2007 New York Jets Off-Season Plan

After an utterly brilliant ten win season in his first year as a Head Coach Eric Mangini looks towards his second off-season as Jets Head Coach with anticipation. With an estimated $26 million under the What will the ManGENIUS have up his sleeve this off-season.

On the home front the Jets have only two starters from last season who are without contracts for next season those being wide receiver Jericho Cotchery and right tackle Anthony Clement.

Cotchery is coming off of a career year with 82 grabs for 961 yards and 6 going for touchdowns. For sure teams will be pursuing him. This list that may include the likes of Kansas City and New England in my opinion due to Edwards' relationship with Cotchery and New England's inconsistency at the position. Cotchery is a must for the jets to re-sign and will command one receiver money. I don't see the Jets losing him, however because of the fact that they should be around $20 million below the cap.

Anthony Clement on the other hand I see as an expendable option whom Tannenbaum, and Mangini can either replace through the draft or free agency. Outside of the in house free agents the jets have glaring needs at the running back, defensive line, and secondary.

Running back in this years free agency class include the likes of Dominic Rhodes, Michael Turner, and Ahman Green while Jamal Lewis is rumored to be released by Baltimore because he would be due a $5 million roster bonus. I can see the Jets persuing Turner whose 6.0 yards per carry is the best among the three (Green had 4.0 per carry while Rhodes had 3.4) and youth makes him the most intriguing prospect of the three, however he still is a very unproven talent. Playing behind league MVP Ladanian Tomlinson only garnered him 80 carries last season so his durability as feature back is unknown.

If that doesn't scare Mangini away surely the first round draft pick as compensation towards the chargers would also make any team hesitant. Lewis if released could form a nice one two punch with rookie standout Leon Washington somewhat like the thunder and lightning combo a few years back with the Giants Ron Dayne and Tiki Barber. The draft also shows a lot of potential with the top three running backs being Adrian Peterson of Oklahoma, Marshawn Lynch of California, and Michael Bush of Louisville all solid prospects.

The defensive line struggled to adapt to the 3-4 scheme with defensive ends Shaun Ellis and Kimo Von Oelhoffen combining for just six sacks, which is two and a half less than converted linebacker Bryan Thomas. Meanwhile nose tackle was a work in progress with former fourth overall pick Dewayne Robertson swapping back and fourth with my personal favorite Rashad Moore.

This season's free agent defensive line class includes stud defensive end Dwight Freeney, Terdell Sands, and Rod Coleman. Although Freeney is very tempting and would instantly upgrade the defense and pass rush. I see the Jets making him a moderate offer between three and four years at $24-30 million to play end/linebacker but he'll want around $50 million. Having only one real solid playoff game may reduce his asking price however. I see the offer as more of a feeler and I don't see them coming to terms. Sands is a better fit for a 3-4 scheme and is a sleeper fit in this years free agency class. He had a solid year playing next to multiple time pro bowler Warren Sapp and may be overlooked. The line also may be addressed through the draft with their first round pick. Prospects such as Adam Carricker (Nebraska), Quentin Moses (Georgia), or Demarcus Tyler (N.C. State) have a lot to offer, but in a 3-4 scheme they may wait for later rounds.

Finally the secondary saw the emergence of safety Kerry Rhodes, and Andre Dyson as the leaders and potential future pro bowlers while Erik Coleman turned in another solid season. The cornerback position may be addressed with the likes of Asante Samuel and Nate Clements I see Samuel's asking price after a great regular and postseason being driven up to around the $30 million mark. He shows the potential to be a shutdown corner, however its not in the Mangini mold to pay a lot of money, but he played for Mangini so I can see him signing. Clements had a decent year picking off three passes and forcing two fumbles, but might still be banking on using last years franchise tag as a marketing option.

Certainly Mangini and Tannenbaum have a lot of work ahead of them if they are going to make the Jets the next AFC powerhouse, but these are what I see as the perfect fit for this off-season.