New York Jets Offseason of Addition by Depth Only Continues
Give Jets General Manager Joe Douglas credit for one thing, he's good at adding names to a depth chart. As far as finding bonafide starters that is a whole other thing entirely.
The Jets continued their search of "decent" talent this weekend, signing a flurry of part-time starters to contracts. Call it whatever you want: adding depth to an already barren cupboard, or call it flat out mediocre. The Jets off-season is however you want to look at it.
Over the weekend New York agreed to one year deals with cornerback Brian Poole and ex-Colts corner Pierre Desir, adding depth to an otherwise depleted position. This isn't to say that the Jets are now set at corner -- far from it.
Poole had a good year for the Jets in 2019 with his biggest play of last season coming on a pick-six of Derek Car of the Raiders, but he has always been a part-time starter.
Desir is no different. Ranked 73rd among corners in the NFL, the 29-year-old battled a hamstring injury last season with the Colts, in what was his first a three-year $22.3 million deal with Indy. They cut him this off-season.
Desir's best season came in 2018 with Indianapolis where he played in 16 games and had 79 tackles. But, again, he's primarily a part time starter.
On the offensive line, the Jets added a bunch of pieces, but if anyone thinks the Jets answered all of their problems with a unit that was ranked as one of the worst in the NFL last season, they would be gravely mistaken at this point.
Outside of the signing of former Denver Bronco Connor McGovern, who could play either center or right guard, there isn't a bonafide starter on the line -- that is a huge problem.
The Jets signed former Panthers guard Greg Van Roten to a three-year deal worth $7.28 million, none of which is guaranteed. Reports are he is coming off a serious shoulder injury, and became a full time starter two seasons ago in Carolina. He's considered a player with "upside" at 30-years old. That's scary.
Before joining the Panthers in 2018, Van Roten spent time on the practice squads for both Jacksonville and Green Bay and was in the CFL. He's a nice story of perseverance, and the Jets are banking that he can become a starter.
In addition to the signing of Van Roten, the Jets agreed to a deal with former Colts back-up guard Josh Andrews who has never started a game in his career.
Add these two signings to the questionable move on a mega three-year deal for former Seahawks part-time tackle George Font and you have a recipe for worry if you are a Jets fan.
Yet, amazingly Jets fans think Douglas is proving to be a "genius" and is winning the off-season by signing just about anyone.
Then again Jets fans once thought Mike Mccagnan was a genius as well.
The Jets are putting themselves and their third year quarterback Sam Darnold in big trouble. The offensive line was a major issue for this franchise the past several seasons, and it STILL needs to be addressed. Plugging holes and hoping it doesn't leak is not a good strategy.
The Jets need a true left tackle and right tackle. They need to figure out if McGovern starts at center or they keep Jonathan Harrison there. They need an edge rusher, and at least two wide receivers (in an ideal world).
At the end of the day it will come down to the draft, and Douglas (if he has been waiting for his pitch) will have to hit his home run there.
The Jets continued their search of "decent" talent this weekend, signing a flurry of part-time starters to contracts. Call it whatever you want: adding depth to an already barren cupboard, or call it flat out mediocre. The Jets off-season is however you want to look at it.
Over the weekend New York agreed to one year deals with cornerback Brian Poole and ex-Colts corner Pierre Desir, adding depth to an otherwise depleted position. This isn't to say that the Jets are now set at corner -- far from it.Poole had a good year for the Jets in 2019 with his biggest play of last season coming on a pick-six of Derek Car of the Raiders, but he has always been a part-time starter.
Desir is no different. Ranked 73rd among corners in the NFL, the 29-year-old battled a hamstring injury last season with the Colts, in what was his first a three-year $22.3 million deal with Indy. They cut him this off-season.
Desir's best season came in 2018 with Indianapolis where he played in 16 games and had 79 tackles. But, again, he's primarily a part time starter.
On the offensive line, the Jets added a bunch of pieces, but if anyone thinks the Jets answered all of their problems with a unit that was ranked as one of the worst in the NFL last season, they would be gravely mistaken at this point.
Outside of the signing of former Denver Bronco Connor McGovern, who could play either center or right guard, there isn't a bonafide starter on the line -- that is a huge problem.
The Jets signed former Panthers guard Greg Van Roten to a three-year deal worth $7.28 million, none of which is guaranteed. Reports are he is coming off a serious shoulder injury, and became a full time starter two seasons ago in Carolina. He's considered a player with "upside" at 30-years old. That's scary.
Before joining the Panthers in 2018, Van Roten spent time on the practice squads for both Jacksonville and Green Bay and was in the CFL. He's a nice story of perseverance, and the Jets are banking that he can become a starter.
In addition to the signing of Van Roten, the Jets agreed to a deal with former Colts back-up guard Josh Andrews who has never started a game in his career.Add these two signings to the questionable move on a mega three-year deal for former Seahawks part-time tackle George Font and you have a recipe for worry if you are a Jets fan.
Yet, amazingly Jets fans think Douglas is proving to be a "genius" and is winning the off-season by signing just about anyone.
Then again Jets fans once thought Mike Mccagnan was a genius as well.
The Jets are putting themselves and their third year quarterback Sam Darnold in big trouble. The offensive line was a major issue for this franchise the past several seasons, and it STILL needs to be addressed. Plugging holes and hoping it doesn't leak is not a good strategy.
The Jets need a true left tackle and right tackle. They need to figure out if McGovern starts at center or they keep Jonathan Harrison there. They need an edge rusher, and at least two wide receivers (in an ideal world).
At the end of the day it will come down to the draft, and Douglas (if he has been waiting for his pitch) will have to hit his home run there.
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