J-E-T-Scott
Friday, April 30, 2004
New York Jets Draft Review, 2004
By Scott Stein
Well, Jets fans, another year and another feeling of being underappreciated. It comes with being a Jets fan, so don’t get upset by Kiper, Zimmerman or any of the other gurus slamming your Gang Green. Truth be told, I believe we may have completed one of the deepest, largest and best drafts in Jet history.
Of course, it helped to have ten picks – which were largely facilitated by the compensatory picks received due to losing Richie Anderson, Randy Thomas and John Hall.
Round 1, #12
Jonathan Vilma LB Miami (FL)
6’-0 ½” 230
It’s a nice feeling when the Jets fans in the draft crowd go wild on Day One, and 2004 was one of those years. No confused looks like in 2002 with Bryan Thomas – Vilma was a straight-up need pick, as well as a player universally considered one of the best in the draft. Instinctual, intelligent and speedy define this Haitian-raised Miami terror- not only does he hit hard and quarterback the defense much like Ray Lewis once did, he speaks four languages and will have no problem being a smart spokesperson for the Jets much like Pennington. Of course, the sound of Jets fans cheering does not always portend greatness – (see Blair Thomas) – but Vilma should be the Jets’ best rookie contributor in years, as well as a leader for the defense for seasons to come.
Round 2, #42
Justin McCareins WR
Let’s add the Jets’ offseason trade with the Titans into the draft overview. Great upside, terrific speed and good height. The Titans got Ben Troupe at 42, which could pay dividends, but McCareins is without a doubt better than any 2nd-round wide receiver that was available. Great call by the Jets.
Round 3, #76
Derrick Strait CB Oklahoma
5’-10 ½” 196
Again, an instinctual player who’s been to the big game. Winner of the Nagurski and Jim Thorpe awards for best defensive player and cornerback in 2003, Strait has championship experience and toughness, and is universally considered a steal where the Jets took him in the third round. An ideal Cover-2 corner, his specific style of play and slight lack of combine speed may have turned off other teams to him. Strait is a great character guy, and comes from a family background torn with struggle. He could be a real NY folk hero. The Jets needed CB depth, and he can quickly be the nickel corner in rotation with Mickens, and possibly a starter by late-year. Strait was expecting to go late first-round, and a strong desire to show his value may pay off dividends for the Jets this coming year. A Laveranues Coles-like rise to power may be in the cards for Strait - without Coles’ attitude.
Round 4, #108
Jerricho Cotchery WR North Carolina State
6’-0 ½” 209
You have to love a guy that gave Torry Holt’s records a run for their money. Cotchery was QB Philip Rivers’ main target, and his tough size and over-the-middle abilities give him the physical edge that had some gurus predicting we’d draft Mike Williams, had he been allowed out. Cotchery could be Willams and more – a Chrebet with bigger size and upside. He will add the physical dimension the Jets offense has sorely needed ever since Keyshawn left, and his strong route-running skills will fit right in with Hackett’s sometimes-cryptic West Coast offense. Cotchery could be a receiver and tight end-style touchdown threat all in one. And he blocks well! Santana and McCareins, run downfield and let Jerricho eat up the middle. I suspect “The Jerricho Turnpike” may be a new Jet nickname soon.
Round 4, #132
Adrian Jones OT Kansas
6’4 ½” 295
An offensive line prospect with really good development upside marks Jones, a combine standout. He is a tweener type, converted from tight end to lineman in 2003. This means he’s one of the fastest and most athletic O-line players you’re likely to see, though his ability as a pure tackle is still up in the air. Don’t be surprised if he sees time as a hybrid tight end this year in Hackett’s offense – imagine Jumbo Elliott’s Monday Night TD reception in the hands of a lineman who can actually catch! “Adrian Jones is an eligible receiver…”
Round 5, #143
Erik Coleman S Washington State
5’-10 ½” 199
Another in-between type with excellent speed, Coleman was considered a reach for the Jets in Round 5. The Jets could have taken Jason Shivers here, but the Jets may see something they like in Coleman’s quickness. He may be a Tyrone Carter type of player, but is more likely a special teamer and developmental player. He will compete with underwhelming rookie Derek Pagel on the depth chart.
Round 6, #178
Marko Cavka OT Cal State Sacramento
6’-7 ½” 290
Another prospect for the O-line, Cavka is rougher all-around than Jones, but his size is outrageous! Clearly, his height and ability to gain 20 more pounds on his frame easily influenced the Jets to take this mystery man. Hey, at least he can knock down the ball (or even low-flying weather balloons) in passing situations. Could be a unique pick, but the Jets had a freak giant before (Chris Smith) who failed miserably for them. But…he wasn’t from Croatia!
Round 7, #213
Darrell McClover OLB Miami (FL)
6’-1” 227
I love this pick. Ask Miami fans about McClover, and they’ll say that in 2003 he was nearly as powerful and quick as Vilma. Having only played his senior season at Miami, it’s hard to tell – but his size is comparable, and he will at least be a unique special-teams weapon for Mike Westhoff. You have to imagine Westhoff is very pleased with this year’s draft, which could supply up to four special teams dynamos to his underachieving 2003 roster. In the future, Jets fans will be glad to have McClover over on their side.
Round 7, #234
Trevor Johnson DE Nebraska
6’-4 ½” 260
The Jets missed out on picking up hybrid DE/LB Adalius Thomas from the Ravens this year, but they may have just drafted their own. A good-sized DE with the size and experience to convert to linebacker, Johnson may be the man in 3-4 pass rush alignments. Special teams will be his focus early on, but Matt Walters and Trevor Johnson constitute a nice depth to the Jets’ defensive-end situation in ’04. He’s also been a tight end, so he may fit a Dan Klecko-type role for the Jets as everyman contributor this year.
Round 7, #235
Derrick Ward RB Ottawa Kansas
5’-10” 230
If and when LaMont Jordan leaves the Jets, the bulky Ward could fit the bill as the new goal-line rusher. In 2003 he led the NAIA in rushing, gaining over 2,000 yards and a whopping 28 TDs, averaging a record 7.8 yards a carry. Then he performed in the Blue-Gray All-Star Game, where he was Blue Offensive MVP. It’s hard to imagine what not to like in a sleeper pickup like Ward – and as a seventh-round prospect, he’s far better suited as the Jets backup RB than incumbent starter 2nd-rounder Jordan.
Round 7, #236
Rashad Washington S Kansas State
6’-2” 219
As a potential Jets starting safety, Washington may be a better prospect than Coleman. Considered another consensus steal pick by the Jets among draft gurus (along with Strait), Washington has prototype size. And he has another ability that clearly got him drafted: he blocked four punts last year for Kansas State. Expect Washington to make at least one game-changing special teams play this coming season, and don’t be surprised to see his impact on the defense in dime passing situations.
Overall Grade: A
Other than Guard, I don’t see an area The Jets missed addressing in free agency and the draft. By skipping Hall or Robinson (who, by the way, became somewhat overvalued as the draft arrived), the Jets got the top-rated linebacker and still have one of the better corners. Add in McCareins and this draft was as good as it gets. Deep drafts can pay off huge dividends, and ten picks nearly assures that a handful will be real keepers. Forget about the Patriots and their “value draft.” The Jets are flying under the radar this year, and they’ll surprise people early. Get excited, Gang Green!
Thursday, April 22, 2004
I have a weird feeling we're trying to trade up to get Winslow. He would be ideal for us.
And it's not impossible, if:
1) Giants trade up (get Manning)
2) Redskins trade w/ Raiders (get Gallery)
3) Arizona takes Fitz
4) Chargers take Rivers or Rothlisberger
5) Raiders take Roy Williams
then we have freedom at 6. If Redskins stay at 5, they take Winslow.
We might offer Becht and a 3rd-rounder to Detroit to move up.
Tuesday, April 13, 2004
Draft Thought #2
Okay, you heard it here first.
Why not draft Steven Jackson at #12?
That's assuming he's available (which everyone says he should be - Denver is hoping to nab him at 17). He's rated terrifically, is 6'2" and 230-something, a great blocker as well. Curtis is great, but he isn't getting younger...and this is the equivalent time that we picked up Chad when Vinnie was just past his prime. Curtis and Jackson together as a one-two...plus, we trade Lamont for a 3rd-rounder or whatever we can get for him. Maybe package to get a 2nd-rounder, which we use on a cornerback.
The RB depth in the draft is poor. If a Top 10 talent is available at 12 such as him, why reach for a CB?
Anyway, we need another RB as much as anybody.
This makes more sense than drafting a WR at 12, which Mel Kiper thinks we'll do.
Monday, April 12, 2004
Thought One: Post-season 2004
Okay, Bradway has been criticized for his moves over the past few years. This offseason looks like Herm can't get the respect to bring new players aboard, and perhaps has cost us folks like John Lynch and Antoine Winfield.
My response:
I am glad we JET-tisoned old players like Mo, Marvin, and probably Vinnie. It hurts, but we should have done it two seasons ago and we'd have been better off. Now that that abcess has been removed, we can focus on the future - getting under the cap and signing up Chad and our bookend DEs.
We've gotten decent players, and I like McCareins, if only because he doesn't seem at all like a problem player. Not getting Lynch was a damned-if-we-do-damned-if-we-don't scenario, because losing him we seem like losers, and getting him we'd either have get him to the Pro Bowl or we'd have Steve Atwatergate II.
In the draft:
I feel like we can't lose. We could use the following in the first round:
-WR
-CB
-LB
-DT
-TE
-S
When you have that many options, anyone can fall to 12 and we'd be happy. Forget trading down: we'll have Mike Williams, Vince Wilfork, DeAngelo Hall, Vilma, Winslow or Sean Taylor fall into our laps. One of them will definitely be available, perhaps several. If that's the case, we're set.
Next year we make big moves. This year, we remain competitive while losing lots of highly-regarded veterans.
Welcome to Jetscott's Jet Talk.
Rumors, thoughts and all things New York Jets.
I've gone to games since I was six, and my father has been a season ticket holder for 38 years. I currently live in San Diego, and am eagerly awaiting a return to NY to reclaim my season ticket. Until then, I fly back when I can and relish the fact that once in a while (like the 2004 season) I can see Gang Green over here.
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