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This doesn’t make a ton of sense on the balance sheet . . .
Talking about the Jets and Odell Beckham.
ESPN’s Dan Graziano announced a few days ago that the Jets are Beckham’s “most likely landing spot.”
There is a report that the receiver wants $15 million to play for a team this year.
I don’t get this Jets-Beckham thing in some regards.
As one great team builder once said, “We aren’t collecting talent, we are building a team.”
This isn’t fantasy football.
The Jets just signed free agent WR Allen Lazard to a four-year deal for $44 million with $22 million guaranteed.
He should be terrific compliment to speedy, quick Garrett Wilson on the other side. Lazard is like a power forward playing receivers. He’s outstanding going up to get the rebound, in other words grabbing 50-50 balls away from overmatched corners.
And then you have Mecole Hardman, who has world-class speed, coming in to replace Elijah Moore, who was traded to Cleveland, in the slot.
So right there you have the Jets’ top three receivers, with guys Corey Davis and Denzel Mims still in the building.
It’s unclear what the future holds for Davis, but one thing we all need to keep in mind is aside from being a good receiver, he’s a heck of a run blocker, and run blocking from receivers is huge in the outside zone blocking scheme the Jets play.
Beckham is clearly a rare talent, but he’s now blown out the same left knee twice, once in 2020, and another time in 2022.
You are going to give a 30-year-old receiver with has suffered two serious left knee injuries, $15 million for this season?
Now if you told me, he would come in on a one-year deal for around $5 million, that’s a different story.
And we all need to keep in mind the Jets are tight against the cap and are seemingly close to taking on Aaron Rodgers’ monster contract.
Also keep in mind, although we keep hearing they are one player (Rodgers) away from being a contender, that is hyperbole.
Obviously their roster is a lot better than a couple of years ago, but some of this stuff you hear about them being a loaded team that just needs a QB is an exaggeration.
Of course they need to QB, but they also need a run-stuffing DT, a coverage linebacker, a ball-hawking safety and another offensive lineman, with so many guys coming off injuries up-front.
So Joe Douglas can’t cave to the public posturing of Beckham’s agent, who clearly has a lot of surrogates in the media. Is there a player in the NFL, who gets more coverage than Beckham, whether he is injured or healthy?
Douglas has proven to be a very good poker player with agents, not caving like other GMs.
Another example recently was with DT Calais Campbell, who the Jets had in for a visit. He would help fill that need for a run-stuffer to play next to Quinnen Williams.
However, Campbell just signed with the Atlanta Falcons for a one-year deal for $7 million fully guaranteed.
I was wondering why Campbell signed with Atlanta over the Jets. That deal probably explains it. Think about it. With all respect to QB Desmond Ridder, if you are a 37-year-old player, who hasn’t won a championship, wouldn’t you pick the Jets and Rodgers (their likely QB this year) over the Falcons and Ridder?
Campbell likely went for the better money, and hey, who could blame him? He grew up very poor in Denver, and he’s looking to take care of his family.
But the Campbell situation is another example of Douglas not throwing around money recklessly.
And paying Beckham, let’s say $12-15 million for one year, would be reckless, with his injury history.
We will see where this goes, but keep in mind, Beckham’s agent is very good at working the media, and you gotta tip your hat to him for working hard for his client, but a 1-year deal for $5, maybe $6 million seems to make more sense, don’t you think?
April 3, 2023
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