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[Green Jets & Ham]

Setter, I think Idzik was the only GM on the planet who had McDougle tabbed as a 3rd RD Grade. Every draft guide I saw said he was either a late round pick or a UDFA. Even if you say he was underrated because he was hurt all year, which is probably true because the kid does have talent, its still inexcusable to take a guy whose essentially been hurt since H.S. in the 3rd RD with a player like Donte Moncrief staring you in the face.

Honestly, Idzik was making the kind of mistakes that were so inexplicable it bordered on sabotage.

I've said this a million times since last years debacle/draft and I'll say it again. Pick any amateur draft analyst; Walter Football, Rob Rang, Mel Kiper, Tony Pauline, take your pick, and they could have had a ten times more prepared and professional draft than Idzik. Heck, just about any Jets fan who follows the draft could have done better.

How many draftniks who post here wouldn't have taken Moncrief over McDougle?

How many of you wouldn't have taken Byrant over Saunders and Evans?

I rest my case.

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

A lot of what defines a draft is not only the players you take, but the players you DIDN'T TAKE when you took the guys that you took. For example, its absolutely inexcusable that Idzik took Jalen Saunders and Shaq Evans with Donte Moncrief and Martavis Bryant on the board when they took the former. Any fan with a $10 draft guide, any draft guide, even the one his neighbor put together in his basement, would have known to take the latter and it wasn't even close. IMO that alone was grounds for Idzik's termination, because it represented rank incompetence in the extreme.

For months leading up to the draft Jets fans were talking about Moncrief and Bryant being uber sleepers we can snag after RD 1, maybe RD's 2 or 3, 4 would be been a heist. During the same time I don't recall a single Jets fan even mentioning the name "Shaq Evans", and Saunders was being touted as a punt returner more than a receiver. Both were considered late rounders or UDFA's. That he took both of them ahead of Moncrief & Bryant is inexplicable.

I'm not trying to be some defense lawyer for John Idzik. I know I've been lumped into that category by a poster or two, but let me be clear about one thing: I'm not saying Idzik didn't miss on some draft picks and free agents. My responses are directed at the extreme commentary, which singles out Idzik unfairly as being the sole reason for the 2014 season. As Cy correctly pointed out a few posts ago, our scouting department had an enormous influence over our drafts. But that type of understanding goes too far for people who are hellbent on repeatedly citing Idzik as the biggest problem. It's much easier to blame one guy.

At this point, I feel the discussion has really run it's course. We seem to be going round and round about it, and ultimately just repeating ourselves and our positions. If some posters want to continue firing shots at John Idzik as some sort of therapeutic exercise in venting their anger, have at it. I'll try to refrain from responding for the betterment of the forum.

 

[Superman55]

Thread needs to get back to free agency, IMO

 

[Superman55]

I'm not trying to be some defense lawyer for John Idzik. I know I've been lumped into that category by a poster or two, but let me be clear about one thing: I'm not saying Idzik didn't miss on some draft picks and free agents. My responses are directed at the extreme commentary, which singles out Idzik unfairly as being the sole reason for the 2014 season. As Cy correctly pointed out a few posts ago, our scouting department had an enormous influence over our drafts. But that type of understanding goes too far for people who are hellbent on repeatedly citing Idzik as the biggest problem. It's much easier to blame one guy.

At this point, I feel the discussion has really run it's course. We seem to be going round and round about it, and ultimately just repeating ourselves and our positions. If some posters want to continue firing shots at John Idzik as some sort of therapeutic exercise in venting their anger, have at it. I'll try to refrain from responding for the betterment of the forum.

My above comment wasnt posted at you, we just posted our messages at the same time...but Im glad we agree. this thread should get back to free agency and not Idzik.

 

[Superman55]

Saints still in bad cap shape, even after flurry of moves

Posted by Michael David Smith on March 16, 2015, 12:11 PM EDT
Cincinnati Bengals v New Orleans Saints
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The Saints’ flurry of moves at the start of the league year — including trading Jimmy Graham and Ben Grubbs, cutting Curtis Lofton and Pierre Thomas, and restructuring the contracts of Jairus Byrd, Marques Colston and Junior Galette — were aimed at getting the team’s precarious salary cap situation under control. And yet heading into the second week of the league year, the Saints remain in terrible cap shape.

Although the Saints did manage to get under the salary cap, they’re still dead last in the NFL by a large margin in their available cap space, according to Spotrac.com. (The Saints are actually over the cap on the Spotrac list because it hasn’t yet been updated for the restructured contracts of Keenan Lewis and Dannell Ellerbe.)

The reason is that while the Saints have been shedding salaries, they haven’t gone into full-on tanking mode, the way the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers have. New Orleans is still trying to win, which is why the Saints have made moves like signing running back C.J. Spiller and cornerback Brandon Browner, and acquiring center Max Unger in the Graham trade. It’s not that the Saints are totally shedding all their expensive veteran contracts, it’s that the Saints are making just enough moves to keep themselves under the cap.

And that approach means the Saints don’t have a lot of cap relief coming in the future. Which is why, as noted in today’s Monday Morning Quarterback, next year could be very interesting in New Orleans. The 2016 season is the last year on the contract of Drew Brees, and his cap number will be more than $27 million. This year Brees is one of the only players the Saints aren’t shopping. Next year could be the time that the Saints decide it’s time to move on, and get what they can get for Brees in a trade.

Ultimately, the Saints are going to be in bad cap shape as long as Brees is on the team. Brees has been a great player in New Orleans and deserves the money he makes, but the contract he signed in 2012 is enormous, and it was structured so that the cap hits at the end of the deal are huge. This year, the Saints have chosen to do what they can with the rest of the roster while keeping Brees and staying in bad cap shape. Next year, the Saints may decide it’s finally time to get the cap under control, and trade Brees’s huge cap hit to another team.

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[Superman55]

Greg Jennings - WR - Free Agent
Free agent WR Greg Jennings is recovering from "minor" elbow surgery.
NFL.com's Ian Rapoport reports Jennings "will be fine going forward." It doesn't sound like an issue that will affect Jennings' free-agent market, though he's yet to be credibly linked to any teams since getting cut loose on Saturday.
Related: Vikings
Source: Ian Rapoport on Twitter Mar 16 - 12:06 PM
Player Outlook
Game Log
Career Stats
Draft Advice


Larry Fitzgerald - WR - Cardinals
The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports the Browns tried to trade for Larry Fitzgerald before his contract was reworked last month.
We assume the Browns would have insisted on a contract restructure, as Fitz was originally scheduled to make $16.25 million in 2015. Even then, the move would have been a head-scratcher for a team that has no quarterback and needs to conserve draft picks. The Browns are proving as rudderless as ever under screwball owner Jimmy Haslam.
Related: Browns

Jeron Johnson - DB - Redskins
Redskins signed S Jeron Johnson, formerly of the Seahawks, to a two-year, $4 million contract.
The Redskins turned to Johnson after missing out on top safeties Ron Parker and Marcus Gilchrist. He's a bit of an unknown after backing up Kam Chancellor and Earl Thomas the past two seasons in Seattle, but will compete for a starting job in Washington. Ryan Clark has retired, while the Redskins wisely let Brandon Meriweather walk in free agency. Johnson's familiarity with GM Scot McCloughan, who came from the Seahawks' front office, likely played a role in his decision.
Related: Seahawks

 

[Green Jets & Ham]

Blind, believe it or not I already have Idzik in my rearview mirror. Life is too short to spend my time being upset about someone who is no longer here. But last years draft really set us back and I just wanted to point out how, that its not only the players we took, but also the players we didn't take, and they weren't even tough choices, they were choices any amateur draftnik could have made correctly.

That said, I agree that its time to move on and I've already moved on, but when the topic is broached about Idzik's short tenure I have to call it like I see it. Lastly, its not personal, I never once suggested you are an Idzik apologist or anything of the kind, I thought we were just having a conversation. Just wanted to clear that up lest you think I was attacking you.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

Radio station in Dallas saying heavy negotiations between Hardy and Cowboys.

 

[Jet Setter]

Bleacher Report's Mike Freeman reports free agent QB Josh Freeman recently worked out for the Jets.

It's the first we've heard of Freeman in roughly nine months. Freeman was completely off the radar last season following his nightmarish 2013. Per the reporter Freeman, Josh's Jets workout went "well," and "several other teams" are supposedly "taking a hard look." Freeman's NFL career will essentially be over if he can't crack someone's offseason roster this year.

 

[Jet Setter]

Texans agreed to terms with WR Cecil Shorts, formerly of the Jaguars, on a two-year contract.

For now, Shorts will slot in as the Texans' No. 2 receiver. Shorts is capable of playing both inside and out, but might be best left in the slot at this stage of his career. Shorts flirted with stardom in 2012 before soft-tissue injuries and quarterback issues derailed his 2013-14. Still only 27, Shorts still has some upside to offer, but his injury woes coupled with the Texans' quarterback issues make him an unlikely fantasy-rebound candidate. The Texans shouldn't be done adding bodies at receiver.

 

[Jet Setter]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports free agent QB Tim Tebow is working out for the Eagles on Monday.

Chip Kelly has apparently decided he wasn't already enough of an iconoclast. Essentially banished from the NFL because of his inaccurate passes and unrelenting media frenzy, Tebow has been an ESPN employee since December 2013. In theory, he'd provide the dual-threat element Kelly's offense has mostly lacked since he arrived in the NFL, but Tebow has no semblance of the "repetitive accuracy" Kelly is known to seek. Kelly has become impossible to nail down, but we'd be surprised if he added Tebow to his 90-man roster.

 

[Jet Setter]

FOX Sports Dallas' Mike Fisher reports the Cowboys are in negotiations with free agent Greg Hardy.

Fisher isn't a typical Rotoworld source, so we're proceeding with a bit of caution. It's an obvious fit, however. Owner/GM Jerry Jones has never shied away from taking on players with baggage, while Hardy would give the Cowboys' pass rush the spark it desperately needs. If Hardy ends up in Big D, it would quite likely be on a one-year deal. Hard would be a match made in heaven with defensive guru Rod Marinelli.

 

[Jet Setter]

NBC Washington reports free agent Stevie Johnson is "very likely" to sign with the Patriots.

Johnson is visiting New England on Monday, and Dianna Marie Russini reports a deal could be done before the end of the day. Johnson's skill-set is a bit redundant to Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola's, but would provide depth the Pats were lacking in 2014. Thanks to angular route running, Johnson has always been quite proficient at getting open between the seams.

 

[TebowCan'tThrow]

NBC Washington reports free agent Stevie Johnson is "very likely" to sign with the Patriots.

Johnson is visiting New England on Monday, and Dianna Marie Russini reports a deal could be done before the end of the day. Johnson's skill-set is a bit redundant to Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola's, but would provide depth the Pats were lacking in 2014. Thanks to angular route running, Johnson has always been quite proficient at getting open between the seams.

Hopefully somebody other than Revis will cover him. He really struggled with old Stevie.

 

[cysporsche]

Big Vince Wilfork NT has been signed by the Houston Texans.

Go Jets...Cyborg

 

[Jet Setter]

We always like to see this:


Free agent Stevie Johnson left the Patriots' facility without a contract.

Johnson is also drawing interest from the Chargers and may want to shop his wares. The 49ers are believed to have moved on from Johnson after cutting him.

 

[mykcuz]

We always like to see this:


Free agent Stevie Johnson left the Patriots' facility without a contract.

Johnson is also drawing interest from the Chargers and may want to shop his wares. The 49ers are believed to have moved on from Johnson after cutting him.

At this point he doesn't worry me

 

[cysporsche]

Randy Starks DT has signed with the Cleveland Browns. I think he is a 4-3 DT stud who has plenty left in the tank @ 30. Good signing.

Go Jets...Cyborg

 

[cysporsche]

ESPN's Adam Schefter reports free agent QB Tim Tebow is working out for the Eagles on Monday.

Chip Kelly has apparently decided he wasn't already enough of an iconoclast. Essentially banished from the NFL because of his inaccurate passes and unrelenting media frenzy, Tebow has been an ESPN employee since December 2013. In theory, he'd provide the dual-threat element Kelly's offense has mostly lacked since he arrived in the NFL, but Tebow has no semblance of the "repetitive accuracy" Kelly is known to seek. Kelly has become impossible to nail down, but we'd be surprised if he added Tebow to his 90-man roster.

*Buyer Beware* Word out of the NFL office is, that Hardy could be looking @ a 6 game suspension to start the season. He only played one game last year, because he & his Attorney wanted a trial by Jury, so that was the long delay. Technically, the NFL has not slapped his hands yet. Plus Hardy got paid $775K per game to watch @ home. Note: His cock-tail waitress has not been seen since Christmas time, and she was not there to testify against him. Hmmmm

Go Jets...Cyborg

 

[BlindsideD'Brick]

Blind, believe it or not I already have Idzik in my rearview mirror. Life is too short to spend my time being upset about someone who is no longer here. But last years draft really set us back and I just wanted to point out how, that its not only the players we took, but also the players we didn't take, and they weren't even tough choices, they were choices any amateur draftnik could have made correctly.

That said, I agree that its time to move on and I've already moved on, but when the topic is broached about Idzik's short tenure I have to call it like I see it. Lastly, its not personal, I never once suggested you are an Idzik apologist or anything of the kind, I thought we were just having a conversation. Just wanted to clear that up lest you think I was attacking you.

Nothing of the sort, GJ&H. I never viewed your posts as attacks on me. I do not take it personal. I just happen to disagree with some of the beliefs being espoused here by you and a few others regarding the degree of Idzik's culpability. No big deal. We're allowed to disagree. Thanks for remaining civil about it.