DMN: The New York Jets Need a Wide Receiver

National Football Post

QUOTE: “I cannot say this way, my way, is the right way for others. It is mine. It is the one final meaning in my life.” -- Athol Fugard

 

I’M NOT FEELING PURPLE...

Yes, there is other news in the NFL besides a soon-to-be 40-year-old Viking, so let’s get to it.

By the way, why does everyone assume that a 40-year-old quarterback who hasn’t prepared for the rigors of the season, who has a torn rotator cuff in his throwing shoulder (with calcium keeping it intact) and who’s thrown 88 touchdowns to 84 interceptions in the past four years, is going to be the difference for the Vikings?

Why does Favre get a pass for his bad play three of the last four years? He’s headed to the Hall of Fame and is well deserving, but the Vikings did not just sign Favre in his prime. They signed Favre well past his prime—which for me is not very exciting.

I love all the talk about how much he has helped the team after one practice. How would you like to be George Stewart, the wide receivers coach, after Percy Harvin told the media that Favre taught him more in one practice than he learned in all of camp?

Can this work? I really doubt it, but it will be fun to watch.

 

JETS MAKING A TRADE?

Is there a chance the Jets could trade for Marshall?

Besides Jets head coach Rex Ryan talking about Bill Belichick, the Jets have conceded that maybe they’re a little light at the wide receiver position and need to explore their trade options.

Brandon Marshall is a sexy name, but the reality of the Jets being able to offer enough and the willingness of the Broncos to deal Marshall seem to make me feel this will never happen.

As for Dwayne Bowe, I’m sure if the Jets are willing to overpay, they could make the deal—overpaying being the key to the trade, which the Jets have been known to do from time to time.

If he goes to the Jets, and that’s a big if, Bowe would bring a little baggage.

He struggles to get away from press coverage, doesn’t have instant separation speed, doesn’t catch the ball with consistency, and doesn’t have down-the-field speed.

 

HOW’S THE BACK?

Guard Shawn Andrews of the Eagles went to Los Angeles to get a second opinion on his back, but according to his doctor, he doesn’t have structural damage, which is a relief to the team. The Eagles’ supposed strength is their offensive line, but based on the first game, that was not the case.

Yes, they need Andrews—with a healthy back. But how will he play and how do they count on him? On paper, the line looks strong; on tape, not so strong.

However, before he can get back on the field, the Eagles must activate him off their Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. That list protects the team from taking on an “already injured” player from a year ago, or anyone who’s flunked the training camp physical.

If the Eagles pass him on the physical once the doctors have ruled that he’s healthy, they buy the contract for the year. If they keep him on the PUP list, it allows them the right to waive him at any time and not be exposed to any liability from the pre-existing injury.

So before the Eagles can put Andrews back on the field, they have to feel 100 percent certain that his back is going to last the entire season. Predicting the future based on injury, especially with an unpredictable player, is one of the toughest decisions for an organization to make.

For whatever reason, Andrews is reluctant to get back on the field, and as we reported in the Sunday Post, we heard that he has a mental block about camp. Based on the clean bill of health from the specialist in L.A., his back is ready.

But is Andrews?

 

GIANTS BACKUP RUNNERS

Ahmad Bradshaw...the Tipper loves his value in 2009.

I’m told Joe “The Tipper” Fortenbaugh has been giving great love to Giants running back Ahmad Bradshaw, which is tough for Joe, since he’s such a diehard Eagles fan.

However, the backup runner for the Giants last year, Derrick Ward, gained more than 1,000 yards, and Bradshaw is the kind of player who doesn’t need an abundance of carries to be productive.

In addition, he’s very versatile—he catches, he can run routes, and he can protect. I expect Bradshaw to have a huge year. Every time I watch him run, he reminds me of Charlie Garner, the former Raiders and Eagles running back. He has explosive movement with power and finishes off his runs.

Follow me on Twitter: michaelombardi

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