Pro athletes and guns 05.17.13

Jets running back Mike Goodson was arrested this morning, along with a friend, in Denville N.J., and charged with marijuana possession, possession of drug paraphernalia and weapons offenses stemming from a 45-caliber semi-automatic handgun, that included a hollow-point bullet.

We don’t know at this point if the gun belonged to Goodson, or his friend.

People question why a number of pro athletes carry guns.

Many feel they are targets because of their money, so they want to be able to defend themselves.

Look what happened to Sean Taylor.

I’m not condoning anything, but just pointing out a prevalent mindset.

RB Mike Goodson taken into custody 05.17.13

According to News 12 New Jersey, Jets running back Mike Goodson was arrested early this morning.

“Goodson was taken into custody early this morning for drug possession and weapons charges, News 12 New Jersey confirmed Friday,” wrote News 12 on their website. “Sources say Goodson and a companion were found intoxicated in an SUV that was stopped along Route 80 in Denville. Goodson was being taken to a hospital when authorities discovered marijuana in his possession.”

It’s wrong to fire an agent for slipping in the draft 05.17.13

First Geno Smith reportedly fired his agent because he slipped to the second round.

Now, reportedly, Dee Milliner has fired his agent because he slipped to the ninth slot in the first round.

Obviously, they are free to fire and hire who they want.

However, it’s probably unfair to fire an agent for slipping in the draft, if that is indeed what happened in each case.

You can understand the frustration of a player not going as high as they would have liked, but it’s hard to blame agents for where a player is selected.

That is what you call, “killing the messenger.”

New York Times – It’s down to two 05.17.13

Another published report confirmed what Newsday reported yesterday – the Jets QB competition is just between two players.

“Garrard’s decision to step away has altered the quarterback dynamic, casting the rookie Geno Smith opposite Sanchez in a challenge for primacy,” wrote Ben Shpigel in the New York Times.

He was considered a longshot, but now, according to three published reports, Greg McElroy, is no longer even in the conversation.

Neither is another quarterback on the roster, Matt Simms, according to the three published reports.

So it’s down to two – Geno Smith vs. Mark Sanchez.

Daily News – It’s down to Sanchez and Smith 05.17.13

It was thought to be an open quarterback competition, but published reports continue to say otherwise.

The New York Daily News is reporting that the Jets’ QB competition is down to two players.

“Sanchez won’t admit it, but the competition is down to just him and Geno Smith now,” wrote Manish Mehta.

Report says it down to Sanchez/Smith 05.16.13

The following note appeared in Newsday today – “But after Tebow’s post-draft release, and now Garrard’s imminent departure, the Jets quarterback competition will now be between (Mark) Sanchez and (Geno) Smith, who was selected 39th overall last month.”

So if that is the case, who should the Jets go with, Sanchez or Smith?

I’d have to say Sanchez.

Smith is so raw, and needs so much work, if it’s between these two players as Newsday is reporting, Sanchez is probably the way to go at the beginning of the season.

Sanchez has so much more experience.

“You don’t hand Smith the keys,” said NFL Network’s Mike Mayock.

Steve Smith’s very unkind words 05.16.13

Carolina Panthers WR Steve Smith said on 610-AM in Charlotte, “[Mark Sanchez] sucks. I wouldn’t let Mark Sanchez throw me a paper bag sandwich.”

That isn’t a very classy thing to say.

But then again, this is the same player who punched teammate Ken Lucas in the face, breaking his nose.

So at least Sanchez was just verbally attacked by Smith, not physically.

Newsday proclaims Jets QB competition down to 2 05.16.13

Newsday’s Bob Glauber and Kimberly Martin wrote the following for today’s paper -

“But after Tebow’s post-draft release, and now Garrard’s imminent departure, the Jets quarterback competition will now be between Sanchez and Smith, who was selected 39th overall last month,” wrote Glauber and Martin.

We have not heard any reports that Greg McElroy is out of the competition.

But perhaps Newsday has information that he is, so we will defer to them at this point.

Newsday feels McElroy not in competition 05.16.13

Newsday’s Bob Glauber and Kimberly Martin wrote the following for their paper today-

“The Jets quarterback competition will be between just two now. David Garrard — the oft-injured veteran who planned to compete with Mark Sanchez and rookie Geno Smith for the starting gig — will retire from the NFL because of nagging knee issues, a source confirmed to Newsday Wednesday,” wrote Glauber and Martin.

Look, I don’t know if McElroy is the answer, but he should at least be in the competition.

Anything happen today? 05.15.13

What a bad day to have computer problems.

I finally fixed my computer which was messed up all day.

The funny thing about it was, I could get on Twitter, but couldn’t do anything else.

Strange.

Maybe the IRS came after my computer.

As we all know by now, David Garrard is going to retire. His problematic knee is still a problem.

I guess in a way it’s a blessing in disguise for the Jets that it happened now, and not in early September, after he perhaps had won the starting quarterback job.

Where do the Jets go from here?

Simple, they let Mark Sanchez, Greg McElroy, Geno Smith and Matt Simms battle for the starting job.

And if it’s not going well in the summer, and a West Offense QB becomes available (via waivers or a trade), the Jets can add another candidate.

But the Jets should not change their plans for Smith based on today’s move.

He didn’t change as a prospect due to the Garrard announcement. He’s still a raw quarterback with a huge upside, who needs a lot of work. He will likely need time to transition from a gimmicky college offense to the West Coast offense. He also must improve his footwork and decision-making.

Hey, if he proves to be precocious, and develops fast, and wins the job, all the power to him.

But nothing that happened today should alter the Jets plans for him. He needs to win the job, not be handed it.

Marcus Davis very talented, but . . . 05.14.13

The Jets claimed wide receiver Marcus Davis off waivers today from the Football Giants.

The Virginia Tech-product is a stud athlete. He’s 6-3, 233 pounds with sub-4.6 speed. I remember watching the 40′s at the combine, and saying, “Who is that?”

But, there are red flags here.

Something happened with the Giants?

Why would they get rid of him so quickly? He was a priority undrafted free agent who got a $15,000 signing bonus.

Davis had some character concerns coming out of Virginia Tech.

It’s probably a good thing for the Jets to take a flyer on him considering his natural gifts, but it’s not a good thing if the Jets think they are smarter than other teams, and take the attitude – “I know the other team couldn’t get through to the guy, but we can.”

That mindset has gotten them in trouble in the past.

Jets will run outside more 05.14.13

Under new offensive coordinator Marty Mornhinweg, the Jets intend to run more outside runs.

“We’re putting in some more perimeter runs, which has been Marty’s thing, get some speed out there, and we have some backs, certainly, that can do that,” Rex Ryan said. But we were working (at practice), especially in the individual part, we’re pulling those guys and I think we are much more athletic, especially at that guard spot.”

Mike Goodson, a Jets free agent addition at tailback, fits this approach very well.

Shonka and Fitzgerald on JC Radio at 1 pm today – primesportsnetwork.com 05.14.13

NFL DRAFT RECAP

1:00pm…Jets Confidential Radio on primesportsnetwork.com

Dan Shonka, NFL Draft analyst for Ourlads.com, will break down every draft pick by the NY Jets from the 2013 NFL Draft as well as their top free agent rookies and in-depth analysis on the 1st/2nd year players who might have a chance to make an impact on the depth chart for the upcoming season and beyond; special guest Jason Fitzgerald of NYJetsCap.com will update the Jets salary cap situatation including the best options the team has with QB-Mark Sanchez.

Loaded podcast with Pigskin DePalma today 05.14.13

NFL DRAFT RECAP

1:00pm…Jets Confidential Radio on primesportsnetwork.com

Dan Shonka, editor and NFL Draft analyst for Ourlads.com, will break down every draft pick by the NY Jets from the 2013 NFL Draft as well as their top free agent rookies and in-depth analysis on the 1st/2nd year players who might have a chance to make an impact on the depth chart for the upcoming season and beyond; special guest Jason Fitzgerald of NYJetsCap.com will update the Jets salary cap situatation including the best options the team has with QB-Mark Sanchez.

Giants owner comments on Jets personnel move 05.13.13

Giants co-owner Steve Tisch commented yesterday on Tim Tebow.

“I think him going from the Broncos to the Jets was not in anybody’s best interest,” Tisch told TMZ on his way out of Dan Tana’s in L.A. Sunday night. “Had another team picked him up after the Broncos, maybe he’d have a career.”

Rontez Miles catches Rex’s attention 05.11.13

One of the Jets’ better undrafted free agent signings was safety Rontez Miles from California University of Pennsylvania.

He’s very physical, perhaps too physical for a rookie mini-camp (no tackling).

“One thing you can’t take away from him is this dude is aggressive and it will show up more on the special teams factor than it will anything else,” Rex Ryan said. “It’s like, ‘Son we’re not hitting each other right now,” so we have to make sure you’re [protecting teammates], (we) have to really slow him down that way. But I love his mentality (and) I love his aggressiveness.

“When he gets it down mentally, that’s going to let his physical talents stand out, which obviously he has a great deal of. But he is a hitter. There’s no question. That’s what we know on film and it will be interesting how quickly he will pick things up.”