Patriotic Duty
By Tom Rock
Greetings from what many of you will consider enemy territory – Foxborough!
Well, technically I’m in Providence now. But I was over at the Blade (or the Razor, they really need to come up with a good nickname for Gillette Stadium) for the press festivities this afternoon leading up to the AFC championship game. It’s been a while since I posted, and I promised intermittent updates, so I thought this would be a good time to do so. Vinny and Ray Mickens say Hi!
My thoughts on Schottenheimer staying with the Jets are that the Jets will be lucky to get another year out of him as an OC. Most of the job openings this season were pretty mundane, with only the Dolphins and Steelers positions that could be considered want-able. I mean, I’d rather write for the Pennysaver than coach the Raiders. But next year, there could be some big-time openings. Among those already on the hot seat for 2007 could be Joe Gibbs in Washington, Tom Coughlin with the Giants and Jon Gruden with the Bucs (not to mention Papa Schotty, who is apparently coming back to San Diego next year). Add to that speculation that Bill Parcells could call it a career in Big D after ’07 (assuming he sticks around for ’07) and rumors about Bill Belichick’s contract with the Pats coming to an end, and there could be some sweet, high-profile jobs available at this time next year.
I haven’t spoken to Brian about it yet, but I think he has an eye on the future of the coaching carousel (anticipation -- a good skill for an OC or HC!) and can foresee better opportunities with better franchises. The Dolphins may have a lovely complex in sunny South Florida, and Wayne’s private jet may take your breath away, but at the end of the day the next Dolphins coach will have Cleo Lemon as his best option at QB and an aging defense that may have hit its peak this season.
On another note, Ferguson and Mangold were both named to the NFL All-Rookie team. Mangold was a no-brainer, but I was a little surprised by Ferguson. He may have received the honor more on reputation than performance. I thought Chargers LT Marcus McNeill had a better season out of the blocks. Then again, I’m looking at McNeill from a continent away and I’m sure the same flaws I saw in Ferguson throughout the season don’t show up on McNeill from that distance.
I’ll try to post again before the AFC title game, then a couple times during Super Bowl week in Miami.
By the way, we're closing in on 1000 comments on the blog. Bells and whistles for the one who reaches a grand!
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Comments (7)
Dam Rock I know your a writer and not a fan, but to diss the Jets by saying you "can foresee better opportunities with better franchises" is a low blow to a lot of your readers.
I understand Brian wanting to move on and take a step forward by becoming a head coach, but when you knock the Jets by saying there are better franchises out there, doesn't come across that well.
I know the Jets aren't the most storied franchise in the NFL, but they don't deserve that knock.
OK now to the real business, I've got a few questions.
-Do you know if the Jets plan on making any coaching changes this offseason, any shot of getting Rob Ryan?
-Any idea on who Tannenbaum and Mangini are targeting in free agency, any shot at Assante Samuel or Adelius Thomas?
-What course do you think the Jets will take in the draft, RB, DT/NT, any chance of trading up?
I know your very busy covering those beloved Pats, but when you get a chance I would really appreciate your input. I also realize it's very early to start speculating free agency and the draft, but honestly it's never too early to think about next season.
Thanks and be safe up in Foxboro.
First my defense: I thought it was pretty clear I was talking about the Dolphins when speculating on "better franchises." I think the Jets are one of those "better franchises" but I doubt there will be a head coaching vacancy here for a while.
As for your questions, I'll say this -- I think as long as Mangini is a head coach there are some people who need never worry about getting a job and those would be Rob Ryan and Romeo Crennel, two very close Friends of Eric's. That said, I doubt the Raiders would let Ryan go, especially if they take an offensive-tilted head coach.
I think the Jets would love to get Samuel (if for no other reason than to stop him from picking on the Jets), but Tannenbaum has made it pretty clear that he is committed to building the Jets through the draft and not through FA. Doesn't mean they are averse to solid, smart opportunities, but I think they know the success rate on big-money contracts isn't always very good.
I think the Jets will look for a RB in the draft, but they might not do so until the second round. I don't see them trading up ... at least not right now. If they didn't trade up last year for Bush or Leinart, they never will. They seem happy with the depth of their draft picks for 2007. They could use their first-rounder on a CB if they can't sign Samuel, or an LB if they decide to cut Barton loose.
How about a Habs jointed needle for the 1000 post?
tom, if the jets trade for michael turner, what would that mean for cedric houston and leon washington? barlow and blaylock are pretty much done. would they start turner and spell him with washington every now and then?
Thanks for the quick response ROCK, your the man.
Why would you be surprised that Brick made the All Rookie team over McNeil? Let's remember that because of the Jets lack of running game, Pennington had to throw a lot more than Phillip Rivers, thus allowing more room for mistakes for Brick in the blocking game. He had a solid year at LT. How is Robert Gallery doing with the Raiders? Brick is smart and will continue to improve
Tom,
I once heard a radio announcer up here refer to Gillette as "Foamy Stadium", but it never caught on. We just call it Foxborough.
After much thought (especially after being the lone Jets fan in a bar in Maine watching the Jets/Pats), I've decided to root for the Pats today. Although these Pats fans take the Super Bowl for granted and don't deserve another SB win for a decade or 4, I want to see Vinnie with a ring.