FA Notebook: Joe D: 'We're Ready to Strike'

[gmf1369]

Before Douglas, Saleh and their staffs can laser-focus on the draft, the money available under the NFL's salary cap puts the Jets in a strong position, with flexibility to sign free agents.

"We're going to get this team better any avenue we can," Douglas said. "If the right opportunity presents itself ... we're ready to strike."

According to Overthecap.com, the Jets have the third-most flexibility with $48 million under the cap, a number that could increase if the team decides not to retain additional players.

"We have a lot of work to do," Douglas said. "The work that we've done last year, the work that we've done leading up to this offseason there's been a lot of trust. I'm just excited to get this thing going. I can't wait for the start of the league year."

In January Douglas said: "I think you're constantly evolving. There are some core philosophies that don't change, but you have to be open to seeing how things are done and maybe adopting certain principles. Where we are now with the assets we have now, we have great flexibility to be aggressive in a lot of different avenues."

More recently, Douglas provided his general views on free agency.

"There's a lot of different avenues, a lot of different tools to improve your roster," he said. "Free agency is one of those tools, and so I think we have a good opportunity. We have assets that we've acquired, we have financial flexibility, so again, there's a lot of conversations that need to be had in the next coming days and weeks before this kicks off."

newyorkjets.com

 

[Innocenti]

To me, there doesn't seem to be any players in free agency that we should be "all-in" for...which is ok because there are a few players that we really need to try and keep and the extra cap space will help. The biggest problem with this off-season is that the team is "all-in" for Wilson and he hasn't really done anything great yet. And this is keeping us from getting a solid veteran qb that will want to be the starter when he arrives.

 

[skop]

To me, there doesn't seem to be any players in free agency that we should be "all-in" for...which is ok because there are a few players that we really need to try and keep and the extra cap space will help. The biggest problem with this off-season is that the team is "all-in" for Wilson and he hasn't really done anything great yet. And this is keeping us from getting a solid veteran qb that will want to be the starter when he arrives.

i think you make a really valid point in players we need to be all in for... on the Oline, Receivers, TE's, DLine, LB's, and DB's we need to upgrade everywhere, so bringing in as many FA's as possible who will be improvements in those areas should be the goal for this off season as opposed to "the cherry on top" #1 WR, the got to have DE, or the bell weather RB to go from Contender to SB Front Runners; we simply aren't there yet to add that last special piece.

question 1... why would you dedicate resources to a veteran starter like a "Stafford", or a "Russell" when you've dedicated resources to a young one already who you want to grow into a winner while improving the roster you want #2 to lead?

question 2... doesn't dedicating said resources to a veteran starter take away the ability to improve the roster for Zach and/or that veteran starter?

imo, you have to go all in on Zach to see if he's not the QB.
imo 2.0, using resources this year to improve the roster for Zach make us a viable landing spot for a Stafford or Russell if Zach isn't the QB.

 

[Greentilldeath]

I hope he means ready to sign some decent players ….. rather than to assault the buffet table

 

[Innocenti]

i think you make a really valid point in players we need to be all in for... on the Oline, Receivers, TE's, DLine, LB's, and DB's we need to upgrade everywhere, so bringing in as many FA's as possible who will be improvements in those areas should be the goal for this off season as opposed to "the cherry on top" #1 WR, the got to have DE, or the bell weather RB to go from Contender to SB Front Runners; we simply aren't there yet to add that last special piece.

question 1... why would you dedicate resources to a veteran starter like a "Stafford", or a "Russell" when you've dedicated resources to a young one already who you want to grow into a winner while improving the roster you want #2 to lead?

question 2... doesn't dedicating said resources to a veteran starter take away the ability to improve the roster for Zach and/or that veteran starter?

imo, you have to go all in on Zach to see if he's not the QB.
imo 2.0, using resources this year to improve the roster for Zach make us a viable landing spot for a Stafford or Russell if Zach isn't the QB.

I basically agree with you. When I said all-in earlier, I meant if someone like Aaron Donald were available and you opened your checkbook to get him. I don't expect any huge free agency signings. So I expect significant cap space to be available by opening day.

@Greentilldeath I think "assaulting the buffet table" will be what happens this off-season. If the team wants to get better this off-season, it'll have to be through player development and the draft. Solid veteran signings through free agency doesn't seem to be feasible option right now.