After the end of one of the worst seasons in recent memory for the Jets, general manager John Idzik will exit along with head coach Rex Ryan, offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg and perhaps the rest of the front office and coaching staff.
In addition, most of the roster will be swept away, including the quarterbacks. Geno Smith, Michael Vick, and Matt Simms are destined to hit the market or be lowered on the depth chart.
The search for Gang Green’s opening day QB for 2015 may or may not be on the roster as of this moment. In this article, I will depict who should be the man under Nick Mangold for the 2015-16 season.
IN HOUSE OPTIONS:
Geno Smith, First String-
 |
| Geno Smith is the best "in-house" option http://thenypost.files.wordpress.com/2014/01/geno-smith.jpg |
Coming out of West Virginia, a big knock on Smith was his severe inconsistency. This has proved to be Smith’s achilles heel. With a record of 10-18 as the starter for the Jets, Smith has decided to either come to play or serve as the opposing team’s MVP (i.e. Week 7 against New England to Week 8 against Buffalo). Don’t forget that Smith has 12 more interceptions than touchdown passes in his career. Also, with a new coaching staff most likely coming in, Smith’s odds of returning as New York’s starting QB work against him.
Prediction: Will battle for starting position next year
Michael Vick, Second String-
Vick came into the organization after signing a one year-four million dollar contract in the offseason. Although Vick came in to be “competition” against Geno Smith in Training Camp, Vick said “Nah, it’s not an open competition” in May. He did get his chance to start Week 9 through Week 12 for Gang Green but did nothing to stick out, other than poor judgment and doing a terrible job of keeping hold of the ball. There is no doubt that Vick won’t be a Jet next season, especially after his recent comments saying joining the Redskins would be a “dream come true”.
Prediction: Will not return to Jets
Matt Simms, Third String-
Simms is the son of Super Bowl MVP Phil Simms but that won’t help his case to returning to the roster for next year. As a player that is usually a healthy scratch come game day, Simms would be lucky to be a practice squad member for next season.
Prediction: Will not return to Jets
Free Agent Options:
Brian Hoyer, Browns-
Hoyer looks as a low risk/high reward option after getting benched for rookie Johnny Manziel. Before getting benched for Johnny Football after a three week stretch of zero TDs and seven INTs, Hoyer was an adequate signal caller. So far this year, Hoyer has passed for 300 yards or more three times compared to once by the Jets QBs (Week 3 by Geno Smith). If not for some horrendous play down the stretch, Hoyer would have been a QB who could have taken advantage of the open market for him. Now that Hoyer is a backup, the Jets could pounce on Hoyer for a relatively low contract. Best case scenario, Hoyer becomes a starter and plays well. Worst case, Hoyer is second string on a contract that doesn't pay very much.
Predicted Contract: 1 year/2.5 Million (1.0 Guaranteed)
Matt Moore, Dolphins-
Having a two year-eight million dollar contract for a backup is rather large. Although Moore is a backup for the Dolphins, he had a productive year for Miami before being replaced by Ryan Tannehill in 2012. Before Tannehill was drafted, Moore started in 12 games and threw for 16 TDs but turned the ball over 23 times, 14 of which were fumbles. Moore’s ceiling isn’t high but you know what you’re getting out of him.
Predicted Contract: 2 years/2.1 Million (900,000 Guaranteed)
Mark Sanchez, Eagles-
 |
| Mark Sanchez's most memorable Jets moment, "The Butt Fumble" http://www.tddaily.com/static/uploads/2013/07/sanchez-fumble1.jpg |
A resurrection occurred for Sanchez after starting QB Nick Foles broke his collarbone. After taking over for Foles, Sanchez got off to a hot start, throwing for 1,202 yards, seven TDs (one rushing), and four INTs in four starts. Unfortunately for Sanchez, he cooled off considerably in his next two starts. In Week 14 against Seattle he threw for only 96 yards and in Week 15 in a high pressured game at home against Dallas he threw two INTs and recorded zero TDs. Also, Sanchez still hasn’t learned how to hold onto the ball as he has turned it over 15 times in six starts. Sanchez will be a starter somewhere in the NFL next year, but reuniting with the Jets wouldn’t be what Gang Green’s fans would be pleased with.
Predicted Contract: 2 years/13 Million (4.5 Guaranteed)
Trade Options:
Robert Griffin III, Redskins-
RGIII’s rise to fame lasted shorter than Redskin fans would have hoped. Now, RGIII and head coach Jay Gruden have tussled since his benching. Reports have come out left and right on how RGIII looks to be on the outs of Washington. After looking like a shell of himself after winning Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012, RGIII has seemed tentative this season, especially running the ball. After rushing for 815 yards in 2012, he rushed for 489 yards in 2013 and through seven starts in the 2014 season, RGIII has accumulated a lowly 146 yards compared to his high standards. Although his rushing statistics aren’t up to par, RGIII is still a very accurate passer. RGIII’s 69.3 completion percentage is close to tops for the league, but it is inflated due to a low number of attempts (150 attempts). If the new coaching staff for the Jets can get RGIII to be a more aggressive runner and continue to give him high percentage throws, he could be a steal in a trade.
Predicted Trade: 2015 Sixth Round Pick & 2016 Third Round Pick
 |
| Jay Cutler could be a potential trade target http://www.geeksandcleats.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/jay-cutler-face.jpg |
Jay Cutler, Bears-
A fat contract might be the only reason Cutler doesn’t go anywhere in 2015. The Bears are experiencing “serious buyer’s remorse” according to NFL Network’s Ian Rappaport. In addition to wishing they never gave Cutler one of the biggest contracts in NFL history, the Bears have benched Cutler for Jimmy Clausen. Even with an arsenal of weapons in Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, Martellus Bennett, and Matt Forte, Cutler could not lead the Bears to contention for the playoffs. Although Cutler’s numbers are impressive (3,640 yards and 28 TDs), most of them have come in garbage time when the Bears are well out of range of winning the game. Cutler may seem like a superstar based on statistics, but he has been questioned time and time again about leadership. He may seem like an elite QB based on statistics, but most would with the offense he is set in.
Predicted Trade: 2015 Fifth Round Pick & Jets pay 15% of contract (19 Million, 8.1 Guaranteed)
Draft Options:
 |
| Marcus Mariota is the number one QB in the 2015 Draft Class http://usatftw.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/gty-456555272.jpg?w=1200 |
Marcus Mariota, Oregon-
The 2014 Heisman Trophy winner seems unreachable to pick after losing a chance at the number one overall pick. Unless the Jets trade multiple picks to move up in the order, Mariota won’t be coming to the Empire State.
Predicted Draft Spot: Top Two
Jameis Winston, Florida State-
Just like Mariota, Winston seems to be too good to fall out of the top five to reach the Jets. Gang Green won’t have a shot at either of the top two QBs.
Predicted Draft Spot: Top Three
Brett Hundley, UCLA-
Hundley seems like a project coming out of UCLA. Although he has a very good build for a QB (6-3/227 LBs), he has no experience in a pro style offense. Hundley has lowered his turnovers every year of college and has plenty experience as a starter at a big program. At this moment, the Jets aren’t in a state of time to contend and would welcome developing Hundley.
Predicted Round: Anywhere in the Second Round
After analyzing multiple QBs, here are three charts on where they stand with the Jets.
QBs with Most Upside:
1) Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2) Jameis Winston, Florida State
3) Robert Griffin III, Redskins
4) Brett Hundley, UCLA
5) Jay Cutler, Bears
QBs Most Likely to be on Jets:
1) Geno Smith, Jets
2) Brian Hoyer, Browns
3) Matt Moore, Dolphins
4) Robert Griffin III, Redskins
5) Brett Hundley, UCLA
Best Case Scenario Depth Chart:
1) Marcus Mariota, Oregon
2) Geno Smith, Jets
3) Matt Moore, Dolphins
No comments:
Post a Comment