Jets OffseasonIt's too early to definitively assess whether the Jets offseason moves will make them a better or worse team in 2005. But thus far their offseason has been disappointing.
The return of Laveranues Coles in exchange for Santana Moss is a very good acquisition. Coles simply fits much better with an offense led by Chad Pennington, in which wide receivers ideally go down the middle of the field on 10-20 yard routes. Moss is better suited to a wide open offense in which long passes are routine. The Coles trade will make Pennington a better quarterback, and the Jets offense more potent.
Otherwise, the Jets have been disappointing. I'd have given Lamont Jordan the franchise tag to ensure that he stayed. Once John Abraham was franchised instead, Jordan's departure became inevitable.
The Jets acted quickly to replace Jordan with Derrick Blaylock of the Chiefs. Blaylock ran well last season when he filled in for an injured Priest Holmes, but given salary cap realities, I think giving B.J. Askew a chance to backup Curtis Martin would have made more sense than going outside the organization for a backup. Askew was drafted in the 3rd round of the 2003 draft, but is stuck as a third stringer.
The Jets failure to re-sign nose tackle Jason Ferguson is inexcusable. Instead of locking Ferguson up sometime last year, the Jets took their time, and eventually Ferguson took his and waited for the free agency signing period to commence. As soon as it did, the Cowboys gave Ferguson a large contract. The Jets were right not to match Dallas' offer; their mistake was to let Ferguson test the market in the first place.
Similarly, the Jets failed to extend offensive tackle Kareem McKenzie's contract, allowing him to test the market, and he has left for the Giants. Again, the contract McKenzie signed was not worth matching, the problem is the Jets' failure to sign him to a contract over the last six months. With McKenzie and tight end Anthony Becht leaving, the Jets' pass protection and run blocking will likely be worse next season.
Indeed, Jets GM Terry Bradway's biggest weakness is his consistent underestimation of what his players are worth on the free agent market. That's what caused Coles to leave two years ago.
The Jets are hoping to replace Becht with Broncos tight end Jeb Putzier, who they signed to an offer sheet on Friday. Putzier doesn't block as well as Becht, but can catch the ball and spread out defenses, something Becht couldn't consistently do and the Jets desperately need. Denver has a week to match, and likely will, unfortunately, since the Jets offer is very salary cap friendly.
Hopefully the Jets will recover from some of their free agent losses. With the impending departure of a number of its veterans and both of its coordinators, the Patriots should be vulnerable in 2005. It would be a shame if the Jets took a step back and missed an opportunity to join the NFL elite.
posted on 3/06/2005
