How did Belichik and the other AFC East rivals do in the draft? (Photo: US Presswire)

By Marc Sluis, Staff Writer

Before we head full force into OTAs and ramping up for the 2014 draft, let’s look back on what happened in relation to the Jets. The draft success or failure of their peers and competition (the AFC East) in April is an important factor to consider when looking at the overall outlook for the Jets in 2013 and beyond.

Here’s a recap of how the divisional foes made out (a full Jets review is coming soon):

Buffalo Bills: B-

Summary: New coach, new look. While their QB of the future might have been there in round two at a better value he is still the most physically gifted in the class and its hard to knock them for going all in. Other needs were addressed at WR and the secondary.

Positives: I love the second round and think Woods can be a plug and play type who should deliver consistent production. Kiko Alonso is very fast, athletic and plays with so much energy but there are serious off the field issues. Chris Gragg in the 7th was a great pickup and brings superior speed as a TE/WR hybrid Marrone’s offense utilizes heavily.

Negatives: The four picks from rounds 3 to 6 all guys I think are vastly overrated. Goodwin can fly, but showed very little football ability at Texas and is a shot in the dark. Safety Duke Williams is fast, but I was under whelmed with his tackling and overall physicality.

Best Pick: WR Robert Woods USC(#46 overall) 2nd Round
Worst Pick: K Dustin Hopkins FSU (#143) 3rd Round

New England Patriots: A-

Summary: Another possible early round miss at wide out, but overall a great job by the Hoodie. I know most people hate the guy, especially from a Jets centric point of view, but I have no problem acknowledging that I like what they did. Adding an athletic freak in Collins and two overlooked defenders late should help sure up that side of the ball.

Positives: The pass rushing freak Jamie Collins is a boom or bust type pick but I think the upside is well worth the risk. At 6’4 250 (33 3/4 arms) he ran a 4.64 and posted a 41.5 vertical. He was even productive at one of the nation’s worst teams. Josh Boyce was drafted within his value range but has the 4.38 speed to help at the slot position. Illinois defensive end Michael Buchanan is closer to the first rounder he was projected to be in the summer than a round 7 filler. He played with several nagging injuries and should prove to be a major steal that late. Beauharnais is a Belichik guy who plays hard and finds the ball consistently.

Negatives: I know Belichick’s son went to Rutgers but come on, three out of seven! The first two Scarlet Knights taken by the Pats were not players I particularly liked. Corner Logan Ryan has decent size and is no stiff but is average in pretty much every category. Admittedly I never got a chance to really analyze Harmon but Bacarri Rambo, Philip Thomas, Josh Evans, John Boyett and Earl Wolff were all still available. Dobson could either be an elite possession receiver and red zone beast or never really pan out like recent early Pats selections at wide receiver.

Best Pick: DE/OLB Michael Buchanan Illinois (#226) 7th Round
Worst Pick: S Duron Harmon Rutgers (#91) 3rd Round

Miami Dolphins: B-

Summary: The main headline is the trade with Oakland to move up and take Lane Johnson…I mean Dion Jordan. That decision will have to be judged in a year or two but the rest of Miami’s draft was average. The Fish picked up a solid corner, versatile offensive lineman and giant tight end which were all needs.

Positives: The move to grab Jordan, a potential stud pass rusher, was pretty solid giving the fact it only took a second rounder to make it happen. He could turn out to be special but there is some serious risk there. Mike Gillislee was a workhorse back for the Gators so even though the production was limited to one year, it was in the SEC. Don Jones (a safety from Arkansas St. likely to convert to corner) is a work in progress but has elite speed. Jelani Jenkins is also an underdeveloped or maybe just over hyped recruit (linebacker) who is gifted athletically.

Negatives: I get the same feeling about offensive lineman Dallas Thomas and corner Jamar Taylor. Both are not freaks but above average athletes, yet they lack any considerable upset. I really thought corner Jamar Taylor had the talent and aggressive style to rise early on in the process (a potential riser here) but when it was all said and done I don’t love the guy as a second rounder. Size is an issue and some of the tackles he managed to make at Boise won’t work in the pros. For a kicker to be worth a 5th round choice he better be a perennial Pro Bowl type so Caleb Sturgis better be as good as advertised.

Best Pick: RB Mike Gillislee Florida (#164) 5th Round
Worst Pick: K Caleb Sturgis Florida (#166) 5th Round

Rough day for the quarterbacks. (Photo: US Presswire)

By Connor Rogers, Staff Writer

From now until a few weeks into preseason, the buzz around Jet’s training camp will mostly revolve around the quarterback competition. With David Garrard’s recent retirement, the competition has turned into a two man race between Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez. Let’s take a look how the two performed in the first day of OTA’s, along with some other player’s performances. 

-Mark Sanchez threw three interceptions, the most notable one to 350 pound nose tackle Damon Harrison on a failed screen pass. Overreacting to performances from OTA’s is idiotic, but Sanchez has to clean up the turnovers, specifically on such simple passes. If there’s nothing there Mark, take the sack.

-One of the interceptions Sanchez threw was hauled in by Jaiquawn Jarrett, the former second round draft selection of the Philadelphia Eagles. Jarret is fighting for one of the spots at safety and has been regarded as a bad fit for the system the Eagles ran, making him an interesting player to keep tabs on.

-Geno Smith threw a pick but it apparently went directly through or off target Thomas Mayo’s hands. The bigger concern was Geno completing three of his ten passing attempts, but once again we won’t make a big deal out of a practice in shorts and no tackling.

-Santonio Holmes and Stephen Hill did not practice, leaving very little playmakers on the field outside of Jeremy Kerley.

-Quinton Coples played on the line all day while rookie Sheldon Richardson lined up at nose tackle frequently. The front seven looks much faster with the speedy Richardson on the interior and Antwan Barnes at one of the outside linebacker spots.

-Greg McElroy barely saw time on the field, is it possible Matt Sims will beat him out for the third string quarterback job?

The undervalued Lache Seastrunk tops Mike’s current 2014 running back rankings

By: Mike O’Connor, Staff Writer

It was depressing for us draft fans to patiently wait for a running back to emerge as a first round talent last year in college football, only to see a first round without one for the first time in 50 years.  The value of the position has obviously decreased over time with an evolving league, but it was still a shock to not see a running back talent who could come in and start for whomever drafted him.

Unfortunately, my first look at the 2014 class of running backs didn’t offer much hope for the 50 year trend to start up again (a first round back).  However, it is so early to even consider prospect’s ranges of where they could go in the actual draft.  Players will improve or decline in play, and some underclassmen will simply tease us and return to school.  With no clear front runner in this class in the backfield, let’s “sort” through some of the respectable backs and if their early hype is well-deserved or unwarranted.

(Note: I have only included those who I’ve taken a look at.  It is too early for in-depth scouting reports on players who aren’t top talents, so I’ll simply be pointing out some things to like and dislike with each one.  I’ll be updating this list as the year goes on and we see more tape and risers/fallers).

FIRST TIER:

Lache Seastrunk, Baylor (Junior)
5’10, 210

Seastrunk is my favorite back at this point.  He’s not surprisingly big, but his frame is very muscular and doesn’t lack strength in any particular section of his body.  Seastrunk transferred from Oregon after his freshman year, and made a smart choice in doing so.  In a crowded Oregon backfield, Seastrunk would have found it hard to get a consistent workload.  As a Baylor Bear, Seastunk has been getting a heavy workload since former Jet Terrance Ganaway was drafted.  And with Nick Florence and Terrance Williams out of the picture, a talented passer to receiver combo, Seastunk could be the life and death of their offense.

Seastrunk brings an incredibly unique running style to the table, and some people can’t stand him for it.  I, for one, love it.  Seastunk runs hard, but his main catch is that he strives for any open green.  This seems like the obvious tactic for a ball carrier, but Seastunk takes it quite literally.  He can run downhill when he needs to, but he can go completely out of his way and abandon blocking patterns to find the open lane.  This wild style can hurt him sometimes, but his excellent balance, acceleration, and strength can make for some impressive runs.  His vision can still get better, but it’s top notch in between the tackles.  When totally bottled up, Seastunk’s recklessness can take runs back outside, or he can scurry his way into the smallest lanes in traffic.  I find it very impressive.  Overall, I’m a big fan of his.
(Games watched: Texas Tech, Texas, and UCLA)

SECOND TIER:

Damien Williams, Oklahoma (Senior)
6’0, 207

Williams suffered an ankle injury that clearly hindered him during the rest of his junior season, which he started off with a lot of promise.  Williams isn’t really a kind of back who jumps off the tape, but he brings a very solid all around game.  His ability to run with a good pad level and center of gravity provides for very good balance and compliments his downhill running game.  He’s not very big either (build wise), but he knows how to finish runs and fall forward.  He understands how to keep his legs churning, making him a threat to break runs when he seemed tackled and pick up necessary short yardage with secondary efforts.

Williams has very quick feet and is a very jump-cut type of back, who can find his lane early than work his way through it with one powerful cut.  Williams isn’t too aggressive with his speed, but he certainly has the breakaway gear when he needs it.  We’ll see how Williams grows this year off of his injury, and it should be interesting.  He isn’t exactly that elusive or explosive, so the elements that he’s incorporated into his game in the offseason could go a long way for him.
(Games watched: Texas, TCU)

James White, Wisconsin (Senior)
5’10, 197

Some backs are schematic and/or limited in what they can do because of their body type.  White falls under this category, but it isn’t necessarily a bad thing.  White has provided Montee Ball exactly what he will be able to bring to the next level: a complementary back who can catch passes and pick up blitzes.  This doesn’t exactly spell great success for a prospect, but I’m intrigued by White’s potential as a full-time starter, and I can’t wait to see what he does this year at Wisconsin with Montee Ball gone.

White is a high effort runner who thrives on his consistent vision, quick feet, and sharp, powerful cuts.  I also sensed that White is a very smart player.  He is elusive enough to create lanes on his own, but he picks up the yardage needed when it’s important instead of gambling with runs for larger gains (Seastrunk-like).  White still lacks strength in both his upper and lower body, and he doesn’t have the overwhelming quickness that you’d like to see for a back his size with his skillset.  However, James White is still a very reliable back who can provide some spark.  A much larger workload could even expose more of his game’s strengths this year.
(Games watched: Minnesota, Indiana)

THIRD TIER:

Ka’Deem Carey, Arizona (Junior)
5’10, 203

A lot of scouts are already really high on Carey, but I have yet to see it.  Carey is a huge gamebreaker, and you have to appreciate that, but he’s too inconsistent for my liking.  His vision leaves a lot of yards on the field, he lacks an overall build to complement his reckless style, and his running usually lacks main components that are necessary for a running back.  These components are pad level and dipping.  Carey runs far too high to be an effective runner, and he doesn’t “dip” his shoulders and pads when approaching contact to be able to break vertical tackles or fall forward.  Not to mention, it is a very dangerous way of getting hit, and it can cause some serious spine or neck injuries.

In the end, Carey is still an explosive back.  I really love his straight line speed and burst.  His vision is inconsistent, but if he does manage to pick a gap early in his carry, he can dominate that lane and ride it out for long gains.  He is also fearless, which can be a positive thing at times, contrary to what I previously mentioned.  He’s a menace around the goal line because of his courage, and won’t shy away from contact or shyly leave yards on the field.

Carey is just such a curious case.  I have other knocks on him, too.  His awareness is very questionable.  For example, he often doesn’t read defensive players and the game around him accurately, which will cause him to not gain enough separation with his cuts and moves because he simply doesn’t estimate the defender’s closing speed correctly.  Also, Carey becomes a train off it’s railroad at the second level.  He doesn’t have an extra gear, and he doesn’t have any clue what to do with defenders chasing him down from certain angles.  If he can’t go on a breakaway score, Carey won’t make special plays downfield.  Lastly, Carey just isn’t fluid.  He loses balance too easily, sometimes within his own movement and cuts.  With so much to say about Ka’Deem Carey, I’ll definitely go more in depth about him in a future article.
(Games watched: Oklahoma State, Oregon, Colorado, and Arizona State)

Bishop Sankey, Washington (Junior)
5’10, 200

Sankey is a supremely athletic back with a very fluid game.  He is a very adequate pass catcher, as well.  However, I haven’t taken a liking to the Husky product yet in my analysis.  His style embroiders that of a typical 3rd down back, in my opinion, and he doesn’t protect versus the pass well enough to fill his 3rd down role.

As a runner, Sankey was equally unimpressive to me.  He doesn’t run as hard as I would like, and I would even call his style shy, even soft at times.  With respectable burst, Sankey could at least hit lanes that he spots with aggression like Ka’Deem Carey does, but he normally won’t do so.  Sankey is also painfully weak, especially in his lower body.  He is too often tripped up, noticeably in the backfield, when he needs to be able to break the tackle.  While he flows with his blocks well because of his patience, he just can’t create enough opportunities away from his support enough for my liking.  When I look at Sankey, an upperclassman, I can confidently say that I see a player in need of his last two years in school.
(Games watched: Boise State, Utah)

-A key factor to key in mind when viewing my tiers and rankings are that they are subject to change a lot over time, of course, but also that I like a different style of backs than another scout might take liking to.  Primarily, I take a liking towards those who can create lanes with their own skillset, and have an aggressive overall style.

(REMEMBER: Thoughts and tierswill be updated as I break down more tape and study new running backs.)

Mark Sanchez should get one more chance in 2013. (Photo: US Presswire)

By Ryan Alfieri, Editor

I know, I know. You’re sick and tired of seeing number 6 trot out for the green and white on Sunday afternoons. After leading the league in turnovers on the way to the ugliest six-win season in NFL history, Jets fans are all but chomping at the bit to get a new quarterback in place and hit the restart button.

Still, as tempting as it may be to try out the new toy in Geno Smith, the Jets are better off holding off on the “Geno Project” for the time being.

Rewind back to four years ago, when the Jets were in a similar position they were now. After a turbulent  disappointing 9-7 season that got their head coach fired, the Jets were re-starting with a new coach and a new quarterback.

Following the Ravens model from 2008 in which they were one game away from reaching the AFC Championship game, Rex Ryan named Mark Sanchez the starter.

Looking back, it ranks as one of the worst decisions he ever made as head coach – and he shouldn’t make it again.

Sanchez, like Geno Smith, was not an elite prospect coming out of USC. A one-year starter, Sanchez was a benefactor of a weak quarterback class (and a weak draft overall) and was thrust to the top of draft boards. In fact, Geno and Sanchez are not much different as prospects; they both struggle throwing to the sideline and have problems holding on to the football.

Geno has a lot of tools to work with, but as his inconsistent second half of 2012 showed, he needs time to clean up his game. Otherwise, he could be ruined before he had a chance to start, especially in an environment like New York.

Not only would this benefit Geno Smith in the long-term, but it would give Sanchez a chance to prove, one last time, that he can be a valuable commodity in this league. If Sanchez even has mild success – and he might under a good scheme fit with Marty Mornhinweg – the Jets could turn Sanchez into a valuable trade commodity.

On the other hand, if Sanchez stumbles, there is no risk. If he fails, the Jets will have their window to insert Geno, and the Sanchez era will officially be over in New York. If he plays well enough to win, so be it – the Jets are in no hurry to force a second-round pick into action if they’re winning.

If Rex Ryan does start Sanchez, it would be a huge gamble in terms of his job security and will be seen as a huge indictment on Geno Smith. However, as unpopular as it may be, the Jets would be better off holding off on the Smith era until they are certain that the is a far superior player than Sanchez right now.

Braxton Miller is an unfinished prospect but has superior physical tools (Photo: US Presswire)

By Marc Sluis, Staff Writer

As soon as the 2013 draft went in the books the transition to preparing for a whole new crop of prospects begins for us true draft die-hards. April’s draft was historically anemic in terms of talent at the QB position and while its early still, here are some thoughts on the 2014 class and if I think their stocks are worth buying at this point.

Notable Exclusions who I deem are fairly valued: Teddy Bridgewater Louisville (Top 5 Overall), Tajh Boyd Clemson (Round 1-2), Johnny Manziel Texas A&M (Wide range: Round 1-late 2).

Buy Now:

Blake Bortles UCF (Redshirt Junior)
6’3 227

Still a hidden gem that no one is aware of but could really pick up steam as more of his tape gets out there. He is currently buried very deep on the 2014 QB rankings almost everywhere around the web so I’m buying low at this point. He has enough height at a true 6’3 and the same can be said of his arm. His 227 pound frame is also very healthy and likely durable. It’s a little tough to judge on limited tape, but he showed the ability to make all the throws to all levels. He also throws a nice ball with a consistent spiral. He’s no Johnny Football but is very mobile and can not just escape pressure effectively, but actually eludes defenders with his legs. The current census seems to be that Brotles would be lucky to even make it as a UDFA (Undrafted Free Agent), but I think he has a realistic upside of the 4-5 round range.

Braxton Miller OSU (Junior)
6’1 210

I don’t think anyone doubts his talent, but I also don’t think the scouting community really respects the enormous upside present. Miller is an elite athlete with the speed and agility to make defenders look silly in the open field as well as very good strength to break tackles. However, the elite label doesn’t just fit his athleticism. His arm strength is also among the best you’ll see. Yes he is light years away from harnessing that arm and showing the consistency and accuracy in the passing game needed to excel at the next level, but all the tools are there in spades. Again, he is nowhere close to what he could ultimately become but in my mind is the most physically gifted quarterback that could potentially be taken in 2014 and it’s not really close.

Zach Mettenberger LSU (Senior)
6’5 230

The junior college transfer (who was dismissed from Georgia before that) is a classic pocket passing prospect. He uses his 6’5 frame to easily see over the line and scan the field and when given time can zing it almost anywhere down the field. If he can prove to be fully committed, both on and off the field, he has plenty of natural passing talent to build on a strong second half of his 2012 campaign and work his way into the mid first round range.

Jeff Mathews Cornell (Senior)
6’3 224

I’m starting a Jeff Mathews bandwagon, and there is plenty of room aboard! The true 6’3 signal caller for the Cornell Big Red is poised to make a big rise up draft boards. He has a smooth release, very nice throwing mechanics and a great arm. While not the most mobile guy you’ll see, calling him a statue in the pocket wouldn’t be fair. Mathews (yes not Matthews) is an Ivy leaguer with great experience and poise. If he can handle the surge of attention he is sure to see don’t be surprised if he becomes a hot name very soon. I like him a lot as a prospect. Top 3-5 quarterback level like…yeah really.

Jeff Driskel Florida (Junior)
6’3 237

Consistency and accuracy keep Driskel from being a potential (and maybe likely) Top 50 prospect for 2014. He is tough, physical, very mobile and capable of making every throw in the book. If he can master the art of the passing game by improving on his mechanics, making reads in the pocket and accuracy then he could be a top 5 college quarterback sooner rather than later. I like that upside and dual threat ability.

Wait and See:

Brett Hundley UCLA (Redshirt Sophomore)
6’3 225

The athletic tools are there for sure, but I’m still taking the cautious approach with Hundley at least in terms of giving him a surefire top 5 QB grade and projection of round 1-2. The fact that he was able to step in as a (redshirt) freshman and play extraordinarily well was certainly impressive and he has that dual threat element to his game. His arm is also above average, but I don’t see a very smooth release and his throwing motion is just awkward. All that can be corrected, and if it is don’t be shocked to see him consider coming out for the 2014 draft.

Sell:

David Fales San Jose St. (Senior)
6’2 224

People are falling head over heals for Fales and I am NOT one of them. He has a slightly above average arm, is well below the 6’3 mark and is not a great athlete. He has a consistent and near ideal throwing motion and can excel in a West Coast, completion heavy attack, but I don’t think the top 30 overall or first round projection is justified.

(Photo: US Presswire)

By: Mike O’Connor, Staff Writer

Early this afternoon, news broke that newly signed Jets’ quarterback David Garrard has decided to retire.  The Jets brought him in to most likely offer a stable backup to Mark Sanchez and the rookie they planned on drafting, and some fans even considered him a possible starter.  While nothing is completely official at this point, it appears that Garrard’s lingering knee problems will bring his promising comeback to an end.  

The surprising news first broke the surface when Ian Rapoport reported that Garrard told two Jet teammates that he was leaving the Jets.  This was further confirmed with this Adam Schein tweet at nearly 4:30 PM:

Text from Garrard: “Having to call it quits. My knee is not holding up. Continuing to swell after practices. Limiting what I can do.”

— Adam Schein (@AdamSchein) May 15, 2013

With this move, the Jets lose a veteran quarterback who would have been nice to have stashed on the depth chart in situations when a proven winner can get a shot in case of injury (not you, Greg McElroy).  Like I said earlier, some fans were even going to the extent of calling Garrard a surprise starter.  Personally, I think it’s a bit bold to give a player coming off of injuries and poor play that kept him out of football since 2010 the edge over Geno Smith and Mark Sanchez.  However, no matter what kind of expectations you had for Garrard, the Jets got a bit unlucky today.

Yet, the overreaction from the media is puzzling.  It was predictable, yes, but it doesn’t offer much logic.  The argument that Sanchez is now more under pressure than ever to maintain the starting job over Smith is an extremely moot point.  Only a select few NFL teams have a third string quarterback that they can insert into a high-intensity game and expect for them to be solid enough to come out with a win.  Even Ryan Lindley could hold down a third string job, so I don’t see the drastic need to upgrade that people associate with the Jets’ lower quarterback depth chart.

Greg McElroy is hardly a proven passer, and he hasn’t even proven he can win outside of his Alabama days (not counting the Jets-Cardinals offensive breakout, sorry).  However, it’s simply overkill to think that he can’t hold down a third string job, and that Garrard’s retirement requires another spot for a Free Agent quarterback.  The 2013 Jets aren’t in a situation to shape up a reality show-worthy quarterback competition in camp, for there are just to many other areas in need of adjustment and focus.

Besides, to think that a battle royale between Mark Sanchez and Geno Smith won’t produce a manageable quarterback for a Jets team that will be mildly competitive at best is irrational.  I don’t mean to pour on the negativity, but teams with talent levels equivalent to the Jets don’t replace the luxuries that they have attained, then lost.  I’d admit that the Jets have to cede a sacrifice in this Garrard situation, but even that is a stretch.  Had Garrard been the player he was even before the worst of his injuries, he’d battle Geno Smith for the job, with Sanchez playing the role as the underdog.

Unless he were to have risen as the player he was in his prime, which was unbelievably unlikely considering his injuries, the Jets aren’t losing anything here.  The verdict: there’s no need to replace David Garrard, especially considering that there was essentially no need for him to start with.

Clemson’s Tajh Boyd has a similar skill set to the Bills first rounder EJ Manuel (Photo: US Presswire)

By Marc Sluis, Staff Writer

QB Tajh Boyd Clemson 6’1 225

Tajh Boyd has been terrific for the Tigers and has started and been very productive since his sophomore season. The comparison with Manuel is tenuous; he doesn’t have Manuel’s height (6’4 and change) and that is a major benchmark for scouts nowadays. But there are a lot of similarities.

Both are tested ACC quarterbacks with at least two years of experience. Manuel was a two year starter and Boyd is going on three. Both had very good overall records as Manuel finished 25-6 and Boyd will likely top him going into the 2013 season with a 21-6 record. They have strong arms and the beef, paired with good feet and athleticism for their frames, to be a true dual threat. Manuel’s throwing motion is more consistent, but also more robotic. I like the more natural approach of Boyd and his mechanical inconsistencies and tendency to side arm throws can be tweaked.

The two major differences (besides height) are leadership and performance under pressure. The prior goes to Manuel, who has been praised by Jimbo Fisher and NFL personnel as a top notch leader with admirable work ethic and measured confidence. Sure those qualities didn’t help guys like Brady Quinn (who had more physical limitations) but pair that with his physique, arm strength and mobility and his upside is through the roof. That said he was never really asked to make big time throws under pressure, at least not consistently. He mainly threw to wide open targets without having to worry about fitting the ball into a tight window. When he was asked to do so he looked relatively sharp, but those opportunities were few and far between.

There has been some speculation about Boy’s leadership and work ethic. Nothing too negative has ever surfaced, but the fact he wasn’t a caption his sophomore year playing quarterback, as the perceived leader of the team, along with carrying a few too many pounds at times at least makes scouts take notice. However, it’s hard to knock a guy for not being named a captain as a sophomore. The fact he started and played well is more important to me. On the positive side, he has delivered big time in the clutch. The Chick-Fil-A Bowl against an elite LSU defense (just count the number of LSU defenders taken in last months draft) was his coming out party. He went 36/50 (72%) with 346 yards passing and 3 TD (one rushing) and 0 INT. When Clemson was down to its last breathe he completed a beautifully thrown ball that was lofted down the middle of the field and just over the defense to set up the winning field goal.

Boyd’s decision to come back for his season year means while he may have passed up a top 50 selection, he will have the chance to work his way up to where the Bills took Manuel (#16 overall). Or better. Both are experienced senior quarterbacks with near identical records and dual threat ability. Boyd needs to work on his consistency, but will have a legitimate shot to be the first QB off the board in 2014 as well as contend for the Heisman. I get the same feeling evaluating both; they have all the talent in the world but are much riskier than other typical, pocket passing prospects. It obviously won’t be Buffalo but maybe someone takes a similar chance on a top flight talent who fits the in vogue read option offense perfectly.

Here is a scouting report from 2012 (done by the staff at MiamiDolphinsDraft): http://www.miamidolphinsdraft.com/2012/06/nfl-draft-scouting-report-tajh-boyd-qb-clemson/

Marqise Lee is one of the top prospects for the 2014 NFL Draft (Photo: US Presswire)

By: Mike O’Connor, Staff Writer

Once one NFL Draft ends, it’s all systems go for next year’s big day.  Thus, we will be taking some early takes on some of the top prospects for the 2014 Draft, before they’ve even had a chance to show their final developments in their last season or declare (if an underclassman).

It is important to  have a general grasp on strong prospects before their last collegiate season so that natural hype/dissapointment bound to hit them in some form isn’t too swaying.  Also, it is interesting and essential to see how prospects work on their particular flaws that were evident in their earlier seasons.  This can give them a huge rise or fall if they show they worked on those flaws =specifically, or couldn’t make any significant improvement.

Without further ado, I bring you one of the most polarizing prospects of this upcoming draft: Marqise Lee.

Prospect: Marqise Lee, WR, Southern California
Height: 6’1
Weight: 195
Grade: 7.7 (Grading Scale)

Scouting Report:

Athleticism/Explosiveness
+Has a very lean cut
+Strides are long and powerful
+Long strides make for exceptional acceleration; can get to his top gear in a matter of a few steps
+Superb athlete and a very fluid player
+ Makes safe but quick transitions from making the catch to looking for yards after the catch
+ Finds seams in defenses with his acceleration so easily
+/- Sometimes too much of a gambler in cutting back and switching fields, but his yards after catch ability makes for some magical plays
- Needs to gain some bulk, especially in the arms and upper body
+/- Feet can stop on a dime, but he doesn’t change directions well enough at top speed to be a consistently agile player
- Lack of strength has him shy away from high-contact areas, which often loses him yards
- Needs to be more confident with his speed and breakaway ability with the ball as a runner

Catching Ability
+Hand-eye coordination can be unreal at times, as he adjusts to tipped passes coming his way
+ His hand-eye and quick hands allow for smooth hands catches when he wants to
+ Leaping ability can grant him excellent body control over defenders
+ Has a very wide catching radius
- Tracks deep balls poorly at times, and doesn’t locate the ball intently too often
- Lets his athleticism get the best of him sometimes; his fluidity causes him too mistime his jumps and sometimes forces jumps when the catch doesn’t warrant one
- Wastes possible yards after catch when he attacks the ball with his body and a jump when he could have caught the pass in stride
- His catching tactics on deep passes can be awkward; often waits for passes to fall to him, and doesn’t find the ball at its highest point over the defender
- Lack of upper body strength causes many passes that he wraps up fully to go incomplete when he absorbs hits

Guts/Discipline
+ Does a great job closing into passes his way when able to, ensuring that he’ll be the first player to reach it
+ Awareness around boundaries (sideline, end zone) is on point and hardly takes away from his ability to come down with the catch
+ Not afraid to run courageous routes over the middle
- Often gives up on plays to play actor and draw penalties, even when the call is borderline

Route Running
+ So fast off the line that he initially gains separation and avoids presses from defensive backs
+ Though he doesn’t change directions particularly well, he gives defenders quick shakes during his routes to gain more separation
+ Uses his hands to keep defenders off of him when they attempt to press
+ So crafty within his routes; he throws defensive backs through loops with effective head fakes and convincing shakes
+ Not many routes outside of his comfort zone since he can go underneath and gets downfield so fast for intermediate routes
+ Very balanced level of physicality when winning leverage, especially underneath
+ Uses hands ever-so gently to effectively win more leverage downfield when combined with his speed
+ Nice awareness of when to make definitive cuts and round off routes
- Tight coverage can make him antsy and throw off his physicality and he’ll lose leverage on the opposing defender

Blocking
+ Pleasant surprise as an effective blocker, as he gets his hands locked and drives defenders without holding
+ Constantly displays a good effort in doing so
+ Disciplined and smart as a blocker, as he knows who to take care of within his assignment and when to make his way downfield

NOTE: I didn’t even bother including snip-its of Lee’s play as a return man.  He really doesn’t fit or grasp the position, and he won’t be returning any kicks in the NFL.  It frustrates me that USC even uses him there…

Overview:
All eyes will be on Lee at the start of this college football season, and he likely won’t dissapoint.  Lee is already being compared to former top wide receiver prospects in AJ Green and Julio Jones, likely just because the 2013 draft didn’t supply a top target and Justin Blackmon has been, well, Justin Blackmon.  However, Lee is nowhere near the safe, NFL-ready receiver that Green and Jones were when they came out.

Lee is bursting with talent and potential, but he certainly has aspects of his game to work on and could use overall refinement in what will likely be his last year at USC.  His game thrives on his athleticism and explosiveness with the ball, and his already near-perfect route running ability.  All of these praises are well deserved.  Lee is a rocket waiting for launch with his unbelievable acceleration, and can break a play open at any moment with his knack for making the catch and immediately focusing on finding seams in defenses.

Lee simply needs more reps, which is hard to believe considering he has been starting since he was a true freshman.  However, besides stepping it up in the weight room, that is all I can come up with for this freak athlete and how he can further perfect his game and skillset.  His catching ability is inconsistent at times.  Lee also needs to be a more synchronized pass catcher with his speed.  His athleticism gets the better of him sometimes, which can cause him to play frantically and (yes, it’s possible) too fast.  Sound familiar? I would imagine so, because this tendency from Lee reminds me of Barkevious Mingo, just on different sides of the ball.

There is no ceiling for Lee, essentially.  He can become a more polished receiver with even more time focused on the position (USC recruited him when they loved his play a safety), and his game-breaking ability already overflows college football’s glass.  With Robert Woods gone, look for Lee to dominate production-wise this year.  However, look out for him to become even more of a stud if he makes strides in his already dangerous skillset.

Handful of the Scouting Notes:

Vs Syracuse: 
+/- Makes a quick catch as he goes to the ball, but fumbles as he breaks a tackle
+ Locates as a blocker so well, as he slides to become a lead blocker, springing a nice gain that could have been a loss
+ Defender has tight coverage, but a perfectly timed jump wins him the ball

Vs Arizona:
+ Awareness of the chains evident, as he declines a risky YAC move to dive and pick up the first on 3rd down
+ Catches an in-post route, then brings it to full speed in a matter of seconds to knife through the middle and score
+/-Gets excellent separation downfield, but leaps and body catches the pass…needs to snatch it so he can run
+Such a powerful, downhill runner with the ball as he shrugs off high-tacklers at high speed to score long again
-Poorly attacks the ball, causing an easy catch to be a tough, high catch (it is INT’d)
+Great hand-eye coordination, as he adjusts to a ball that looked like it would be tipped, and makes a toe-down sideline catch

Vs UCLA:
+/-Doesn’t fear the hit coming on a downfield throw, but could have instead jumped for the ball, while putting himself in a better position to be able to hang onto the ball

Vs Notre Dame:
+/-Uses vertical speed to get separation, but doesn’t locate the ball well and awkwardly turned the wrong way (drop)
-Not synchronized with his jump, and lets his momentum cause a drop in the back of the end zone

Should the Jets bring back Braylon Edwards? (Photo: US Presswire)

By Ryan Alfieri, Editor

On the surface, it is a perplexing fact that Braylon Edwards is anywhere but Florham Park this August. Not only was Bralyon a tremendous asset during the 2009 and 2010 seasons, but he was effective as a late-season addition last year and would give the team much needed depth at a position of need.

However, there are always reasons why such moves are not made. Bringing in older veterans stunts the growth of younger players, and for a rebuilding team like the Jets, adding older veterans is no way to build a team for the long-term.

So, which one is it? Let’s take a deeper look at both side of the argument.

Against:

Simply put, as a rebuilding team that will not be contenting next season, the Jets are in no position to be adding veterans that do nothing in the long-term. Now 30 years old, Edwards has had a bit of an injury history and can hardly be considered as reliable.

While he seems to have matured with age, he did get a DUI in 2010 and called the Jets brass “idiots” just  days before they signed him. He is also a bit limited scheme-wise as strictly an outside receiver.

Bringing in a guy like Braylon will just stunt the growth of younger players, taking away valuable reps in practice and games. This is a huge offseason for Stephen Hill, who will already miss a lot of time recovering from his injury. He will need all of the reps he can get for a player that was already very raw coming out of Georgia Tech.

For:

Yes, Braylon will take some reps away from other receivers, but outside of Stephen Hill and Jeremy Kerley, no one else on the Jets’ roster has a great chance to developing into viable starters.

Most importantly, we all saw how much lack of depth at the receiver spot cost the Jets wins. With no receivers to throw to, Sanchez regressed with every week. Santonio Holmes is coming off a season-ending injury and Stephen Hill has not proven to be reliable, why should the Jets risk their season on the same two receivers again?

What if Geno Smith is the starter and has to throw to Clyde Gates and Royce Pollard? Geno, like Sanchez, will be doomed before he ever had the chance. He could be a great red-zone target as well.

Plus, as a seasoned veteran, Braylon would be a tremendous asset for the younger receivers. He loves playing for the Jets and would certainly take a minimum salary to play for Rex Ryan.

Besides, he is only 30 and still played some solid football last year. He could still be a contributor when the Jets are competitive again. Ultimately, what Braylon will take away in terms of reps and playing time outweighs his downside.

Verdict:

Common sense says the Jets should be wary of bringing in veterans that will stunt the development of younger players, but the Jets do not have a ton of talent to nurture in the first place. Adding Braylon would give them valuable depth and help bring along a young Geno Smith if he is to be the starter.

Dust off your 17 jerseys (no, not your Plaxico jerseys!), let’s bring Braylon back.

(Photo: US Presswire)

By Ryan Alfieri, Editor

Our offseason rankings of the top 20 prospects for next year’s draft:

(* designates junior eligibility)

1. Jadeveon Clowney, DE, South Carolina*
2. Marquise Lee, WR, USC*
3. Teddy Bridgewater, QB, Louisville*
4. Jake Matthews, OT, Texas A&M
5. Taylor Lewan, OT, Michigan
6. Louis Nix III, DT, Notre Dame*
7. CJ Mosley, LB, Alabama
8. Sammy Watkins, WR, Clemson*
9. Kyle Van Noy, OLB, BYU
10. Stephon Tuitt, DE, Notre Dame*
11. Jason Verrett, CB, TCU
12. Austin Seferian-Jenkins, TE, Washington
13. Jackson Jeffcoat, DE, Texas
14. David Fales, QB, San Jose State
15. Anthony Barr, OLB, UCLA
16. Will Sutton, DE, Arizona State
17. Tajh Boyd, QB, Clemson*
18. Ra’Shede Hageman, DE, Minnesota
19. Dominique Easley, DL, Florida
20. Aaron Murray, QB, Georgia