Primary Sidebar
AFC East Standings
| W | L | T | PF | PA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New England
|
10 | 6 | 0 | 427 | 285 |
|
New York Jets
|
9 | 7 | 0 | 348 | 236 |
|
Miami
|
7 | 9 | 0 | 360 | 390 |
|
Buffalo
|
6 | 10 | 0 | 258 | 326 |
(updated 1.4.2010 at 4:48 AM EST)
Scouting The Draft, Eric Decker, WR, Minnesota
by David_Wyatt on Mar 15, 2010 8:31 PM EDT
24 comments
I started looking at this guy half way though the Ben Tate scouting report, after he was mentioned by a buddy of mine, a die hard Minnesota fan. So went away, first had a look at what other people were saying about him, his NFL comparisons. I always think that is a good start, some of the players that were mentioned, Larry Fitzgerald and Don Maynard stuck in my mind more than most. I'm not saying he will be as good as those people, predicting the future should be left to fortune tellers, but you can estimate who you think will perform at the next level, and Decker is another receiver I feel confident in.
The first thing that you really have to get out of the way when talking about Decker is the injury he suffered in 2009 against Ohio State. He suffered what is called a Lisfranc sprain which is when there is a fracture and a dislocation between the forefoot and mid-foot joints. After doing some reading up on the injury, it seems like it is extremely painful and takes between 6-8 months to recover from. Decker who suffered the injury in late October so should be ready to go when push comes to shove. I believe it is the same injury that Tedd Ginn suffered during his final season (final title game), and he was able to play all 16 games in 2007 with the Dolphins. Brandon Stokley also had the same injury and offered Decker some words of advice on rehabilitating.
Now onto his actual play, and boy is it impressive. I'm almost as impressed with him as I was for Jordan Shipley, and everyone knows how much I think of Shipley, so that should give you some indication. While I was doing research for this, I came across some stats that really just highlight some of the best attributes Decker has.
He was targeted 354 times while at Minnesota, and he dropped 3. He produced first down's on 70.48% of passes thrown his way, with 22.03% of those on third down. 55.51% of his catches were good for at least 10 yards. 25.99% going for at least 20 yards.
In 2009 playing against California, Decker made an excellent reception for the touchdown, then took a shot from a Cal player leading with his helmet, He needed to get stitches in his chin, he came back (going against advice) and finished the game with 119 yards and 2 scores. This epitomizes the kind of player that he is, he has a reputation as a player who can take physical punishment, take the shot, bounce back up and get on with his job. Has been known to play with injuries if possible to help his team.
He has played running back at points, been used on coverage teams because of his competitiveness and his tackling ability, has also thrown a couple TD passes, outside of asking him to play on either line, there is not much this guy has not done. Is a stand out both academically and as a baseball player. He was drafted in 2008 by the Milwaukee Brewers, but persists he is a football player.
Career Stats
2005- RS
2006- 13 games, 26 receptions, 378 yards, 14.5 avg, 3 TD's
2007- 12 games, 67 receptions, 909 yards, 13.6 avg, 9 TD's
2008- 12 games, 83 receptions, 1,077 yards, 13.0 avg, 7 TD's
2009- 9 games, 50 receptions, 758 yards, 15.2 avg, 5 TD's
Although he was unable to work out at the combine, he did attend and when asked what kind of receiver he was, a possession man or a deep threat, he answered with this:
I'd say a combination. I feel like I can get down the field and stretch the field and also my strength is route running. Being able to find open holes, set defensive backs up and get open underneath, too.
24 comments | 2 recs |
Jets And Giants To Play Opening Weekend
by David_Wyatt on Mar 15, 2010 4:48 PM EDT
23 comments
So with all the fuss today about who will be opening the stadium, it seems the Giants will play Sunday followed by the Jets on the Monday Night game. Jets will also open the stadium in the pre-season.
Breaking: Giants and Jets to play at home on opening weekend. Giants on Sunday, Jets on Monday. Makes sense.
That's fine with me.
23 comments | 0 recs
Scouting The Draft: Ben Tate, RB, Auburn
by David_Wyatt on Mar 15, 2010 3:42 PM EDT
15 comments
A lot of people have been talking up Ben Tate for a while, I didn't really have that much interest through the season, he looked like a decent back, but nothing special. Never really took the time to sit down and watch any Auburn games, so only saw flashing highlights of him, and a few runs while I was channel flicking on ESPN360 Saturday afternoon's. However after the scouting combine, I had to take a look at him. Seemed rather under-appreciated to me, and he certainly thinks so as well, speaking post combine he remarked:
"I think a lot of people were surprised, a lot of the scouts and a lot of you guys in the media," said Tate, the Tigers' leading rusher the past three years. "But I knew what I could do the whole time. I've been telling y'all I was fast, but no one really wanted to listen to me. My coaches knew, and my family knew. "I think I've been underestimated my whole career. It drives me. It keeps me working hard."
I know I was surprised, especially with that 40 time, the image I had in my mind was more of a bruiser a guy with 4.5+ 40 speed, but he really surprised me by clocking a 4.43. Upon watching a little more of his game you can see the speed, but it's still deceptive at the line. We did have a representative at the Auburn pro day last week, but it seems like apart from positional drills, Ben Tate really didn't do a great deal. To be honest can you blame him, a few people questioned his speed, he ran a 4.43 to prove them wrong. One slip, one uncomfortable start, and he could well clock a little slower which would raise the questions again and hurt his stock.
He considers himself the best back in the country and listening to any interview, the guy definitely has "Swagger"
Career Stats
2006- 9 games, 54 attempts, 392 yards, 7.3 avg, 3 TD's. 2 receptions for -3 yards
2007- 13 games, 202 attempts, 903 yards, 4.5 avg, 8 TD's. 16 receptions, 144 yards
2008- 12 games, 159 attempts, 664 yards, 4.2 avg, 3 TD's. 15 receptions, 90 yards
2009- 13 games, 262 attempts, 1,362 yards, 5.2 avg, 10 TD's. 20 receptions, 105 yards
Combine Results
40 Yard Dash: 4.43
Bench Press: 26
Vertical: 40.5
Broad: 10'04
Three cone: 6.91
20 yard shuttle: 4.12
More after the jump
15 comments | 3 recs |
The Jets Will Not Open the New Stadium
by dvdvil on Mar 15, 2010 12:11 PM EDT
38 comments
According to Rich Cimini's twitter:
Gary Myers from Daily News: Giants won secret coin toss today. They get first game in new stadium, not Jets.
Secret coin toss, huh? I guess there's no way to verify that it actually occurred, right? The Jets released the story last week regarding this coin toss fearing that the league was leaning towards choosing the Giants. The NFL denied that they agreed to a coin toss and said Commissioner Roger Goodell will decide. However, the Jets were adamant that they were told there would be a coin toss and wanted it done in public.
Jets owner Woody Johnson, without whose money the stadium wouldn't exist, is none too pleased:
A source says Woody Johnson is "outraged" by coin toss -- not because he lost, but because there was no team rep present.
I think it's kind of fishy that after denying it, there apparently was a coin toss after all. But then it was done in secret, and the Giants won anyway.
38 comments | 1 recs |
Jets Flight Connections 03-15-10
by dvdvil on Mar 15, 2010 11:54 AM EDT
4 comments
RB LaDainian Tomlinson has chosen to sign with Gang Green.
Sports Illustrated's Jim Trotter explains why Tomlinson is a Jet.
Sports Illustrated's Peter King thinks this is the best place for LaDainian.
Gary Myers thinks doubting Thomas is a mistake.
Rich Cimini thinks Tomlinson is a downgrade from Jones.
Tim Graham says there's no contest between the two backs.
Mark Cannizzaro says the $5.1 million deal seems curious.
Steve Serby says L.T. now stands for "Less Terrifying."
JP Pelzman blogs that this signing is a roll of the dice.
Ian O'Connor says LaDainian only makes the Jets weaker.
Dave Hutchinson points out that after losing out on Tomlinson, Minnesota may now want RB Leon Washington.
More connections after the jump.
4 comments | 0 recs |
Why LaDainian Tomlinson Chose the Jets
by John B on Mar 15, 2010 8:18 AM EDT
7 comments
SI's Jim Trotter explains why LaDainian Tomlison decided to become a Jet instead of a Viking.
1. Scheme: New York runs the same offense that LT played under for nine seasons in San Diego, rushing for 12,490 yards and 138 touchdowns. He would have had to learn a new playbook and verbiage in Minnesota. The Jets also are committed to the running game; their 607 rushes last season were 82 more than any other team, and Tomlinson wanted to get back to a ground-oriented attack after San Diego transitioned to an aerial assault in 2007, when Norv Turner replaced Marty Schottenheimer as coach.
2. Staff: Jets offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer -- Marty's son -- was the quarterbacks coach in San Diego for five of Tomlinson's first six seasons, including 2006 when Tomlinson won the first of two rushing titles and his only league MVP. Tomlinson's familiarity with the younger Schottenheimer was important from a comfort standpoint.
3. Personnel: Tominson said from the start that he wanted to play on a team that had an established quarterback, and the uncertainty over Brett Favre's future was a factor. Favre led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in his first year with Minnesota, but he's mulling retirement and has been given no deadline for making a decision. If Favre calls it a career, the Vikings presumably would turn to Sage Rosenfels or Tarvaris Jackson, neither of whom has proven himself to be a capable fulltime starter.
I don't think anybody should be surprised by any of this.
Even with Favre, the Vikings have a tougher road to the title. They don't have a big margin for error in the regular season. The Jets are built to win on the road. They don't necessarily need home field advantage to go far. The Vikings do. Favre plays very poorly in bad weather. They need to avoid January games in cold weather, which means staying in their dome.
7 comments | 0 recs |
LT or TJ?
by John B on Mar 14, 2010 9:12 PM EDT
97 comments
I know a lot of people have asked that we not talk about this, but it's central to breaking down the Tomlinson signing and asserting whether it was a good move. LaDainian Tomlinson is going to make $5.2 million over the next two years. Thomas Jones would have made $2.8 million on top of a $3 million roster bonus had the Jets kept him.
In other words, the Jets could have given Thomas Jones $5.8 million over one year or Tomlinson $5.2 million over two. For a little over half a million total, the Jets took Tomlinson even though Jones is way more productive at this point of their respective careers, and you'll have a tough time convincing me it is only due to their offensive lines.
It's not that simple, though. Jones signed with the Chiefs for two years and $5 million. To top that, the Jets would not have had to even match the money they gave LT.
It doesn't make a ton of sense.
97 comments | 0 recs |
Who Does LT Replace?
by John B on Mar 14, 2010 7:27 PM EDT
40 comments
It's going to be interesting to see which for which back the front office views LaDainian Tomlinson as a replacement. The smart money would be Thomas Jones. He would fit the role TJ would have taken, third back, veteran presence, and pass blocker.
Then again, maybe he'll be Leon Washington's replacement. In theory at least, LT is an elusive back and would be a change of pace from Shonn Greene's brusing style. The Jets could let Washington walk for a second round pick. This would presumably mean an increased role. For all the talk about a three back system, the Jets used two backs for the majority of last season. Shonn Greene got into the rotation only after Washington's injury.
40 comments | 0 recs |
Secondary Sidebar
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Recommended FanPosts
Recent FanPosts
FanShots
Quick hits of video, photos, quotes, chats, links and lists that you find around the web.
Recent FanShots
Certain photos copyright © 2010 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
