Weaponizing The Jets

(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

Mike Tannenbaum stepped up big time to get quarterback Mark Sanchez with the fifth overall pick in the draft. Now all Sanchez needs is somebody to throw the ball to.

The Jets let go of Laveranues Coles, in what was most likely a salary dumping move and, besides Jericho Cotchery, have very little left on the roster in the wide receiver department. 

Other than Cotchery, the most senior receiver on the Jets' roster is multi-dimensional threat Brad Smith, at four years in the league.

After him comes Wallace Wright and Chansi Stuckey who have each played in the NFL for three years. Last year Stuckey totaled a whopping 32 receptions in 15 games, while Wright made zero catches and spent the whole season relegated to special teams play.

These are not exactly numbers that make a rookie quarterback feel secure. 

Luckily, the Jets have options. While they're only $4 million under the salary cap at the moment, there's quite a few veteran free agents available out there.

Now, I'm not gonna say that four million bucks is gonna get you a hell of a lot of a wide receiver, but there's always guys like Joe Jurevicius; who missed all of last season and would probably like to collect a pay check this year, even if it's a small one.

Marvin Harrison is unemployed at the moment and might like to prove that his falling stats the last couple seasons are an anomaly and not old age. Besides, with a bunch of young kids like the Jets have, even a declining Harrison would serve as a great teacher/coach. 

Also waiting to find a home are guys like Justin McCareins, Dane Looker, and Amani Toomer, all of whom wouldn't have to change addresses to change teams.

Whatever Mr. Tannenbaum chooses to do, it's obvious that with a rookie quarterback coming in having an experienced receiving corps would not be a bad idea. 

The rest of the roster looks pretty solid and the Jets have a very good chance at winning the division. It's just this one area that could either help or prevent the Jets from going deep into the playoffs.

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