Calvin Pace talks sense into Jets fans who think Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston would be a cure-all

[Elias]

Calvin Pace talks sense into Jets fans who think Marcus Mariota, Jameis Winston would be a cure-all

Pace is right.... we have a long rebuilding and the QB won't do anything next year.

What about Harris? Do we resign, he's 31 and a free agent.

FLORHAM PARK -- Calvin Pace, the Jets' veteran strong-side linebacker, provided a perfectly logical response Thursday to fans who want the Jets to lose out, in order to get a higher draft pick next spring.

The Jets are 2-11 entering Sunday's game at the 2-11 Titans. The Jets are currently fourth in the draft order. The Titans and Tampa Bay, currently second and first, both figure to be in the market for a quarterback in the draft, just like the Jets.

So what does Pace think about those who want the Jets to keep losing, to put themselves in position to draft Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota or Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston?

"One draft pick isn't going to change things," Pace said. "If you end up with a high draft pick, that guy has still got to get seasoned and become a pro. Very few times do you see guys that will change a franchise, one guy. If that's your thinking, then that's your thinking, on the outside. But there's a little bit more to it than that."

Spoken like a guy who has been around the league. Pace, 34, is in his 12th (and perhaps last) season. He knows that one highly drafted quarterback won't automatically turn a team into a consistent winner. Pace was with the Jets back in 2009, when they drafted Mark Sanchez fifth overall. That didn't exactly work out in the long term, did it?

Would things turn out any differently with Mariota or Winston? Well, at least one guy who follows the draft closely, ESPN's Mel Kiper Jr., doesn't think Mariota or Winston is a sure thing, along the lines of Andrew Luck. (Granted, Kiper has been wrong a time or three before.)

Kiper also thinks that, despite Mariota's and Winston's flaws, the Jets will select one of them in next year's draft. Of course, that depends on the Jets being in position (or trading their way into position) to do so.

While quarterback is unquestionably the NFL's most important position, the Jets have holes in other areas that must be addressed this offseason, in free agency and/or the draft.

Among their positions of need: cornerback, offensive line and linebacker. Pace probably will be gone after this season. Middle linebacker David Harris is a free agent who will turn 31 in January. So he is also in the twilight of his career.

Pace has been in the NFL long enough to understand that it isn't at all like the NBA. Teams need more than just one or two star players to thrive.

http://www.nj.com/jets/index.ssf/2014/12/linebacker_calvin_pace_talks_some_sense_into_fans_who_think_marcus_mariota_or_jameis_winston_would_b.html?utm_content=buffer5e6dc&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer

 

[USANYJ]

Fair....however, getting someone to build a franchise around can go a long way to changing things.

 

[Xmarco]

Fair....however, getting someone to build a franchise around can go a long way to changing things.

Exactly...get the QB & some pieces to help him...either way the offensive coaching MUST be improved

 

[Jets31]

Both these QBs make me nervous though. I dont think we should have a all or nothing mentality with them. Both need time on the bench. If we arent in position to take one of them then there are plenty of other good players there we should be happy with. Cooper for one would help a lot and probably right away.

I think Jets fans should be looking into the possibility of a 2nd round QB just in case. Anyone of any idea who might be available at the top of the 2nd?

 

[sg3]

Fortunately for the Jets, Calvin, your tired slow aged behind won't be part of any Jet rebuilding plan

Pack your trash bag and GTFO

 

[Christa]

I agree with Calvin Pace, he is right. Drafting a Quarterback in the first round will not fix the franchise. Jets have issues with the aging offensive line Nick Mangold is rated as the best center, Brick is regressing and Aboushi is slowly learning his position, with colon a FA Jets should be looking at offensive lineman. The draft is a crap shoot, busts are everywhere players are playing for their jobs and a better draft pick does not mean a better pick. Jets still need an offensive coordinator who can corporate plays where the quarterback can throw and a coach that can develop offensive talent for starters.

I would resign David Harris a great leader and a great leader who currently leads the Jets in tackles.

 

[Jets31]

I agree with Calvin Pace, he is right. Drafting a Quarterback in the first round will not fix the franchise. Jets have issues with the aging offensive line Nick Mangold is rated as the best center, Brick is regressing and Aboushi is slowly learning his position, with colon a FA Jets should be looking at offensive lineman. The draft is a crap shoot, busts are everywhere players are playing for their jobs and a better draft pick does not mean a better pick. Jets still need an offensive coordinator who can corporate plays where the quarterback can throw and a coach that can develop offensive talent for starters.

I would resign David Harris a great leader and a great leader who currently leads the Jets in tackles.

If the Jets can sure up the oline for next season it could go a long way. We need to bring in a top notch Guard to replace colon who has been terrible. From there let the 3 young guys battle it out for the other Guard spot.

We are good at Tackle and Center for a few more years.

 

[flgreen]

The Jets QB situation is awful. Yes, there are other holes, but we can pick up players in later rounds, and Stop gaps in FA.

It's true that both Mariota, and Winston have flaws, but they both also have an excellent upside. What rookie QB out side of Luck hasn't. Hardest position on the team to fill, and the most vital.

If either QB is available, take a swing. If you miss take a swing next year

 

[jetgreen13]

Fortunately for the Jets, Calvin, your tired slow aged behind won't be part of any Jet rebuilding plan

Pack your trash bag and GTFO

jeezbus sg3 pace has been a good jet & what he said does have merit..

that said, 2-14 or bust!!

lets draft a potential FQB without having to trade up to do so..

with all the talk of losing out being a positive thing, i have no doubt that stung the players professional pride.. hell, i picked the jets in our pick em contest this week because of just that!!

 

[flgreen]

jeezbus sg3 pace has been a good jet & what he said does have merit..

that said, 2-14 or bust!!

lets draft a potential FQB without having to trade up to do so..

with all the talk of losing out being a positive thing, i have no doubt that stung the players professional pride.. hell, i picked the jets in our pick em contest this week because of just that!!

Agree

 

[Christa]

If the Jets can sure up the oline for next season it could go a long way. We need to bring in a top notch Guard to replace colon who has been terrible. From there let the 3 young guys battle it out for the other Guard spot.

We are good at Tackle and Center for a few more years.

Agreed! Could use some stud OL to strengthen the Jets OL. We do need a replacement for Colon but we should also start looking at replacements for Ferguson, who has also slowly been regressing.

 

[ucrenegade]

The Jets QB situation is awful. Yes, there are other holes, but we can pick up players in later rounds, and Stop gaps in FA.

It's true that both Mariota, and Winston have flaws, but they both also have an excellent upside. What rookie QB out side of Luck hasn't. Hardest position on the team to fill, and the most vital.

If either QB is available, take a swing. If you miss take a swing next year

agree with this.....yes they may not be luck/manning type but they are better than anything we have produced for the last 6-8 years or whenever favre last started for us.

 

[RMJK]

Even Andrew Luck took a year to get seasoned. Pace is right.

We need a good draft to get depth and hopefully some of our rookies can make contributions in 2015.

I'd like to see us get a QB that has a few years as a pro and has an up side. Sam Bradford anybody.

 

[Christa]

Personally, I'm not a fan of either Mariota or Winston but both can very well have potential of being a great QB learning behind a proven veteran. I'll never understand the point of losing out for a higher draft pick, a higher draft pick is overrated in my opinion. At the end of the day, I personally want to see the Jets to win. The draft is a total crap shoot a higher draft pick does not dictate the level of talent a player will be. For example, how about the Jets in 2008 with the 6th pick in the draft when they drafted their biggest draft bust Vernon Gholston who was projected to be a great player and a top 10 pick, 21 sacks his senior year and college none of that translated into the NFL. Whose to say that players that are not first round picks, can't out preform the first rounds draft picks? I agree with Pace, the Jets need a lot more than a quarterback and both Mariota and Winston. Whose to say that Connor Cook, Cody Kessler, Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty, etc can't be franchised QB's? Tom Brady a 6th round draft pick, now a franchise quarterback, Russell Wilson Quarterback for the Seahawks 3rd round draft pick and he won his first Superbowl just this year or what about Joe Montana quarterback for the 49ers was a 3rd round draft pick. We've seen first round busts before, Kyle Wilson who was projected to be one of the best corners in 2010, traded up for Mark Sanchez who did not do well as a Jet but he is now playing better with the Eagles. Honestly, if the jets draft do draft Winston and Mariota ill support them, however if they are off the board and the Jets get a stud OL or a great WR or another position of need I have not mentioned and he becomes great I would not be mad.

 

[Jets31]

Personally, I'm not a fan of either Mariota or Winston but both can very well have potential of being a great QB learning behind a proven veteran. I'll never understand the point of losing out for a higher draft pick, a higher draft pick is overrated in my opinion. At the end of the day, I personally want to see the Jets to win. The draft is a total crap shoot a higher draft pick does not dictate the level of talent a player will be. For example, how about the Jets in 2008 with the 6th pick in the draft when they drafted their biggest draft bust Vernon Gholston who was projected to be a great player and a top 10 pick, 21 sacks his senior year and college none of that translated into the NFL. Whose to say that players that are not first round picks, can't out preform the first rounds draft picks? I agree with Pace, the Jets need a lot more than a quarterback and both Mariota and Winston. Whose to say that Connor Cook, Cody Kessler, Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty, etc can't be franchised QB's? Tom Brady a 6th round draft pick, now a franchise quarterback, Russell Wilson Quarterback for the Seahawks 3rd round draft pick and he won his first Superbowl just this year or what about Joe Montana quarterback for the 49ers was a 3rd round draft pick. We've seen first round busts before, Kyle Wilson who was projected to be one of the best corners in 2010, traded up for Mark Sanchez who did not do well as a Jet but he is now playing better with the Eagles. Honestly, if the jets draft do draft Winston and Mariota ill support them, however if they are off the board and the Jets get a stud OL or a great WR or another position of need I have not mentioned and he becomes great I would not be mad.

Good post but in the future paragraphs are your friend. That's a bit tough to read especially on a phone.

 

[flgreen]

Personally, I'm not a fan of either Mariota or Winston but both can very well have potential of being a great QB learning behind a proven veteran. I'll never understand the point of losing out for a higher draft pick, a higher draft pick is overrated in my opinion. At the end of the day, I personally want to see the Jets to win. The draft is a total crap shoot a higher draft pick does not dictate the level of talent a player will be. For example, how about the Jets in 2008 with the 6th pick in the draft when they drafted their biggest draft bust Vernon Gholston who was projected to be a great player and a top 10 pick, 21 sacks his senior year and college none of that translated into the NFL. Whose to say that players that are not first round picks, can't out preform the first rounds draft picks? I agree with Pace, the Jets need a lot more than a quarterback and both Mariota and Winston. Whose to say that Connor Cook, Cody Kessler, Brett Hundley, Bryce Petty, etc can't be franchised QB's? Tom Brady a 6th round draft pick, now a franchise quarterback, Russell Wilson Quarterback for the Seahawks 3rd round draft pick and he won his first Superbowl just this year or what about Joe Montana quarterback for the 49ers was a 3rd round draft pick. We've seen first round busts before, Kyle Wilson who was projected to be one of the best corners in 2010, traded up for Mark Sanchez who did not do well as a Jet but he is now playing better with the Eagles. Honestly, if the jets draft do draft Winston and Mariota ill support them, however if they are off the board and the Jets get a stud OL or a great WR or another position of need I have not mentioned and he becomes great I would not be mad.

Actually, using Vernon Gholston is counter productive to your argument. Some people liked him I guess, but he had the rap on him of being a body builder who really didn't like football. He also had a terrible Bowl game. The rumors at the time was that the Jets desperately tried to trade the pick with no luck.

The point is in week 17 of the 2007 season the Jets won a meaningless game against the KC Chiefs. If they had lost that game they would have an opportunity to draft Matt Ryan, or either of the Longs. In a weak draft with only a few good players up top, draft position is everything.

 

[Jets31]

Actually, using Vernon Gholston is counter productive to your argument. Some people liked him I guess, but he had the rap on him of being a body builder who really didn't like football. He also had a terrible Bowl game. The rumors at the time was that the Jets desperately tried to trade the pick with no luck.

The point is in week 17 of the 2007 season the Jets won a meaningless game against the KC Chiefs. If they had lost that game they would have an opportunity to draft Matt Ryan, or either of the Longs. In a weak draft with only a few good players up top, draft position is everything.

But you never know how it will fall. It just takes one team to like a guy. You can't predict how the draft will fall.

 

[ucrenegade]

I agree with the most people on here it all comes down to having a good scouting dept if you have that it don't matter if your picking 3rd or 8th your going to have a quality guy.

 

[Jetster]

Actually, using Vernon Gholston is counter productive to your argument. Some people liked him I guess, but he had the rap on him of being a body builder who really didn't like football. He also had a terrible Bowl game. The rumors at the time was that the Jets desperately tried to trade the pick with no luck.

The point is in week 17 of the 2007 season the Jets won a meaningless game against the KC Chiefs. If they had lost that game they would have an opportunity to draft Matt Ryan, or either of the Longs. In a weak draft with only a few good players up top, draft position is everything.

Great point. Last years Miami win knocked us out of the Odell Beckham sweepstakes and we might not have ended up with another defensive bust in Pryor.
5-6 years of that kind of bad luck gets you to 2-11.

 

[sg3]

Good point...and just look how Beckham has turned the Vaginas around and into a contending powerhouse team that lost to Jacksonville in only one brief season