Tennessee 22, KC 21
The Chief’s Alex Smith was 24-33, 264 yards, 2 TDs and played very well but was not able to close the deal when tight end Travis Kelce got a concussion in the first half. Smith played brilliant in the first half but had passes dropped. Mainly by Tyreek Hill. In the second half, Kelce’s replacement Demetrius Harris also dropped a couple of passes. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes, drafted in the first round in 2017 is sure to be the starter in 2018. This can affect the Jets in a couple of ways. Alex Smith’s name has been thrown around along with free agent Kirk Cousins as possible targets for the Jets. Smith is under contract through 2018 scheduled to make $17 Million. The Chiefs have to decide whether they want to keep him as a back-up or cut him before his roster bonus is due. If they do cut him, they might consider another cheaper veteran such as back-up Josh McCown who may want to sniff the playoffs before he retires. Maybe trading Alex Smith to the Jets for a #6 or #7 rounder might make sense for both teams if the Jets draft a QB in the first or second round. I would say if Smith does not come back on the cheap, that the Chiefs will probably cut him. A $17 million back-up does not make sense.
Atlanta 26, LA 13
Nothing with these two teams will affect the Jets QB situation. The back-ups for both teams LA’s Sean Mannion and the Falcons Matt Schaub are both under contract though 2018. Schaub is interesting. A one time hot quarterback commodity who made the Pro-Bowl in 2009 throwing for 4770 yards and 29 TDs, he has slowly moved down the QB food chain and seems happy to be playing out his career as a back-up.
Jacksonville 10, Buffalo 3
This game, these teams and the quarterbacks in it will have a huge affect on what the Jets do in 2018. First of all, even with Blake Bortles winning the game for the Jags, his stats 12-23, 87 yards, 1 TD are not good. Unless the Jags somehow beat the Steelers, I don’t expect Jacksonville will bring Bortles back. The Jags have a $20 million option on him in 2018 and unless they go to the AFC Championship game, I don’t see anyway the Jags bring him back. Despite what the NY Giants say, look for them to listen to offers from Tom Coughlin for Eli Manning unless the Giants cut him outright which they will not do.
The Buffalo Bills will probably have the most affect on the quarterback situation and how it will affect the Jets. Tyrod Taylor was 17-37, 134 yards. His 7.8 yards per completion won’t sit well with the Bills who already made the ridiculous move during the season replacing Taylor with Nathan Peterman in week 11. He responded by throwing 5 first half interceptions. It shows you what the Bills coaching staff really feels about Tyrod Taylor. Taylor signed a 2 year contract but will never see the second year. More interesting is that through trades, the Bills have two first round and two second round draft picks in 2018. Look for them to get into the quarterback fray this year and their ammunition may land them in the top four.
Saints 31 Panthers 26
Every year one or two sports writers bring up Drew Brees name as a player that might end up on the Jets. This will never happen. Chase Daniel is the Saints back-up. He is 6’0” and has only two starts in 9 years. He will be a free agent in 2018 and this is a player the Jets should pursue as a back-up. He is an upgrade over what the Jets have right now. The Panthers back-up is Derek Anderson who is a retread.
Jet Quarterback Thoughts Today
My own thoughts will change 1000 times before the April draft. There will be an incredible quarterback feeding frenzy this year. Below is the tentative draft order. I put an asterisk* in front of teams that will be looking for a quarterback. I included Washington unless they resign Cousins and the Dolphins. No one knows what is going on there with Tannehill and Cutler. Rumors are Tampa Bay may be looking (that was quick). If Andrew Luck is not right, look for the Colts to pick a QB. The Pats need to replace Jimmy Garappolo. Even the Steelers have to endure Big Ben’s yearly retirement threats and they may be in play for a QB.
*Cleveland Browns
*New York Giants
Indianapolis Colts
Cleveland Browns (from Houston Texans)
*Denver Broncos
*New York Jets
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Chicago Bears
San Francisco 49ers
Oakland Raiders
*Miami Dolphins
*Cincinnati Bengals
*Washington
Green Bay Packers
*Arizona Cardinals
Baltimore Ravens
Los Angeles Chargers
Seattle Seahawks
Dallas Cowboys
Detroit Lions
Tennessee Titans
*Buffalo Bills
Atlanta Falcons
Carolina Panthers
Jacksonville Jaguars
Buffalo Bills (from Kansas City Chiefs)
Los Angeles Rams
New Orleans Saints
Pittsburgh Steelers
Minnesota Vikings
Philadelphia Eagles
*New England Patriots
The Jets will have to decide if they are going all in for the quarterback they want. Picking 6th may get a Baker Mayfield or a Mason Rudolph from Oklahoma State though the word is he will be a late round pick. But for the Jets to move up, it will cost them. For instance if Cleveland demands the Jets #1 and both their #2’s plus Jamal Adams for the first pick in the draft, do the Jets do it? Keep an eye on how Mike Maccagnan allocates the Jets free agent money. If he starts signing players in their 30’s, he is only trying to save his job. If he overpays for younger free agents, he is planning for the long term.
Green Tidbits
…..Green Rewind contributor Ray Clifford and I think that the Browns QB DeShone Kizer may end up being a real good player…..Darrelle Revis should not have come back with the appetite for contact he has shown. It is embarrassing…..Kudos to former Jet Eric Decker on his winning TD reception for the Titans…..Jets signed the following to “Future Reserve” contracts: OG Ben Braden Mich., OT Korren Kirven Ala., WR Jalin Marshall OSU, WR Tre McBride William & Mary, DE Claude Pelon USC, DB Terrell Sinkfield No. Iowa, QB Joel Stave Wisc., WR Damore’ea Stringfellow Miss., WR Daniel Williams Jackson St.…..Jamal Adams made Mel Kiper’s all rookie team? Over Marcus Maye? Mel has got to watch the games from start to finish…..I still say WR Chad Hansen is a sleeper…..Quincy Enunwa should be back 100% in 2018…..Rumors of John Morton going to the Raiders are not true. He should be returning to the Jets…..The Patriot fiasco with Belichick, Brady and Kraft prove what I’ve always said. You can be the best QB in NFL history, have a beautiful wife, be a multi-millionaire and still feel insecure and threatened by a co-worker. Some of the stuff in that ESPN article is incredible. My advice to Tom, don’t look to closely into the Titans helmets next weekend. They'll all have Jimmy Garrapolo masks on…..
What The Jet Scribes Are Saying
Rich Cimini, ESPN
It doesn't take a genius to figure out general manager Mike Maccagnan and coach Todd Bowles have a difference of opinion on Christian Hackenberg. Maccagnan is standing by his man, probably because he drafted him and doesn't want to admit it was a mistake. In his season-ending session with reporters, Maccagnan said Hackenberg will "get the opportunity to go perform on the field. I think we kind of have a feel for him internally, but he’ll get his opportunities going forward."
Bowles, who has the final say on the lineup, seemingly has no intention of playing Hackenberg. He refused to play him in the season finale, when the opportunity was ripe. He didn't see enough in practice to put him in the game, and Bowles isn't the kind of coach who throws a bone to someone unless it's earned.
Hackenberg isn't a big enough piece to the puzzle to turn this into a Jimmy Garoppolo situation with the Patriots -- the focus of a power struggle -- but it could put him in the middle of a mini-disagreement.
Manish Mehta, NY Daily News
There’s nothing worse than unwittingly getting screwed by the nicest of nice people, the coolest geezer and your leader. It’s the cruelest twist of fate for a star-crossed franchise still searching for their signal-calling Holy Grail. The Jets won’t partake in the Sam Darnold-Josh Rosen hysteria in the coming months thanks to one man who didn’t get the tanking mission statement. Gang Green might miss out on their franchise quarterback for the next decade because of a quarterback who defied all the odds in the twilight of his career.Josh McCown galvanized a wayward bunch with the power of positivity (and some damn good passes) during this critically important phase of the organization’s rebuild, but one lingering question remains: Was it worth it? Did McCown’s career season cost the Jets a chance to finally cash in on their quarterback lottery ticket? Will the team’s five-win season that pushed them to the No. 6 draft position, irritatingly just out of reach for Darnold and Rosen, haunt them forever? It’s fair to wonder if the Jets would have been better off if McCown didn’t play in 2017……
…….The prevailing sentiment on One Jets Drive was that McCown infused the organization with so many terrific elements that it was indeed worth it. He made a real difference at a time when the Jets needed difference makers on the field and in the locker room……
…..McCown, whose season was cut short due to a broken hand, might return next year to play, mentor and/or bring some juice to a franchise entering the next phase of its rebuilding process. Make no mistake: He will be an asset in whatever role he’s asked to perform. But it’s foolish to ignore that the Jets likely missed out on the next great star quarterback because of McCown’s presence. It’s painful to digest, but everyone knows it’s the truth. Was it worth it?
Brian Costello, New York Post
The Jets are ready to open their checkbook.
Woody and Christopher Johnson must crack open the vault and give general manager Mike Maccagnan some money to play with this winter. After back-to-back 5-11 seasons, the Jets are facing a critical offseason in which they must upgrade their roster. Luckily for them, they are expected to have around $100 million in salary-cap space. Maccagnan has preached building through the draft since he arrived in 2015, knowing that throwing around money in free agency can be foolish. Don’t expect the Jets to spend every penny of their cap space, but they have enough room to overhaul parts of their roster.Whoever the Jets wind up with at quarterback, that player needs some playmakers around him…..
……The Jets need an overhaul at running back where Bilal Powell and Elijah McGuire are nice, complementary players, but not stars. Le’Veon Bell is the biggest name scheduled to hit free agency, but it is hard to imagine the Steelers letting him walk. Other running backs that could be out there are the 49ers’ Carlos Hyde, the Patriots’ Dion Lewis and Isaiah Crowell of the Browns. Robby Anderson, Jermaine Kearse and Quincy Enunwa give the Jets a nice core at wide receiver, but they still could use a gamebreaker. Jarvis Landry of the Dolphins, Allen Robinson of the Jaguars and Sammy Watkins of the Rams are big names that could be free. At tight end, the Jets could bring back Austin Seferian-Jenkins, but may look for an upgrade. The Seahawks’ Jimmy Graham and the Bengals’ Tyler Eifert are names to watch at that position. The Jets definitely need to address the offensive line, but that looks like it will mostly have to be in the draft. The free-agent class is weak. Weston Richburg could move across town from the Giants to the Jets if the Jets decide to let Wes Johnson leave. On defense, Maccagnan needs to find an edge rusher. The Jets have not had an elite one since John Abraham left town over a decade ago. Demarcus Lawrence is 25 and had 14 ½ sacks for the Cowboys this year. If he somehow gets out of Dallas, Maccagnan should make him a top priority. Todd Bowles’ defense instantly improves with an elite edge rusher. Other names to watch here are the Raiders’ Aldon Smith, the Lions’ Ezekiel Ansah and the Colts’ Barkevious Mingo. Another area of Bowles’ defense that needs improvement is cornerback. The Jets found a couple of building blocks at safety with Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye. Now, they need some help on the outside. Trumaine Johnson of the Rams is going to be the best cornerback on the board. The Jets could add him and bring back Morris Claiborne to form a nice duo. The Patriots’ Malcolm Butler, the Packers’ Davon House and the Eagles’ Patrick Robinson are other cornerbacks that will draw plenty of interest.
Another Jet QB
I mentioned last week (and above) that Wisconsin graduate quarterback Joel Stave was signed by the Jets to a contract. Stave measures 6’4” 230 pounds and in his short NFL career has worn uniforms for five different teams and has yet to take a snap in an NFL game. My thoughts are to keep ‘em coming. The more the merrier and maybe the Jets can find another Kurt Warner.
Here is the 2016 NFL Draft Profile on Jet Quarterback Joel Stave
OVERVIEW
Stave was an all-state pick from the Badger State who stayed close to home and reaped the benefits, eventually becoming the winningest quarterback in Wisconsin history with a 31-10 record as a starter. He started six games as a redshirt freshman at UW, completing 58.8 percent of his passes for 1,104 yards, six touchdowns, and three interceptions. He would have started more games but a broken collarbone suffered in October cost him the rest of the regular season. Stave hit a peak to his career as a sophomore, accepting honorable mention All-Big Ten notice as a 13-game starter (61.9 percent, 2,494 yards, 22 touchdownss, 13 interceptions). His shoulder was injured in the team's Capital Bowl loss to South Carolina, however, which affected him into the next season. Eventually he regained the starting job as a junior, but couldn't connect often enough with his receivers (53.4 percent, 1,350 yards, nine touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Stave bounced back a bit as a senior, completing over 60 percent of his throws for a career-high 2,687 yards and 11 touchdowns, though that total matched the 11 interceptions he threw during the year. He gave NFL scouts something to think about with his effort in the Holiday Bowl win over USC, completing 18 of 27 passes for 217 yards and a touchdown on a big stage.
ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Looks the part with good size and a pretty, over-the-top delivery. Plays in pro-style offense and is experienced under center. Steps and drives the intermediate throws and ball comes out of his hand with a tight spiral and heat on it. Possesses above average arm strength and was asked to make NFL throws in his offense. Rhythm passer able to throw with timing. Comfortable and efficient on roll outs and bootlegs.
WEAKNESSES
Accuracy and ball placement are hit or miss. Throws at or slightly behind moving targets rather than throwing them open.. Below average pocket mobility. Shows signs of pocket panic dropping eyes at early signs of pressure. Can't win with his legs. Plays with blinders and will make throws with no awareness of safeties lurking. Poor decision making and accuracy on third downs attempting to fit throws into impossible spots.
BOTTOM LINE
Stave has size, a strong arm, loads of experience and plays in a run-first offense, yet he's produced 19 touchdowns and 22 interceptions over the last two seasons. For all the physical boxes he checks off, issues with accuracy and decision-making have been too present in his game and fans at Wisconsin let him know about it. Stave throws as pretty a pass as any quarterback in this draft, but very few quarterbacks have been able to overcome his weaknesses and become reliable NFL quarterbacks.
"He's got the physical tools that are going to get him drafted and give him a shot with a team. Coaches who are just seeing him are going to be more excited about him than the scouts who know him." -- NFC executive
For T-Ball Parents & Coaches, check out: www.tballamerica.com
Youth Sports Club
No comments:
Post a Comment