New York Jets Draft Q and A with Jet Press

The New York Jets have managed to steal the headlines from the New York Giants in the off-season, will they look to make a big splash in the draft. I recently had a Q and A with TheJetPress‘ Alan Schecter

1). What do you think of the addition of Tim Tebow for a fourth round pick?

One word, disaster. This move by the Jets has all the signs of an absolute disaster, due to Mark Sanchez’s fragile nature. The Tebowmania craze will negatively effect him. They shouldn’t have made the trade for any pick, Tebow should not be a Jet.

2). After free agency what are the Jets biggest needs?

Biggest needs for the Jets are an edge pass rusher, a ball-hawking safety, and depth at the running back position.

3). What would you say is the drafting philosophy of the New York Jets with Mr. T and Rex Ryan?

The philosophy so far has been to draft for positions of need. The credit, I believe, so far in this regime is that the Jets haven’t gone for the best player available. They pick for need.

4). Who calls the shots on draft day…any insight into that?

Mr. T has the final say, although he typically allows coach Ryan one pick. John Conner, for example, was Coach Ryan’s pick a couple of years ago. But generally speaking, Mr. T makes the final call.

5). Are there some young players who might be expected to step up and fill the needs (from question two)?

The only young guy that I think has a real chance to fill a need, is RB Bilal Powell. He showed some signs last year, and I think he has the potential to complement Shonn Greene. Aaron Maybin showed that he can rush off the edge as he led the team in sacks, but really hasn’t shown that he can work every down.

6). There’s a rumor out there that the Jets don’t plan on adding a pass rusher until the third day, do you buy it?

No way. Not taking a shot at any pass rushers in free agency leads me to believe that this has to be where they are going on the first round. I can’t convince myself of it going any other way.

7). They say the third year is the breakout year, anyone you expect to break out from the 2010 class?

Not really, wasn’t really a fan of that class. Maybe John Conner will fill his role as a great FB, but other than that, not sure anyone will really step up from that group.

8). Is there any player the Jets have taken a particular liking too?

A couple of guys. Rex loves Courtney Upshaw from Alabama. He elected not even to go to the Alabama pro day because “everyone knows we love Upshaw”. At NC pro day, Rex also gave a long look to Quinton Coples, working him out at DE and LB, he’s high on him. They also went and took a hard look at Melvin Ingram at SC.

9). Is there any player the Fans seem to want the most?

No real pull on the fans side. I get the feeling they want a pass rush, like I do, but no one specific.

10). Is Mark Sanchez the answer?

I believe that he is Jesse. A lot of people want to run Mark out of town, because he had one bad season. I say, it’s time to give Mark some weapons to get comfortbale with. Every season, the Jets change his weapons, and wonder why he has difficulty. The Jets make like they have no confidence in him, but they forget his successes from his first 2 seasons. Tebow on the team doesn’t help. If they would leave Mark alone, and let him get in sync with his weapons, I believe he is the answer.

11). Anything else to add??

Big draft for the Mr. T era. Coming off of an 8-8 season, and clearly the circus is still in town (re:Tebowmania), the Jets have some obvious needs that must be filled. The team must fill them in the draft, or it could be a disaster.

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