Yet another disappointing year to swallow Jets fans, not to mention having to painstakingly watch Brady and the Patriots play the NY rival Giants in the Superbowl. But, I have a way to have our beloved Jets flying high once again come April’s NFL Draft. Towards the end of the year, the Jets fell apart, whether by injuries or leadership implosions, there is now a state of flux that cannot be ignored. Among some of the most worrisome aspects of the Jets are the lackluster performance of Mark Sanchez and the overly boastful bravado of Rex Ryan. Rex, we love it when you talk, but please stop GUARANTEEING the Superbowl. I love the confidence, but after 3 yrs and nothing to show for it, it’s gotten annoying. As for Sanchez, he’s going into his 4th season under center and in a lot of ways has shown little improvement. The fact that he’d been coddled early in his career and kept his deficiencies hidden with a great defense and running game, makes me wonder if he really is the guy that will put Gang Green over the hump. Now, I’m not going to sit here and say the Jets should go out and get another QB just yet, but I definitely think they should find a decent backup that can push Sanchez to the next level.
Despite all of this disappointment, the spring can bring with it a glimmer of hope.
The Jets will be drafting 16th overall in the first round, and with that pick I have 3 players in mind that the Jets should use their pick on:
1) Courtney Upshaw OLB Alabama- Upshaw could still be available for the Jets at 16th, and if so, it is a no brainer pick. The alleged MVP of the National Champion Alabama defense is a 6’2, 260 lbs monster, with experience playing in a 3-4 defensive scheme. The biggest outcry of Jets fans has been a lack of a pass rush this past year, and Courtney can wreak some havoc, joining a line-backing core of David Harris and Calvin Pace. Also, with Bryan Thomas playing out his last year of his contract on the sidelines from blowing out his achillies, the outside linebacker position is just that much more dire of a hole to fill.
2) Whitney Mercilus DE/OLB Illinois- I wish that Quinton Coples of UNC or Melvin Ingram would be here at the time the Jets are on the clock, but I don’t think they will be. However, Whitney Mercilus is no slouch. He is a genetic freak and he more than lives up to his last name, “merciless”, having led the NCAA with 16 sacks in 2011. With a mammoth 6’4 height and weighing around 260, he’d have all AFC East offensive linemen shaking. And yet again, attempting to fix the Jets pass rush woes, without having to blitz on every play.
3) Michael Floyd WR Notre Dame- If for some reason none of the aforementioned standouts are available, or the Jets decide to go a different direction, that direction better be toward Michael Floyd. My previous picks showed a glaring need for defense, but with the disgusting display by Santonio Holmes in week 17 in Miami, and who knows what’s going to happen with Plaxico Burress, it is not impossible that the Jets opt for some offensive fire power with this pick. Adding a young, athletic stud to the aging wide receiving core could give an added spark plug to the offense and help with Sanchez’s development by giving him a WR to grow with. This WR stands tall at 6’3 and 220 lbs, and is big enough, strong enough, and fast enough to translate to the NFL with an immediate impact.
Well, Tannenbaum I hope you read this because I’ve just given you 3 guys that may just put this team back in the spotlight, and might not make Rex Ryan look quite so crazy with his claims. 2011 was a year to forget Jets fans, but maybe in 2012 we can paint this town green. J! E! T! S! JETS! JETS!! JETS!!!
