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Could McNabb come to the Jets? (AP/Matt York)
Now that Brett Favre has come and gone it is time for the New York Jets to find their next franchise quarterback. There will be plenty of speculation regarding the next signal caller for Gang Green, but the criteria for the candidate should be very easy to figure out.
The next leader of the Jets offense should be a proven, established NFL quarterback that understands what it takes to win in the NFL. Why you ask? Look at the situation that the quarterback is walking into:
- The Jets rushing offense was ranked 9th in the NFL.
- Gang Green’s offense scored 25.3 points a game, ranking 3rd in the AFC.
- The offense averaged 331 yards a game, ranking 7th in the AFC.
- The Jets have the AFC rushing leader in Thomas Jones on the roster, as well as a game breaking back in Leon Washington.
- In Laveranues Coles, Jerricho Cotchery, and Dustin Keller, the Jets have a good group of pass catchers in place.
As you can see the cupboard is far from bare when analyzing the potential for the 2009 Jets offense. So would it make sense to hand this opportunity over to an unproven, inexperienced quarterback? Of course not.
So what free agent signal callers are available?
Kurt Warner - The odds are that he will return to the Arizona Cardinals.
Kerry Collins - Chances are he will be returning to the Tennessee Titans. If not, Kerry is a one-year option at best, and definitely not what the Jets need at this point. Also he tends to throw untimely interceptions that will remind many of Vinny Testaverde.
Byron Leftwich - Has had a career resurrection in Pittsburgh, but his slow release is still concerning. Add in the numerous leg injuries and Byron appears to be a solid #2 QB at this point.
Jeff Garcia - A fiery competitor but not sure how much gas is left in his tank. Like Collins, Jeff would be a one-year fix at best.
What about the possibility of trading for a veteran QB? If the Jets are willing to look outside the box as they did with Brett Favre, they may find what they are looking for.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Donovan McNabb are currently at an impasse over a contract extension. McNabb, bothered by a mid-season benching, wants a financial commitment from the Eagles to remove any doubt about his future as the team’s starting quarterback. If a deal is not in place prior to the beginning of the off-season programs, Donovan has reportedly threatened to sit them out.
Some nuggets on McNabb:
- Donovan has thrown for almost 30,000 yards with 194 touchdowns.
- Led his team to five NFC Championship games as well as one Super Bowl
After a horrific season, the St. Louis Rams hired a new coach in Steve Spagnuolo and are a team clearly in rebuilding mode. As with every renovation project in the NFL, the Rams are looking to get younger, acquire draft picks, as well as get rid of pricey contracts. Quarterback Marc Bulger is entering the third year of a six-year deal worth approximately $60 million.
Some notes on Bulger:
- Marc has thrown for over 21,000 yards with 117 touchdowns.
- A two-time Pro Bowl quarterback that reached 1,000 completions faster than any QB in NFL history.
A perfect match? Both McNabb and Bulger fit the profile of what the Jets are looking for as their next quarterback. Granted they come with heavy price tags, but anything is possible when it comes to manipulating the salary cap. From restructuring contracts, to releasing overpriced veteran players, cap room can always be established. It will all come down to what the Jets are willing to give up to acquire one of these players.
Either way, McNabb and Bulger should be on the top of the Jets wish list.
For the Philadelphia Eagles viewpoint of the McNabb situation check out Andrew Tulin's piece.
Comments
I think that Bulger is passed the point of recognition. Yes, he had no o-line to help him, but he looked hopeless this season and Holt couldn't even help him out either. I think McNabb would be a solid fit and a real way to stick it to those phickle philly phans.
Ryan, behind this offensive line I think Bulger could flourish. Granted he could have some David Carr syndrome but a change of scenery would really benefit him
Donovan has reportedly threatened to sit them out? That's not true at all. Yahoo Sports speculated that he would sit without a deal. That did not come in any way, shape or form from Donovan. I have a source close to Donovan and that's not the case at all.
mcnabb anywhere but philly is a pipe dream. 2009 is the real year of the rat.
Micah, I am as perplexed as you are about the whole notion that Donovan has been lobbying for a contract extension or threatening to make a stink about it. While he hasn't denied wanting it and is obviously sticking around Philly (and quite visibly) for a reason, he hasn't really said much about it publicly. But that aside, do you think he'll ask for a trade if the Eagles do what most seem to agree is the only logical thing to do and tell him he's got at least another year to play before getting an extension?
On a different note, I love your site and really enjoyed the times I got the chance to catch you and Garry on WIP this season. Keep up the good work.
McNabb or Bulger, come on, you would be lucky to get Garcia or Leftwhich. Dont sleep on Sanchez either.
They had Mike T. on Sirius NFL Radio (Tim & Pat, approx 5pm ET) & he was giving some insight to the QB situation.
He said that right now their plan is to go into camp with an open competition between Clemens & Ratcliff. He also went on to say that, as with any position, they are always looking to upgrade the talent, if the opportunity presents itself.
What I'm taking away....
Rex made it clear that the Jets are going to be a RUN FIRST team, thus minimizing some of the QB roll. Mike Ts remarks lead me to think that they're going stick with Clemens & Ratcliff unless they get a steal on someone (Jets do have some cap issues).
With an improved o-line, running game & D since Clemmens last took regular season snaps, I could almost see this strategy working. However, the Jets QB(Clemmens or Ratcliff) NEEDS to establish himself as a leader. I think the Jets REALLY lacked leadership last year. I would never see anyone going up & down the sidelines & amping eachother up- no-one really talking it up on the sideline (Pennington was always good at that, he was a solid leader). Most of all, they need a team leader, so God forbid they get into another slide they they did late in the '08 season, who is not affraid to call a Players Only Meeting & rips everyone a new one on where the team is going (which iss what should have happened before the Jets went to Seattle).
It'll be an interesting ride....
Garry, Thanks for the feedback. I have a hard time believing the next quarterback of the Jets is currently on the roster. As for drafting Sanchez, if he is there at 17 great, but would not give up picks to get him. Time to start plugging other holes like Corner, WR etc
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