bucky

With all the bandwagon jumping going on with the Jets of late, I've done some research on the NyJetsCap.com page and a couple of other places and basically come to the conclusion that the Jets are operating in a 1 year window - 2 years tops.

There are 3 factors that contribute to this:

1) Free Agents after 2010:

8 starters and 2 more significant contributors will be free agents next year, including:

Mangold
David Harris
Braylon Edwards
Santonio Holmes
Leon Washington
David Harris
Shaun Ellis
Brad Smith
Eric Smith
Pool
Richardson

2) Team Salary Cap heading into 2010:

The Jets have committed $104 million for 30 players currently on the roster. While that doesn't seem high given the $127 million cap last year, the cap could potentially go down if the owners get their wish. More importantly, the Jets will be faced with resigning 2 pro bowl starters (Mangold and Harris), plus 2 even more significant FAs coming up the following year in Ferguson and Revis. Then there's the effect of point #3, which is coming up.

By contrast, the Patriots have about $68 mil committed to 31 players. Of course that doesn't include Tom Brady, but even if you give him a $17 mil salary, the Pats will still have $20 mil less committed with fewer starters to resign.

3) Abandoning the draft:

Over the past 3 years, the Jets have basically ignored the later part of the draft and this is carrying into 2010 and even 2011. This is resulting in a significant lack of depth and the inability to manage the cap by replacing older and more expensive players with younger and cheaper ones.

2009 - They only drafted 3 players, 2 of whom are starters and 1 on the PS.
2008 - Drafted only 6 players: 1 starter, 1 contributor, 1 gigantic bust, and a 3rd string QB.
2007 - Drafted only 4 players: 2 starters and 2 no longer with the team.

2010-11: Jets do not have a 3rd or 5th round pick in 2010 and have already traded 3rd and 7th rounders in 2011.

While the Jets have certainly hit on the early round selections they've made (Revis, Mangold, Harris, Greene, Keller, Ferguson), they've done nothing in the middle to later rounds. Many of these players are now due very large contract extensions, which will force the Jets' hand a little in dealing with the middle-tier veterans currently on their roster.

4) Depth and injuries

The other thing worth mentioning is how lucky the Jets were last year with injuries. Outside of the 2 bad ones to Jenkins and Washington, they had a remarkably injury-free season. The entire OL didn't miss a single game due to injury. Neither did any of their ILBs, TEs, or Safeties. So their lack of depth wasn't exposed in 2009. Injuries happen to everybody, so it's only a matter of time for the Jets. The older guys like Faneca, Woody, Pace and Ellis get, the less likely the are to last a full season.

PATRIOTSFANINPA

The Jets are obviously going for it all this year and if thier FA moves pan out it could pay off for them.

Its Super Bowl or Bust for Rex Ryan in 2010

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O'Doyle Rules!

Haha, love it!

... Can you do one about how the Colts' window is closing, too?

Gunnails

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DarrylS

Appears that Rex is trying to replicate the probation approach that was used in Baltimore.. without regard for all the moves, no sure if any team can take on this many misfits without issues...

Agree they have a short window, but it will be great for any of these players to be playing in the rarified air and temptation free NYC

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"Being the best doesn't mean you always win. It just means you win more than anyone else".. tweet from Kurt Warner to Tom Brady.

Clonamery

Why bother. You wouldn't understand the difference anyway, Rex.

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Paul Brown: A winner never whines.

nashvillepatsfan

From what i've been reading here lately, it would seem that some Pats fans would like to do what the Jets are doing. No cap, no problem

K-Ro 25

I think your reaching on this one. How can a team with a stable of youg talent which includes: Revis, Cromarties, Harris, Greene, Sanchez, Cotchery, Holmes, Braylon, Keller, Mangold, Brick and several key vets who are not old but not young be a one yr team? Will we be able to resign everyone? Of course not, the mid 2000's Pats dealt with this harsh reality as did every heavily talented team. You probably will see Leon let go, 1 of Holmes or Braylon let go. With some restructuring , and a couple cuts however the Jets core of Revis, Brick, Mangold, and Harris will remain intact. 1 yr? I dunno about that. Harris, & Holmes are RFA after this year as well

You also list Brodney Pool as a major contributor? really? A FA we signed 1 for 1.5, Eric Smith who is our 3rd safety and a JAG, Tony Richardson who I like but is a FB for christ sakes which isnt anywhere near a premium position, and Brad Smith who is an occasional wild cat guy. The Jets could cut Faneca, Bryan Thomas (who is a JAG ), and Woody next yr and save 13 mil. Tannebaum is a cap genius, we wont keep everyone but the core will remain intact and with our propensity for striking on draft picks replacing aging vets isnt a concern IMO

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Sivy

Rex Ryan* will fail, like every other jets coach in recent history.

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"The people who are claiming that the Pats are dead are the same ones who would go up and check if Jason Voorhees is "really" dead by leaning over his body." -Someone at jetnation.

pats1

Didn't we say that last year about the Jets, after they got Edwards and Sheppard and Scott and all them? Or the year before, when they got Favre, Faneca, Richardson, and all them?

Fact of the matter is, the salary cap has little impact on teams anymore. Especially when there isn't one.