Nnamdi would have made the Jets legitimate Super Bowl contenders, and maybe even favorites. Now, having missed out on him, they're just another team scrambling to find players.
Couldn't disagree more, DI. The more I think on it the Jets would have been totally hamstrung if they have signed Aso. Felger couldn't be more wrong. The only way the Jets could have been active in the FA market was that they lucked out with the dead money rules for this year. All the restructuring they did to get enough room to sign him THIS year will eventually come back to haunt them because NONE of those guys who restructured too a cent less. Generally when you restructure you are just moving the pain back at bit.
As it is, they haven't got a lot of room to deal with. Rumors have them around 10MM under even with all the manipulation (about were the Pats are from what I hear). They STILL have to sign their rookies (that will be around 4-5) and they have holes all over the field at S, LB, OT, and WR. If they had signed Nnamdi ALL those holes would have remained or filled by minimum wage guys. Now they will have the cap space to fill a FEW, but not all of those holes
The Jets ARE an AFCE contender. They will be a formidable opponent. However on the field the will have LESS talent this season than they did last. IMHO the only way that the Jets become a superbowl contender is if they remain extraordinarily healthy AND Sanchez can take it to the next level as a QB.
BTW- And its going to get harder for him. that GREAT OL that Jets have had the last few years has taken a step back.
Mangold. Moore and D'Brick will still excell, but the will be weaker at LG. (Slauson is the Jets version of Dan Connolly - adequate but someone you will always try to upgrade) and at RT where the Jets gave the guy who replaced Woody after he went down over $3MM/year to play RT. I can't even remember his name. But what it DOES tell you about what the Jets think about Vladd, the 2nd round pick who cannot get on the field
The Jets offense has relied on a great OL, a strong running game and very good WRs and good receiving TE to smooth Sanchez's path. This season, his WRs might not be as good. His OL might not be as good. His running game might not be as good. So if Sanchez DOESN'T become a QB who can carry an offense, the Jets will NOT be as good.
And while it might be true that the Pats OL might not be as strong either (at least at the start of the season) The Pats have the QB who CAN carry a team's offense. ESPECIALLY when it looks like the WRs will be better, the TEs will be better and the RBs will be more talented. Brady is in much better shape to overcome what MIGHT be a step back on the OL
