who have some value.
The Jets' offensive-line overhaul is underway with the news that C/G Spencer Long has been released. Long can be a decent backup because of his experience and versatility, but his cap charge ($6.5 million) was too high for that role. Adam Gase witnessed Long's lowpoint. Who can forget his snapping misadventures last year in the Miami game? The Jets will be looking for new starters at center, left guard and perhaps left tackle. GM Mike Maccagnan is 0-for-2 at center, having whiffed on Long and Wesley Johnson as potential Nick Mangold replacements. Maybe this time he'll get it right.
In the first significant roster move under new coach Adam Gase, the New York Jets announced Tuesday they are parting ways with center Spencer Long.
The Jets are facing their first roster decision of the offseason — G/C Spencer Long. If he's on the roster at 4 p.m. tomorrow, his $3 million roster bonus becomes guaranteed. Translation: It secures a roster spot. So far, the Jets haven't tipped their hand, which could mean they've decided to keep him. Long was underwhelming at center (in part because of an injured hand), but his play at left guard was encouraging to the organization. Factors to consider: They have only one interior lineman under contract (Brian Winters) and the free-agent class isn't that appealing. If they keep Long, it'll cost them $6.5 million on the cap. If they cut him, there's no cap charge. It would be a clean break.
The coaching moves of the Jets and Dolphins set up a fascinating case study as both teams attempt to close the gap with their AFC East nemesis.
One of the takeaways from the Super Bowl, from a Jets perspective, is that defense still matters. The 2018 season was all about offense, with some teams posting video-game numbers, but the Patriots won because they were able to play team defense. While it's important to build around QB Sam Darnold, the Jets can't ignore the defense when they attack the offseason. They need an edge rusher (probably two), another linebacker and a starting-caliber corner (maybe two). They hired a proven coordinator in Gregg Williams, but he needs some horses to make his system work.
The Jets are flush with cash to go after free agents, but might make a bigger splash by making a trade or two.
Four defensive backs -- Ed Reed, Champ Bailey, Ty Law and seniors finalist Johnny Robinson -- were among the eight men chosen for enshrinement by the Hall's board of selectors on Saturday.
Youth served again as three first-time-eligible players -- Champ Bailey, Tony Gonzalez, Ed Reed -- dominate group along with Kevin Mawae and Ty Law.
Former Jets C Kevin Mawae is going to Canton. In his third year as a finalist, Mawae was selected Saturday to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2019. He joins Curtis Martin, Joe Namath and Don Maynard as the only Jets in the Hall of Fame — meaning players who spent their prime years with the franchise. Mawae was the premier center in the 2000s, and deserved the honor. Ed Reed and Ty Law, who also spent time with the Jets, also were selected.
TEAM | W | L | T | PCT | PF | PA |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New England | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 436 | 325 |
Miami | 7 | 9 | 0 | .438 | 319 | 433 |
Buffalo | 6 | 10 | 0 | .375 | 269 | 374 |
New York | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 333 | 441 |