New York Jets Add Mardy Gilyard

by John B on Sep 4, 2011 8:25 PM EDT

The Jets have acquired wide receiver Mardy Gilyard off waivers from the St. Louis Rams. Gilyard was a fourth round pick last year.

I am of two minds on this move. Part of me feels like the Rams are not great at wide receiver, and their giving up on Gilyard after one year is telling. The other part of me remembers constantly being impressed watching him play in college at the University of Cincinnati and believing he could produce on the next level.

The word that came to mind in college was playmaker. He was quick and very dangerous in the open field. His game resembles that of Jeremy Kerley to a degree.

He will have a tough time getting on the field as a wide receiver. He might get a look, though. He could also pitch in at times as a returner. Only time will tell how much Gilyard can provide the Jets if anything.

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i like this move...

this was a move i wanted when i heard that st louis had released him, I dont know what happened there because they need a WR but like JB said the guy was an absolute beast in college, this and the Baxter move are the only moves i really liked from today

by Leamg on Sep 4, 2011 8:49 PM EDT reply actions

I wanted the ravens to get him on practice squad but the guy can be a really good wideout for the jets.

He doesn’t have blazing speed but I think he has enough speed to strecth the field which I think the jets will need

What happens to a dream deferred?
Does it dry up
Like a raisin in the sun?
Or fester like a sore--
And then run?
Does it stink like rotten meat?
Or crust and sugar over--
like a syrupy sweet?
Maybe it just sags
like a heavy load.
Or does it explode?-langton Hughes

yeah I agree with Jimmy and Cary shutting down the other teams WR’s, they’ll make anybody rushing the QB look good - Jaz

by jazz20 on Sep 4, 2011 8:56 PM EDT reply actions

Westoff and Special Teams are the key to survival

Mardy, has done kick&punt returns, but played DB in his first two years of college. If he can be an overall Special Teams guy for Westoff, he can buy himself sometime to develop as a receiver, the guy has some upside.. If he is successful at special teams, the jets can move on from Logan Payne

by JetOrange on Sep 4, 2011 9:20 PM EDT reply actions

My thought on the Rams' WR situation:

They have a large gathering of B-/B grade receivers and Gilyard just happened to be the bottom. He’s not “bad”, but the Rams just have too many players. I think he was cut as part of the numbers game.

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by Richard Hill on Sep 4, 2011 10:06 PM EDT reply actions

I think I read that he can't separate.

Which is an issue, but less of an issue if he’s primarily in the slot. He seems to be a good fit for a slot role. Try get him in space, or use a screen to pick off a few tacklers, and he could do some damage.

by Crackback on Sep 4, 2011 10:55 PM EDT reply actions

I like this move the more I let it marinade.

He’s very versatile and will add another Kerley-like dimension to our offense, with a Holmes-esque upside. And I think he’s a better KO returner than Kerley bc he has more long speed (4.5 as opposed to Kerley’s 4.6) and he stays more vertical on his cuts. Once he improves his route-running, he’ll be a very difficult cover. He has the talent to cut out of breaks like Holmes, imo.

Scouting Reports: http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/players/556622; http://www.mockingthedraft.com/2010/3/12/1361424/mardy-gilyard-nfl-draft-scouting

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by Crackback on Sep 5, 2011 8:14 AM EDT up reply actions

Better than McBride?

Is he better than Scotty—our own draft choice?

by Timxing on Sep 5, 2011 1:26 AM EDT reply actions

He's certainly more naturally talented

He was a guy people were projecting to go as high as the 2nd round last year. He’s a deep threat and a return guy, plus as mentioned previously in this thread he’s a former DB. Meanwhile McKnight only got drafted pretty much because he’s bffs with Sanchez lol.

by Exystence on Sep 5, 2011 1:45 AM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Looking back he was rated like the 4th or 5th best WR prospect in the 2010 draft...

I think one mag I have even had him third.

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by Judgegavel on Sep 5, 2011 3:35 PM EDT up reply actions

Is he better than Scotty—our own draft choice?

Yes

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by John B on Sep 5, 2011 6:58 PM EDT up reply actions

He used to shred in college

Def better then McKnight or DePalma. I feel like I remember Gilyard putting McCourty to shame whilst my alma mater RU took a beating or 2 from Cincy

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by Kendrick Jay on Sep 5, 2011 1:29 AM EDT reply actions

I like the move.

As a Pitt fan I remember him as a dynamic player @ Cincy who cost us a Big East title. Hopefully those skills translate to the NFL and he becomes a decent slot guy and return man. I think he has a better shot than anybody we had outside the top-4 of developing into something.

by Rod Majors on Sep 5, 2011 4:36 AM EDT reply actions

As a Rams fan

I think you guys may be overvaluing him. He probably won’t even play offense this year. He couldn’t learn the playbook in our offense last year which was basically drag route or curl. Keep in mind Danario Alexander came in much later than Gilyard and he learned it, and `He’ll almost definitely be limited to special teams this year. And btw, the reason he got cut from the Rams is because he kept fumbling kicks in preseason. He did show a couple flashes this preseason against 2s and below, but I’m not sure he can adapt fast enough to ever stick with a team. His brainpower is lacking.

Guidugli > Bajema

by Carneros on Sep 5, 2011 12:37 PM EDT reply actions

Thanks for the Info

Doesn’t sound very promising.

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by joeklecko on Sep 5, 2011 1:38 PM EDT up reply actions