Jets Defensive line

[4bubba]

One story I have read about is the impending suspension of DT Evans. He has been suspended before, and it seems quite possible again. He is in the process of a hearing now
The Jets REALLY had big plans for him. The loss will hurt greatly not just because he is good, but because the Jets have called their #1 draft pick "the next Warren Sapp". If DT Robertson is supposed to start right away, he will hold out until after the season starts to get as much money as possible.
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An Evans suspension would be major thorn in Jets? side

NY Jets

If DT Josh Evans loses his appeal of the positive substance-abuse test against him, the Jets will be in a severe bind on defense. First off, they?ll lose one of their better playmakers on the defensive line in Evans, at the very least for most of the season. That would force the Jets to rush rookie Dewayne Robertson into the starting ?3-technique? spot, which he was expected to earn eventually. The way the Jets use their 3-technique tackle, however, requires multiple players in a rotation. It was expected that Robertson would handle 70 percent of the snaps at the spot and Evans 30 percent. That means the Jets will have to scramble and sign a defensive tackle in the post-June 1 market ? a player who certainly wouldn?t match up to Evans? ability. Furthering problems, Robertson and his agent no doubt are salivating at the thought of playing the ?starter? card and running up their contract request if the rookie is slated to start and the Jets have no other alternatives.

Can you say "hold out?"

 

[4bubba]

One of the first reports:



By Rich Cimini/New York Daily News


Jets Team Report

Report: Jets' Evans fails 3rd drug test 5/30/2003


DT Josh Evans is facing a possible drug suspension, so the Jets must prepare rookie Dewayne Robertson (the No. 4 overall pick) to start. Robertson has a ton of athletic ability, but it might be asking too much for a rookie to step right in at the most important position on the defensive line. Ideally, Robertson and Evans would rotate.

With the addition of former Arena League standout Clay Rush, the team has three kickers. He joins Doug Brien and Danny Kight. None can fill John Hall's shoes.

 

[4bubba]

Veteran DT McGlockton signs

NFL.com wire reports


For more info on McGlockton
NEW YORK (July 15, 2003) -- The New York Jets hope Chester McGlockton can help beef up their defensive line.

The former Pro Bowl tackle signed with the Jets, giving them added leadership and depth on a depleted front that is missing two key players with the start of training camp less than a week away.

Starter Josh Evans was suspended indefinitely by the NFL last month for violating its substance-abuse policy for a third time. His projected replacement, first-round pick Dewayne Robertson, is unsigned and could start his rookie season as a holdout.

The Jets started looking for help and found McGlockton, a 12-year veteran who was released by the Denver Broncos in February for financial reasons. Though McGlockton is ABOVE his playing weight of 334 and nowhere near ready for training camp, the Jets needed a big body to bolster their defense.

"He's at a point in his career where he understands his role, [collect all the money he can]" general manager Terry Bradway said. "The contributions he can make with his experience and leadership will help us up front[when he falls down we can stand on him]. In light of what happened with Josh, we feel like we've been able to improve our depth at the defensive line position."

The Jets do not know when to expect the return of Evans, whose reinstatement will be determined by commissioner Paul Tagliabue in consultation with medical experts.

And contract negotiations with Robertson have crawled. The Jets will open training camp July 21, a week earlier than many teams, because they travel to Japan to open their preseason opener Aug. 2 against the Bucs.

Bradway said the lines of communication between the Jets and Robertson's agent, Hadley Engelhard, are open. But he does not know when the rookie will sign [if ever]. Engelhard has not returned phone and e-mail messages.

"My hope is that at some point in time, sooner than later, Dewayne will get done," Bradway said. "I can't tell you whether that will happen by [July 20]. ... I wouldn't say we are close [an understatement]. A lot of these things happen in the 11th hour. There's a chance that he won't be there."

McGlockton will be there July 21, but he is not ready to practice with the team [only to eat]. He is out of shape and has not been part of a conditioning program for the last three months.

Bradway nor coach Herman Edwards would say how much McGlockton weighs, saying only that he is a "big man.[!!!!!!!!!!!]" Edwards said the Jets will not rush McGlockton, and he does not know who will replace Evans as the starter on opening day, Sept. 4 against Washington.

"It's going to work on a rotation basis," Edwards said. "When we line up, we play the best guys so we'll see what happens."

McGlockton has had a productive career in the NFL. The former first-round draft pick of the Raiders in 1992 spent six seasons there before going to Kansas City and then Denver.

He made four Pro Bowl appearances from 1994-97 and is known as a good run stopper. Last season with the Broncos, he started 15 games and led the defensive line with 63 tackles and had 2? sacks.

In his career, McGlockton has started 151 of 163 games he has played. Though he will turn 34 in September, the Jets are not worried about his age. They just want him to provide depth and good competition.

"He can be a starter, he can be a backup. Time will tell," Bradway said. "In our minds, we've got some flexibility now because we've got another guy inside that can play and produce."

 

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Bubba:

Would you agree that the Chester signing is a desperate measure? The author used the term "leadership" in reference to Chester, which would not fit his reputation.

Man, the Jets look like they have a lot of holes. Gut feeling is that Pennington's 2nd year as a starter is not going to go as smoothly, either. Opponents now have tape on him, and he does not throw a hard ball. Very accurate on timing routes, but a quick defense will get Chad out of his rhythm. Just my opinion.

 

[4bubba]

CtheG

This is a fairy tale for McGlocton. Fractured fairy tale that is.
The Jets are looking for leverage against their #1 draft pick. Also, the Lions DT Ellis is gone and they are now desperately looking for DT help. Other teams may also be looking for DT help.
Rumor has it that McGlocton is near 450 lbs and cant touch his ankles. Coaches are quietly worried that he will have a heart attack if he exerts himself beyond walking to dinner. To get in shape, he would have to put enormous pressure on his heart let alone on his knees. My guess is he will suddenly remember why he retired.

The Jets are always trying to sell tickets and keep up with the Yankees in the press. Before the Redskins stole WR Coles from them, the Jets sportswriters said many times that it would be disasterous to lose WR Coles, that he was the glue to keep winning.
After he was gone, the party line is "we are just as good". Dont believe it for a second. After Pennington took over as starting QB (and I mean the first game), WR Coles averaged 7 catches a game. Plus 94 yards a game. Think about it.
If a receiver gets 7 catches for 94 yards, it was an excellent game. Coles averaged it for the rest of the season - 12 games.

So yes, it will be MUCH harderfor Pennington, especially if you also take away a pro-bowl guard - OG Thomas. And lets not forget the great field position to start drives from ex-Jet KR Morton.

The Jets are clutching for straws and I dont blame them.

 

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Thx for the comments, Bubba. I see holes all over the place on that team. You start asking rookies and 2nd stringers to take over for some of your best players, and that spells trouble.

The Jets are still a little public imo, from last year's strong finish. Methinks that the Skins on opening night look pretty appealling. I will not be surprised if the Skins are a favorite by kickoff.

 

[4bubba]

CtheG

The thing that amazes me every year since the CAP is that a team will lose an excellent player (example OG Thomas of the Jets) who is pro-bowl caliber, then pick up another teams castoff and say "we will be as good as before because we signed a free agent". Or else they will say something even stupider like "we expect 6th round draft pick xxxx xxxx to come in and upgrade the position".

I am so tired of hearing that. Its extremely tough to replace a quality player. That is even more profound when you are dealing with QBs. Ask Denver how long it will take to replace Elway?
Hint: they have years and years to go, if at all.

I remember years ago when Fouts retired from the Chargers. They drafted a QB named Luther. (I forget his first name). He reminded people of Fouts because he grew a beard. Obviously after 20 years, the Chargers still have not replaced Fouts.

So when you read crap from sportswriters, let the general public bite on it. Filter everything.

 

[4bubba]

7/15

Jets under gun in Robertson negotiations

New York Times

The Jets are hoping to get DeWayne Robertson in camp on time, but they won't get their wish unless negotiations pick up. The Times' Judy Battista reports that the Jets are under pressure to lock up Robertson quickly because they want him to replace Josh Evans, who has been suspended indefinitely.

 

[IX_Bender]

contributing this from ESPN

contributing this from ESPN

New York Jets: With the clock ticking toward the rookie reporting date for the Jets training camp this weekend, ESPN.com has learned the agent for first-round draft pick Dewayne Robertson traveled to New York on Wednesday, and plans to meet with team officials Thursday.

But even a third face-to-face meeting is not expected to produce a contract agreement for the former Kentucky defensive tackle, the fourth player chosen overall in the 2003 draft.

Agent Hadley Engelhard would not comment on the pace of negotiations or on where the two sides stood. But the Jets essentially made their first formal contract proposal Tuesday and it is said to be far short of Robertson's expectations. Engelhard had previously made two proposals and both were rejected by the club.

The indefinite suspension of defensive tackle Josh Evans, and the fact the newly-signed Chester McGlockton isn't expected to practice for at least two or three weeks, might still result in an agreement. But the two sides have not been close on numbers and it would take a major move in negotiating stances to come to an accord in time to get Robertson into camp on time.

McGlockton, signed on Tuesday to a one-year, $780,000 contract, is rumored to be in poor physical condition. His weight is believed to be in the 375-pound range and he will not accompany the team to Tokyo late this month for the Aug. 2 "American Bowl" game against the Bucs. Instead, the 11-year veteran will remain at the team's complex and try to get his weight down and his stamina up before putting on pads.

The Jets have signed seventh-round choice Dave Yovanovits, an offensive lineman from Temple, to a four-year contract. The contract includes a signing bonus of $38,100 and salaries of $225,000 (2003), $305,000 (2004), $380,000 (2005) and $460,000 (2006). There is an escalator that could increase the 2006 base salary if Yovanovits reaches predetermined playing time benchmarks.

New York also signed undrafted free-agent center Louie Fuata, who played at the University of Hawaii, and was considered a likely middle-round draft choice before he suffered a serious knee injury. It is not certain if Fuata will be fully rehabilitated at the beginning of training camp.
-- Len Pasquarelli

 

[ChuckyTheGoat]

Thx, Bubba and IX. Bubba, I'm right w/ you. Don't worry, I never buy into public BS. I see it as it is. Frankly, the Jets look like possibly the most overrated team in the league to me. I read today that their 2003 schedule has the highest opponent win%, too, based on them winning the AFC East last yr and playing in a division w/ no cupcakes.

You've mentioned Thomas a number of times. No doubt that will be a loss. Another area that will cost em a game this year is the kicker. Hall wasn't the best, but he was a legit pro w/ a strong leg. Tice demoted Doug Brien in the middle of a game last year. I still remember Tice saying "Let's call Gary (Anderson) Monday," right after Brien blew his second xtra pt of the game.

No Richie Anderson. I think they could have lost Morton or Coles, but not both. Thins out their return game/receiving corps too much. Moss is undersized and had only 30 catches last year, so I don't know what they expect.

Looks like Skins on opening night to me, boys. If you follow the offseason moves, it's almost like Washington did everything in their power to start out 1-0.

 

[4bubba]

C the G

The first game (on Thur night) is unique. For 4 years now, owner Dan snyder has paid, paid, and paid for a winner. It has not happened. Many articles have stated that teams need a winning record at home to get into the playoffs.
Now, the Redskins have bought all the "best" players from the Jets.
THINK ABOUT IT!!!

If the Jets now beat the Redskins in Washington, it will be a MAJOR disaster in the nations capital. if the Jets win, it will be worse than if Sadam Hussain was found in the bed of Bush's daughters.

This will end up being a total "MUST WIN" for the Redskins. I am going to put some money on the Redskins just to see what happens if they lose. I feel the whole country will bet on the Redskins, but will cheer for the Jets.

For people who want to see Spurrier and Snyder suffer HELL, this could be the game.