As the offseason begins, Gang Green Nation will take a look at potential ways to improve the club. Today we will explore signing Torry Holt.
Profile: The 32 year old has an excellent chance to end up in Canton after his playing days end. After a record setting career at NC State, the Rams took Holt in the first round of the 1999 Draft. He instantly became one of the most dynamic weapons on "The Greatest Show on Turf," St. Louis' critically acclaimed offense. Torry has quietly served as one of the game's most complete receivers in his career, a homerun theat with great hands, who runs precise routes. He has been to seven Pro Bowls, eclipsed 1,300 yards six times, 1,100 yards eight times, 10 touchdowns three times, and owns a 14.6 career average per reception. After a rough 2008 in which he posted his worst numbers since his rookie campaign in part due to a lack of surrounding talent, Holt asked for his release from St. Louis.
Why It Makes Sense: The departure of Laveranues Coles leaves an opening at the receiver position. A knee injury and age may have robbed Holt of his breakaway speed, but his hands and route running skill would make him a perfect fit for Brian Schottenheimer's short passing game. A role model in every sense of the word, Holt would provide Chansi Stuckey, David Clowney, and Dustin Keller an excellent mentor. He also could guide Jerricho Cotchery, who ironically broke a few of Torry's records at NC State.
Odds of Happening: Rex Ryan hired Henry Ellard, Holt's former position coach with the Rams, to coach the receivers for the Jets. Ellard can provide the team with insider information as to whether it would be worth signing Holt. While it seem almost too good to be true that Gang Green could have Holt for as much or even less cap space than Laveranues Coles would have cost, this team has more confidence in its young quarterbacks than is imaginable it if signs him. Spending big on a wide receiver is pointless if a team does not have good quarterback play. Nobody can guarantee the Jets will in 2009. New York might be better off hoping a quarterback emerges and seeing what Stuckey and Clowney have opposed to investing in accessories for a passing game nobody is sure will have success even with a major acquisition at wideout.