The Jets answered their critics quickly Wednesday night, after word came down that former Jet Darrelle Revis decided to link up with the rival New England Patriots, by signing former Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker to a five year deal worth $36 million with $15 million guaranteed.
Call it a game of chess between both New York and New England.
Regardless, the Jets desperately need wide receiver help. They had the 31st ranked pass offense in the NFL, with little production from the likes of Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill. Santonio Holmes was released the other day after his turbulent four year stay in Green and White.
Decker brings to the Jets a solid possession receiver who has very good speed, and racks up chunks of yards. He is great on slants and comebacks, and is lethal in the red zone. He will be a favorite target to whomever the Jets quarterback might be.
It is important to remember, however that while Decker put up impressive statistics, he was catching passes from arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history in Peyton Manning the past two years.
With Manning as his quarterback Decker had 2,352 yards receiving and 24 touchdowns over a two year period. It's impressive, but Decker is not a classic number one wide receiver. He is a perfect second receiver, who takes a lot of pressure off of the big receiver a la Demarious Thomas in Denver.
The Jets should, and likely will, still pursue another top flight receiver. Some have linked James Jones, the Packers third string receiver as a possible Jet. Or New York could still look to jump into the Emmanuel Sanders sweepstakes for a true number one. Miles Austin, a Garfield, NJ product, was released from the Cowboys this week; he'd be a perfect fit and complement to Decker.
While this won't totally take the sting out of the Darrelle Revis situation that erupted into a frenzy earlier Wednesday evening, Decker's signing should get a lot Jets fans to relax a little bit.
It's a very good signing, and one that I think the Jets will ultimately be happy they made.
The Jets have agreed to terms with WR Eric Decker, team announces. #Jets
Call it a game of chess between both New York and New England.
Regardless, the Jets desperately need wide receiver help. They had the 31st ranked pass offense in the NFL, with little production from the likes of Jeremy Kerley and Stephen Hill. Santonio Holmes was released the other day after his turbulent four year stay in Green and White.
Decker brings to the Jets a solid possession receiver who has very good speed, and racks up chunks of yards. He is great on slants and comebacks, and is lethal in the red zone. He will be a favorite target to whomever the Jets quarterback might be.
It is important to remember, however that while Decker put up impressive statistics, he was catching passes from arguably the greatest quarterback in NFL history in Peyton Manning the past two years.
With Manning as his quarterback Decker had 2,352 yards receiving and 24 touchdowns over a two year period. It's impressive, but Decker is not a classic number one wide receiver. He is a perfect second receiver, who takes a lot of pressure off of the big receiver a la Demarious Thomas in Denver.
The Jets should, and likely will, still pursue another top flight receiver. Some have linked James Jones, the Packers third string receiver as a possible Jet. Or New York could still look to jump into the Emmanuel Sanders sweepstakes for a true number one. Miles Austin, a Garfield, NJ product, was released from the Cowboys this week; he'd be a perfect fit and complement to Decker.
While this won't totally take the sting out of the Darrelle Revis situation that erupted into a frenzy earlier Wednesday evening, Decker's signing should get a lot Jets fans to relax a little bit.
It's a very good signing, and one that I think the Jets will ultimately be happy they made.
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