New York, NY (WFAN) -- Well it may not have been very exciting in terms of the top six picks but overall I think the Jets had themselves a pretty solid draft. No, not a lot of drama with McFadden & Ryan off the board to the Raiders and Falcons, but really, who cares? Let's take a look at what the Jets did on day one and day two.
Saturday: With the sixth overall pick the Jets got a guy in
Vernon Gholston (who I never thought would be available) that immediately makes the defensive front better. He may not be a great run-stopper but he can really rush the passer. Throw into the mix Kris Jenkins inside, David Harris at inside linebacker and Darrelle Revis shutting down opposing receivers and you've got a great core on the defensive side of the ball. And that doesn't even include Kerry Rhodes, Abram Elam or Calvin Pace.
As far as Gholston "taking plays off" (my new favorite draft phrase), if he did it in college don't expect him to do it here. Gholston believed that he should've been drafted higher and he's going to have a chip on his shoulder. This is a guy who is a work-out & practice freak. His quickness off the ball is unmatched by any other player drafted and he set the all-time single season sack record at Ohio State last year. I know, anyone can be a bust.
But I'm telling you he won't be. On to
Dustin Keller. I was probably like you on Saturday. When the Jets traded up the last position I thought they were drafting for was tight end. And I admit, when the pick was made my first reaction was, "who?" But after doing a little research I learned one thing, this guy is a GREAT pass catching tight end. Heck, he is more of a wide receiver than tight end which will create horrific matchup problems for opposing defenses. And before you start saying, "Hey stupid, stop shilling for the Jets," do me a favor and watch some of these hilights on you tube. Link provided by yours truly. Oh yeah, then come back & read the rest!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=28fZ0_-q1bA
Before we move on, add the
Chris Baker ongoing contract issue and the Keller pick makes even more sense. Now on to Sunday, where the Jets addressed needs and made a pick that I really like. I am not going to talk about Dwight Lowery, Marcus Henry or Nate Garner because let's be honest, I don't know who they are and neither do you. Well actually, I saw Henry twice. He has very good size and catching ability but he's not very fast. Sounds like Limas Sweed, the kid from Texas that I wanted them to pick. But the other two players, I'll have a much better idea when I see them on the field. The one note on Lowery is that he led the NCAA in interceptions last season at San Jose State.
The pick I was talking about was the selection of
Erik Ainge out of Tennessee. To get this guy in the late rounds surprised me quite a bit. He has great NFL size and throws with a lot of accuracy. His arm strength is average & he is known to be a smart quarterback. Can anyone say Chad Pennington with a little better arm. Should make for an interesting trio with Kellen Clemens? Going one further, Ainge has a relationship off the field with both Pennington & Clemens so he will fit right in.
All in all I think the Jets did themselves very well.
But with all drafts & all rookies, who really knows?
Before I go just two other thoughts:
1. The Bills selected a cornerback named Reggie Corner. No joke, that's his real name.
2. The NFL should make a game between the Texans and Cardinals mandatory. Houston picked a defensive back by the name of Antwuan Molden. Could you imagine the announcer in that game, with Antwuan Molden covering Anquan Boldin?
I know, stupid little notes. But what can I say, I found them amusing.
Talk tou you in a couple of weeks for the rookie mini-camp.
JR
